Urinary issues after brachytherapy

Hi SH53

I am sorry to see that you are having some urinary symptoms that are concerning you. You have absolutely done the right thing by contacting your doctor and being checked/treated for a potential urinary infection. I am sure that your CNS will be back in touch soon with advice. 

I did not have brachytherapy but I did have external beam radiotherapy for my womb cancer. I was told that my bladder may be irritated by it and that this may not happen straight away. She said sometimes after radiotherapy things take a while to settle. During radiotherapy I mainly had bowel effects however after it had finished I did have some bladder irritation. For me it was slight stinging, feeling a bit uncomfortable, going a bit more often and sometimes a little urgency. Staying really hydrated helped and it did resolve a few weeks later. Occasionally I still get a bit of a sensitive bladder- a bit like when you feel that you may be coming down with a UTI but it doesn't actually happen- if that makes sense.

I hope this helps a bit

Jane

Hi Jane, thanks for your reply and support. Yes it all makes sense!  I think it could be irritation to my bladder as I sometimes get a slight twinge in that area when I start to pee. I thought any side effects would start immediately but I've since read, on a reliable website, that they can crop up some time later. 

The way it was explained to me was that the radiotherapy goes on working for sometime after it is given. Things peak around a couple of weeks after then should start to feel a bit better because you are not having the treatment. The cells take a while to recover and to have the new healthy ones grow. It is then that sometimes effects can pop up until everything settles. 

Hi SH53

I just wanted to share that I've had similar problems. I had a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with womb cancer followed by chemotherapy....once a month for 6 months. Unfortunately 7 months later, I was told it had spread to my peritoneum.  This was followed by 4 more monthly cycles of carboplatin then 18 weekly cycles of paclitaxel.  

Over the last few months, I too have had cramps, lower abdominal pains and an urgent need to go to the loo, and was treated for a UTI. Testing later showed there was no infection although the antibiotics did help. I've also had problems with my bowels and obviously I worried it was something more serious. I was told it is probably the after affects of the treatment. 

Hopefully you will soon feel better but maybe not worry too much. Of course if you feel worse, then contact one of your health care team.

All the best 

Helen x

Thanks Helen. Sorry to hear you've had some unpleasant side effects after your treatment. I live on my own so can overthink things sometimes! Thank goodness for this forum where we can open up about our concerns and share advice. 

Hi SH53

I'm pleased if my similar experience has helped to reassure you. 

Take care 

Helen xx

Hello SH53 

I have read that Brachytherapy can make you feel like you need to wee more often or urgently. You may also have a stinging or burning pain when you wee. This is because the applicators and radiation can cause bruising and damage where you had the treatment.This can happen after treatment or few months later. My own experience was good at first, then couple of months later I started to feel irritation and sore in the genital area which I was treating as thrush with over the counter meds. It seemed to get better and returned so sought help from doctors who prescribed tablets pessaries and creams, again it returned so next appointment doctor did a swab and it came back negative for thrush, so she prescribed a topical cream which has much improved my symptoms. At it's worst, it burned when I passed urine.

I can admit that my internal area is definitely changed since my brachy in August 2022 and feels more delicate, I sometimes use the dilators but as I much prefer the natural way we have to be more careful if you know what I mean.

Hope this helps in some way x

Thanks for the helpful information. I was reasonably OK - apart from some soreness - for the first few months so thought I managed to dodge any side effects. However, it does seem that they can crop up when you least expect them. At 70 I'm well passed the menopause, never had children and been single for 15 years so, sadly, having to rely on the dilators. It's been challenging, to say the least! On my post op letter even the surgeon commented that I had 'a narrow vagina'! Wasn't really shocked or offended as she was simply stating a physiological fact. The joys of gynaecology! 

Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear of your ongoing problems, you've had a difficult time. The post op treatment can be very tough on our bodies - and souls - and, on reflection, I probably underestimated  the side effects I might have. Cranberry juice has been recommended so I'm going to try that plus I'm going to switch to decaf coffee. I've lived on my own for 30 years and was always quite happy with my situation but it can be more challenging when you've had health issues. I've joined a local Yoga group which has been very beneficial both physically and emotionally plus I've met some lovely ladies. I always wear a pad for the class just in case of any little accident!