proctitis

Well, what I thought was hemorrhoids aggravated by mild proctitis now turns out to be a strong case of proctitis causing all the pain during bowel movements. I saw my primary care doctor instead of the radiation doc because I thought it was just hemorrhoids. But after an exam that tested my naval vocabulary, the doctor assured me the problem was radiation proctitis, and that we needed to get on it right away. So I'm taking prednisone orally for a few days, and if the inflammation doesn't go down dramatically, he gave me a prescription for Proctofoam, which seems to be a pretty standard treatment.

Still, I'm not too badly affected throughout the day. More frequent BMs, but not diarrhea right now. It's just that when I go, I have to bite down on a towel or something for a few seconds.
I'm glad I saw my doctor. Now I have to explain to the radiation oncologist why I didn't report this to HIM. Actually, I'd get on the phone Monday and tell him, but things have to cool down in the bowel before anyone else does and exam down there.

I don't want this to scare anyone away from IMRT as salvage after prostatectomy. If you need it, you need it.

DONE

Last IMRT treatment today. Left with a little gift from the staff and a followup appointment in 3 months. Feel good--energy level hasn't diminished since last week, no diarrhea since the other day, and the urinary side effects haven't increased. I've never been so happy to see March 13.
The next time I post will probably be to report my PSA. Stay tuned....

2 more

Diarrhea hit hard the other day, but Imodium hit back harder. Feeling good overall. They've got the TV working in the treatment room, so I now bring in DVDs.

fatigue

Fatigue has gotten worse. Bowel issues slightly worse, too, but it's the fatigue that's getting me. Someone suggested CoQ10. Not sure if I should take it now or wait until treatment ends next week. I'll ask the oncologist.
6 to go.

31 down

8 to go. I brought my son in the other day and the staff showed him the equipment and let him watch from the control area.
Bowel and urinary irritation continue, but they have not worsened. A few days ago I started noticing some tiredness. Could be radiation fatigue (the body tires from continually repairing tissue damaged by the radiation).
Some news out today on green tea and Celebrex slowing the spread of prostate cancer.