Bullseye

First post-salvage radiation PSA test came back today. Zero point one. That's a great score in my situation. I'm probably, hopefully, still on a downward curve, so maybe the next PSA will be less than zero point one, or "undetectable" on the standard PSA test. I was dreading the digital rectal exam (DRE) because of the proctitis, but it didn't hurt at all and there was no sign of blood, which means to me that the proctitis is just about gone.

The doctor said he would have been happy even if the score was 0.3.

This is a great day.

2 months since radiation..

..and things continue to improve slowly. I'm doing much better than I was a month ago. My current regimen is Proctofoam 2-3 times daily. I avoid insoluble fiber as much as possible but take Benefiber (2 grams twice a day). Benefiber is pure soluble fiber. After each bowel movement I take 1/2 dose of Immodium. That prevents any diarrhea. In a week or so I'll try stopping Immodium altogether.
Bowel movements are now simply uncomfortable, whereas before they were very painful. And I'm not in any discomfort afterwards now, where before I would be uncomfortable for most of the day.
About 1 month until PSA time.

some relief

Maybe it's the Proctofoam and maybe it's just the passage of time, or both, but the symptoms of acute radiation proctitis are easing. Bowel movements are no longer like giving birth, and there's less--some times zero--blood afterwards. I still haven't gone back to the radiation oncologist, I'm just using the prescription from my family doctor. When that runs out, if symptoms flare up, I'll go see the radiation guy to get some more Proctofoam, but hopefully I'm on the downhill side now as far as symptoms go. Bladder irritation has fallen off as well.
I'm still careful what I eat and drink. No caffeine, no alcohol, very little fiber. Soon I'll try adding soluble fiber to the diet and see what happens.
It's now been almost a month since my last IMRT session.

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.