A visit to the radiation oncologist

After I ran out of the Proctofoam, I went back to the radiation oncologist and told him what was going on. Thankfully, he did not examine me, understanding what that would be like. He did give me a generous Rx--lots of refills--for Proctofoam. Things are slowly improving, and the Rx will help with symptoms in the meantime.

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.

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.