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Rectal bleeding post RT -- experiences and treatments.

User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 10:52

Hello everyone,

It's been almost two and a half years since my Dad was diagnosed with Gleason 8 PC. His PSA is now undetectable. Unfortunately, for the last year or so, he's been suffering rectal bleeding. He has an endoscopy procedure last year, which showed diverticular disease and mild radiation damage. He's seen his GP a few times since about the bleeding and been given suppositories. He's also told his specialist about it at his last meeting (April) who said it would get better over time. I think, however, judging by what my Dad has told me, it's getting worse.

Last week, his GP gave him more suppositories along with two antibiotics -- ampicillin and metronidazole (flagyl). The side effects were bad but the GP insisted he complete the course. Now, after completing the course, Dad is still feeling unwell. He's lost his appetite and he's still bleeding. I've told him to speak to one of the nurses in his team at the hospital because frankly I don't trust his GP surgery. 

What have others experienced? What treatments have worked for you? Did you have to badger the doctors to take your bleeding seriously and get suitable treatments?

Any info. or advice would be appreciated. 

 

thanks,

 

Denise.

Edited by member 31 May 2018 at 12:06  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 14:22

A course of Predsol sorted my Proctitis post RT

 

Regards

 

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"
User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 11:23

Denise

I think you are going find it challenging to find a doctor or consultant who really understands radiation damage. I am a year on from salvage RT and keep being told my best option is bladder removal, the bowel is now starting to cause me issues, I am waiting for a colonoscopy to check for damage and rule out bowel cancer. Do you have a late effects team as part of your dad's radiotherapy department, ours were not a great help and could not really offer anything that I was already pursuing.

Try ringing the specialist nurse on this site they may recommend you get in touch with another organisation.

Thanks Chris

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User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 11:23

Denise

I think you are going find it challenging to find a doctor or consultant who really understands radiation damage. I am a year on from salvage RT and keep being told my best option is bladder removal, the bowel is now starting to cause me issues, I am waiting for a colonoscopy to check for damage and rule out bowel cancer. Do you have a late effects team as part of your dad's radiotherapy department, ours were not a great help and could not really offer anything that I was already pursuing.

Try ringing the specialist nurse on this site they may recommend you get in touch with another organisation.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 11:31

Thanks Chris. It seems rectal bleeding is very common among those who've had RT for PC and other cancers in the lower abdomen, yet it's difficult to get treatment unless you're bleeding badly. I hope you have a better experience than my Dad has. 

 

thanks,

 

Denise

User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 14:22

A course of Predsol sorted my Proctitis post RT

 

Regards

 

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"
User
Posted 31 May 2018 at 14:40
Thanks Dave. I should have mentioned my dad is on warfarin. This limits the choice of meds he can take, but I'll take a look at Predsol. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
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