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Getting bowels empty enough for RT

User
Posted 08 May 2023 at 13:37

Great to have some advice on what seems quite difficult to get bowels empty enough for Radio Therapy (RT) treatment.  It took my OH 3 x CT planning sessions, even then his bowel was not empty using 3 sachets of Laxido a day and a Microlax mini-enema along with doing all the things needed to clear bowels e.g. prunes, chia seeds, fibre, fruit etc.  This is even though he thought he had emptied his bowels more than once in the morning.  He initially noticed a change in bowel movements as he started to get PCa symptoms which he was managing through diet and lactulose. The specialist nurse suggested Laxido was better suited.  At the third CT planning session his bowel was just within the tolerance they can use and we are now waiting for the RT plan sign off.  We want to get this right so that when the RT treatment sessions start his bowels are in the right state and realise after a couple of weeks of treatment the bowels will be less of a problem due to the reaction to the RT.  We have some questions: does the bowel need to be exactly in the same state as when the CT planning session was completed - is there any tolerance?  Would just using just a mini-enema be enough, the Laxido seems to be giving him wind.  Is it possible the RT treatment cannot be done daily if the bowel is not presented in the right state.  Just an indication of the worry we are going through while waiting - we may be overthinking all of this. 

PS thanks Decho for all your input on your RT treatment sessions, they have been really helpful. I can't thank you enough.

OH Diagnosed with locally advanced PCa in March 2023 G5+4, T3b N1 M0, initial PSA 290, which went down to PSA 23 after 4 months on Decapeptyl 6 month injections.  Declined Chemo and waiting for start of RT treatment. 

User
Posted 08 May 2023 at 20:24
Hi Schubert,

I had some issues with my bowels before RT started and was taking Laxido. I was told to stop taking it during RT when I had my CT Planning scan.

Can I ask, is it Micralax or Microlax? I bought some Microlax for myself to use when I was having the issues but they didn’t work for me. However the Micralax as prescribed for RT did the job.

During RT I started to get very loose movements and at my weekly meeting at the clinic they put me on fybogel which I found helped a lot. I know wind is as big an enemy for the RT team as how full your bowel is

What system are they using for the RT? Has your OH had gold marker seed implants? That’s what I had so I only got a CT Scan on the first session of RT to compare with the CT Planning scan, thereafter just an X-Ray.

There are members on here with a much greater knowledge than me on tolerances etc.,but what I would say is that myRT staff were so accommodating and helpful, and will help you through any difficulties you might have.

Quite probably worrying about it is making the situation worse for your OH, hopefully your RT times are the same each day and that will give you the chance toget into a routine and you’ll soon get use to it.

I know it’s difficult but try and relax about the RT sessions,

User
Posted 08 May 2023 at 20:50

The general idea is to have the bowel and bladder in the same condition for all sessions. Some hospitals may scan more frequently to see things are in the same place.

I used the mini enemas about three hours before my appointment each day. My appointments times varied from early morning to late evening, so I used the mini enemas three hours before my treatment time.

 

Hope all goes well

Thanks Chris 

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User
Posted 08 May 2023 at 20:24
Hi Schubert,

I had some issues with my bowels before RT started and was taking Laxido. I was told to stop taking it during RT when I had my CT Planning scan.

Can I ask, is it Micralax or Microlax? I bought some Microlax for myself to use when I was having the issues but they didn’t work for me. However the Micralax as prescribed for RT did the job.

During RT I started to get very loose movements and at my weekly meeting at the clinic they put me on fybogel which I found helped a lot. I know wind is as big an enemy for the RT team as how full your bowel is

What system are they using for the RT? Has your OH had gold marker seed implants? That’s what I had so I only got a CT Scan on the first session of RT to compare with the CT Planning scan, thereafter just an X-Ray.

There are members on here with a much greater knowledge than me on tolerances etc.,but what I would say is that myRT staff were so accommodating and helpful, and will help you through any difficulties you might have.

Quite probably worrying about it is making the situation worse for your OH, hopefully your RT times are the same each day and that will give you the chance toget into a routine and you’ll soon get use to it.

I know it’s difficult but try and relax about the RT sessions,

User
Posted 08 May 2023 at 20:50

The general idea is to have the bowel and bladder in the same condition for all sessions. Some hospitals may scan more frequently to see things are in the same place.

I used the mini enemas about three hours before my appointment each day. My appointments times varied from early morning to late evening, so I used the mini enemas three hours before my treatment time.

 

Hope all goes well

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 08 May 2023 at 22:24

Thanks Decho, it is Micralax 5 ml being used but OH is waiting until we know when the RT starts before using again.  Should know in a week or so as it is already 2 weeks after planning was completed. OH has no gold seed markers put in just the tattoo marks so I guess a conal scan may be used each time.  Thanks for the tip re fibogel, will check that out.

User
Posted 08 May 2023 at 22:26

Thanks Chris - very calming advice and as you say we just need to get through this. Staff are excellent and I am sure this is nothing they haven't seen before.

 
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