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User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 12:01

I was diagnosed late December with advanced localised. Hormone jabs, so far, haven't caused me any real issues other than a bit tired, but March brings Radiotherapy.

I know everyone is different and there isn't a definitive answer (and I'm sure my specialist nurse will come up with lots of helpful tips), but nothing beats people who have been through it.

My big worries, at the moment is incontinence of both types. I've looked at products like tenor pants, but how effective are they? I presume they will cope with a wee, but what about a pooh? Might there be leaks and what about the smell? I may be getting lifts to sessions from relatives and I don't want any accidents in their cars.

Any suggestions on pre-planning gratefully received - Thank you.

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 20:23

My husband had RT.

 

Followed low fibre low residue diet in advance of planning scans.drank at least two litres of water a day. Avoided caffeine. 

 

part way through had some looseness of bowel which cleared within a couple of weeks of end of RT. No incontinence luckily. 

 

no other side affects, fortunately. We had a 30 minute daily journey each way and he got into a good routine in terms of when to drink. He was completely back to normal in all ways within weeks. 

 

Prepare for the worst hope for the best. Good luck. 

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 22:03

Some people do get some incontinence from RT, but it is not usually a major problem. Peeing problems are more likely to be a sudden need to pee, rather than a leak. Being able to get to a toilet fast, or more practically having a wide necked bottle* in the car is more likely to be helpful than pads. Wet farts are more likely than bowel incontinence, not pleasant but not life changing.

You could buy some pads now and experiment with peeing yourself in the bath tub at home, if you wanted to make sure you could cope with the worst situations. I think that would be overkill, but better to try this at home in a controlled environment than in someone's car.

*1.35L innocent orange juice bottle is best.

Dave

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User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 17:27

I  had surgery and was caught short with a pad overflow and no spare on my first walk out.  We'd gone in my wife's car and she always has spare plastic bags so the car was spared.   After that it was always carry a spare pad.  A plastic shopping bag might be useful as well.  If you're really worried Boots have a good range of wrappings and they seem to be more substantial than Tenna, last time I looked which is a long time ago.  I found it amusing but if it was long term it would be another matter.

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 18:39

Thank you. There does seem to be a wide range of pads, but it's difficult to know which if any, give some sort of wide ranging coverage.

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 20:23

My husband had RT.

 

Followed low fibre low residue diet in advance of planning scans.drank at least two litres of water a day. Avoided caffeine. 

 

part way through had some looseness of bowel which cleared within a couple of weeks of end of RT. No incontinence luckily. 

 

no other side affects, fortunately. We had a 30 minute daily journey each way and he got into a good routine in terms of when to drink. He was completely back to normal in all ways within weeks. 

 

Prepare for the worst hope for the best. Good luck. 

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 20:54

Thank you, that's helpful 

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 21:28

Tom, remember a few small leaks add up and may overflow. Although I had mucus and did not trust a fart, the bowels were ok, I certainly didn't have bowel incontinence.  At our hospital we did empty bowel and urine in the bladder. I was given mini enemas that I used at home before going to the hospital. Although there was some urine urgency, I didn't have any bowel accidents. Getting the diet right should help with the bowels.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 21:31

Thanks Chris, maybe I'm overthinking it. Other information I've seen talk about the importance of the diet. 

Nevertheless any experience is helpful 

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 22:03

Some people do get some incontinence from RT, but it is not usually a major problem. Peeing problems are more likely to be a sudden need to pee, rather than a leak. Being able to get to a toilet fast, or more practically having a wide necked bottle* in the car is more likely to be helpful than pads. Wet farts are more likely than bowel incontinence, not pleasant but not life changing.

You could buy some pads now and experiment with peeing yourself in the bath tub at home, if you wanted to make sure you could cope with the worst situations. I think that would be overkill, but better to try this at home in a controlled environment than in someone's car.

*1.35L innocent orange juice bottle is best.

Dave

User
Posted 26 Jan 2025 at 22:45

If you're otherwise healthy you're probably overthinking this.

For purposes of statistical balance and speaking as someone who went through HT/RT, I had no problems with incontinence of any sort, beyond the need to pee sometimes when it was inconvenient. That comes down to a management issue where you need to anticipate when that coffee you just drank might take effect. Same with other fluid intake and while it can be tempting to lower the fluid intake to avoid the problem, it's always important to keep drinking [water of course 😊.

Jules

 
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