Cancer Treatment Options Forum - March 24th, 2011 - 6 Comments
For a man going through radiation, due to prostate cancer, and has uncontrolable bowels?
Is there some form of diet, so that he doesn’t get untimely urges to go to the bathroom. Any suggestions at all would be helpful. Thanks
Check with his physician.
It is likely he can use over-the-counter Immodium AD occasionally to prevent sudden urges.
Increase fiber intake to "bulk up" the stool. Avoid high fat foods that can cause diarrhea.
Adding the fiber as listed above will definitely help. Fiber draws in the water to prevent the diarrhea and it also loosens the stool to prevent constipation. That is why it is so stressed for every one to eat more fiber. Something like Metamucil or the walmart version is fine. Good luck.
Be aware that radiation to the prostate may also reach the nearby intestine which is very sensitive to radiation. A radiation effect on the bowel from the prostate treatment could be the problem. Let your radiation therapy doctor know; he is surely familiar with the connection.
I had the same problem and there were two things that helped me the most.. The best thing was eating beef jerky.. and the second was eating green bananas hope this helps. Well one other food that helped was bisquits and gravey.. .. but still the best was beef jerky.. I had a little of the problem when having my radiation… but the jerky ended it pretty fast..I think the people recommending more fiber do not know what they are talking about.. more fiber made my problem much worse when I was having radiation for prostate cancer.. lay off fiber..
I’ve heard that when you have that type of cancer that you do have problems with the bowels….hope that gets better!