First let me say that I a quite impressed by the support shown here, thank you all.
I finished treatment last Apr 2010. Other than an infection during treatment things went pretty well. I think. Lately there have been a couple things to show up. constantly urinating and several bowel movements daily. after talking with my oncologist he mentioned the nerve bundles and all and said that things should improve. I hope so. However I have noticed a couple things that I need help with. I like coffee and will have a cup...do you think this is adding to my problems? has anyone had experience with this? Also I might a have a glass a wine and immediately I feel it in my prostate, or in that area of my body. If anyone has experienced any of the same things please help me out here. haven't had to catheterize myself or anything like that but sometimes it's hard to go. As someone else put it, learning to pee all over again.
I guess in regard to some of the things I have read here my side effects are minimal compared to some but it's what I am dealing with. I keep Imodium with me at all times. has anyone had the same effects from coffee or wine?
Also recently I have been taking some very good supplements and the effects have lessened but not gone away
Caffine and alcohol will relax the ureatha and cause more frequency and urgency. Try taking metamucil daily as this will harden soft stools. Also are you taking Flowmax? you should ask your Dr about it.
JohnT
John thanks for your reply. As a matter of fact I am not taking anything. I was taking something to help urinate for a while but since I am not having a real problem going the doctor didn't want me taking anything if I don't have too. Metamucil is basically fiber right? I have other fibers that I am taking. as you would imagine life styles change and fiber is regular part of my diet. Stools are not always soft just when I have certain things to eat. I am almost a year since treatment and the only lingering effect is the need to go. frequent bowels. 2 - 3 times a day. and just the feeling of urgency.
sometimes I'm afraid I might crap on myself. not a good feeling.
John thanks for your reply. As a matter of fact I am not taking anything. I was taking something to help urinate for a while but since I am not having a real problem going the doctor didn't want me taking anything if I don't have too. Metamucil is basically fiber right? I have other fibers that I am taking. as you would imagine life styles change and fiber is regular part of my diet. Stools are not always soft just when I have certain things to eat. I am almost a year since treatment and the only lingering effect is the need to go. frequent bowels. 2 - 3 times a day. and just the feeling of urgency.
sometimes I'm afraid I might crap on myself. not a good feeling.
Thanks,
J
Hi Juneymoon,
All the symptoms that you are experiencing are the same ones that I experienced after my salvage radiation therapy. And we are not alone. There are several people that have posted on this board about having the same problems after RT.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It took me about a year and a half to get back to what I considered almost "normal". It's been about 23 months now since the RT and I would have to say that I'm back to being 99.9% normal. It does take quite awhile for things to heal up. You have to remember that the RT does destroy good cells as well as bad and it takes time for the good cells to rejuvenate. Hopefully the cancer cells never will!
So hang in there. I'm sure you will see improvement in your condition as time passes. I know it can be extremely frustrating at times, especially when you have those overwhelming urges to have a bowel movement and you aren't in the immediate vicinity of a toilet. At times like that, it seems like all the butt clenching power in the universe is still not enough! I remember those days only too well and hope to never see them again.
As far as the problems urinating, I too had those as well but the bladder irritation causing the urination problems didn't seem to last as long as the bowel irritation. I would imagine it's different for everyone as far as the length of time for recovery is concerned.
Thank you for your response. Made me laugh. I look forward to getting back to as normal as I possible can. All the best and may the butt clinching attack never bother you again.
My symptoms are very mild, but still there-as in, yes, I know that something is "cooking down there". Yes, coffee and alcohol do increase that urge-just as it did before the radiation therapy however it has heightened the sensations a bit during my recovery phase. I figure that I've got about 6 more months to go before I decide if this is a permanent situation. The minor bowl sensitivity I have seems to be diminishing more linearly with time. All in all, it's been a very easy price to pay and if I have to continue in this vein, it's no big deal.
on myself. not a good feeling. 
