10 Bad Side Effects of Radiation Treatments

Radiation therapy is frequently used in the difficult treatment of colorectal cancer, which is a dangerous condition. Although this treatment has the potential to reduce tumor size and eradicate cancer cells, there are several potential negative effects.

Individuals receiving radiation therapy for colorectal cancer may encounter many unfavorable symptoms. These adverse effects might affect a patient’s quality of life and capacity to carry out everyday activities. They can range in severity from minor to severe.

If you have ever been here to my site previously you are familiar with my story and some articles I have written in the past where I talk about subjects which I have experienced as being important to a new Ostomy Patient.

One post that I find will be helpful to you is you can go to How to Get Through the Radiation Treatments for Colorectal Cancer, this post is a deep inside look at how I got through my radiation treatments. Now several years later I am sharing my story 10 years past and some things to be aware of for your journey. Education from experience I call it.

1. Let’s Get Personal Here For a Few Minutes.

Back in the fall of 2013, I experienced some of these side effects personally.

My personal assigned treatment to reduce the size of my cancerous tumor was 27 radiation treatments as well as some Chemo taken with pills.

Then I had colorectal surgery scheduled 2 1/2 months after the radiation treatments were concluded.

The Cancer doctor was pleased with how the tumor shrunk up so well.

He had done his job and surgery was performed on December 13, 2013.

However, 10 years later I have found that I now have a half burned to a crisp bladder. It is now unresponsive and I just spent 9 months with a local urologist figuring out why I have such active leakage and why my bladder refuses on its own to retain urine.

I now have a sacral stimulator to aid in more proper bladder operations. You can read my post titled My sacral stimulator aids my daily body functions.

This was one large side effect that I wasn’t aware of a possibility of this happening.

Moving back to personally reported things that can go wrong.

Follow me as I take you through my mindset at the beginning of my cancer journey. I was totally unaware of all of these things I want to talk about now. If you read

Living With An Ostomy-The Struggle and My Story As a Colorectal Cancer Patient both of these posts you can sense my naivete towards all of this. I believe my eyes are wide open now as to the real dangers that are present and could be part of your future from your cancer treatments.

Let’s get to side effects number 2- number 10. Next what to look for. Be Aware of any or all of these happening to you.

Manage Symptoms of Side Effects.

Here are some normal things you may experience.

To anticipate and manage side effects correctly, patients and their healthcare professionals must have a thorough understanding of them. Among the common complaints include changes in bowel habits, skin problems, and weariness.

It is crucial to remember that not every patient will suffer every side effect and that the degree of discomfort can vary depending on many circumstances, including the patient’s general health and the specifics of their treatment.

By adjusting treatment to meet each patient’s unique needs, healthcare staff strive to minimize these side effects. They provide numerous interventions and support to help with good symptom management.

To receive the best care and support possible during their treatment journey, patients are encouraged to be open and honest with their doctors about any side effects they may encounter

2. Gastrointestinal Complications

A variety of gastrointestinal adverse effects might result from radiation therapies directed against the colon region. Comprehending these problems is crucial, as they have the potential to drastically affect a patient’s quality of life and necessitate further procedures.

Nausea and Vomiting

Radiation damage to the stomach and adjacent tissues can cause nausea in patients, which can then result in vomiting. To treat these symptoms, doctors may prescribe antiemetic drugs. read this article for more information.
Types and Side Effects of Antiemetic Drugs

Diarrhea

Since radiation can irritate the lining of the intestines, diarrhea is a typical side effect. Its severity can be managed with a modified diet and adequate hydration.

Rectal Bleeding

3. Skin Reactions

Skin reactions have a major negative impact on a patient’s comfort and quality of life as a side effect of radiation therapy for colorectal cancer. Radiation dermatitis, which varies in intensity, and dryness with itching are the two major ways they usually appear.

Radiation Dermatitis

One frequent and frequently anticipated side effect of radiation therapy is radiation dermatitis. It manifests as an acute cutaneous reaction that can vary in severity from mild redness and soreness to blistering and peeling. In particular, one could note:

Skin redness or erythema in mild cases of dermatitis.

Moderate Dermatitis: Increasing redness, maybe accompanied by swelling and the start of itching or pain.

Severe Dermatitis: The afflicted area may peel skin, or it may be “wet” dermatitis that oozes and blisters.
Itching and Dryness

Following radiation therapy, patients may also have severe itching (pruritus) and dry skin. If this discomfort continues, it may result in:

Skin Dryness Texture that is roughened, flaking, or scaling.
Itching: A persistent, irritating feeling that can cause you to scratch, which irritates your skin even more.

To manage these symptoms, patients must practice proper skin care. For detailed advice and treatment choices, patients should speak with their healthcare team.

4. Immune System Effects

The immune system of a patient receiving radiation therapy for colorectal cancer may be specifically and quantifiably affected. The way that radiation interacts with the body’s inherent defenses results in these effects.

Reduced Level of White Blood Cells

Patients with colorectal cancer may experience leukopenia, or a decrease in white blood cells, as a result of radiation therapy directed towards the pelvic area. As the body’s main line of defense against infections, a decrease in white blood cell counts might increase a patient’s susceptibility to a variety of diseases.

These persons must take additional measures to prevent contracting infectious infections both during and after their treatment.

5. Try Fatigue On For Size

I did experience fatigue quite a bit. The treatments are there pounding on you every day.

Chronic Tiredness

Individuals receiving radiation treatment for colorectal cancer may endure weeks or even months of severe fatigue. Patients may experience persistently low levels of physical, emotional, and cerebral energy, which makes it challenging for them to carry out their daily duties.

Anemia or sleep patterns being disturbed are two consequences of radiation therapy that add to exhaustion. Being tired doesn’t usually get better with rest, therefore it’s a continuous problem.

6. Sexual Health Issues

Sexual health problems can arise from colorectal cancer radiation treatments. These may have varying impacts on various people and stem from radiation’s direct or indirect effects on hormones and sexual functions.

Sexual Dysfunction

Patients may experience sexual dysfunction as a consequence of radiation therapy aimed at treating colorectal cancer. The following points elaborate on this issue:

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in Males: Radiation can damage the blood vessels and nerves responsible for an erection, leading to ED.
  

  Severity	Time of Onset	Duration
  Mild to Severe	Immediately to Years Post-Treatment	Temporary to Permanent

• Vaginal Changes in Females: Women might undergo changes that make intercourse painful, such as vaginal stenosis (narrowing or shortening of the vagina) caused by the formation of scar tissue.
  Vaginal StenosisPainful IntercourseUse of vaginal dilators>Lubricants and moisturizers

  Issue	Resultant Condition	Possible Interventions

• Libido Alterations: Both men and women may experience a decrease in sexual desire due to the psychological impact of cancer treatment or the alteration of hormone levels.
  • Impact on Fertility: Potential loss of fertility can occur, as radiation may affect the reproductive organs, reducing the production of sperm in men and eggs in women.

7. Urinary Problems

Patients receiving radiation treatments for colorectal cancer may encounter various urinary issues. These complications arise due to radiation’s impact on the bladder and surrounding tissues.

Bladder Irritation

Symptoms: Patients may experience symptoms of bladder irritation, which often manifest as:

• Frequency: An increased need to urinate.
• Urgency: A sudden, compelling urge to urinate.
• Discomfort: Pain or burning sensations during urination.

Management Strategies:

• Hydration: Getting enough drinks can assist in lessening irritation and diluting pee.
• Dietary Adjustments: Avoiding irritants like caffeine and acidic foods may alleviate symptoms.
• Medications: Prescribed medications can help to ease inflammation and discomfort.

These urinary issues typically resolve after treatment concludes, but some individuals may have lingering effects. Patients are encouraged to report any urinary symptoms to their healthcare provider for appropriate management.

Emotional and Cognitive Changes

Individuals receiving radiation treatments for colorectal cancer may face emotional and cognitive challenges as a direct effect of the therapy. Radiation can influence mood and cognitive function, potentially leading to depression and memory loss.

8. Depression

Patients may go through a major emotional shift during or after radiation therapy, with a tendency toward depression. Prolonged melancholy, disinterest in hobbies, and social disengagement are the hallmarks of this illness. These shifts in emotional state could be attributed in part to the physiological changes brought on by radiation.

9. Memory Loss

Radiation treatments can also lead to memory loss, which patients may notice as difficulty recalling recent events or information. This cognitive side effect, sometimes referred to as “chemo brain” even when caused by radiation, can manifest as forgetfulness or the inability to concentrate. Cognitive functions are sensitive to the impacts of radiation and may be temporarily or permanently affected.

10. Potential Risk of Secondary Cancer

When patients undergo radiation treatments for colorectal cancer, they face a potential risk of developing a secondary cancer. Secondary cancers are new types of cancer that occur as a direct consequence of treatment for the original cancer.

• Probability: The risk of a secondary cancer is relatively small but notable.
• Location: Secondary cancers may arise in or near the field of radiation.

The types of secondary cancers vary, but the following are possibilities:

1. Bone Cancer
2. Bladder Cancer
3. Blood Cancers
   • Leukemia
   • Lymphoma

Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles to destroy cancer cells, but in the process, it can also affect healthy cells. Over time, the DNA damage in these healthy cells can lead to another form of cancer.

Factors influencing risk:

• Dose of radiation: Higher doses can increase risk.
• Treatment area: Certain body areas are more susceptible.
• Age: Younger patients may have a higher risk over their lifetime.
• Personal genetics: Individual genetic predispositions play a role.

Monitoring is crucial post-treatment to detect any early signs of secondary cancer. Regular follow-ups with a healthcare provider are highly recommended to manage the overall risk.

I Have an Ostomy-What to Eat Is My Question

So now you have an ostomy. Many things are new to you. I found that one of the biggest things for me, when adjusting to the changes, was working on figuring out my diet.

Big Question is What To Eat?

It was noticeable to me within the first week of my ostomy being operational that some foods that I would eat, were responding differently for me than those same foods had before my colon operation.

This was noticed by me quickly because the changes created things that were bothersome and concerning as well. I knew at that point that this was and is a problem area that everyone was needed to pay special attention to.

Planning out things for better results could be done and should be done, to avoid any mishaps.

What To Eat Concerns With an Ostomy

So here is a list of the foods that involve me. Some situations you should be prepared to either avoid or learn to deal with.

• Foods that used to not bother you at all, now are proving to be gaseous for you. I found as some examples of this would be fresh broccoli, while good for you and your diet, for me has proven to be an item that can and has produced extra amounts of gases in my ostomy pouch.
• Another example which is easier to understand is beans. Beans such as baked beans (navy beans usually), kidney beans, or pinto beans. Maybe they produce smaller, less harmless farts for you, but for me it has been different. The difference for me is that now every ten minutes you have a large expanded ostomy pouch. One that needs attention by you. Is this what you need or want to do, maybe,? it’s your choice.
• I have found that soups, stews, and foods like chili, go in your stomach as liquids mixed with some solids. However, they always come out through my pouch as quite a bit of liquid, much more than I really like to deal with.
• Dairy products can be very interesting for you as well. I have found that ice cream definitely is diarrhea type discharge. Many cheeses like cheese that is (processed you know like cheese whiz), or Velveeta, or a cheese dip like a Frito Lay cheese dip or Tostitos cheese dip (those type of smooth liquid cheeses) will come as possible ostomy adventures.

  Table of Contents

So you can see just looking at this abbreviated list, that the foods you eat you will be dealing with, when it come time to empty your pouches. I guess this is just common sense. Be aware of this.

Some More Eating Examples For an Ostomy Owner

I have found some good examples of food not being a problem for me. Such foods as breads, pasta, potatoes, green beans, and salads, foods that possess a lot of roughage and carbs.

These foods (mostly vegetables) while very good for your health are also very good for a person with an ostomy. Your waste will be more solid, less gassy and much safer to deal with.

A Great Key Suggestion: You should go through what you are eating, as a project and for a few months keep track of what foods you eat, and how you respond to them.

I believe you will find that most foods will generally react now as they did when you had the normal waste management system.

But you also will find a few other things that you will need to realize and that you will probably naturally react to.
Here are the items that I find had the most profound of all of my new changes.

• • Vegetables-Some foods just don’t digest well. So be prepared. Corn is one of those. I have also found that asparagus can be interesting for you as well.
  • Soda or pop whatever you call it, basically carbonated drinks can create a lot of gas for quite a period of time. Many hours is what I am saying. Or things like sparkling water, or club soda, again the carbonation, be aware of.

• Furthermore just so you get the idea even better I have put together a list of my foods and If they are affecting or have affected me since I have been living with my ostomy. You may click here to have a look at a closer look at foods I eat and how I respond to them in my blog post titled What I Eat-How Food Affects My Ostomy Pouch.

Eating with an Ostomy Can Be Very Interesting

So I have found that it is just not what you are eating, but when you are eating that can make a few changes seems probable for you.

What I mean is that what your daily life today is (as a single day unit) or you can look at your life for the next 5 days as a 5 day unit. How you are viewing your life, either as take it a day at a time or a block of 5 days at a time. Your view will cause how your approach to all ostomy things is and what it looks like.

This is what I am going to be discussing, so let’s go it over that now.

An Example: Example One

If my next three days, let’s say as an example, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. These next three days for me, are uneventful.

Nothing special is happening. I don’t have any meetings, any social gatherings, no road trips, nothing Nada. All perfectly normal.

So in this case, with my food I will be doing my normal 3 meals a day, with my Keto genic diet. The times are spaced out and my ostomy will respond as a normal time thing. No surprises should come up. Life is normal.

An Example: Example Two

Okay the second example is that the next 5 days are going to be on a road trip, visit my daughter 5 day event unit. So I have prepared for this. My eating alone should be kept under control.

It looks like this. Travel in a car, so the food to bring along is a few apples, some red grapes, and  a couple of keto snack bars, and we will be taking along a case of bottled water.

To supplement the trip with food we will be stopping at a couple of often visited fast food type restaurants on the over 300 mile to trip visit our daughter.

Foods I in the the past included on a road trip, potato chips, corn chips, and then we always had a few 6 packs of bottled Coca-cola and or Sprite, root beer.

You Get the Picture

I don’t do soda or carbonated drinks on a road trip anymore. This lets to my pouch filling up with gas very often. That makes sitting and driving uncomfortable.

The visit with my daughter will be mostly eating out at a few local diners, or others like that. I try to eat sensibly and I certainly do not eat soups, stews, cheese dips, or things that will cause more gases or a more loosening of the feces waste.

Why because I am now dealing with changing, and emptying my ostomy pouch in strange bathrooms. This is always just not as comfortable as what I have set up at home.

Summation of Ostomy What To Eat Thoughts

Just my siting a few simple example you can see, that what you eat with an ostomy pouch can be something you need to pay attention to.

There are many situations that you always need to address, it’s just a matter of how successfully you navigate those waters that will matter.

Yes you can do it, using my easy to apply, common sense tips on living with an ostomy in 2018.