small bowel damage from radiation (radiation enteritis)

On 4/8/2009 mountains wrote:

I had radiation treatments years ago, its caused alot of permanent damage. Im having more help from herbal products, instead of clinical.

Alot of these radiation treatments should be done away with, theyre too damaging and alot of people dont know that before they take the treatments.

I had endometrial cancer with chemo and radiation almost 3 years ago and have been suffering with small bowel damage ever since. I have found a natural product that has helped, but it's not a cure.

The only product that I found works is Jarro-Dophilus ESP it's a probiotic by Jarrow Formulas. I was throwing up almost every other week, with this it reduced the episodes to every 3-6 months. While this has helped tremendously it has not stopped it. I have been able to eat whatever I want and have not found any one thing that would bring on a bout.

I am now considering surgery as well. I will be going in for a small bowel test on Monday to see if they can find the location of the damaged bowel.

I was also not told about this side effect of radiation and at first they told me when it starts just don't eat or drink. My episodes would last from 24 hours to 3 days. I was severely dehydrated and should have gone to the hospital, but laid in bed and waited it out. (not the smartest thing I've ever done)   

I would like to hear from anyone that has gone through surgery more than a year ago and it's worked.

On Feb 15, 2009 12:00 AM JC1018 wrote:

I am a 49 yr old that had vaginal cancer 3.5 yrs ago. I was treated with chemo and radiation. My cancer responded well to the treatment, but the radiation damage has turned out to be a worse ordeal now, as it seems it does not want to go away. I had sacrel fractures from the radiation and then found a had severe osteoporsis which was radiation induced. The fractures healed in a few months and I went on thinking I was doing great, but nine months after radiation ended I began having severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting bouts that lasted anywhere from 2 to 16 hours. They come and go very intermittantly, never knowing exactly what will set it off. I have been hospitalized twice and made proabably 8 to 10 trips to the ER with vomiting that just would not stop. The symptoms disappear within a day or two. Usually my abdomen which is usually distended will remain tender a few days. I have no symtoms in between these attacks and am otherwise active and healthy. I have found that high fiber foods are a big no for me, if I eat bland foods what would be considered an unhealthy diet for most and with that  I do much better. I was put on a steroid last year called Entocort which I took 9mg a day for 1 full year until I obstructed again last month. This is a drug only intended for several months at a time, but I could not come off it without issues. For the first time in 3.5 yrs. they captured the small bowel obstruction in a CT film last month. I was excited thinking I could have that section removed and go on to be normal again, but the surgeon I visited twice was very discouraging, he said we could do a laproscopic exploratory surgery but he may or may not find any one section he can remove. It seems like such an iffy toss up, I have opted to try and heal some more on my own. I have been scoped and scanned to pieces and have swallowed the camera pill twice. Never has anything been found until last month, my gastroenterologist has been stumped, he knows I have intermittant bowel obstructions, but never been able to find just where. The camera pill revealed ulcerations and narrowings, but does not tell them where. Prior to radiation/cancer, I was extremely healthy, never had stomach or digestive issues.  I underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy this past year also. I had 60 treatments in high hopes of healing my body. I can see some healing from that in the pelvic region, internal & external, but the intestine still has a way to go. I was told the streroid I was on could be hindering healing as steroids do, so I am off that now just in case I need surgery and in hopes the hyperbaric treatment will continue healing. I have been wondering if anyone else suffered from this sort of damage and interested in knowing whatever you had tried and found to work or information your doctors are giving you. My doctors are not giving me anything really. No one seems to know anything and I know there just has to be a doctor out there that knows something about this, what can help, like diet, natural herbs or remedies or any other medical treatments. I would really love to eat a salad again! I wish you the best in getting help and healing. Please email anytime.

JC

JC I have exactly the same disease  as you. We need to talk. My sister`s initial are JC. I had Euteren cancer 2003. Radiation Enteritis is my cure. I am in the hospital now writing you. I am facing the same situation as you. Please call me or allow me to call you. I am a single woman who owns a B&B in Birchwood WI. My number is --Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address and phone number removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

On Oct 04, 2009 12:00 AM Glory1 wrote:

I had endometrial cancer with chemo and radiation almost 3 years ago and have been suffering with small bowel damage ever since. I have found a natural product that has helped, but it's not a cure.

The only product that I found works is Jarro-Dophilus ESP it's a probiotic by Jarrow Formulas. I was throwing up almost every other week, with this it reduced the episodes to every 3-6 months. While this has helped tremendously it has not stopped it. I have been able to eat whatever I want and have not found any one thing that would bring on a bout.

I am now considering surgery as well. I will be going in for a small bowel test on Monday to see if they can find the location of the damaged bowel.

I was also not told about this side effect of radiation and at first they told me when it starts just don't eat or drink. My episodes would last from 24 hours to 3 days. I was severely dehydrated and should have gone to the hospital, but laid in bed and waited it out. (not the smartest thing I've ever done)   

I would like to hear from anyone that has gone through surgery more than a year ago and it's worked.

 

Oh my God I finally found someone who I can relate to. Ditto! Radiation enteritis. Please email me --Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

On Feb 06, 2009 12:00 AM angel2be wrote:

Hello I am also a cancer survivor.  I had rectal cancer almost 21 years ago and had radiation and chemotherapy. The radiation burnt my pelvic bone and I also have small bowel damage. I live in Michigan and have been searching for years to get help with bowel obstructions due to radiation damage to my small bowel.  I have had over 20 partial bowel obstructions since having rectal and bowel surgery for my cancer. I know exactly what you are going through. I have had many of your symptoms and have just found a doctor who is willing to listen to me and is willing to help me.  I am also contemplating surgery very soon.  The doctor wants to do exploratory surgery so he can remove any radiation damage if he finds it and he says it will stop my obstructions from happening.  From my history and some testing he did on me he feels that I have radiation damage to the small intestines, but the only way he will know what he can do is to do an exploratory surgery to correct the problem.  I feel for you, I have been in and out of the hospital for the last 20 years with bowel obstructions and it is very frustrating along with the other symptoms I have, like bouts of diaherria, I too went through not being able to gain weight, cramping alot, they even felt I wasn't getting enough protein.  It has taken years to get to where I am by trial and error with foods.  There was a time I didn't know what I could eat and not have a problem.  I wish you well my friend. If you would like to talk or e-mail me, please feel  free to respond.

Help me please. I am here in the hospital with another bout of radiation enteritis. I need to know if anyone has had small intstineal surgury. I am contimplating it with mixed feelings. But I am losing all my strength. The absortion thing is going on and I am freaking out.

Till we find someone to help us we will have to help each other. I am getting out of the hospital tomorrow. I will be making this site a must every day. Please don`t give up. I won`t if you don`t.

I am not sure I am posting this correctly... my first time at a message board. I must say to start that you are all amazing people. I cannot believe there are others suffering with this terrible side effect. My story... I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2006 after my obgyn found a tumor the size of a baseball in my cervix. Because the tumor was so large I started with six weeks simultaneous chemo and radiation followed by a inpatient brachytherapy where the dr. placed radioactive seeds directly into my cervix for 48 hours. after a short rest I underwent a complete hysterectomy. About 18 months after treatment I started with severe abdominal cramping, vomiting, etc. The dr. took my gall-bladder which obviously did not solve my problem. I have now been scoped, poked and tested for just about every abdominal problem, finally having been officially diagnosed with radiation enteritis with a small bowel stricture. The colo-rectal dr. said that my intestines are so fragile and damaged that surgery is just to risky and that will have to live with this... until I end up with a complete block and surgery is required. I have been in the ER no less than 20 times in the last 18 months. I am blessed to live in an area with wonderful hospital staff who do everything they can to help me quickly. I am very interested in your stories about surgery. JC~ you are an inspiration and I will most definitely be looking for other options. I "googled" Dr. Saclarides but unfortunately he looks to be in Chicago and I am on the west coast. I wonder if he might have contacts in this area??? I have hope... CM

Has anyone who has been diagnosed with Radiation Enteritis used a jucier with success and without the complications caused by the fiber in the fruits and vegitables?  Replies would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks Cmarshall

On Apr 18, 2010 3:00 AM Cmarshall wrote:

Has anyone who has been diagnosed with Radiation Enteritis used a jucier with success and without the complications caused by the fiber in the fruits and vegitables?  Replies would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks Cmarshall

I sitting cring finally i know im not alone . Radiatin ,is been a night mare .i was 29 when i found out that  i had cancer . I found a had radtion enertis when i about died because i was bleeding inside  . It seems ive been alone . Is there anyhing i can do ? Please help!

Hii just want to encorage you to keep seeking options. and never give up.  your answer is out there. pray and believe  and the answer will come to you. be strong  may god bless and heal you.   you are NEVER ALONE .