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Under Going External Beam Radiation For Low Grade Prostate Cancer. Why Does It Burn When I Urinate And Why Is It Frequent?

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Posted on Sun, 15 Jul 2012
Question: I am under going external beam radiation for low grade prostate cancer. Have had 4 weeks of treatments. I have deveoped a strong burning at times when I urinate. I have been checked and there is no infections.It is mainly in the evening. I have been taking AZO and tylynol . Which does not do much.I drink plenty of water and take flomax and cranberry pills. At times I have to double void to empty my bladder . Is this a affect on the radiaton or what?
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Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Hello and thanks for the query.
You are right.These symptoms of yours are the side effects of radiotherapy and is called as radiation cystitis.
You may find you have to pass urine more often than usual. And you may have a burning feeling when you do.  The radiation has inflamed the lining of your bladder. This may get worse as you go through your course of treatment. But it should get better within a few weeks of finishing. It will help if you drink plenty of fluids. Some people think particular drinks can help, such as cranberry juice or pills as you are taking them. Cranberry juice can increase the effects of warfarin (a blood thinner or anticoagulant). So don't start drinking cranberry juice if you are taking warfarin.

You may find that some drinks can make the bladder worse, such as tea and coffee. You can experiment for yourself and see what works for you. You should avoid potassium citrate, an old fashioned remedy for cystitis. 

These effects usually disappear within a few weeks of finishing your treatment.
I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck.
Thanks
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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Under Going External Beam Radiation For Low Grade Prostate Cancer. Why Does It Burn When I Urinate And Why Is It Frequent?

Hello and thanks for the query.
You are right.These symptoms of yours are the side effects of radiotherapy and is called as radiation cystitis.
You may find you have to pass urine more often than usual. And you may have a burning feeling when you do.  The radiation has inflamed the lining of your bladder. This may get worse as you go through your course of treatment. But it should get better within a few weeks of finishing. It will help if you drink plenty of fluids. Some people think particular drinks can help, such as cranberry juice or pills as you are taking them. Cranberry juice can increase the effects of warfarin (a blood thinner or anticoagulant). So don't start drinking cranberry juice if you are taking warfarin.

You may find that some drinks can make the bladder worse, such as tea and coffee. You can experiment for yourself and see what works for you. You should avoid potassium citrate, an old fashioned remedy for cystitis. 

These effects usually disappear within a few weeks of finishing your treatment.
I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck.
Thanks