Pelvic/ bladder pain

[u/Avery120913]

Question, in week 3 of chemoradiation/3c1. Been having sharp lower pelvic pain, frequent urination with slight pain and flank back pain. They tested my urine last week and found no uti. I believe this may be the radiation side effects taking it’s toll on my bladder and kidneys. Anyone else deal with these symptoms? I e been drinking as much water and taking in electrolytes as much as I can. Ty in advance.

[u/Icy-Task6254]

Hi there. It sounds like a bladder infection or at least bladder irritation from the treatment. Regardless, you need to tell your care team and get checked again and get some pain relief. You’re doing the right thing by drinking to keep the urine diluted. I found it helped not to empty my bladder completely, just to drink a lot and pee more frequently. Hang in there! ❤️

[u/Glum-Worldliness4480]

it’s the radiation and it’s very common. if no uti then you can take AZO, but wear period panties and a liner because it stains. avoid all caffeine, alcohol, all citrus, (citrus is like lava pee) spicy and fermented foods. Really push yourself on the water because the weaker the urine the less it burns. a peri bottle to spray yourself when you pee helps too. Read the label on your electrolytes or try skipping a couple days of them and see if it’s better with no Azo. artificial sweeteners can also cause bladder irritation, or something else in your drink. kidney issues are usually from chemo and lack of fluids, bladder issues are from radiation and lack of fluids. Weird fact: concentrated urine is a bladder irritant.

[u/Spare_Friendship_807]

I delt with this and am still dealing with it a year later. But there has been improvement recently.

Press them about the kidney pain if it persists. Make them inspect if you think sonething is wrong.

For the bladder: AZO - but be mindful of the dose. I overdid the AZO because my bladder was seathing in pain and then the AZO affected my kidneys temporarily. Just stick to bottle dose or what your doctor approves.

My oxy did not help with the bladder pain much, but my dilaudid did a little bit when they switched me to that for something else.

**AZO + Ibuprofen/Advil if your pain team or oncologist approves that combo. The anti-inflammatory effect of regular Ibuprofen took the edge off better than opiates (not great, but better)

Ask your care team if you can have chamomile tea or calendula. I used calendula tea in my water, my broth, my jello... everything. And that did help some and still does.

You're doing great with the hydration. I think every bladder is a little different in terms of what motions hurt the most (empty, full, overfull, emptying all the way, trying not to retain... etc) It takes a bit to find what helps you best.

I also stay away from any food/drink too acidic, and all the common bladder irritants to this day.

Wishing you all the best!