Radiation to the vagina. and i am new

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dakeys
dakeys Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am new here. I am also very sad. I went thru colorectal cancer txs in 2007. Had chemo/radiation, colorectal resection, than 6 mmonthes of chemotherapy. Now I am left with a semi-dysfunctional colon/and tiny rectum. I have damage to the vagina. It has shortened and narrowed and is not elastic any more. I have been to 3 drs and now i feel hopeless. Is there any help out there for me? I cant have a pap test. and worst of all I cant have intercourse with my husband. I am only 36 and devastated.

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  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #2
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    I'm so sorry
    I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't know what to say. I would keep trying until you find a doctor who can offer you some kind of help. I'm so sorry about this. It must be especially devastating, because you're so young. I'll be praying for you.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • dakeys
    dakeys Member Posts: 3
    #3
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    tootsie1 said:

    I'm so sorry
    I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't know what to say. I would keep trying until you find a doctor who can offer you some kind of help. I'm so sorry about this. It must be especially devastating, because you're so young. I'll be praying for you.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    thankyou
    Just knowing someone is out there praying for this paticular subject is helpful. Thank you for your encouraging words!
  • polarprincess
    polarprincess Member Posts: 202
    #4
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    dakeys said:

    thankyou
    Just knowing someone is out there praying for this paticular subject is helpful. Thank you for your encouraging words!

    hi
    Hi, did they give you the vaginal dilators to use? They take months of use and you also need a cream like an estrogen cream from your doctor or you can buy over the counter REPLENS to use and it helps get that moisture and elasticity back. I am about 2 months post radiation and it is a slow process but getting a little better each day. I also belong to another forum over at the colon club.com and this subject has been discussed alot. Some women after using the dilators are back to a completely normal sex life after a year or so, and some have had to go to a doctor who specializes in this kind of thing which from what i understand they do sex change operations..((vulvovaginal specialist) but anyway, the scar tissue can be broken up manually evidently.. so yes there is hope!
  • dakeys
    dakeys Member Posts: 3
    #5
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    polarprincess said:

    hi
    Hi, did they give you the vaginal dilators to use? They take months of use and you also need a cream like an estrogen cream from your doctor or you can buy over the counter REPLENS to use and it helps get that moisture and elasticity back. I am about 2 months post radiation and it is a slow process but getting a little better each day. I also belong to another forum over at the colon club.com and this subject has been discussed alot. Some women after using the dilators are back to a completely normal sex life after a year or so, and some have had to go to a doctor who specializes in this kind of thing which from what i understand they do sex change operations..((vulvovaginal specialist) but anyway, the scar tissue can be broken up manually evidently.. so yes there is hope!

    thanks for the advice
    It is helpful knowing that I am not alone with this very personal matter. I will try that REPLENS,. although it has been almost two years I have been struggling with this issue, I feel a ray of hope! i will check the colonclub.com site out. I just got this computer and am new at all this and already benefiting! ;)O an i do have the dilators it is just so painful to use. but maybe i'll try them again.
  • polarprincess
    polarprincess Member Posts: 202
    #6
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    dakeys said:

    thanks for the advice
    It is helpful knowing that I am not alone with this very personal matter. I will try that REPLENS,. although it has been almost two years I have been struggling with this issue, I feel a ray of hope! i will check the colonclub.com site out. I just got this computer and am new at all this and already benefiting! ;)O an i do have the dilators it is just so painful to use. but maybe i'll try them again.

    hi
    i would suggest getting the replens, each dose should last 2-3 days, and after about a week of using them, start trying the dilators again. Using the dilators hurt for me too, but i noticed they went in alot easier and hurt alot less after i had started using the replens. (I still use ky jelly on the dilators before using as well.) I noticed ky jelly also has a product called moisture beads or something like that that is supposed to last up to 4 days, but i haven't researched it yet or anything. I avoided sex for a long time because i figured if the dilators hurt, that would be way worse, but it actually helped me make more progress in that area in one occasion than using the dilator for a month. It wasn't totally successful, but definitely a start.
  • tiny one
    tiny one Member Posts: 465 Member
    #7
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    radiation side effects
    I to had a resection in Feb 07, temporary ileostomy, chemo/radiation, then 6 months of chemo. I also have vaginal shortening and my rectal area has narrowed. I had my ileostomy reversed Dec of 07. I have frequent bathroom issues, they've gotten better since I was prescribed lomotil. They advised me to use a dialator. I was also prescribed vagifem. Due to the bathroom issues and pain from this, using the dialator has been difficult. I complained to my radiaologist nurse because I didn't feel that they explained this fully to me before I had ny first treatment. I am 50 years old and no longer have periods anymore. I have hot flashes, but they are mild now. I don't attempt intercourse very much because of the discomfort and my vaginal area won't open up. Sorry to be so graphic. Keep searching for a Dr that will offer you a different solution. Don't give up, I know their's hope for us. God bless
  • NewLife2008
    NewLife2008 Member Posts: 5
    #8
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    Radiation damage to female organs
    I am so thankful to find your post. I set out today to find research on this exact subject because I am so tired of suffering from the same problem. It has been 6 months since I finished chemo/radiation treatments for Rectal cancer and I dont feel the doctor properly educated me about the sexual side effects that we would encounter. My Gynecologist prescribed a hormone cream to be inserted at bedtime 4-5 nights a week, but it hasnt helped. She said to use a lubricant during intercourse and the more times you could try, the quicker everything would stretch back into shape....NOT! I have been afraid to go back to see the doctor because her advice is not working, and I feel horrible that I am letting my wonderful husband down in that area. He never, ever says anything negative...he always tells me that its okay and that it will all work out in time. He is the absolute best ever!! That is why I want things back to normal so badly for him...because he deserves it. I wonder if it is just too damaged after 35 radiation treatments to bounce back.

    Any body else have any ideas to add???
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    #9
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    NewLife2008 said:

    Radiation damage to female organs
    I am so thankful to find your post. I set out today to find research on this exact subject because I am so tired of suffering from the same problem. It has been 6 months since I finished chemo/radiation treatments for Rectal cancer and I dont feel the doctor properly educated me about the sexual side effects that we would encounter. My Gynecologist prescribed a hormone cream to be inserted at bedtime 4-5 nights a week, but it hasnt helped. She said to use a lubricant during intercourse and the more times you could try, the quicker everything would stretch back into shape....NOT! I have been afraid to go back to see the doctor because her advice is not working, and I feel horrible that I am letting my wonderful husband down in that area. He never, ever says anything negative...he always tells me that its okay and that it will all work out in time. He is the absolute best ever!! That is why I want things back to normal so badly for him...because he deserves it. I wonder if it is just too damaged after 35 radiation treatments to bounce back.

    Any body else have any ideas to add???

    Radiation damage
    I finished treatment last Feb and I am just now trying to use my dilators. My ob/gyn gave me the estrogen cream to use and then I used Aqua something (just forgot the name!) when using the dilators. I was instructed to insert the dilator and then go read or something for anywhere from 10 mins to 30 mins. This would help stretch the canal. Do this every day if possible. I'm just now starting we'll see how this goes. Such fun!
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #10
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    dasspears said:

    Radiation damage
    I finished treatment last Feb and I am just now trying to use my dilators. My ob/gyn gave me the estrogen cream to use and then I used Aqua something (just forgot the name!) when using the dilators. I was instructed to insert the dilator and then go read or something for anywhere from 10 mins to 30 mins. This would help stretch the canal. Do this every day if possible. I'm just now starting we'll see how this goes. Such fun!

    Radiation
    I too suffered from radiation damage to the rectum and vagina. I tore at both openings even using a vaginal cream. The healing ointment is called "Aquaphor" made by Eucerin and it does work very well. I still am trying to heal in both areas but I have only been off radiation for a little more than a week. I haven't used the dilator yet because I have been battling a yeast and bladder infection and didn't want to add to the infection. Good Luck! Kim
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    #11
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    Annabelle41415 said:

    Radiation
    I too suffered from radiation damage to the rectum and vagina. I tore at both openings even using a vaginal cream. The healing ointment is called "Aquaphor" made by Eucerin and it does work very well. I still am trying to heal in both areas but I have only been off radiation for a little more than a week. I haven't used the dilator yet because I have been battling a yeast and bladder infection and didn't want to add to the infection. Good Luck! Kim

    Wait awhile...
    before you use the dilators! You want everything to have healed well. Don't rush it.

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