Radiation Side Effects ~ anyone have any advice on unbearable pain?

arbotini76

I am new to this discussion board, posting this hoping to find some insight for my Best Friends Husband, he was recently diagnosed with rectal cancer and is undergoing radiation 5 times per week and taking chemo pills (8 per day ) he is a little over two weeks in and has around 3 weeks to go i believe. It started off him just getting tired, increased napping... but as of a few days ago was having unbearable pain while attempting a bowel movement........ and again today, felt as to almost pass out. I was wondering if anyone else went thru and side effects of this sort and how they managed them. He explains it as razor blade feeling... doc has given vicodin, but doesnt seem to be helping. Also some foam... and the usual gentle cleansing etc... anyones stories with this would be so appreciated.

Kerry S

There is just no way to sugar coat chemo/radiation
There is just no way to sugar coat chemo/radiation. It is a cumulative treatment, in that it gets nastier as you go along. He will get burns on his skin that are very uncomfortable from the radiation. The chemo gives you mouth sores. I got diarrhea all through it. He will get weak as hell. My wife had to help me up the stairs at night. I would get a bathroom urge but had to sit down all the time as I did not know if it was going to be 1 or 2.

I like to tell folks that if you want to see what it’s like, to drink battery acid and put your butt in a microwave that is set on high. Try that for 6 weeks.

We live 20 miles from where I got my treatments. The last 2 weeks my wife had to drive me. We kept a 5 gallon bucket in the car just in case. I rode in the back with the bucket.

Now on the upside, while it feels like it is killing you, it is killing the %$#^ cancer along with part of you.

This is just something we all have to endure. He will also develop Stockholm Syndrome towards the folks that do this to him.

I found that Percocet worked better then vicodin for the pain. Vicodin cost me $40. Percocet cost me $4 with medicare. I also had very bad dreams with vicodin.

PamPam2

Pain
Hi
I used/use a cream prescription Proctozone HC, maybe he could ask his doctor about it. It sure helped me a lot.

just4Brooks

Yep.... Sounds about right
First of all WELCOM tyo the board. Lots of real nice folks here. I wish there was somthing I can say to help but it is what it is. I had 8 weeks (5 days a week) of radiation while being on the chemo pump 24/7 and it was the worse thing ever. Ya. The first 2 or 3 weeks isn't too bad but after that it's hell!! I'll NEVER forget that feeling that you just had to go, then nothing, and at times the pain is even worse. I wish I could be of some help but he's almost 1/2 way. He's just gonna have to do it. Tell them to keep the doctor posted if if gets too painfull.


Life is funny sometimes
Brooks

PGLGreg

tell doctor
Well, I suppose it's obvious, but his doctors will have some ways of helping with the pain, but won't help unless they know there is a problem. I think sometimes people assume that doctors will keep track of how the treatment is going, but sometimes they don't. So one thing to do is check that the doctor is fully informed about the pain issues. That is: complain, complain, complain.

--Greg

coloCan

PGLGreg said:

tell doctor
Well, I suppose it's obvious, but his doctors will have some ways of helping with the pain, but won't help unless they know there is a problem. I think sometimes people assume that doctors will keep track of how the treatment is going, but sometimes they don't. So one thing to do is check that the doctor is fully informed about the pain issues. That is: complain, complain, complain.

--Greg

Radiation and pain
Always let your doctor(s) know ASAP about pain and other reactions you may be having. As for pain-do not know where your tumor is but sometimes the tumor will get bigger before gettimg smaller when you begin treatment (also had weeks of rad plus Xeloda plus oxy prior to surgery). There are both over-the-counter and prescription ointments/creams available for sunburn effect and painkillers, including Fentenayl painpatch, for pain. We all react differently to radiation and the various chemicals given us but something is usually available to counteract negative side effects.....Good luck in your treatment....Steve

Kerry S

Had another thought
I know I am sick in the head with chemo brain. But I bet if you gave a terrorist chemo/rad , by the third week he would tell you everything he knows and even change his faith to get you to stop.

karguy

Pain
Welcome to the board.I know the pain you are talking about,my doctor gave me some lidocain to put on my butt to numb it and it helped.When I went to the bathroom it felt like fishhooks being draged out,and he is right ,it does feel like your going to pass out.It also normal to get bloody chunks of flesh when he goes,just so he doesn't panic when it does happen.The doctor also had me use dove,or ivory soap to keep moisturized,and I can't remember the pill to help with the cramps.When I felt sick I just took some vicodin and went to bed,that helped.I also got sunburnt from the radiation.I hope that helps.

Buzzard

karguy said:

Pain
Welcome to the board.I know the pain you are talking about,my doctor gave me some lidocain to put on my butt to numb it and it helped.When I went to the bathroom it felt like fishhooks being draged out,and he is right ,it does feel like your going to pass out.It also normal to get bloody chunks of flesh when he goes,just so he doesn't panic when it does happen.The doctor also had me use dove,or ivory soap to keep moisturized,and I can't remember the pill to help with the cramps.When I felt sick I just took some vicodin and went to bed,that helped.I also got sunburnt from the radiation.I hope that helps.

been there done that
steroid suppositories for a week will fix it...I made the dumb move of eating a handful of cashews on my 5th week of chemo/Radiation...Bled, cried, hollered everytime I got on the toilet. You need to watch everything you eat. Mash Potatoes cream soups ..you get the idea. absolutely nothing with nuts in it...It will cut you like a razor....get the Dr to get you a script for steroid suppositories and some lortab...you'll be glad ya did...It will take a week to heal after the butt pills start working....Good Luck.Buzz

Aud

Radiation...nasty
I agree with everyone else; it's really important to talk to the doc about it. they need to know how severe it is. I've had so many butt creams/ointments, my boyfriend said I can open up a pharmacy.
For me, though, the vaginal/perineal burn was the worse thing.
I learned how to pat clean -- never wiped -- and just took one day at a time.
My radiation oncologist also told me to try preparation H suppositories.
Good luck to your best friend's husband and I'll hold him in the Light.
Audrey

jillpls

smart water helped
I drank a large bottle of smart water on the 26 mile drive to radiation everyday. I also kept my back side dry until I got home then I would put lots of cream on until the next morning. Wash it off in the shower and do it again. I didn't have the pills I have the drip. I have a harder time on the pills even though it's easier to have the pills. I have also used medical marijuana for pain and it really helps too. Finally, I ate lying down because when I would stand up it would all come out. Talk to the onc and explain the problem. There are drugs to help get through it.
JIll

arbotini76

jillpls said:

smart water helped
I drank a large bottle of smart water on the 26 mile drive to radiation everyday. I also kept my back side dry until I got home then I would put lots of cream on until the next morning. Wash it off in the shower and do it again. I didn't have the pills I have the drip. I have a harder time on the pills even though it's easier to have the pills. I have also used medical marijuana for pain and it really helps too. Finally, I ate lying down because when I would stand up it would all come out. Talk to the onc and explain the problem. There are drugs to help get through it.
JIll

Thank you so much for all
Thank you so much for all your insight..... it is awesome that there are people out there kind enough to help out a stranger He is at his radiation treatment right now, asking about a few of the things you all told me about...crossing our fingers there is something to help him thru the rough time. He travels almost 100 miles each morning to his treatments , family and friends have stepped up to help him out so he doesnt have to drive.... again, it is just a blessing that there are such kind people in life. Have a wonderful weekend !

PamPam2

arbotini76 said:

Thank you so much for all
Thank you so much for all your insight..... it is awesome that there are people out there kind enough to help out a stranger He is at his radiation treatment right now, asking about a few of the things you all told me about...crossing our fingers there is something to help him thru the rough time. He travels almost 100 miles each morning to his treatments , family and friends have stepped up to help him out so he doesnt have to drive.... again, it is just a blessing that there are such kind people in life. Have a wonderful weekend !

travel
Hi
I just wanted to tell you that the American cancer society has a patient navigator, they can help with transportation either take him or help with gas money. I have used it for appointments that were a long drive.

arbotini76

PamPam2 said:

travel
Hi
I just wanted to tell you that the American cancer society has a patient navigator, they can help with transportation either take him or help with gas money. I have used it for appointments that were a long drive.

thanks sooooooo much, i will
thanks sooooooo much, i will look into it