Need some advice on what to do, please

Misty789

Hi Everyone,

I'm really not sure what to do now... and I am hoping to get some advice.   Here's what's been happening to me.  

I am 47 years old. In March 2014, my pap smear became abnormal (and HPV31+) and I started to have some bleeding with bowel movements, followed by a thrombosed hemorrhoid for which I saw a colorectal surgeon, who looked at it and confirmed, and did nothing.  Nov 2014 I had a hysterectomy for squamous pre-cancer of my cervix.  I continued to have anal issues: a feeling of pressure and a lump in the anus increasing over time to almost constant, intermittent bleeding, difficulty sitting due to feeling of pressure.  Knowing about the connection between anal cancer and HPV I went to see another colorectal surgeon in the same group about 1.5 months ago. She was a new doctor, only out in practice a short time. She did a digital exam and anoscopy and did not say that she found anything, not even the hemorrhoid.  I told her that I am cocerned about anal cancer and that I have HPV and she told me that is mostly for gay men.  [I was not happy with that at all because it is just not true and to hear that from a colorectal surgeon gave me a feeling of horror.  I feel I am just out there on my own, with no medical support now.]

Over the last month, the feeling of something being stuck in my anus is getting more and more and I've also developed a new pain in my right thigh that I've never had before - a shooting pain that comes and goes many times daily, located on the outer front side of my thigh.  I realize that I've been sitting tilted on my other leg, because I can't sit normally due to the discomfort, and I don't know if this is causing some issue or not.

I am not asking for a diagnosis, of course, but I need some advice.   What would you do?  Would you go see another doctor? What type of doctor?  I've also not had a colonoscopy yet.  Should I do that sooner than waiting to be 50?   Please, any advice on what would you do if this was you, would be greatly appreciated.  I also wonder what are the odds that a colorectal surgeon would miss anal cancer after doing a digital exam and an anoscopy?  Could this happen?

UPDATE 19JUN2015:

Thank you all for replying back.  I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by so much support... it warms my heart.   With all your encouragement,  I called a few places, but they were booked out for months.  I finally found and made an appointment with a colorectal doc for 5 days from today.  All I can do now is hope that this one is competent.  I will ask for a colonoscopy also.  (In the meantime, the symptoms are continuing.)

UPDATE 06JUL2015:

I saw another colorectal surgeon. He did an anoscopy and said he saw a fissure and an external and an internal hemorrhoid. He did an anal pap and that came back normal, but unsatisfactory because he did not get the transformation zone.  His plan is to repeat in 6 months.  As for symptoms, still have them. This has been doing on for months now. I am waiting to try a cream that has to be compounded. I hope it works...  Thanks to all, and any advice is greatly appreciated. 

 

eihtak

Misty789.....

Hi, I am so sorry you are going through this with no clear explanations. I feel like this is too often the case....many people here have been mis-diagnosed in the beginning and the responsibility to keep searching for answers falls on themselves.

I would be persistent as you know your own body and know if something is not right. You did mention that the doctor who did the digital exam was relatively new, so maybe had very little experience dealing with anal cancer which is still considered rare. I'm sure it is a headache finding yet another doctor, but that is what I advise and don't give up until you are comfortable with the answers you are given.

If you don't mind me asking.....what part of the country are you in? Maybe someone here can recommend a doctor in your area.

I can relate to the awkward sitting as I did that for a long time before being diagnosed and treated.....not fun!!!

Please keep us posted on what is happening, and I will have you in my thoughts and prayers for answers.

katheryn

Misty789

eihtak said:

Misty789.....

Hi, I am so sorry you are going through this with no clear explanations. I feel like this is too often the case....many people here have been mis-diagnosed in the beginning and the responsibility to keep searching for answers falls on themselves.

I would be persistent as you know your own body and know if something is not right. You did mention that the doctor who did the digital exam was relatively new, so maybe had very little experience dealing with anal cancer which is still considered rare. I'm sure it is a headache finding yet another doctor, but that is what I advise and don't give up until you are comfortable with the answers you are given.

If you don't mind me asking.....what part of the country are you in? Maybe someone here can recommend a doctor in your area.

I can relate to the awkward sitting as I did that for a long time before being diagnosed and treated.....not fun!!!

Please keep us posted on what is happening, and I will have you in my thoughts and prayers for answers.

katheryn

Hi Katheryn,Thanks for your

Hi Katheryn,

Thanks for your speedy reply.  I am in Connecticut, so a referral would be great. 

Part of me wants to put my head in the sand and pretend that this will go away, so I appreciate the encouragement.

Thanks again,

Misty

pializ

Misty789 said:

Hi Katheryn,Thanks for your

Hi Katheryn,

Thanks for your speedy reply.  I am in Connecticut, so a referral would be great. 

Part of me wants to put my head in the sand and pretend that this will go away, so I appreciate the encouragement.

Thanks again,

Misty

Misty

Hi,

I am sorry for your concerns. Unfortunately, a lot of us were misdiagnosed along the way. I was misdiagnosed a couple of years at least before my GP referred me to a colorectal service. Even then, the referral was downgraded. That led me to searching for a colorectal surgeon privately. Thankfully, I found someone with experience. By the time I was diagnosed I was stage 3. The moral of this story is that you find someone who is experienced. I hope it's not too long before you have answers to your concerns.

Liz

0626june

Hi Misty,

your description of what it feels like is remarkably similar to what i was feeling prior to my anal cancer diagnosis. I initially went to a GYN, thinking it was "female trouble". Later, the coloncscopy and the biopsy obtained from that confirmed that it was squamous cell anal cancer.  I would suggest you get your colonoscopy now rather than waiting. I would avoid that colorectal surgeon who gave you the "gay men" line.  She's obviously an idiot. I'm only 1 year out of treatment, but there are others on here with many more years of dealing with this.  You'll find support and wisdom here. Please get the colonoscopy...yes, drink gallons of that vile liquid, stay near the toilet and have a good book at hand.  Best case scenario, they confirm it's benign, perhaps scar tissue from your recent surgery.

keep us posted,

June

sephie

go to another colorectal surgeon for 2nd opinion

if you can,  go to sloan kettering or mayo//// be sure to at least go to another colorectal surgeon asap....colonoscopy misses many anal cancers....anoscope to miss it too if person is unfamiliar...... if you are sitting crooked , it can cause that pain....sephie

mxperry220

Colorectal Surgeon Incorrect

Your second colorectal surgeon was incorrect.  This is not a gay male cancer.  More women have been diagnosed with anal cancer than men.  You definitely need a colorectal surgeon experienced diagnosing anal cancer.  See link below on stats female vs. male with anal cancer.

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/anal.htm

Mike

Kelleb

Colonoscopy!

Misty

I must agree with everyone. Time for A new colo-rectal specialist. And a colonoscopy sooner rather than later. I have just finished my treatment & am glad it's over!

best wishes girl

xokb