Pain with BM, 15mos Post Treatment?

Lad3bea

Hi everyone, I am 15 months post treatment, and have been having some pain with BM's. It seems to come and go, but have had it moreso lately. It's a skin-level pain, and feels like a stretching, or cutting, and is in different places at different times when I have a bowel movement. Sometimes it's where the tomour was, sometimes at the exit site, and other times up higher in random places. It goes away right after I go to the bathroom, but is scaring me to death. There is sometimes a tiny bit of bright red blood on the tissue. Has anyone had these issues this far out of treatment? I'm hoping it's just scar tissue acting up, or a thinner rectal lining due to radiation. My practitioner just wrote me back and said to keep her updated, she might want to "rule out other things going on." Oh so scared! Has anyone had anything like this? Thanks!!

mp327

Lad3bea

I am 10 1/2 years out of treatment and this has happened to me off and on for all of my post-treatment years.  The treated area is very friable and slight irritation with BM's has become the norm for me, including some slight pain and light bleeding at times.  Stenosis is common after this treatment, which is probably the cause.  I wouldn't be overly concerned about it, however, I would suggest keeping your doctor posted and if it becomes worse, see your colorectal doctor.  I wish you all the very best.

Lad3bea

mp327 said:

Lad3bea

I am 10 1/2 years out of treatment and this has happened to me off and on for all of my post-treatment years.  The treated area is very friable and slight irritation with BM's has become the norm for me, including some slight pain and light bleeding at times.  Stenosis is common after this treatment, which is probably the cause.  I wouldn't be overly concerned about it, however, I would suggest keeping your doctor posted and if it becomes worse, see your colorectal doctor.  I wish you all the very best.

Thanks!

Thanks MP, I appreciate your response. It's encouraging to know that this is possibly a normal thing. Also encouraging to hear from someone who has been clear for over ten years! Congratulations on your health and all of the challenges you've met along the way. I guess it's hard to not worry about each and every symptom.

Mollymaude

Pain with BM

All the symptoms you describe are part of my “new normal”  and I am three years out.

Lad3bea

Mollymaude said:

Pain with BM

All the symptoms you describe are part of my “new normal”  and I am three years out.

Thanks Molly

Thanks for your input, it's such an encouragement to know that this is likely normal, and that I'm not alone in this. Congratulations on your last three years! Always a challenge. 

Jane s

Fissure?

I have a few fissures, and they are quite painful.  The tissue in there is just fragile.  I soak in the bathtub or a sitz bath twice a day, it really helps.  Also there is ointment to help it heal.  Your doctor should be able to see what it causing the pain when they do your next exam.  Good luck!

Ottawamarc1234

CT Scan Thursday .11 mths Post...

On Antibiotics for pain. Colostomy may be in the cards by end of summer if antibiotics don't alleviate my BM pain. Both anal ulcers not healing...stumped the Cancer Doctors...biopsy says ' Cancer Gone' Radiologist thinks....otherwise.

Ottawamarc1234

Nifidipine Baclofen Lidocaine Cream Compound...

Helps somewhat with pain. Look into pharmacy compound centre.

Brendaklein

Same here

I'm 13 months post treatment. Still have problems too. Sounds like the same thing I'm going through. I use stool softeners and Miralax. I use Aquaphor and Doctor gave me lidocaine cream for the bad days. 

guyfly

So sorry to hear you guys

So sorry to hear you guys still have the symptoms I've been worried about at just 6 weeks post treatment. I am starting to really dislike that New Normal statement. It is good though we have avenues like this to talk about it and help.  thank you.

mp327

guyfly

Please keep in mind that everyone's situation is different after treatment.  Some people heal more slowly, some heal quickly.  My first few weeks after treatment we no fun at all, but once I turned a corner, I felt as good as new.  Many people don't realize what an assault this treatment is on our body.  It's just going to take some time.  It took me about 2 years to really feel like I had recovered, mostly doing with my energy level.  Hang in there and celebrate each little step forward.

Ottawamarc1234

Consider Colostomy?

Have come to accept my fate now as am just not healing post Treatment. Yes Cancer gone but inflammation and anal ulceration continue. 4:30 am in bum pains... frustrated.

kevans9092

15 months out of treatment

I have many of the same issues. I will say each month gets a tiny bit better. Watching diet and no alcohol makes things better. I take mineral salt baths , probiotics seems to straighten things out a little bit. Just overwhelming at times. So much of your day can become a focus of what you eat and when you go to the bathroom. Yoga calms things down. I am accepting the new normal. But happy it was caught early.

Brendaklein

kevans9092 said:

15 months out of treatment

I have many of the same issues. I will say each month gets a tiny bit better. Watching diet and no alcohol makes things better. I take mineral salt baths , probiotics seems to straighten things out a little bit. Just overwhelming at times. So much of your day can become a focus of what you eat and when you go to the bathroom. Yoga calms things down. I am accepting the new normal. But happy it was caught early.

Same here

Everything you have said, I have the same "new normal" as well. It's been 14 months for me. I have noticed it getting a little better as well. Yes, I am glad thay caught it early too.