What the dr said

tmpage1273
tmpage1273 Member Posts: 92 Member
in Anal Cancer #1
Well, I went in to test and make sure the h pylori was gone and got them to check my situation out while I was there. She did a DRE and said there were no hemorrhoids, no mass or abnormalities and no leisons. She did said I had a skin tag/anal fissure and gave me an ointment to use for 2-3 weeks. Then I go back to be rechecked. The itching has been a little better since I put it on, but I'm still cautiously optimistic.

Thoughts? I've seen so many people misdiagnosed that I guess I'm not very trusting now.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    tmpage
    If your symptoms are still troubling after the next appt., I would definitely get another opinion, hopefully from a colorectal doc who can do an anoscope. Anal cancer is so often misdiagnosed, even by doctors who should know better. Also, keep in mind that "skin tags" can be caused by HPV, which we all know contributes to anal cancer. Please keep us posted.
  • tmpage1273
    tmpage1273 Member Posts: 92 Member
    #3
    mp327 said:

    tmpage
    If your symptoms are still troubling after the next appt., I would definitely get another opinion, hopefully from a colorectal doc who can do an anoscope. Anal cancer is so often misdiagnosed, even by doctors who should know better. Also, keep in mind that "skin tags" can be caused by HPV, which we all know contributes to anal cancer. Please keep us posted.

    Ok
    Ive either been reading too much and convincing myself I have this (mind tricks) or I'm going insane. I didn't have any issues until I took the strong antibiotics for the h pylori and got constipated. Since mid-January my only real symptom has been the itching. I had a little pressure a couple times, but not any this week. No bleeding ever. No mucus that I can see (who can tell with all the creams I did for hemi?) and no pain. My BM's are normal and I have lost weight, but that's mostly from (again) the meds messing up stomach and gastritis. The GI didn't feel anything, so that 'should' be a good sign, right? Is AC always a tumor that you feel/see or what?

    I'm sorry for asking the same things. The only common thing I've seen on here is that people have bleeding. That just makes me feel better since I've had none.

    Jeepers!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #4
    tmpage1273 said:

    Ok
    Ive either been reading too much and convincing myself I have this (mind tricks) or I'm going insane. I didn't have any issues until I took the strong antibiotics for the h pylori and got constipated. Since mid-January my only real symptom has been the itching. I had a little pressure a couple times, but not any this week. No bleeding ever. No mucus that I can see (who can tell with all the creams I did for hemi?) and no pain. My BM's are normal and I have lost weight, but that's mostly from (again) the meds messing up stomach and gastritis. The GI didn't feel anything, so that 'should' be a good sign, right? Is AC always a tumor that you feel/see or what?

    I'm sorry for asking the same things. The only common thing I've seen on here is that people have bleeding. That just makes me feel better since I've had none.

    Jeepers!

    tmpage
    If you are not having any other symptoms but the itching, then why not just wait until your next appt. in a couple of weeks and see what the doc says. Be sure to go through the entire list of your symptoms, no matter how short it is, and ask him/her if there is a need for further evaluation. I couldn't see my tumor because it was internal, but I had lots of symptoms. I hope all turns out to be okay for you--please let us know.
  • tmpage1273
    tmpage1273 Member Posts: 92 Member
    #5
    mp327 said:

    tmpage
    If you are not having any other symptoms but the itching, then why not just wait until your next appt. in a couple of weeks and see what the doc says. Be sure to go through the entire list of your symptoms, no matter how short it is, and ask him/her if there is a need for further evaluation. I couldn't see my tumor because it was internal, but I had lots of symptoms. I hope all turns out to be okay for you--please let us know.

    Thanks
    Thanks for answering. I go to my gyno Feb. 27th. Is that something she can check too?
  • Dog Girl
    Dog Girl Member Posts: 100
    #6
    tmpage1273 said:

    Thanks
    Thanks for answering. I go to my gyno Feb. 27th. Is that something she can check too?

    Gyno
    It was actually my gyno that found my tumor. Since I am over 50, she does a DRE on me when I go for my PAP and she said she felt something unusual and suggested I call my colorectal doctor. That was on Tuesday and I called from the parking lot for an appointment. He had a cancellation on Friday that I took and that is when all of the fun started. Your doctor may be able to see what is going on; tell him/her about it and see what they say. I know I wasn't limber enough to see my behind even with a bunch of mirrors! :)

    I've also had issues with fissures as well. My understanding is that they can be caused by
    diarrhea, constipation, and of course trauma. I got my first one when I had norovirus and had horrible diarrhea. It eventually went away on its own, but I subsequently had another one which required surgery. I had itching too, but mostly it was a lot of pain when I had a bm. I hope that is all you have and since you don't have a lot of the other symptoms, let's hope for the best.

    Be sure and drink lots of water and you may want to consider taking a stool softener. It won't make you go, but it should be easier once you do go.
  • tmpage1273
    tmpage1273 Member Posts: 92 Member
    #7
    Dog Girl said:

    Gyno
    It was actually my gyno that found my tumor. Since I am over 50, she does a DRE on me when I go for my PAP and she said she felt something unusual and suggested I call my colorectal doctor. That was on Tuesday and I called from the parking lot for an appointment. He had a cancellation on Friday that I took and that is when all of the fun started. Your doctor may be able to see what is going on; tell him/her about it and see what they say. I know I wasn't limber enough to see my behind even with a bunch of mirrors! :)

    I've also had issues with fissures as well. My understanding is that they can be caused by
    diarrhea, constipation, and of course trauma. I got my first one when I had norovirus and had horrible diarrhea. It eventually went away on its own, but I subsequently had another one which required surgery. I had itching too, but mostly it was a lot of pain when I had a bm. I hope that is all you have and since you don't have a lot of the other symptoms, let's hope for the best.

    Be sure and drink lots of water and you may want to consider taking a stool softener. It won't make you go, but it should be easier once you do go.

    fissures?
    You had itching with the fissures or the cancer?
  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    #8
    tmpage1273 said:

    Thanks
    Thanks for answering. I go to my gyno Feb. 27th. Is that something she can check too?

    No Bleedling For Me
    I did not have any bleeding. I might suggest you make an appointment with a colon rectal surgeon. My colon rectal surgeon immediately knew that my anal tumor was probably cancerous upon examination in his office. It was confirmed with further tests. These doctors are highly trained and usually know what to look for. Hopefully they will find nothing wrong should you decide to make an appointment which should ease your anxiety level.
  • tmpage1273
    tmpage1273 Member Posts: 92 Member
    #9
    mxperry220 said:

    No Bleedling For Me
    I did not have any bleeding. I might suggest you make an appointment with a colon rectal surgeon. My colon rectal surgeon immediately knew that my anal tumor was probably cancerous upon examination in his office. It was confirmed with further tests. These doctors are highly trained and usually know what to look for. Hopefully they will find nothing wrong should you decide to make an appointment which should ease your anxiety level.

    You had no bleeding? What were your symptoms? (If you've already told me I apologize. Somewhat rattled lately.)
  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #10
    tmpage1273 said:

    fissures?
    You had itching with the fissures or the cancer?

    it all itches
    fissures, hemmys and ulcers can all itch. mine did. i guess the cancer can cause itching too. who knows. i first had constipation , then fissure, then ulcer. but had bleeding with BM's the entire time. you probably are fine but go to a colorectal surgeon in addition to the gyno. then you will be more sure. sephie
  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    #11
    tmpage1273 said:

    You had no bleeding? What were your symptoms? (If you've already told me I apologize. Somewhat rattled lately.)

    Symptoms
    Itching
    SEVERE Strained BMs(broke into cold sweats) Tumor was blocking my stool discharge
    Never felt I had a complete BM
    Mucus discharge constantly blotting with TP
    Stools were very flat and thin similar to ribbon
    No blood discharge

Discussion Boards