Bleeding again-sorry if I sound like a broken record

Barb5454
Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
edited September 2013 in Anal Cancer #1

Hi Everyone! I haven't been on in a while because I started a part time job and by the time I get home I'm exhausted. Anyway, I'm 8 months post treatment. I have had 2 CT scans and I'm still cancer free! YAY! But I'm still bleeding. Sometimes my right side hurts. I bled before I new I had cancer but never this much. When I go to the bathroom I have noticed bright red blood for the last 4 days. My rad onc said to me as long as the bleeding is bright red I'm ok. I still cannot wrap my head around this. My rad onc examined me and told me I had a lot of internal hemmrrhoids. Can radiation cause internal hemrrhoids? Anyway, can anyone relate to this?

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Barb

    Post-treatment bleeding is common, but can be concerning, nonetheless.  As long as your scans have been clear and you are getting regular follow-up exams with DRE and anoscope, I'm sure you are fine.  If you have a chance, look up "radiation proctitis."  This is probably what you are experiencing.  The radiation has thinned the walls of your intestines, making the blood vessels much closer to the surface.  When anything passes by (stool), bleeding can easily happen.  I have  bleeding off and on, even 5 years post-treatment, mostly related to a bout of constipation.  It is very important to keep stools soft and drink plenty of water.  A psyllium fiber supplement might help you, such as Metamucil. 

    I hope otherwise you are doing well!  Congrats on the new job! 

  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    #3
    mp327 said:

    Barb

    Post-treatment bleeding is common, but can be concerning, nonetheless.  As long as your scans have been clear and you are getting regular follow-up exams with DRE and anoscope, I'm sure you are fine.  If you have a chance, look up "radiation proctitis."  This is probably what you are experiencing.  The radiation has thinned the walls of your intestines, making the blood vessels much closer to the surface.  When anything passes by (stool), bleeding can easily happen.  I have  bleeding off and on, even 5 years post-treatment, mostly related to a bout of constipation.  It is very important to keep stools soft and drink plenty of water.  A psyllium fiber supplement might help you, such as Metamucil. 

    I hope otherwise you are doing well!  Congrats on the new job! 

    Bleeding

    I have been bleeding everyday a significant amount for almost 1 year.  I have had anascope, DRE, and pets can.  Doctor says I am ok and it is internal hemorroids.  The outside hurts a great deal too.  It is hard tobelieve that I am ok, but apparently I am.  It will be 3 years for me on 12/8.    I think the problem for me is the exit has shrunk and does not want to open.  I hope that it gets better for you.  

  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #4
    still bleed

    barb,  i had lots of blood on my stool and on toilet paper..... had anoscope....all ok...radiation damage.... i am 4 years post tx..... with NED from MD Anderson.......i still hurt horribly on the left side of anus at the very opening.... it swells and hurts often.....sephie

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #5
    Five years out now and I

    Five years out now and I still have blood now and then - bright red, like yours. My colo-rectal surgeon says it's normal stuff to deal with after biopsies and treatment. I also have a very sensitive area on the left internal side of the anus - it's where the biopsies were performed and has not yet (and may never be) healed completely after radiation. It's ok to be concerned about it. But please try not to worry.

  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #6
    Thank you!

    Thank you all so much! It's awful that we all have to experience this but it's good that we can relate! I, too, hurt on the left side along with itching. I haven't had a DRE or anascope, but I do have CT scans and sigmoidoscopy and all is good. I'm trying so hard no to worry, but it can be difficult. I have noticed if I eat raw veggies (I"m a vegetarian) I bleed more, so I make sure to cook my veggies. Thanks again you are all amazing!

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #7
    Barb5454

    I too have bleeding off and on - usuallyt not a lot, just a streak here and there on the t.p.  Now I am having discomfort (not really itching, it's more prickly and sensitive) on the left side (tumor was on the right side).  It scares me too because this is similar to what I experienced prior to diagnosis.  I've had a PET/CT scan, MRI, DREs, a colonoscopy and anoscope since finishing treatment in March.  All have come back clear, so I guess I have to trust that I am fine and this is the new "normal." 

     

  • K8M
    K8M Member Posts: 55 Member
    #8
    It just fels so out of your

    It just fels so out of your control (the bleeding) - but I thnk you are doing the right thing in trying to give your digestive system the best chance to process your food. Wishing you continued good news! 

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #9
    How are you doing?

    Thinking of you and wondering how you are doing?

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #10
    Dear Barb,

    Not much to add to the tips above, but maybe for your next scan you should ask for a more detailed MRI or more cancer specific PET scan. 

    I wish you all the best.

    Laz

  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #11
    Barb5454 said:

    Thank you!

    Thank you all so much! It's awful that we all have to experience this but it's good that we can relate! I, too, hurt on the left side along with itching. I haven't had a DRE or anascope, but I do have CT scans and sigmoidoscopy and all is good. I'm trying so hard no to worry, but it can be difficult. I have noticed if I eat raw veggies (I"m a vegetarian) I bleed more, so I make sure to cook my veggies. Thanks again you are all amazing!

    Sorry I haven't replied

    Sorry I haven't replied to all of you. I've been working a lot. Thank you all for your kind reassuring words. It really helps a lot. I do have quite a few internal hemrroids so I'm sure that's the reason. I have cancer makers done Dec 3 (blood tests) The fear of getting cancer is not as frequent but still in the back of my mind.

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #12
    Barb5454 said:

    Sorry I haven't replied

    Sorry I haven't replied to all of you. I've been working a lot. Thank you all for your kind reassuring words. It really helps a lot. I do have quite a few internal hemrroids so I'm sure that's the reason. I have cancer makers done Dec 3 (blood tests) The fear of getting cancer is not as frequent but still in the back of my mind.

    Cancer Markers?
    Hi Barb, i was not aware that anal cancer had any markers. I have never had any markers for this cancer done at all. Can you elaborate on blood markers that are effective for anal cancer?? Thanks.
  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #13
    Marynb said:

    Cancer Markers?
    Hi Barb, i was not aware that anal cancer had any markers. I have never had any markers for this cancer done at all. Can you elaborate on blood markers that are effective for anal cancer?? Thanks.

    Marynb

    Mary I have to have blood tests every 3 months. My onc says it to check my blood levels and cancer markers. That's all I know.Maybe he's looking keeping an eye out in case another cancer were to surface.

  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #14
    TraceyUSA said:

    Barb5454

    I too have bleeding off and on - usuallyt not a lot, just a streak here and there on the t.p.  Now I am having discomfort (not really itching, it's more prickly and sensitive) on the left side (tumor was on the right side).  It scares me too because this is similar to what I experienced prior to diagnosis.  I've had a PET/CT scan, MRI, DREs, a colonoscopy and anoscope since finishing treatment in March.  All have come back clear, so I guess I have to trust that I am fine and this is the new "normal." 

     

    TraceyUSA

    Thank you so much for your input. I've been having a lot of discomfort too (where the tumor was) for some reason and yes it's hard to trust but I guess we have too

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