constantly oozing feces

I think this is a common issue for some people who are not too far out of treatment.  While I never experienced "oozing," I did have continuing diarrhea, very loose stools, and extreme urgency issues.  In my case, time was what really improved things.  I know it's frustrating though.  Try working on strengthening your sphincter muscles by clenching often and holding, somewhat similar to Kegel exercises.  I hope things will improve for you real soon.

Martha

RoseC said:

MusicGuy

Hi - I had something like this for a while. I wouldn't call it 'constantly oozing' but I did get stains on my underwear - a lot - couldn't help it and didn't always know it was there till I looked - it was gross but it did pass after a couple of months. I did kegel exercises - not sure if those helped or it just took time to heal, but it did stop after a while.

Istead of feces, I dripped urine (on the burns, ouch!).  I did the kEgels and it stopped.    I still have some issues with getting the urine to stop upon standing after peeing.  I think they burned my uretha.  I hope the kegels and time work for you.

I remember I felt so physically bad after treatment that just being alive was an effort.  I'm an avid surfer, but I never gave it a thought for almost a year.  All of my energy and thoughts were getting thru the next step and what could I do to feel better.   In time you will go back to your old self.  Try to set small goals for yourself everyday.  You will feel yourself making progress.

what are you eating and drinking?

I had this issue for 2-3 months post treatment.  I had mucus discharge rather than fecal discharge.  I bought women's sanitary panty liners and used in my underwear.  It helped some.  You might also get a waterproof pad for your bed.  I used a towel underneath me when I slept.  I think the pad might have worked better.  I completed my treatments in January 2009.  I still have occasional discharge.  I swear some days I keep the toilet paper companies in business. LOL

Mike

I am almost two years out from treatment.  I was experiencing a lot of issues like yours.  At my last anoscopy my doctor advised me to start drinking a glass of metamucil in the morning.  This has helped me so much.  The orange flavor is not so bad.  My morning orange juice   I still have certain foods that will set me off, but for the most part I do okay.   I have one more pelvic and chest scan coming up and then I am on a six month anoscopy only  for up to five years I believe.  Good luck!

Missgrace said:

constantly oozing feces

I hate to say this, Raleighguy, but I have had this problem for three years post treatment. I've tried exercises, low fiber diets, high fiber diets and fasts. Nothing works. Now, I have to wear pads constant.ly and, sometimes, even that is not enough. I can't wear most of my clothes anymore because they look funny. I am considering a colostomy

Hi, I am 3 1/2 years out and experienced all of the above.  I found relief by quitting candy and most other sweets as it became clear to me that shortly after eating sweets I would have increased gas and a mucus discharge.  As long as I stay away from sweets, I am ok on that front.  If I do decide to indulge, I try to limit it to home-made or bakery items because the sugar is not always so much.  High fructose corn-syrup is especially bad, so I avoid it as much as possible.

i take probiotics every three days ( not every day) and Vitamin B Complex every other day.  I am a vegetarian so get plenty of fiber in the foods I eat.  That has helped a lot.  I also do Kegels to help with incontinence as that can still sometimes occur.  I am experiencing that less than I did right after treatment.  

Good luck with your recovery.  It will get better, especially if you stay in touch with your body and honor what it tells you.  I wish you all the best.

GreenNative said:

Constantly oozing feces

Hi, I am 3 1/2 years out and experienced all of the above.  I found relief by quitting candy and most other sweets as it became clear to me that shortly after eating sweets I would have increased gas and a mucus discharge.  As long as I stay away from sweets, I am ok on that front.  If I do decide to indulge, I try to limit it to home-made or bakery items because the sugar is not always so much.  High fructose corn-syrup is especially bad, so I avoid it as much as possible.

i take probiotics every three days ( not every day) and Vitamin B Complex every other day.  I am a vegetarian so get plenty of fiber in the foods I eat.  That has helped a lot.  I also do Kegels to help with incontinence as that can still sometimes occur.  I am experiencing that less than I did right after treatment.  

Good luck with your recovery.  It will get better, especially if you stay in touch with your body and honor what it tells you.  I wish you all the best.

 

I was diagnosed stage 3B in 2012, and completed treatment 10/31/12. My yearly follow ups included biopsies by a surgeon ( who alledgely was a colo rectal board certified surgeon). Last summer she performed 9 biopsies, and the pain and subsequent issues included fecal incontinence.

It took me close to 6 months to feel close to "normal" but due to many issues with the abobe surgeon I changed surgeons and fortunately live in the far west Chicago suburbs, and had the ability to go to a unibersity teaching facility. My new surgeon, aside from informed me that annual biopsies are outsdated methodoly... informed me that "radiation is the gift that keeps giving". In other words, it demolished the tumor that was over 4 inches long.... but it has created other issues.... including fecal incotinance, tendancy towards diarrhea, and rectal stenosis.

I take daily fiber supplements, but also take immodium every day. I start with 2 each day, and after each bowel movement, I take 1 or 2 more up to 8 per day. I still do not ever have constipation..... and this has helped with the fecal leakage.... seepage.

The next step is pelvic floor PT.... it is my choice and one that I have hesitated over simply because the doctors offiie is 28 miles away... and the logistics in getting this done. Plus I am somewhat inproved with the daily immodium.

Life as a cancer surviror has really changed how I live.... and not in a good way... but in retrospect things could be worse.