anal burning

z said:

burning
Hi,

Yes burning 3 weeks after treatment is normal. Very painful I know. I used the pain meds and had a sports bottle with water to use as I was using the bathroom. This helped. Also baths were very soothing. Did you get lotions from the radiologist. Mine gave me bag balm, (used on cow utters), but theres all kinds. Silverdine especially for burns. The burning might last a while. We have been burned and shrunk so it takes time to heal. The radiologist did an examination on me but not a dre thank goodness. He said I was burned as he wanted. I think my 1st dre was with my onc, about 2 months after treatment completed. It has gotten much better, I am 9 months post treatment. I wish you well Lori.

pjjenkins said:

anal burning
Hi,
Two and 1/2 years later, I cannot remember exactly how long after treatment the burning continued but I am pretty sure I used pretty heavy painkiller for a couple of months.. I phased out over about two to three weeks after that with no problems.

I still have tender, sensitive skin "down there" by which I mean it chafes easily and I am prone to rash on occasion. Try many things until you find what you like best. There are two ointments I like best and I'm blocking on both names.

Early in my journey I also had uterine cell "suspicious for cancer" so my first post treatment test was a PET 2 months after treatment and not long after that a D&C. The latter was the more difficult but the results were good. I used painkiller afterward for a few days.

I have cycles of bowel problems and daily use Citrucel (has a no sugar version)or Metamucil or generic with much success (Beneful was good, too). Early on (first 6 months or a bit more), I took a change of clothing when I went away from home. But this improves with time and now I rarely have a problem.

You will notice continual improvement and I think you are through the worst!

Maybe ask doc for another painkiller to try.

Best wishes!
Priscilla

z said:

Priscilla
Hi,

Priscilla may I ask what you were staged at. I was staged at II NOMO anal verge cancer. I see you are 2 1/2 years out of treatment and doing good. I love to see that. Thank you, Lori

gladteacher said:

anal burning
Hi,
I started my 30 treatments of radiation with two weeks of chemo in Dec. and mid January. I was finished on January 19, but had to be hospitalized until Feb. 5th because of the burns. My hair is growing back but looks funny. As far as the burns go, they healed pretty well, but BM's can be very painful even with pain killers. My colorectal surgeon gave me a gel (prescription) of nitroglycerin 2% to insert intra-anally two times per day. I still get depressed because the BM's are unpredictable. Sometimes there is diarrhea, and no warning that it is coming. I have an anal fissure, but am having a biopsy taken at the hospital in mid May to determine if the cancer is completely gone. I have dropped thirty pounds and am happy to buy some new clothes. I feel my eating habits have changed quite a bit. It feels good to write people back with the same diagnosis. This is my first comment post. I hope you do well. Hang in there. I think recovery can be worse than the cancer because you at one time were so busy with treatments etc. When you are alone, it is difficult to not worry about things. Write me back and let me know how you are doing. Thanks.

mp327 said:

Hi Gladie
I just want to touch on something you said about recovery being worse than the treatment period. You are quite correct about this, judging from my experience and from what others have said. Treatment time puts us in warrior mode and there's lots going on. Then it all abruptly ends and we feel like we are in limbo, lost. Please don't think that you are the only one feeling this way, as I assure you, you are not. There is a writer named Dana Jennings who writes for the New York Times who is a prostate cancer survivor. He has written a series of columns which chronicle his cancer journey and he speaks about this very thing. He puts into words so correctly what so many of us have felt. If you get a chance, go to the New York Times website and look him up. I think you'll be able to relate to what he has written.

mtnmama said:

feeling your pains :-)
I am now 3 years out from diagnosis of stage 3b anal cancer, the burns were really bad and found that Silvidene was the best, I had to take a week off radiation to let the burns settle. Still have bowel problems, never leave the house without my Imodium and sometimes have severe cramping when I need to have a bowel movement and soemtimes takes 6-7 times before I'm done. But I am thankful for everyday and it does get better, I feel best every time I get my "clean" 6 month check hahahaha. Coloscopy every year but they knock you out, the worst part is the cleaning out process, I wish they could find a better way to do that!!! Wishing the best for all of us!

susan1069 said:

Anal Burning
Hi Everyone,

I just finished my 33 treatments a couple of days ago and I came onto the discussion board to see how long the hemmorrhoids, burning and painful or uncontrollable bowel movements would last. I can't tell you how discouraged I am to see that this stuff can go on for years! I guess I was naive to think I'd go back to normal in a couple of weeks. Is there anyone out there who HASN'T had anal burning for months or years afterwards? I guess I'm hoping that doesn't happen to everyone and maybe I'll be lucky??

It's strange that now I'm finished with tx, but more depressed than ever. I think it's the permanent changes that are upsetting me. I just want to go back to the way I was, and obviously that's not going to happen. I guess getting used to the "new normal" and accepting it is the way to go.

Any suggestions??

mp327 said:

Anal burning
Hi Susan--

I am almost 20 months out of treatment and I still have burning with BM's sometimes. As explained to me, the blood vessels in the anus are much closer to the surface after radiation and are very easily irritated by anything that passes by. This can also cause bleeding from time to time. Certain foods can also trigger burning with BM's. I eat Mexican food about every other weekend, knowing that the next day my rear end will feel like it's on fire. Don't get discouraged about the bowel issues--you just finished your treatments and it takes time for things to heal and return to normal, albeit a new normal in most cases. As for the depression, please register on the New York Times website and search for "Dana Jennings." He is a columnist who has been through prostate cancer treatment and has written many good columns about it. There is one on cancer and depression, which I think was written back in Sept. 09. Please check it out, as it will make you see that this is quite common among cancer survivors. It gets better as time goes on for most and for those who can't shake it, a good therapist can be a Godsend. Take care and keep coming here with your questions. We're here to help.