Having symptoms and am so embarrassed I haven't told a soul, until just now...

allyummy
allyummy Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Hi all, My purpose here, as I have not yet been diagnosed with cancer, is to kindly ask some of you who have gone through soooo much and give so generously with your time and hearts.....if anyone had my symptoms. Here they are: this sounds truly ,...I don't know what the word is/are..but I need to ask.Ii have a mucus discharge , anally, that I have now had for about 6 months.It began one day after I had taken a shower and should have been completely dried, where my behind, my good ole butt felt wet.Weird I thought.So I cleaned things up and then went on with what I was doing. Walking around the house I oce again felt a wet sensation right on my opening.This time I took a mirror and tried to check things out.There were drops of mucus coming out on their own accord. Wet.Not poopy smelling really, but wet.This has not stopped and I think may be a bit worse now.I must wear a pantyliner daily and if I forget for half an hour and check, my panties are alway wet.....yup...I have a proverbial "wet spot" all day every day.Seems to be mucus.I do not see any blood in my poop but I do get some blood when wiping. I also think my wonderful butt looks a bit weird.I am not afraid to check out any part of my body so what I can see are , or what appears to look like, small little pouches that have a darker color of skin, kind of purplish and an odd center where the mucus is gathering then leaking out.Like 4 pouches that are actually on the inner side of my butt but I am pulling back on the skin to see whats up inside..........Does this make any sense at all to anyone? I know I need to see a doc but so far have not mustered up any courage to do that.....I do not have any pain in the anal area but I have had this odd pain that is right in the middle of my left side on, as though it was a pulled muscle.Same kind of mildish pain but I have not hurt my butt, so there should be no pain. That is the big secret....my leaking butt! If it wasn't leaking I don't think I would be looking for answers.Just the leak so fdar.If anyone recognizes my symtops, I would love to hear from you....without freaking out yet, I actually think that my butt tissue looks very much like the anal cancer images I have looked at during reasearch.It looks like anal cancer tissue to me..:o( And of course the risk of self diagnosing is not a good thing and I should be asking the doc to check my leaky butt out.I appreciate any time that anyone can give me on this and so greatly appreciate the help.thank-you kindly in advance . Please excuse any typos, I did not spellchek...oops! allyummy

Comments

  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #2
    Hello Allyummy...I'm not
    Hello Allyummy...I'm not sure what is going on with you with the discharge but it does sound like something you should see your doctor about. I had anal canal cancer but I know there is also anal verge cancer which is closer to the outside of the anus - whether the symptoms are the same or not, I do not know - I only know from my own experience. Maybe someone else who has had anal verge can add to this if these symptoms sound familiar to them. I know I had major bleeding with my cancer and difficulty passing stool. My regular MD and the general surgeon both thought it was hemorrhoids only and I also had a colonoscopy...shock to us all when the surgeon biopsied some of it and found it was squamous cell. Meanwhile almost a year passed with going back and forth to doctor and surgeon trying non-invasive measures to rid me of hemmi's. The only reason the surgeon looked further was because I complained of mucus - not like yours however but rather as part of the BM and blood. My only regret now is that I wasn't more aggressive with the doctor and surgeon insisting there was more than just hemi's and to do further testing. My cancer may have been caught earlier than it was.

    I know that having this is worrying you and each day that passes that it is still there is just going to worry you more. Bite the bullet and make an appointment once and for all with your MD. You might be surprised that it is nothing more than an infection. But if not, at least you will know what is going on. Waiting and postponing will only make things worse. You want an early diagnosis if something is going on. Hopefully others will add to this who have had different experiences than me as I'm only two weeks out of treatment and had canal cancer so that is only my experience. Please see your doctor and then come back and let us know what happened. Marilyne
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #3
    allyummy
    Hi, I had pain, blood and a lump, and I could see it with the mirror. It didn't look right at all. I initially thought it was hemoroids, so I didn't go to the dr for 6 months and tried to treat it myself. My 1st dr appt. was with the gyno, who said this is not hemroids and referred me to the gastro dr, who referred me to a general surgeon for biopsy. The general surgeon did a colonsocopy and biopsy and then confirmed Anal Verge Cancer Stage IINOMO. Please go to the dr and if you haven't had a colonoscopy please have one. The main thing I have learned from this experience, is that early dectection is a life saver, and the earlier you catch a problem the more chance of a complete cure. I wish you well. Please keep us updated. Lori
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #4
    z said:

    allyummy
    Hi, I had pain, blood and a lump, and I could see it with the mirror. It didn't look right at all. I initially thought it was hemoroids, so I didn't go to the dr for 6 months and tried to treat it myself. My 1st dr appt. was with the gyno, who said this is not hemroids and referred me to the gastro dr, who referred me to a general surgeon for biopsy. The general surgeon did a colonsocopy and biopsy and then confirmed Anal Verge Cancer Stage IINOMO. Please go to the dr and if you haven't had a colonoscopy please have one. The main thing I have learned from this experience, is that early dectection is a life saver, and the earlier you catch a problem the more chance of a complete cure. I wish you well. Please keep us updated. Lori

    Ally
    No matter what the symptoms, few or many, you need to get to a doctor. It may be hemis, an anal fissure or something else. Waiting is your worst enemy. Make an appointment with a colorectal doctor. I did not have any of these symptoms, except small, and I mean small spots of blood. I'm usually one to blow off things like that. For some reason my instinct said "this doesn't make sense". So I went and thank God I did. Anal cancer can be treated and often cured, but waiting is not the answer. Sorry to be so direct, but I want to see people survive this disease and one way to do that is to get checked when symptoms pop up. There is a probabilty that you do not have anal cancer, as it is very rare. But whatever you have going on needs medical attention.

    Please call your doctor and keep us posted.

    Wishing you well.

    Liz
  • melbas2
    melbas2 Member Posts: 108
    #5
    hello allyummy
    \I would worry less about spell check and spend that energy on getting your butt (literally) to see a doc. I just finished treatment yesterday, so I'm by no means an expert. But I do know that I kept on my docs, who originally diagnosed hemmys, then a fissure, when I demanded hemmy surgery, that's when they found the cancer. Early detection is the key to healing I think. Please go to your doctor and keep us posted. Melodie
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    #6
    melbas2 said:

    hello allyummy
    \I would worry less about spell check and spend that energy on getting your butt (literally) to see a doc. I just finished treatment yesterday, so I'm by no means an expert. But I do know that I kept on my docs, who originally diagnosed hemmys, then a fissure, when I demanded hemmy surgery, that's when they found the cancer. Early detection is the key to healing I think. Please go to your doctor and keep us posted. Melodie

    dr
    Go to the Doctor! You realize you should or you would not be asking. GO!
    Norma
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #7
    melbas2 said:

    hello allyummy
    \I would worry less about spell check and spend that energy on getting your butt (literally) to see a doc. I just finished treatment yesterday, so I'm by no means an expert. But I do know that I kept on my docs, who originally diagnosed hemmys, then a fissure, when I demanded hemmy surgery, that's when they found the cancer. Early detection is the key to healing I think. Please go to your doctor and keep us posted. Melodie

    Yeah....Melodie....congrats
    Yeah....Melodie....congrats on finishing your treatment!!!
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #8
    melbas2 said:

    hello allyummy
    \I would worry less about spell check and spend that energy on getting your butt (literally) to see a doc. I just finished treatment yesterday, so I'm by no means an expert. But I do know that I kept on my docs, who originally diagnosed hemmys, then a fissure, when I demanded hemmy surgery, that's when they found the cancer. Early detection is the key to healing I think. Please go to your doctor and keep us posted. Melodie

    Yeah....Melodie....congrats
    Yeah....Melodie....congrats on finishing your treatment!!!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #9
    Hi!
    Having a mucous discharge was one of my main symptoms. It came out when I had a BM or just passed gas. In June 08, I was diagnosed with stage I/II (on the fence) anal cancer. I didn't really think anything of the mucous, but when I started bleeding, I knew something was wrong. Just because you are not bleeding doesn't mean it can't be cancer. Also, just because you are passing mucous doesn't mean it is. The bottom line here is you can not diagnose yourself, so you need to see a doctor! Try to get in with a colorectal doc right off the bat and don't mess around with a GP or internist, as they often misdiagnose anal cancer for bleeding hemorrhoids. Please get in, get scoped and find out what's going on--it could save your life!
  • melbas2
    melbas2 Member Posts: 108
    #10
    sissy310 said:

    Yeah....Melodie....congrats
    Yeah....Melodie....congrats on finishing your treatment!!!

    I never thought I'd say this
    never thought I'd say this, bur when will I run out of gas? LOL!!! And Sissy, I wanted to ask you about the energy...or lack of. We're trying to move...of course Trace is out of town, so actually I'm trying to move...but I'll fill a box and feel like I'm having an asthma attack. It takes a good 7 minutes to catch my breath. Is that what you meant by having no energy? Melodie
  • ranelle65
    ranelle65 Member Posts: 63
    #11
    mp327 said:

    Hi!
    Having a mucous discharge was one of my main symptoms. It came out when I had a BM or just passed gas. In June 08, I was diagnosed with stage I/II (on the fence) anal cancer. I didn't really think anything of the mucous, but when I started bleeding, I knew something was wrong. Just because you are not bleeding doesn't mean it can't be cancer. Also, just because you are passing mucous doesn't mean it is. The bottom line here is you can not diagnose yourself, so you need to see a doctor! Try to get in with a colorectal doc right off the bat and don't mess around with a GP or internist, as they often misdiagnose anal cancer for bleeding hemorrhoids. Please get in, get scoped and find out what's going on--it could save your life!

    agrees with mp327
    I thought I just had a hemorrhoid that was my problem. After a colonoscopy from a **** surgeon, I was told there was nothing wrong with me, no fissures, polyps, or anything resembling anything needing attention, oh, and my roids he claimed were not big enough for surgery. BUT, he obviously was blind...the mass/roid that was causing problems was the size of a large raisin. That was in Nov 09. When I went back to my PCP, she referred me to another surgeon. His immediate diagnosis was to have the roids removed (the raisin had grown to a large grape size) and I was scheduled a week later. He had removed only one, leaving me angry, but after he explained the ONE was confirmed as cancer, I was relieved but now scared because of the word CANCER. Two chemo (mytomycin & 5FU) rounds, and 5 weeks of radiation later, I am feeling better. I have had some infections (vaginal yeast twice, and now a cystitis/UTI with no pain just icky discharge).

    So my advice, along with many others here, is that you go to the dr asap and don't take any chances.
  • happymommy
    happymommy Member Posts: 1
    #12
    ranelle65 said:

    agrees with mp327
    I thought I just had a hemorrhoid that was my problem. After a colonoscopy from a **** surgeon, I was told there was nothing wrong with me, no fissures, polyps, or anything resembling anything needing attention, oh, and my roids he claimed were not big enough for surgery. BUT, he obviously was blind...the mass/roid that was causing problems was the size of a large raisin. That was in Nov 09. When I went back to my PCP, she referred me to another surgeon. His immediate diagnosis was to have the roids removed (the raisin had grown to a large grape size) and I was scheduled a week later. He had removed only one, leaving me angry, but after he explained the ONE was confirmed as cancer, I was relieved but now scared because of the word CANCER. Two chemo (mytomycin & 5FU) rounds, and 5 weeks of radiation later, I am feeling better. I have had some infections (vaginal yeast twice, and now a cystitis/UTI with no pain just icky discharge).

    So my advice, along with many others here, is that you go to the dr asap and don't take any chances.

    about the lump...
    Hi! I'm concerned about having anal cancer and can't find anything on the internet about what the lump feels like. I've had fissures on and off for the last 8 months, and the doctor has checked it and says it looks fine. I'm 34, so I don't think they are taking me seriously. I did a self exam and found a large, smooth movable lump pretty far up my anal canal. I don't know the anatomy of the anal canal and was wondering if you could share any info you may have on lump texture. It is on the same side as the wall of the vagina (could it be a female organ?) Also, I have tested positive for vaginal HPV and that's why this concerns me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #13
    happymommy said:

    about the lump...
    Hi! I'm concerned about having anal cancer and can't find anything on the internet about what the lump feels like. I've had fissures on and off for the last 8 months, and the doctor has checked it and says it looks fine. I'm 34, so I don't think they are taking me seriously. I did a self exam and found a large, smooth movable lump pretty far up my anal canal. I don't know the anatomy of the anal canal and was wondering if you could share any info you may have on lump texture. It is on the same side as the wall of the vagina (could it be a female organ?) Also, I have tested positive for vaginal HPV and that's why this concerns me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    happymommy
    You did not say what kind of doctor checked you for this, but if it was not a colorectal specialist, then I would strongly urge you to make an appt. with one. My internist initially diagnosed me with a bleeding hemorrhoid, which two weeks later was correctly diagnosed as anal cancer by my colorectal doctor. The truth is, some doctors can not tell the difference and many, many anal cancer survivors are initially misdiagnosed. My colorectal doctor was able to do an anoscope on me in her office at the time of my initial consult with her and she told me that very day that she was 99% sure I had anal cancer. It was confirmed by biopsy two days later during a colonoscopy. Unless this lump has been visually checked by scope, I would not hesitate to have this done. If it turns out to just be related to your fissures and nothing else, you will have peace of mind. I wish you all the best.

    Martha
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #14
    mp327 said:

    happymommy
    You did not say what kind of doctor checked you for this, but if it was not a colorectal specialist, then I would strongly urge you to make an appt. with one. My internist initially diagnosed me with a bleeding hemorrhoid, which two weeks later was correctly diagnosed as anal cancer by my colorectal doctor. The truth is, some doctors can not tell the difference and many, many anal cancer survivors are initially misdiagnosed. My colorectal doctor was able to do an anoscope on me in her office at the time of my initial consult with her and she told me that very day that she was 99% sure I had anal cancer. It was confirmed by biopsy two days later during a colonoscopy. Unless this lump has been visually checked by scope, I would not hesitate to have this done. If it turns out to just be related to your fissures and nothing else, you will have peace of mind. I wish you all the best.

    Martha

    happymommy
    Hi happymommy,

    I had a lump which I could feel on the outside of the perianal area. I went to the gyno and the gyno told me this is not a hemi, and referred me to a gastrologist, who said this could be a hemi, who referred me to a general surgeon for biopsy, who was 95% sure that this was anal cancer. After a colonoscopy and biopsy of the anal lump, I was diagnosed with Stage II NOMO anal verge cancer. The anal canal is about 4 inches long, and below the dentae line, above the dentae line is considered the rectal area. I agree with Martha that you need to be examined by a correctol dr., for a correct diagnosis. As even if this is not an anal cancer, it needs to be monitered for healing to make sure that nothing else arises from the area. I wish you well and keep us updated. Lori

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