Need advice on pain

dianelynn41
dianelynn41 Member Posts: 71
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello, we are new to this. My husband was diagnosed 12/1/10 with rectal cancer. He finished radiation on January 28th. This is probably normal but his body goes between diarrea and constipation daily and sometimes in the same day and gas is causing him alot pain. We're trying to watch his diet but he tends to just not want to eat. How long before this part starts to heal?

He's suppose to have surgery next month and we know the pain will start again and it will be a different battle.

I've been reading the post for several weeks now and have learned alot from everyone.

Diane and Roby

Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #2
    Welcome Diane + Roby
    Diane,

    I am sorry that you need to be here, but this is a great place to be when you need it. I am sorry I don't have any advice about the pain; I would discuss it with my doctor.
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #3
    Good luck
    Same cancer, probably a different stage (I'm IV) and I just had surgery. All that said, your best source of help here is probably Buzz..

    Best of luck to both of you on this journey.
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
    Diane and Roby....
    First off where is the pain...the intestine does not have any nerves in it so it does not give off pain sensation...I would think the anus may be really irritated and that can be solved with "Aquaphor" a lotion that is applied on the spincter itself , kind of like sunburn lotion...I went from the runs to constipation...I never used anything for the runs, I did use a powder form of something I don't remember the name to keep me regular when I got constipated.
    As far as radiation recoup, he will most likely feel the effects for about 4-6 weeks, the radiation keeps on working up to that time frame and they set the surgery to coinside with the weeks during the 4-5th week post radiation completion, when the radiation is almost done with all it can do and before scar tissue starts to build. There is a fine line for surgery in this matter and normally between the 4th and 5th week is where the surgery takes place....I hope this helped.......Buzz

    The name of that powder was polyethelene Glycol............and pain medication causes constipation as well...I never worried about diarrhea unless it was profuse but the constipation I never liked so I kept the Glycol on hand just to keep me about right in the waste department....It was about 3 days runs then went to straight constipation..but controlled by use of the powder....."AQUAPHOR" the best thing since peanut butter and jelly...........see we talk about everything in here, and in the same sentence...... :)
  • TMac52
    TMac52 Member Posts: 352
    #5
    Buzzard said:

    Diane and Roby....
    First off where is the pain...the intestine does not have any nerves in it so it does not give off pain sensation...I would think the anus may be really irritated and that can be solved with "Aquaphor" a lotion that is applied on the spincter itself , kind of like sunburn lotion...I went from the runs to constipation...I never used anything for the runs, I did use a powder form of something I don't remember the name to keep me regular when I got constipated.
    As far as radiation recoup, he will most likely feel the effects for about 4-6 weeks, the radiation keeps on working up to that time frame and they set the surgery to coinside with the weeks during the 4-5th week post radiation completion, when the radiation is almost done with all it can do and before scar tissue starts to build. There is a fine line for surgery in this matter and normally between the 4th and 5th week is where the surgery takes place....I hope this helped.......Buzz

    The name of that powder was polyethelene Glycol............and pain medication causes constipation as well...I never worried about diarrhea unless it was profuse but the constipation I never liked so I kept the Glycol on hand just to keep me about right in the waste department....It was about 3 days runs then went to straight constipation..but controlled by use of the powder....."AQUAPHOR" the best thing since peanut butter and jelly...........see we talk about everything in here, and in the same sentence...... :)

    Welcome diane and roby!
    Not Everyone body heals at the same pace. As for your pain if you have rectal cancer the pain from the radiation can last indefinatly I had severe pain right up until my surgery. Which was delayed from 8 weeks post radiation to 13 weeks because of the pain and tissue damage. Constipation from the pain meds and diarea and mucus from the radiation, a vicious circle for months. Doctors cant explain why it hit me as hard as it did but it did. And I was concidered in pretty good shape always worked out eat fairly good???? We dont know why we have to endure these things we just do it to stay alive.
    I am not trying to scare you but just wanted you to know not everyone gets better that fast. I wish I knew that when I was going through it.........so mant people said i should be getting better including most of my doctors, so it scared me half to death thought the cancer was litterally killing me. kept waking up with nightmares. I dont want this to happen to you. Just know that it will get better eventually and the surgery will take place when your ready. Until that time use the Aquafor that Buzz recomends also try A&D ointment.
    I will be saying a few prayers for you tonight. I hope it helps.
    Tom
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #6
    Buckwirth said:

    Good luck
    Same cancer, probably a different stage (I'm IV) and I just had surgery. All that said, your best source of help here is probably Buzz..

    Best of luck to both of you on this journey.

    Welcome,
    Sorry that you are here, Please stick around, and we will do our best to help you.
  • TMac52
    TMac52 Member Posts: 352
    #7
    Nana b said:

    Welcome,
    Sorry that you are here, Please stick around, and we will do our best to help you.

    bump
    up
  • dianelynn41
    dianelynn41 Member Posts: 71
    #8
    TMac52 said:

    bump
    up

    Thanks everyone, we just
    Thanks everyone, we just didn't know what to expect. Roby is stage III, we go see the onc today and surgeon next week.

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