Rectal Enteritis

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Barb5454
Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi everyone,

 

I'm 20 months post treatment. And now the fun begins. Before I begin I need to throw in a disclaimer as far as my words go. I don't know if they will be bad. I'm on and off of this site because I work full time. I wish I could be on here more.

Anyway, I have been terribly constipated. And today the dam broke and when it did there was a lot of blood. I freaked out. I have been having some issues with my stomach being distended and very gassy. I have a hard time accepting a " new normal, I guess. I spoke to my dr and he said because of the radiaiton I have rectal enteritis. He's going to give me meds and I'm not suppose to eat a lot of dietary fiber like salads and etc.

Like I have said before, the one thing that made me go to the doctor ( the bleeding) is now normal.

It blows my mind and I have a hard time wrapping my brain around all of this.

I'm in a lot of pain, but the dr said it will go away. If it doesn't then I may have to have an operation to enlarge that area.

This is crazy!

Comments

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

    Unfortunately, radiation is the gift that keeps on giving.  I rarely get constipated these days, I tend to go to the other extreme.  Trying to figure out all the bowel issues is definitely a crap shoot, if you'll pardon my choice of words.

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #3
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    It's definitely not easy to

    It's definitely not easy to wrap one's head around what we have to deal with. For an eternity, 'they' have told everyone to make sure and get enough fiber - and now, with the after-effects of pelvic radiation, many of us who've been through it find out that too much fiber can actually be a very powerful enemy - for the likes of us anyway.

    I read a book once, several years ago, and it taught me to eat only soluble fiber at the beginning of each meal. The book saved me a lot of very urgent trips to the bathroom. No whole grains, 'white' food (bananas, pasta, white bread, potatoes, plain rice, among other things) - that's what I start a meal with now - and it's helped a whole lot. The book was called 'The First Year: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed' by Heather Van Vorous. It helped me a lot - if you're interested it's available on Amazon and most likely other sites as well

    No, this aftermath is not fun - but is IS do-able. I'm six years out and still have occasional issues, but following the guidelines provided in the book has helped me tremendously. Hope it helps you too!

    Never give up, never surrender!


  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #4
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    mp327 said:

    Barb

    Unfortunately, radiation is the gift that keeps on giving.  I rarely get constipated these days, I tend to go to the other extreme.  Trying to figure out all the bowel issues is definitely a crap shoot, if you'll pardon my choice of words.

    mp327

    Thank you for your support and I LOVE your choice of words. I never had the diarreha even going through treatment. I had the constipation and cramping. What keeps me going is I'm still here and if I didn't have these treatments the outcome wouldn't be looking good right now.

  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #5
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    RoseC said:

    It's definitely not easy to

    It's definitely not easy to wrap one's head around what we have to deal with. For an eternity, 'they' have told everyone to make sure and get enough fiber - and now, with the after-effects of pelvic radiation, many of us who've been through it find out that too much fiber can actually be a very powerful enemy - for the likes of us anyway.

    I read a book once, several years ago, and it taught me to eat only soluble fiber at the beginning of each meal. The book saved me a lot of very urgent trips to the bathroom. No whole grains, 'white' food (bananas, pasta, white bread, potatoes, plain rice, among other things) - that's what I start a meal with now - and it's helped a whole lot. The book was called 'The First Year: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed' by Heather Van Vorous. It helped me a lot - if you're interested it's available on Amazon and most likely other sites as well

    No, this aftermath is not fun - but is IS do-able. I'm six years out and still have occasional issues, but following the guidelines provided in the book has helped me tremendously. Hope it helps you too!

    Never give up, never surrender!


    RoseC

    Thank you for your support too! I will get that book! Thank you. It's weird because I was able to eat salads and raw veggies until now. Now if I so much as take a nibble I bleed terribly and it freaks me out. I did go on a medical website and it said the same thing about the foods. And my dr told me to take psysillum if I get constipated. That's what I get instead of the diarrhea.

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #6
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    Barb5454 said:

    RoseC

    Thank you for your support too! I will get that book! Thank you. It's weird because I was able to eat salads and raw veggies until now. Now if I so much as take a nibble I bleed terribly and it freaks me out. I did go on a medical website and it said the same thing about the foods. And my dr told me to take psysillum if I get constipated. That's what I get instead of the diarrhea.

    I know - it's so strange

    I know - it's so strange isn't it? I was able to eat all kinds of things until a about three years out of treatment. Then all of a sudden things changed and now I really have to watch what I eat. I had terrible constipation prior to treatment, no diarrhea during or after (well, only a little), and then, bam, three years out and everything changed. Things have been pretty stable for the past 3 years though (thankfully).

  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #7
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    careful

    i would avoid any survery to the anal area ..... radiation makes us not heal up.....i am NOT a doctor just a person who at 5.5 years still hurts with BM and bleeds every other week....just know that some of us still hurt and have bleeding.....mda says radiation damage....... sephie

  • judyv3
    judyv3 Member Posts: 143 Member
    #8
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    Barb

    I truly appreciate this post.  I am 9 months post treatment.  I, too, tend to be constipated and only had diarrhea a couple of times during treatment, then back to my usual constipation.  I guess these things go in cycles.  I was doing fairly well, eating carefully and taking Miralax and things were manageable.  However, this recently changed.  And from your post, I know that this is "normal".  Once you've had cancer, I think the first thought is "this is it" when something is different (especially when blood is involved).  I really take comfort in knowing that others go through similar changes.

    I do thank you for posting, as you said, the situation stinks but the alternative is worse.  We're here, we're strong and I take comfort in my fellow anal cancer warriors.

    Judy

     

     

  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #9
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    judyv3 said:

    Barb

    I truly appreciate this post.  I am 9 months post treatment.  I, too, tend to be constipated and only had diarrhea a couple of times during treatment, then back to my usual constipation.  I guess these things go in cycles.  I was doing fairly well, eating carefully and taking Miralax and things were manageable.  However, this recently changed.  And from your post, I know that this is "normal".  Once you've had cancer, I think the first thought is "this is it" when something is different (especially when blood is involved).  I really take comfort in knowing that others go through similar changes.

    I do thank you for posting, as you said, the situation stinks but the alternative is worse.  We're here, we're strong and I take comfort in my fellow anal cancer warriors.

    Judy

     

     

    judyv3

    I'm so sorry that you had cancer, but I am so happy I could help. Truthfully,  I have been on and off this site for a little over a year. I realized that I was in denial for a long time, even though I went through treatment, until now. I have to accept and embrace that my NEW NORMAL. And I finally have. Because I was in denial, I wasn't careful what I ate until now. Things seemed to be ok and kind of back to normal. Now, I have to take a bulk laxative and/ or Miralax so my stools aren't so narrow and the bleeding will stop.

    Anyway, thanks for responding and this site is awesome! There are a lot of wonderful people here.

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #10
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    Barb5454 said:

    judyv3

    I'm so sorry that you had cancer, but I am so happy I could help. Truthfully,  I have been on and off this site for a little over a year. I realized that I was in denial for a long time, even though I went through treatment, until now. I have to accept and embrace that my NEW NORMAL. And I finally have. Because I was in denial, I wasn't careful what I ate until now. Things seemed to be ok and kind of back to normal. Now, I have to take a bulk laxative and/ or Miralax so my stools aren't so narrow and the bleeding will stop.

    Anyway, thanks for responding and this site is awesome! There are a lot of wonderful people here.

    Understandable

    I live on de Hudson and in denial here in Yonkers. It's a real enemy. Even innocent little veggies like carrots need to either be grated, sliced as fine as grated or cooked. Also raw vegetables can contain bacteria that can cause a lot of issues with gas and the runs. I am in a good place right now with my bowels so try not to get discouraged. Sometimes just by concentrating, we can avoid a lot of problems. I think as we get older we lose our gluten tolerance, so being cautious about that is a good thing to do also. I still highly recommend Organic Whole Psyllium Husks. It can be your fiber for the day and is very very digestible. It was recommended to me by my colorectal surgeon's office and believe me, it really makes a difference. You will find out what works for you. The book sounds like it will be very helpful.

    Good luck.

    Sandy

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

    Understandable

    I live on de Hudson and in denial here in Yonkers. It's a real enemy. Even innocent little veggies like carrots need to either be grated, sliced as fine as grated or cooked. Also raw vegetables can contain bacteria that can cause a lot of issues with gas and the runs. I am in a good place right now with my bowels so try not to get discouraged. Sometimes just by concentrating, we can avoid a lot of problems. I think as we get older we lose our gluten tolerance, so being cautious about that is a good thing to do also. I still highly recommend Organic Whole Psyllium Husks. It can be your fiber for the day and is very very digestible. It was recommended to me by my colorectal surgeon's office and believe me, it really makes a difference. You will find out what works for you. The book sounds like it will be very helpful.

    Good luck.

    Sandy

    sandysp

    Thank you so much sandy. I am going to try the Organic Whole Psyllium Husks. Right now, I"m taking Miralax and I would rather have something natural.

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    #12
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    Barb5454 said:

    sandysp

    Thank you so much sandy. I am going to try the Organic Whole Psyllium Husks. Right now, I"m taking Miralax and I would rather have something natural.

    Barb5454

    For a long time all the way through treatment and beyond, because I was taking oxycontin, I had a routine of Metamucil in the morning and Miralax in the evening.  Definitely kept things moving fairly easily.  Now almost 2 years along I drink a mix of mostly whole psyllium with a little Metamucil for flavor.  I tried just plain psyllium in water but it was like gagging down liquid bread for me.  And it really does help with the BMs.  That "new normal" business is so hard to come to terms with.  And for me the "new normal" changes sometime in a good way and sometimes not.  It's hard to know what to expect.  I hope things improve for you.

    Janet

  • Ouch_Ouch_Ouch
    Ouch_Ouch_Ouch Member Posts: 508 Member
    #13
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    jcruz said:

    Barb5454

    For a long time all the way through treatment and beyond, because I was taking oxycontin, I had a routine of Metamucil in the morning and Miralax in the evening.  Definitely kept things moving fairly easily.  Now almost 2 years along I drink a mix of mostly whole psyllium with a little Metamucil for flavor.  I tried just plain psyllium in water but it was like gagging down liquid bread for me.  And it really does help with the BMs.  That "new normal" business is so hard to come to terms with.  And for me the "new normal" changes sometime in a good way and sometimes not.  It's hard to know what to expect.  I hope things improve for you.

    Janet

    Same difference

    Metamucil is composed mainly of ground psyllium husks with sugar and flavorings added.

  • Ouch_Ouch_Ouch
    Ouch_Ouch_Ouch Member Posts: 508 Member
    #14
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    Barb5454 said:

    RoseC

    Thank you for your support too! I will get that book! Thank you. It's weird because I was able to eat salads and raw veggies until now. Now if I so much as take a nibble I bleed terribly and it freaks me out. I did go on a medical website and it said the same thing about the foods. And my dr told me to take psysillum if I get constipated. That's what I get instead of the diarrhea.

    Change?

    Actually, psyllium husks can also help with diarrhea. It's a water soluble fiber that binds with water from the colon and creates a gel that helps slow down diarrhea.

    Barb5454, have you considered trying a low residue diet, at least for a while, to rest your GI tract? I am starting that now, myself, fingers crossed!

     

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #15
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    Ouch_Ouch_Ouch said:

    Change?

    Actually, psyllium husks can also help with diarrhea. It's a water soluble fiber that binds with water from the colon and creates a gel that helps slow down diarrhea.

    Barb5454, have you considered trying a low residue diet, at least for a while, to rest your GI tract? I am starting that now, myself, fingers crossed!

     

    Ouch & Barb

    A low residue diet will definitely help to rest your bowels.  I had to follow that type of diet for a few weeks after my hospitalization for a blockage in my small intestine.  Check out this website (and others) for more information on this type of diet, foods to avoid, and those allowed. 

    http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/low-residue-diet-foods

    Martha

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    #16
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    Ouch_Ouch_Ouch said:

    Same difference

    Metamucil is composed mainly of ground psyllium husks with sugar and flavorings added.

    same or different?

    Some folks prefer to use organic psyllium husks to avoid the sugar or artificial sweetener and the flavor additives.  I would now prefer to do only the psyllium husks but I had to meet myself in the middle and doctor it up with a bit of metamucil.  I suppose I could mix it into juice but I'd rather not drink too many empty calories.

  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 Member Posts: 125
    #17
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    Stools pencil thin

    I have been taking Miralax and it has helped the bleeding, but my stools are still pencil thin. My gastro dr told me not to worry about it, but I can't help it. Maybe if I do take psyllium would that help "bulk" things up?

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    #18
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    Barb5454 said:

    Stools pencil thin

    I have been taking Miralax and it has helped the bleeding, but my stools are still pencil thin. My gastro dr told me not to worry about it, but I can't help it. Maybe if I do take psyllium would that help "bulk" things up?

    worth trying

    I think it's worrth trying the psyllium.  I do think it helps me with bulk and with keeping stool formed and soft but not loose.  Whenever I try something new, like adding a food I'd been eliminating I do it on a Friday.  That's the day for the experiments.  Then I've got the weekend to recover if things go badly.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #19
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    Barb5454 said:

    Stools pencil thin

    I have been taking Miralax and it has helped the bleeding, but my stools are still pencil thin. My gastro dr told me not to worry about it, but I can't help it. Maybe if I do take psyllium would that help "bulk" things up?

    Barb5454

    Yes the psyllium will bulk up the stools, I have ordered the organic husks online and also purchase Konsyl at the pharmacy as well I find them to work the same, I prefer to have the organic husks but I like that the Konsyl also comes in individual travel packs which is convienent when travelling.

  • Ouch_Ouch_Ouch
    Ouch_Ouch_Ouch Member Posts: 508 Member
    #20
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    jcruz said:

    same or different?

    Some folks prefer to use organic psyllium husks to avoid the sugar or artificial sweetener and the flavor additives.  I would now prefer to do only the psyllium husks but I had to meet myself in the middle and doctor it up with a bit of metamucil.  I suppose I could mix it into juice but I'd rather not drink too many empty calories.

    Ah!

    I'm sorry that I misinterpreted you. I thought that perhaps you didn't realize that they were the same active ingredient. Dopey me!

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