Update & pain

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Adam26
Adam26 Member Posts: 125
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi everyone, this is Carole - Adam's mum.

Sorry I haven't written in a while, I have been suffering a lot with anxiety.

After I had my biopsy, they gave me stitches and now I'm in a lot of pain. I have an anal fissure and an ulcer. I'm so fed up. It's another two weeks until we get the results. 

Do you have any ideas for how I can keep my spirits up? I'm so depressed. My friends are all on holiday and enjoying there lives, I can't even go out because I'm in so much pain. I can't even sit down without it hurting.

Comments

  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #2
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    Carole

    I am sorry to hear that you are in so much pain & that you are so anxious. I can understand your anxiety as I am sure all of us would in your shoes. Try to stay in the moment. Use dIstraction. What about a jigsaw? A crossword? I use Candy Crush app when I have things on my mind. 

    As for pain, please ask for pain relief. Adequate pain relief. You might need a Fentanyl patch. What I found helpful to sit was a really thick sheepskin rug. It seemed a bit of an expense, but really helped. 

    Phone in the morning and get that pain relief sorted! That might help you cope with the wait. 

    Best wishes

    Liz

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #3
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    Carole....

    Hi, So sorry this anxiety is keeping you from enjoying the things you love. I agree with Liz on the pain medication. Many of us have taken something during and after treatment. While in pain your body has a more difficult time healing so finding some relief will help you sleep, sit, eat, go to the bathroom, etc. a bit easier and your body will heal faster. Please call your doctor and insist on some help. I was on a daily dose of oxycontin for several months, then eventually weaned off and have not needed since!

    Also, I sat on (still do 4+ years later just because) a memory foam cushion. Do not use a donut type pillow as it actually puts more strain on the anal area that falls in the donut hole.

    I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for some quick improvement.

    katheryn

  • Adam26
    Adam26 Member Posts: 125
    #4
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    Hi
    Thank you for replies everybody, they are very helpful. 

     

    I phone the GP this morning, she told me to stop taking painkillers as I am intolerant  to them, except for paracetamol + she said to use recto gel for fissure.

     

    Adam and I used to play Candy Crush during the diagnosis stage.......rather, Adam used to after level 1 as I was rubbish!

     

    The only way I cope with the anxiety is distraction (I get depressed and tearful if I think about it - I never was so pathetic before this), but 3 weeks is a long time, Adam has been great, he finds comments where people have gone through the same as me, and the biopsies have come back as negative and scar tissue - those are the kind of things I need to hear right now; it inspires me to know people have been through the same thing and are still fine.

     

    Bless you all and thank you so much for being there.
  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #5
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    3 weeks is a LONG time

    I cannot imagine waiting that long.  I had to wait a weekend (biopsy on Friday, results late Monday) and it drove me nuts.  My mind was everywhere but where it should have been.  All turned out well, just inflamation and scar tissue but the anxiety was awful.  I did not need stitches but the pain was almost as bad as when they initially removed my tumor.  I used Advil (over the counter) as I'm not one to take pain meds.  Sitz bath also helps as it helps relax the muscles.  Like everyone else has said, try to keep you mind working on something else.  (Google Zendoodle or Zentangle...I find it's a great way to zone out and it appeals to my creative side.)

    Hang in there,

    Tracey

  • dpatter03
    dpatter03 Member Posts: 23
    #6
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    Adam26 said:

    Hi

    Thank you for replies everybody, they are very helpful. 

     

    I phone the GP this morning, she told me to stop taking painkillers as I am intolerant  to them, except for paracetamol + she said to use recto gel for fissure.

     

    Adam and I used to play Candy Crush during the diagnosis stage.......rather, Adam used to after level 1 as I was rubbish!

     

    The only way I cope with the anxiety is distraction (I get depressed and tearful if I think about it - I never was so pathetic before this), but 3 weeks is a long time, Adam has been great, he finds comments where people have gone through the same as me, and the biopsies have come back as negative and scar tissue - those are the kind of things I need to hear right now; it inspires me to know people have been through the same thing and are still fine.

     

    Bless you all and thank you so much for being there.
    Depression

    Check out depression meds.  They take a while to get into your system but are very helpful.   As mentioned in a previous note, treating the depression may help pain as well.   Good luck.   You are in my prayers.

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    #7
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    Adam26 said:

    Hi

    Thank you for replies everybody, they are very helpful. 

     

    I phone the GP this morning, she told me to stop taking painkillers as I am intolerant  to them, except for paracetamol + she said to use recto gel for fissure.

     

    Adam and I used to play Candy Crush during the diagnosis stage.......rather, Adam used to after level 1 as I was rubbish!

     

    The only way I cope with the anxiety is distraction (I get depressed and tearful if I think about it - I never was so pathetic before this), but 3 weeks is a long time, Adam has been great, he finds comments where people have gone through the same as me, and the biopsies have come back as negative and scar tissue - those are the kind of things I need to hear right now; it inspires me to know people have been through the same thing and are still fine.

     

    Bless you all and thank you so much for being there.
    Painkillers

    The painkillers may be part of your depression issue.  You might speak with your doctors about prescribing something for your depression.

    Mike

  • Adam26
    Adam26 Member Posts: 125
    #8
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    Hello, 
    Thank you for your

    Hello, 

    Thank you for your replies.

    It is not depression though, it is more anxiety and stress. I've had to wait nearly 2 months now from being told I had a thickening to getting the results (next week).

  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #9
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    Adam26 said:

    Hello, 
    Thank you for your

    Hello, 

    Thank you for your replies.

    It is not depression though, it is more anxiety and stress. I've had to wait nearly 2 months now from being told I had a thickening to getting the results (next week).

    Carole

    Hi there,

    i had to wait 6 weeks from 1st April. Why does it take so long in UK? Very scary time. No wonder we get to be stressed and reactively anxious. It's difficult for anyone outside of Cancer World to understand. No sooner do you have the results from 1 batch of investigations it's due to have the next lot! Thank goodness for the kindness on this forum

    Liz

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