Update: Anyone experience adverse effects from pelvic radiation? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

Cat Az · 07-15-2008, 11:06 AM

I just saw my radiologist yesterday and she doesn't think I have vaginal stenosis. I'm going to find a gynecologist and ask their opinion. I have pain and discomfort and can't seem to open up in the vaginal area. Has the dialation helped any for you? Have you tried lomotil? This has stopped the constant BM that always seems to want to pass thru for me. Who told you that you had damage from radiation? I'm wondering if my doctor would admit it if she thought it caused problems for me. My surgeon told me I had narrowing in the rectal area, so I know the radiation did do alot to me. Thank for sharing your info with me and I hope you heal up. How are you holding up emotionally? Some days are bad for me. My desire for sex is very low, compound that with the issues we're dealing with and no wonder we feel this way. Thank God for my husband, he's very understanding. Good luck and God bless

chrissurvivor05 · 07-15-2008, 07:30 PM

It's been a while since my dilation procedures. There have been changes, however I don't view them as progress. I am back up to 20+ bm's/day and experiencing more fecal incont. - this is what it was like 3 years ago when I was reconnected. I spoke with my surgeon and she suggested lomotil. I've been on it a couple of times in the past and each time it caused me to have severe bowel obstructions, so I cannot take it. Even though I've been told not to take immodium, I do every now and then just to get a break from constant bm's. I only take 1 pill, as I'm afraid of it working too well. It takes about 2 days to work and then I get about a day of relief and my skin can heal a bit from the constant wiping. The next thing my surgeon is suggesting is to have a hose inserted at the beginning of my lg. colon that has a valve attached that goes outside my skin. I would hook up a warm (body temp.) enema bag to it, sit on the toilet and it would flush out my lg. instestines in 1 full swoop. She doesn't perform this procedure, a dr. in g.i. does and he has been on vacation, which he extended another week. So, I'm not sure when I'll be able to discuss it with him further before I say okay to having it done. If I don't like it, I've been told I can have it removed and go the colostomy route. Those seem to be the only other options I have at this point. I'll have to come to terms and get one or the other done just so I can improve my quality of life. At least that's what my g.i. dr. tells me.

As far as sexual functionality. I too, have almost no desire. Mostly because I'm afraid of having a bm during and the thought just grosses me out. I feel so badly for my husband, but he has been very supportive.

That's it for now. Take care everyone!

~Chris

Cat Az · 07-16-2008, 09:23 AM

What do you use for anal soreness? I have a barrier spray that helps me. Have you had to have a colonoscopy? I made it thru the prep, but I was so scared the day I had to do that. Luckily sitting in the tub and barrier spray got me thru it. Have you heard of a low residue diet? There are a few foods that I avoid plus I eat smaller amounts. I can't afford to lose any weight so I have to be careful. I have the opposite problem of everyone.

chrissurvivor05 · 07-16-2008, 12:04 PM

Hey there CatAz. I have a cream that is compounded by my pharmacist. It contains Desitin, A&D ointment and prescription lidocaine ointment. I also have a script for lidocaine ointment alone. The lidocaine burns, but then numbs the area temporarily. The cream helps numb and heal (it's basically a diaper rash).

I have had numerous colonoscopies, lost count. I use the above stuff when I prep. Basically though, I have to have at least a day of no bm's to heal a bit--2 days would be better. Hope your test goes well.

I've been on low residue (low fiber) diet since my diagnosis 3 years ago. I try to add in some fiber now and then, but it doesn't break down in my digestive system and things like seeds, nuts, kernels are in my bm's and due to my small anal area, they really hurt coming out. So I mostly avoid them. I miss eating corn on the cob and my home-grown tomatoes when they are ripe. They are just turning red now... I also can't for some reason eat cashews and red licorice. Every time I have eaten them in the last 3 years, I've gotten a bowel obstruction. Weird, huh? I think so. Anyways. I can eat meat, potatoes, well-cooked carrots, sweets, breads, rice and other stuff. I used to have the same weight problem (too low), but of late have begun to gain more rapidly than I'd like to. It is because I have been chocolate obsessed--I couldn't stand to eat it since the cancer until recently and I think I'm making up for lost time!! So, I am exercising my willpower and just not buying it or buying the kinds I don't like but my husband and 5-yr.-old daughter do.

Gotta go. Have a good day.

~Chris

Cat Az · 07-17-2008, 06:34 AM

Just wondered what do they do when you have a bowel obstruction? I find if I eat meat with cream of mushroom sauce, alot of pizza, a good size steak, I run to the bathroom alot. Do you work outside the home? For now I'm retired. If you knew the problems that you would have from radiation would you have still had it done. I don't think I would have. When I was diagnosed with colon cancer I didn't seek a second opinion, I wish that I would've. Did you have an ostomy? Have you had a proctoscopy done? My surgeon wants to do this twice a year to check my anastamosis. If you have had it done, how uncomfortable was it? I had an ileostomy for 10 months. The bag was a piece of cake compared to now. If I had to do it over I would though. How are your feelings about your scars? I wish I could have plastic surgery to minimize mine. I also had a mediport for months. That saved me from being stuck in the arms alot. I had it removed as soon as they could. Some people leave theirs in. What stage cancer did you have, did you have any positive lymph nodes. Mine was stage 4 with only 1 node. Before I was diagnosed physically I was in good shape, I lifted weights at least 3 times a week. After my surgery I lost 10 pounds in the hospital. That was from my stoma not being stretched open enough. I would try to eat and the food would come back up. I have not gained back all the weight I lost. Physically I feel good where I'm at now. I just want to buff up. My experience sounds very minimal compared to yours. My oncologist has been so helpful compared to my surgeon. Have you tried to get disability? Thank you for answering my questions. God bless.