End of week 4

Well done! I’m a week behind you so it’s good to hear about what to expect. I currently don’t have pain but am suffering from maddening itching around my anus. The nurse gave me hydrogel which seems to help and said to buy  anusol if it isn’t enough. They really don’t seem keen to give stuff out. I have serious urgency several times within a couple of hours of getting up (which requires some early rising to make sure I can cope with the journey to hospital!)  and a lot of mucous mostly when I fart . And my pubic hair is starting to come out. But I’m not currently in too much discomfort thankfully. 

keep powering through - you are nearly there xx

Good news that you don’t have pain. Sounds like you are doing great all things considered! I started with paracetamol every 4 hours towards the end of week 2 and was more for stinging internally towards the front. I do think I started early with this and was caused by radiation cystitis. This seems to have settled a little now but the skin is generally sore there. I do remember having some itching at the back around then but not too intense and they gave me Sheriproct for this which is a steroid cream and I’m guessing is similar to anusol. Wishing you well for next week!

Hello Vicky

You really don't have long to go and I am relieved that your hospital is keeping you well supplied with dressings and creams; mine was the same and the array of pills and potions sitting in the bedroom was mind-boggling.  The Polymem dressings with Flaminal Forte gel worked really well for me too, I had open sores which really were challenging.

It may well be that what was on your liver scans previously is completely harmless, I know that is small consolation when you have scanxiety running overtime but they are on heightened alert because of your diagnosis.  So often it is just a case of waiting and watching, but I really do know how stressful that can be.

I had to stop chemo once because of liver levels but at the next blood test I was good to continue, I hope the same thing happens to you.  Life is such a rollercoaster after a cancer diagnosis, I will be thinking of you next week and hoping everything goes well.

Big hug

Irene xx

I also had a lot of itching around my anus at the end of treatment and this continued after treatment. The Doctor prescribed a numbing gel and it did take the edge off. Night time was the worst.

I also had heavy daily mucosa from the start, then it eased and now it's weekly. I can't fart due to the stoma, but when the mucosa is due I can fart and then the mucosa comes. It's not painful and the itch has completely gone.

The rest of your treatment will go so fast and fingers crossed not too much pain xx

Wishing you all the very best for the remainder of your treatment Vicky.

Ally xx

I found over the counter cystitis remedies were really helpful, and have read here from previous posts that anti histamines give a lot of relief from itching, if this is of any help to those in the thick of it right now. 

All the best - you are doing great and it will all be done soon. xx