Toilet Issues

Hello Watkinab36b5 

I am so sorry that you are having this ongoing pain.  Have you had your first scan yet?  This is normally three months after the end of treatment with a follow-up appointment with the oncologist.  It would certainly be the right time to highlight to s/he how badly your life is impacted by this pain.

I can understand what a struggle it is coping with everyday life - please chase up you doctor and see if they can help.

Big hug

Irene xx

Thank you so much for your reply , I have had both my scans and I’m seeing my Oncologist on Nov 5th to discuss them. I will bring up my pain then but that’s another 2 weeks so will get in touch before, Many Thanks

Hello Watkinab36b5,

I’m sorry that you are in so much pain and probably a good idea to get in contact with your team prior to your review and scan results to let them know how much you’re struggling.

 I know that 14 weeks seems a long time but I do know from my own Oncologists feedback that this is considered really early days. Internally things are still healing and the blood vessels become very fragile. I know from this forum that some people seem to bounce back quickly but for others it takes much longer. 

I do hope that your team can help and can give some help in managing the pain while your body is still recovering. 

xx

Not sure if this will help but until you see doctor, have you tried having your BM into warm water? I think quite a few of us here who found it painful at various stages got some relief from trying this. Don't know if you have a sitz bath, but it is ideal, just fits over the toilet, then you cam empty it easily.  x

Thank you for your kind reply . I guess I’m just impatient and just expected everything to be ok in a couple of months . I just love travelling so much and at the moment I feel my life is on hold and I’m struggling with my situation. 

Many thanks for your reply , I did read about sitz baths and never got round to buying one Perhaps now is the time to. Kind Regards 

It was many weeks after treatment before I could have a bowel movement and no pain or bleeding - still happens now if I don’t take daily senna - eating smaller meals helped me recover but still scar tissue restrictive and dilators and me are not friends x 14 months on is a different place - you will heal and life will be different mostly positive x 

Hi there, I am in exactly the same position as you, no sign yet of improvement in pain and gritting teeth every time I have a BM. I can only assume there is a lot of inflammation that has not yet started to heal. I was hoping that I would be in a better place by now and I am about to go and see my sister abroad. I am already worrying about how to manage the toiletting situation! It's grim but trying to remain positive.

Let us know what your doctor says please.

Many thanks and good luck, Jo

Hi  Watkinab36b5 

I’m 4 months since finishing treatment and I still have the occasional sharp pain when having a bowel movement followed by a small spot of blood and then some discomfort for a couple of hours after. This doesn’t happen very often and is always when the stool is a little harder than usual, it does appear the effect is diminishing with time and when I had my 3 month review I mentioned it to the doc but she wasn’t concerned by it and said it’s still early days and the tissue in that area will still be fragile and healing, also said waring signs would be a lot of blood or a significant period of bleeding.

All that said my bowel movements in general are now so much better than they have been in the 5 years before treatment so I see this as a positive overall.

Please do let us know how you get on when you have your review.

Monty xx

Good Evening, Thank you so much for your help, just knowing that it does improve eventually does help Xx