Pain issues

Hello MaryV 

I am so sorry that you have found yourself here and to hear of your diagnosis.  Unfortunately some GPs are slow on the uptake and far too many are initially diagnosed with haemorrhoids.  I understand about the constipation and it would be a good idea to try Laxido (which is very gentle) daily to ease your pain.

And when you see the consultant next week, please tell him/her about your level of pain, they may be able to offer something stronger to help, just be aware that most stronger painkillers cause constipation and it can be a case of balancing stool softeners in order to keep bowel movements comfortable.

Please come back and tell us how you get on next week, and when treatment starts.  This is an extremely supportive forum and there is always someone who can help, and don't ever worry about what you talk about on here - we have heard and experienced it all.

Hoping everything starts moving for you very quickly.

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi Mary,

This is awful for you, and I well remember it. I think I was using some analgesic cream and a gauze pad stuffed between my bottom cheeks to try and get some relief and thinking I just can't bear this any more, so I understand how you must be feeling. It may not help you right now but I found after just a couple of sessions of radiotherapy the pain just disappeared, so hopefully this will be the same for you and you can feel a bit of optimism for the future. Once you see the oncologist you will start to feel at least treatment is on the way; make sure you talk to him about your pain and discomfort.

But that doesn't help you at all right now, so I think you can take paracetamol and ibuprofen by staggering the times you take them, so you can take paracetamol, then 2 hours later you can take ibuprofen, so you are topping up your pain relief every two hours instead of every four. You can also take codeine as well  if you need it. Have a look on line and check it for yourself as I am not medically qualified in any way. The Boots website has a bit about it, for instance.

You might also find a little heat helps, so I don't know if you can hold a hot water bottle or heat pad on your bottom and see if that soothes you a bit.

I hope your appointment goes well and you get started on treatment soon. Please come back and let us know. xxx