1 year post treatment and still hurts to poop

Hello Merida46fbbb 

Well done for getting to a year clear and I am pleased that you are still seeing progress.

My own theory (and I should stress that I have no medical knowledge) is that the internal parts affected by radiotherapy, the rectum and anal canal, take a lot longer to get back to normal and even then that can be a new normal.  The skin can be left very fragile and easily irritated and of course if we are leading a normal life we can't stop the 'traffic' in the area.

In the end I got used to a bowel movement not ever being quite as it was before and not as comfortable either.  But it is still relatively early days for you and you are still seeing improvement which is encouraging.

I do hope you get some more relief and also answers from other forum members who are going through similar.

Big hug

Irene xxx

Hi Irene

Thank you so much for replying.  I had a similar theory to you but i need reassurance. No one really has answers so i relay on those who have been through it too.  Thank you. I feel better now.  How many years post treatment are you ? 

Hugs Sophie 

Hi Merida46fbbb I'm coming up 2 years post treatment. I agree with Irene75359 about the fragile skin. I occasionally sting and bleed a bit when having a poo, in my case it seems to be my biopsy site that gets irritated. If it's everytime with you I would mention it at your next appointment although they will probably say its nothing to be concerned about. Sending hugs. Xx

I finished chemo/radiotherapy four and a half years ago although just over two years ago I had an elective stoma as I had severe stenosis in my back passage which was very limiting.  But I am still very sensitive in the area!

Irene xx

Hi 

Thank you for your message.  It all reassuring. And yes its at biopsy site.  

I feel way better now 

Hugs 

Hello Merida46fbbb,

I am 3 years post treatment and it did take a long time to feel like i could go with out pain.  The pain became much more intermittant as time went by it does take awhile. I hope you continue to see improvement and the pain becomes a distant memory. 

Kindly,

Kathleen