Soreness

Thank you for sharing these positive comments. 

It’s wonderful to hear that you’re finding the forum such a great source of support and reassurance. This is what it’s all about. 

I feel lucky and grateful to be part of this AC family. 

Sx

Just a heads up, I don't know if you got a notification Sah but I did reply to the direct message you sent me. 

Not ignoring you.

Ian x

Hi All, 

Apologies for being late to the party so to speak! 

I still get the soreness that you describe on occasion & have had a couple of days of this only this week which has been accompanied by some bleeding when having BM’s! As you know I’m 17 months NED & have come to the conclusion that this is the way it may always be. I’ve got stenosis & with that along with the new skin I think means this is going to happen every now & again. But if this is as bad as it gets I can totally take that. From my experience these episodes do gradually get further apart. 

I’d just like to add it’s great to see so many of you offering advice & reassurance, we have a great little support network going on here, thank you all. 

Nicola

Hi all,

I am exactly the same, I’m 17 month post treatment and sometimes get sore if I pass a hard poo or even use a shower gel on that area. It really is tender. My Macmillan nurse told me not to worry, we have lots of nerve endings and new skin which makes that area quite vulnerable and super sensitive to most things. 

So glad that everyone chats about everything on here, it really puts my mind at rest.

Thanks guys 

C x x

Hello all! 

This site is just wonderful to help us feel slightly normal!!!! 

I’m 16 months post treatment and still figuring out what new normal is, it changes daily!!! 

I have pain and discomfort due to stenosis but the best surgeon ever who when doing my 3 month EUA stretches down there! 

This week decided to go more vegetarian in my diet..... OMG! I cannot tolerate too much fibre!!!! Quorn etc deffo not for me! Anyone else had diet experiences like this? 

thankyou!!!! Xxxx 

L 

I’m still figuring out what I can/can’t eat. I can eat most things including quorn but sweetcorn is a bit dodgy as the body can’t totally digest it. I can also have trouble if I drink 2 coffees fairly close together I can’t tolerate caffeine like I used to, shame as I need the energy. I can only have max 2 coffees a day with at least 3 hours in between them. 

I can eat most things.  Have issues with volume though.  Can't have a blow out now with out a rear end one too.

Also burgers with onions seems to be nature's turbo laxative.

Coffee I seem to be getting away with though I dont drink more than two or three max in a day.

Ian

Me again!  Posted yesterday about few MRIs as opposed to DREs according to the view of my consultant, and I have no complaints with the outcome.  As for soreness, don't want to be a Job's comforter but after nearly 6 years I still have problems!  Now just part of life and not a worry!  If anything it is reassuring that it is normal (have posted this before in response to worries about bleeding, etc,).  Because of fragile new skin bleeding is normal even when not having a bowel movement.  As for wind I have had some embarrassing moments and still do to this day - can be standing still when my bottom feels the necessity to erupt (at least they no longer smell!).  Now all the lingering side effects are part of my everyday life, and cause me no embarrassing problems.  According to my consultant the long term side effects of radiotherapy can occur (according to recent research) for up to 6 years post treatment and beyond!

Very happy where I am now.  If I have to live with wind  issues, bleeding now and then and the odd uncomfortable bowel movement then so be it..  As I keep saying. If you are given the OK result, accept it and get on with living!  Time to question your future when you are told that the future outlook is bleak.  And even then keep on fighting.  Onwards and upwards.  Mx

Hi Crystal T, 

17 months on I still can’t wash with anything other than aqueous cream ‘down there’ the new skin is soooo sensitive front & back, even tried natural aloe body wash but still get like an after-burn! I also use sudocrem quite regularly as I sometimes get what my surgeon has described as similar to nappy rash! He also said the post radiation skin will never be the same as before the treatment but a small price to pay eh? 

Nicola

I still have to wash with the shower head down there.  If I use a flannel or anything else that applies friction I will get deep aching and soreness for a good while afterwards