Bowel Movements

Hi Lynn31

I was told the pressure feeling is because you are swollen and it tricks your brain into thinking you need to go. They told me if you haven't done anything after a few minutes you don't need to go. I have also found if I stand up really straight the feeling goes away if there's nothing to come out. It might be mucous that is coming out I was warned about it by the doctor and I've had some which I initially thought was diarrhoea. Xx

Thank you for your reply. You could be right, I get a really strange tingling sensation when it comes out. 

I get a weird feeling as well I described mine as fluttering. X

Hi Lynn

I am not medically qualified in any way but I think what you feel to be diarhoea is you actually passing the zapped tumour - maybe someone here with a bit more knowledge can help, but I did ask whilst I was being treated and was told that the radiation breaks the tumour up, and I suppose it has to come out.

It does get less and eventually stop. If you are still worried I would check with RT but your body is going through a fairly traumatic process, but try to make yourself as comfortable as possible and it will settle.

Good luck 

Yes it's exactly that, i keep saying that something is burrowing in my bum

You are right but I'm such a bad patient. I'm normally the one doing the looking after so I'm getting really impatient and I just want to get out. 

 x

Hello Lyn31

Even three months out I had to sprint to the bathroom in the morning and sometimes left a trail.  That did pass, as did the incredibly painful loo visits.  Someone once described what was passed as 'acid drops' and in the early months after treatment that is certainly what they felt like to me.

It does pass - if the loperamide isn't working, tell your treating team and they may be able to prescribe something else, I can totally empathise going stir crazy and wondering when it is all going to end.

Best of luck getting help with this.

Irene xx 

Week 13 post radiotherapy and in Exeter visiting out daughter - In a city centre hotel so I can dash back when need to! I have literally gone from constipated and scared to quick stepping to John Lewis or the hotel to get to a loo in time for diarrhoea today, yesterday was almost normal!  The not knowing makes me anxious even keeping a food diary and nothing special can be attributed to either.  A friend Who is 5 years clear uses senna x 2 every day so I do that too and helps avoid getting stuck - and then I leave it a day if too loose xx 

Best advice also is get help from hospital/ treatment team for continuous anything, have a bag of important things(knickers, wipes, creams) don’t trust it’s wind when you get tummy ache!  Also get a disabled key or the cancer card for that emergency - anal cancer macmillan nurse can help with them x 

Hi Angie I have a few tips that might help. I would not suggest taking senna as it’s purely a laxative meant to cause diarrhoea. Pysllium husk can relieve diarrhoea and constipation as it is an insoluble fibre good for bulking stools but keeping them soft. I take the powder form and add just under a teaspoon to my breakfast in the morning. The amount you take is trial and error but I advise to start small. This keeps stool soft and regular. If I have not manage to eat enough vegetables in the day I have just under a teaspoon of organic black strap molasses in a glass of hot/warm water at night before bed and it’s full of nutrients including magnesium which helps me have a good sleep and not have constipation in the morning. I am over three years post treatment and am lactose intolerant now and avoid certain foods which I know cause loose stools. It does get easier and your life doesn’t revolve around toilets as much as time goes on.

Julie