Advice post treatment

Hi Lace23, 

slightly different from  you I ended up with a stoma, however I’m 14 months post, in remission and I have pain from my bum everyday when I got to the toilet I have mucus that I have to pass, I still have that pressure feeling if I don’t release it and then throbbing pain after I do release it, I’m still on oramorph daily only 3 mls but it’s enough to stop the pain.

every so often I get the urge to break wind from my bum which having the stoma I shouldn’t be anyway it’ resulted in basically farting out blood, I’ve seen the colorectal surgeon he just thinks it’s haemorrhoids , I did go to have a sigmoid scope but I wouldn’t let them anywhere near me it was so painful this was 6 months post then, they have never called me back and this has happened to me quite a few times now, so my last oncologist appointment I told him and so now he has written to the colorectal surgeon and asked him to see me.

Anyway what I was trying to say was I think due to the radiotherapy it will probably take a while before things start to get better, I have to take a stool softener also as I’ve always suffered from constipation and even though my bowels are so much better having the stoma I do still get bouts, I’m hoping for a reversal just a little apprehensive knowing lots of people are still in pain when they go to the toilet. 

I went back to work half a day every other day for 4 weeks then did full day every other day for 2 weeks then had a 2 week holiday and went back full time that was 14 months ago. 

anyway I hope you get you bowels sorted and have good pain relief don’t suffer!!

take care 

Laura x x

Dear Dizzy 1968

Sorry to hear you are still suffering with bouts of pain. I hope things get better for you soon. Stool softeners help me a lot and now trying to eliminate certain foods from my diet that upset my tummy and make me have diarrhoea. It is early days and I am much better overall with more energy. Not sure how I am going to be going to work 3 mornings but I want to try. Anyway I hope you are ok and can manage to enjoy the lovely weather. I can only sit in the shade at the moment. 

Hi Lace23

A warm welcome to this site.  I thought I'd reply as I am at virtually the same stage as you - I am 7.5 weeks post treatment and also saw the consultant last week. I am amazed you are returning to work as I can't leave the house before 11am because of repeated trips to the loo - sometimes 4-5 times before lunch.  I was having extreme pain going to loo a couple of weeks ago like you but now take Laxido on a daily basis which now means gravity works well as everything is very soft and its just the inconvenience of having to be near the loo in the morning.  I find that the fatigue is what wipes me out after any activity and I can't stay on my feet for too long as the aches come on. I switched to ibuprofen as I found that seemed to work better for me but I only take a couple of times a day.  

I believe its a case of finding a way that works for each individual.  I stick mostly to lighter food - predominantly fish and pasta. 

I wish you every bit of luck with work. Let us know how it goes.

Kind regards

Carole

Dear Carole,

Thanks for replying and good to know of someone who is at the same stage as me. I hope you are recovering well. I go to the loo twice in the morning and although painful it is getting better. I take Docudate stool softeners 3 times a day and they really help. I tried Laxido and it made me go to the loo too many times which then made me very sore. Do you have pain after going to the loo? I sometimes have bleeding still but spoke to oncologist who said this would happen from time to time. Part of me feels I shouldn’t be going back to work but I work in a school so nearly the summer hols and only going in for 3 mornings! A bit anxious about it so I’ll just have to see how it goes! Take care and I hope you continue to heal xx