New here from US- 66 year old female.

Hi Karen,

Of course it is! Welcome to the forum although of course I’m sorry that you’ve had to join us.

Everyone here has been through or is going through treatment for anal cancer, and there is so much information and support. 
I am 6 months post treatment and absolutely wish that I had found and used the forum right at the beginning.

Treatment protocols are only slightly different across the pond. 

It’s good that you’ve found us and we are all here to support you. Xx

Hello Karen

Welcome.

Great supportive group with excellent information. 

I am at the start of the treatment journey, mapped and waiting for my start date.

I am having treatment in Europe and everything follows modern European protocol, so should look very similar to the UK.

New to all this, but if I can support I will.

Ally x

Hi Karen

Welcome to the forum, of course it's OK. We are all in some version of the same boat and here to support each other however we can. Sending hugs xx

Hi KarenhasCancer , 

Another very warm welcome to the MacMillan Online Community from me & of course you’re very welcome here, in my time on the forum we’ve had multiple people join us from the US, Australia & all over Europe, I hope that you find the forum as helpful & supportive as I did when I joined back in 2018. 

You may find that treatment varies slightly from here in the UK along with surveillance protocols but they are pretty similar on the whole. 

I've read your other post & it sounds as though you’ve really been through the mill. The treatment can cause a lot of internal inflammation which can settle then flare up again, I had flares of this nature for quite some time following the end of my treatment so fingers crossed this could be what you’re experiencing. 

Please let us know how you get on. 

Nicola 

Hi. I too am from another country and feel really good about finding this forum. 

I am 75 and live in Iowa. USA. I've been in remission for four years following radiation and chemo. 

Seems I'm having more problems now than I did right after treatment. I've developed problems with my bowels, abdomen and bones that are all radiation related.It leaves me in lots of pain, a tendency to break bones and absolute fatigue 

I'm hoping to find some ideas on here to relieve some symptoms and perhaps offer support to others. 

Hope all is well with you ..Kathy

Hi Katy19503b444c 

Welcome to the forum. Im sorry you are having issues so far down the line. Im only just over a year post. I dont know how much pain you are in and if exercise is something you can manage but if it is i would advise strength training as it will make your bones stronger. Also if you are in a position financially things like saunas, red light therapy, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy ( this was plugged in my radiotherapy waiting room) all supposedly help. I do cryotherapy and love it. 

I would say speak to your doctor first though and see what they advise they may be able to give you some pain relief.

Depending on what your bowel issues are, ive seen some people on here use the FOD map diet and it seems to help them.

Dont know if any of this is any help or not.

Sending hugs.xx

Hi Katy19503b444c & welcome to the MacMillan Online Community.

I'm 7.5 years post treatment & I'm also having some pelvic/hip bone & muscle issues that my GP & physio think are possibly radiotherapy related. 

I’m 60 but I’ve so much that I still want to do yet but feel at the moment my mobility & stamina are letting me down! 

Pelvic Radiation Disease of varying levels is really common following the treatment for anal cancer & symptoms of this can be late onset too so it would be worth speaking with your Dr about this & finding out what support is out there for you. 

I hope you get some relief from these symptoms really soon.

Nicola 

Thanks for your warm welcome. I will look up the FOD diet. It may help. 

Right now I'm healing from a broken hip and a fractured bone in my right side.  Once healed I'll talk to therapist about strength training.

 Unfortunately I'm not in a position to afford any of the treatments you mentioned, but I appreciate the info. 

Again thanks for the warm welcome and I look forward to being part of the group. :

Hello Katy19503b444c 

A warm welcome to the forum, it is always helpful to have members who have been through this treatment and really do know what it is like.  I am sorry that you are experiencing all these problems, unfortunately although the radiotherapy is very effective at treating anal cancer, for some it comes with continuing side effects.  I haven't broken any bones but now have degenerative osteoarthritis.  I do experience fatigue as well, and all my skin in my nether regions is extremely fragile, to the extent I sit on special cushions strategically placed everywhere.

I do hope your hip and bone are healing well.  Please be very careful this winter, I know Iowa winters can be fierce!

Big hug

Irene

Hi Katy19503b444c 

Im assuming you live in the states so i don't know if this is relevant but where i live in the uk there is a charity that give you one of the therapys i mentioned ( you have to apply and get picked ). Maybe there is something similar where you are. Xx