10 months on - sore anal canal

Hello Baby_sister 

I am really sorry that you are going through this after being so well.  I am wondering if you possibly have a fissure which can be really painful.  And slight blood loss can be common too, the whole area inside and out remains fragile and even a hard stool can result in a bleed.  After treatment, although I am much better than in the early days, I still have pain which I am pretty sure emanates from childbirth piles which came back with a vengeance during treatment (and have stayed). 

The good thing is that you have let the appropriate people know and it sounds as if you are being checked out thoroughly. 

Irene xx

Thank you Irene for replying so quickly.  I think you are right about the fissure.  Yes, piles a permanent feature too.  Thankful for treatment and outcome so must keep up the fibre and water drinking, always.  Yes, good medical support.  Thank you

Hi Debbie,

I’m sorry to hear you’re still experiencing issues post treatment.

I finished treatment in May 2024 and have had a few episodes of a sore bottom with a bleed, which happened  with a difficult bowel movement.  My consultant was confident that it was just due to fragile internal skin but sent me for a sigmoidoscopy just to be sure (which was clear).

I’ve been advised to try and keep my stools soft so I try to make sure I eat plenty of fruit, loads of water and exercise. A kiwi in the evening helps too.

I hope you get some help and reassurance at your appointments.

Georgie

Hi Baby_sister ,

I’m really pleased to hear that your recovery has gone so well on the most part although I’m also sorry to hear you’re suffering a bit at the moment. If I had a bit of a difficult BM I would bleed a bit & be pretty sore internally for a while afterwards, these symptoms would come & go for quite some time afterwards my treatment had finished. I would always mention to my oncologist & surgeon about these flare ups & they both agreed I’d probably got a small fissure. These episodes gradually got further & further apart until it seemed to resolve itself. 

I hope the late effects team can offer you some advice & support in resolving this painful issue.

Nicola 

Nicola 

Thank you so much for the reassurance.  Your experience sounds so similar.  I'll continue to work at keeping stools soft and yes, pleased I've got late effects appointment to talk it through and manage symptoms.

Thank you for replying

Debbie 

Hi Debbie , 

I finished my treatment in June 2024 but have suffered alot of late effects including a sore bottom and bleeding at times .. After a colonoscopy last May , I was diagnosed with radiation proctitis which causes me intestine pain , bloody mucus and a sore bottom . A hot water bottle and warm bath have helped and trips to the late effects clinic have been a help .. my oncologist told me I would never be normal again , and he was so right !!! A new normal for us all …

take care 

Chrissie xx

Thank you for replying, Chrissie.  Yes, it definitely sounds like a case of managing symptoms.  As you say, a new normal to get used to.  Lots of fruit and water, yes.

Thank you again 

Debbie xx