Struggling with pain - tenasmus?

Hi Pinknewbie

Welcome to the Online Community.

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of rectal cancer. I understand that it can be a scary time. My own cancer was endometrial so I hope it is ok to reply. By doing so it will bump your post and hopefully bring it to the attention of someone who is experiencing similar. 

I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 2022. 

My experience with the radiotherapy was that the radiotherapists were really good at helping with side effects and bowel effects are also common with endometrial cancer. They would often ask about pain, bowel changes, skin changes etc so I would definitely talk to them and also let them check the sore area. During radiotherapy my radiotherapists could prescribe things to help and I also had a consultant appointment each week. 

I am sorry that you are finding things so painful and it may be worth calling the hospital or even NHS111 for some advice. You can also call the Macmillan Support Line a speak directly to a nurse who could make further suggestions.

I wish you well for your treatment and if there is anything else you need, then you know where we are.

Jane

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your constant pain. I have rectal cancer and have completed my radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I was in pain when going to the loo. The game changer for me is putting my feet on a low stool when I sit on the toilet. It straightens up the bowel and made it much quicker and less painful. Worth a try.

Hi so sorry to hear you are experiencing pain. I had a rectal cancer very close to the opening for which I had surgery, chemo and an ileostomy. I had the ileostomy reversed and it was then I started to experience what I now know as tenesmus. It can vary from being uncomfortable to downright painful, like badly trapped wind and the almost constant urge to pass faeces. I am sorry that pain relief adds to the problem ( the reason why a lot of us in a similar boat knock off the codeine). Clearly you need to press for professional help but a very basic thing I did was to significantly increase fluid intake - I’ve always been a reluctant water drinker. I’m sorry it sounds so basic but it did help me - I too had those feelings like I was trying to pass a bowling ball. Wish g you the best of luck for the future.