I had a complete hysterectomy Dec of 07. Nov of 08 I noticed some blood on the tp after having a bm, this is where all the fun starts! My lower back kills me, I pass blood almost everytime I have a bm. Naturally I was freaked out thinking I now have colon cancer, yesterday I went in for a colonoscopy only to find out that the bleeding is from the high doses of radiation that I recieved for the cancer. There are thousands of blood vessels that are just below the surface and they break, this is where the blood is coming from. I can't tell you how relieved I am that it is not colon cancer, however the Dr did say that there really is nothing that can be done for this. My back pain is also a result of the high doses of radiation that I was given. I am going to go see another dr about the back pain, I just pray that I don't have any cracks in my spine or anything like that.
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the pain and damage radiation has caused
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 5, 2009 at 4:21 pm · 23 replies
- In Health challenges after treatment
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Motrin Back pain Anal cancer Radiation therapy Ulcerative colitis Fibromyalgia Osteoporosis Stress Hysterectomy Arthritis Proctitis Fentanyl Hemorrhoids Fractures Celebrex Cervical cancer Oxycontin Reclast Pain HPV Diarrhea
23 replies
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- By Jennyjenny
- Posted May 5, 2009 at 7:26 pm
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I am so sorry you are having all this trouble stang_girl.
I don't believe it when the doctor says there is nothing that can be done regarding passing blood with a bm.
If you drank 6-8 glasses of water daily, along with lots of fruit, salads and veggies, and eliminate processed foods, it would make the bm soft and maybe then the blood vessels wouldn't break. I had been constipated all my life and when I changed my diet, no more pain when having a bm.
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 5, 2009 at 10:31 pm
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Hi Jennyjenny, I have changed my diet, I am eating all the things that you suggest and I drink so much water that I feel like I am floating, haha. The dr said that the only thing that can be done is to cauterize (sp) the veins but this proceedure is very painful and should be the last resort. Right now my biggest issue is the pain in my lower back, I have a high tollerance thank God but it is starting to get very bothersome.
- By Jennyjenny
- Posted May 6, 2009 at 4:32 am
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I am really sorry stang_girl. I didn't realise you were doing the diet thing. I have no other suggestions as I don't know anything about the reasons for your pain, but please know that my thoughts are with you and I hope that somebody else on this site will be familiar with what you are going through and can offer suggestions.
Big hugs to you.
Love and Peace
Jenny
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:47 am
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Thanks Jennyjenny, I am going to keep doing what I am doing, guess that is all I CAN do. It's just so frustrating dealing with the pain all the time.
Hugs,
Kelli
- By mp327
- Posted May 6, 2009 at 7:56 am
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I had pelvic radiation for anal cancer and have occasional bleeding with BM's. I saw my colorectal doctor a week ago and told her about this--she examined me and told me this is radiation proctitis--damage caused by radiation, which causes the blood vessels near the surface to occasionally break. I don't buy what your doctor told you--that there's nothing that can be done. Diet is very important, but it sounds like you are already eating the right foods. Water intake is key too, as you already know. But there are suppositories which can help and a hyperbaric treatment that can be done. Google RADIATION PROCTITIS and read up on these things, then go back to your doctor armed with all of this information. If your doc still doesn't offer to help you, then I'd seek a second opinion.
Martha
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 6, 2009 at 9:03 am
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Martha, thank you..... I will definitly do some research on that. Hope you are doing well.
- By skinsfan
- Posted May 6, 2009 at 11:27 am
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I have had damage from radiation. My back hurts all the time. My pain is next to my tailbone but does run up my spine. I have three rounds of facet injections with no luck. Since the radiation I have been diagnosed with chronic fibromyalgia. The only problem is...getting the doctors to agree that radiation was the cause...I was not in this shape before the radiation.
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 7, 2009 at 12:20 pm
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I totally know what you are going through. I laid awake for hours last night waiting for my Motrin to kick in to stop the burning, throbbing pain! I am making ANOTHER Dr's appt to see what they can do for this. I atleast need an x-ray to see what is causing the pain.
- By kyhunny
- Posted May 7, 2009 at 8:34 pm
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Hey stang-girl! I know how you feel because I am going through the exact same thing now and I have the exact same concerns. I had cervical cancer four years ago. I am also bleeding after bm and am having pelvic pain. I have a million and one things going through my head right now. I'm like you.......do I have colon cancer now? I also have frequent diarrhea. Possible IBS? I had hemmorhoids before I had radiation, and all it did was make it worse. So is the bleeding due to hemmorhoids, IBS, radiation proctitus, or colon cancer? I see my oncologist in a few weeks. I had a CT scan 6 months ago and everything was fine. I guess I'm being a Nervous Nelly. I am always afraid that the cancer will return. I hope that I receive good news as well. Hang in there.
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 8, 2009 at 5:33 pm
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Hey there kyhunny, I am so glad that I found this site. It's such a comfort to know that that there are other people out there that are going through the same pain and worries that I am going through, although I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! I also hope that you will receive good new, let me know!
- By heisakbar
- Posted May 11, 2009 at 5:56 pm
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I am a little nervous since i have always had stomach problems and bowel movement problems since before i found out about the HPV. I found that HPV is closely linked to anal cancer, and i started to think about some of the symptoms i've been having that have worsened within the last couple months, blood in stool, which when i went to the doctor they told me i had hemroids and gave me some medicine for IBS, since then i have been having diarrea like bowels, or painful bowel movements and throughout the years i would get like this dull pain in my anus it was very uncomfortable so im starting to wonder if maybe it's something more serious so im going to get myself checked out, my question is can my doctor see if there is a possibility that cancer cells have spread to the anus with a colposcopy? Im doing everything not to become a nervous wreck as i havent even gotten my colposcopy results but it's just been something i've bee thinking about i've always had problems with my bowels and stomach and just thought it was due to bad eating habits but now im worried since i just found out about the HPV. I just wanted to say stang_girl you are an inspiration, your positivity is remarkable!!!
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 11, 2009 at 7:23 pm
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I think that the only sure way any type of bowel or anal cancer can be confirmed is by doing a colonoscopy, I had one a week ago and I will tell you the worst part is the prep. You have to empty your bowels completely so they ask you to drink a GALLON of this liquid that cleans you out. Let me know how your colposcopy turns out.
- By mp327
- Posted May 12, 2009 at 7:53 am
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Heisakbar--
After reading your post, I feel like I must respond. The bowel symptoms you have mentioned are very similar to what I experienced for several years, prior to being diagnosed with anal cancer. I want to stress to you and everyone else that an initial diagnosis of bleeding hemorrhoids needs to ALWAYS be seconded by a specialist! My internist dx'd me with bleeding hemi's and I had cancer--it happens in so many cases of anal cancer. Also, please keep in mind that while I'm all in favor of getting colonoscopies, both routine and when there are symptoms, that this exam is not intended to examine the anal area, rather the rectum and colon. Since the anus is so close to the beginning and the end of the colonoscopy, if the scope is pulled out too fast, the entire anal area can be ignored. The best way a doctor can visually examine the anal canal is with anoscopy, a short scope that can be used right in the doctor's office, with no prep necessary. I now get this done every 3 months, as part of my follow-up exams, and, while not something I look forward to, it's only a little uncomfortable and nothing to fear.
So, bottom line, if you are going to have a colonoscopy, that's great! However, make sure that you ask your doctor to also examine your anal canal with anascope as well, as not to miss anything that might be of concern in that area. I wish you the best with your upcoming exams and hope that all is well.
Martha
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted May 12, 2009 at 1:33 pm
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Last night and today have been horrible for my back pain! My Dr. wants to do all these scans on my chest (mind you he just did a chest x-ray less than a month ago) he also wants to do a pelvic CAT scan. I guess I am just frustrated because I feel like the back pain issue is being pushed aside. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do?
- By CarmenY
- Posted June 17, 2009 at 5:00 pm
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Hi stang_girl, not sure if you're still checking this post after a month but if so... I'm 6 years out from cancer treatment (pelvic exenteration, chemo, radiation) and I am still experiencing severe back pain and problems with my bowels due to radiation.
Around 2 years after treatment, I found out that I had a non-healing fracture to my sacrum due to the radiation. It causes me severe lower back & leg pain. I've tried nerve blocking injections to no avail. Unfortunately, the only thing that helps is opiates. After having an extremely difficult time getting prescriptions filled for Oxycontin, I switched to a fentanyl patch. Everyone is different so you may not have to go this route, but it works for me.
As for the bowel bleeding and pain, about a year ago I found that I had ulcers in my sigmoid colon (ascending & descending) which were also caused by the radiation. I take Asacol (ulcerative colitis meds) for the inflammation and it helps some, but it's still painful to have a bowel movement.
Radiation treatment is a wonderful thing when it comes to treating cancer, but it plays havoc on the healthy parts of the body. The damage it does keeps showing for years (sometimes decades) after treatment. But hey, we're still alive!
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted June 18, 2009 at 11:35 am
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Hey Carmen, I'm sorry that you are having such a tough time. I don't have any bone fractures, just bad nerve damage in my lower back, hips, and lower pelvis area. I am currently taking Neurotin and Celebrex for the pain. I went to a health food store and the guy that works there is wonderful and suggested that I take Cayenne tablets for the bleeding. I have been on them for 4 days now and I haven't seen one drop of blood in my stool so far. Keeping my fingers crossed that this works! You are right, radiation is a bitter sweet thing, we are a alive but the pain that we endure from the aftermath will follow us for the rest of our lives. Good luck!
- By hopeandprayers
- Posted June 18, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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Dear stang-girl, I have a friend on here who suggested taking aloe vera capsules to ease the damage done to the bowels from radiation. It has helped me. Maybe you should give it a try. I know the radiation damage is hard on the bones, my mom has osteoporosis, and has broken several vetebrae in her spine from it. Her dr. said the best thing to do is walk, and take a calcium supplement. She also goes and has medication given intraveneously to help with her bones 2x a yr. It seems to help reduce her back pain alot. I can't remember the name of it, maybe Reclast? I will find out if you would like. Amy
- By stang_girl982002
- Posted June 18, 2009 at 8:15 pm
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Amy, thanks for the tips, I will try the aloe vera. Seems like I have spent so much money on stuff trying to ease the side effects from radiation. I hope to find something that actually REALLY works soon, haha! I am taking a calcium supplement but I know someday that won't be enough, let me know what it is that your mom is taking. Thanks, and God bless.
Kelli
- By esca
- Posted June 18, 2009 at 10:25 pm
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I have hip pain. My feet hurt a lot too. I have difficulties in the morning. Getting up is a problem.
- By BB33301
- Posted June 19, 2009 at 10:14 am
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Hi All:
Radiation does cause things like: pelvic fractures, arthritis, herniated disks, etc. it is important to get an MRI to eliminate a fracture and confrim arthritis. Two years post, pilates and yoga has helped with the mobility of issues although I am not 100%. Celebrex helps with the arthritis pain somewhat. It still hurts to sit for very long-very severe tailbone pain and hip stiffness but it is getting much better.
Heisakbar, please do get an anoscope versus just teh colonoscopy. Mine colonoscopy and biopsies came back begnin although my squamos cell tumor was so classic and distint, I still dont get how the doctors misdiagnosed me and got a bad biopsy.
I also suffered from lifelong stomach problems (undiagnosed but lumped in as IBS) and this history plus 6 uneducated doctors also convinced me I had hemis and I figured my motiliity problems were just getting worse. I am convinced that since I used suppositories to "self medicate" my motlilty issues, they are what got the HPV into my anal canal. Keep in mind that Anal cancer can also be external or on the spincter so it is not necessary to have anal sex to get it.
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