Pain relief guided meditation for chemorad rectal pain

Posted by chinoomee @chinoomee, Jan 19 12:08am

Hello,

I have commented on a few posts but this is my first message.
Stage 3cN1M0, 4 cm from anal verge

I am enrolled in the Janus clinical trial but I am in the arm that gets the standard 6 weeks chemo/rad and then either FOLFOX or Capeox or something
I am 17 chemo/rad treatments in (of 30) and having alternating burning/searing pain while passing soft, small stools. I know I will get through this stage but lidocaine cream is only helping a bit. I have listened to Jason Stephenson guided pain relief meditation while trying to have a bm and I think it helped. I already practice my soothing breathing while having pain. My rad oncologist said it was ok to take a norco before a bm and I am only doing 1/2 in morning and if I feel it coming on 1/2 in evening. But, constipation in this condition is truly hell so I am scared to take it and bring that on. ( 3 docusate plus prune juice daily)

I was curious what other pain relief methods people have tried during this stage? I saw a comment on another post suggesting a Bidet and my husband is going to install one this weekend, but I feel like all the Drs warned me about was diarrhea and no one mentioned how painful BMs were going to be?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 19 8:06am

Thanks to a friend who wouldn’t take no for an answer and promised to return it herself if I didn’t like it, I am now a convert to bidet use. I feel my hygiene is better and it’s more
comfortable than so much abrasion with toilet paper. The only problem is when I travel and I have to live without it!
So enjoy - it can only help. You can control the temp to be warm and the water spray to whatever strength you prefer.

amyb5 | @amyb5 | Jan 19 8:58am

In reply to @pb50 "Thanks to a friend who wouldn’t take no for an answer and promised to return it..." + (show)

I also had this treatment for anal cancer (metastatic stage IV) I found a toilet moistening foam, that comes in a small bottle, I keep that in my purse. It is called Refresh, is unscented, & has aloe in it. There are other brands, but this was the best one for me. I also buy a travel pack of the flushable wipes (not really good for septic tanks), it helps when I can’t be at home with the bidet.

pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 19 10:37am

Great idea I know all bets are off
With septic tanks but I’ll Look for flushable to keep In my purse.

chinoomee | @chinoomee | Jan 19 9:41pm

In reply to @pb50 "Great idea I know all bets are off With septic tanks but I’ll Look for flushable..." + (show)

Yes I have the wipes and the bidet was installed. The cooling water helps when it’s really painful. I am going to talk to my drs again, it’s very very difficult and painful to pass even soft, small stools so I think I might have a lot of inflammation or something going on

amyb5 | @amyb5 | Jan 24 8:29am

In reply to @chinoomee "Yes I have the wipes and the bidet was installed. The cooling water helps when it’s..." + (show)

The treatment was extremely painful, & something that I had to just get through. I ended up on fentanyl patches, which I resisted for too long. There may be other medications they can use for you, I am unfortunately allergic to most. Good luck, you’ll get through this, it’s really hard though.

chinoomee | @chinoomee | Jan 24 6:21pm

In reply to @amyb5 "The treatment was extremely painful, & something that I had to just get through. I ended..." + (show)

Thank you, yes I finally broke down and asked for more pain management

amyb5 | @amyb5 | Jan 24 6:43pm

In reply to @chinoomee "Thank you, yes I finally broke down and asked for more pain management" + (show)

I hope it helps. You really do need it, to get through this part. Sending good wishes your way.

verol65 | @verol65 | Jan 25 8:09pm

A toilet foot stool to raise your feet as you have a BM. It changes the angle of the colon to a more fisiological position.
Warm water soaks worked for me after my transanal resection.