Lingering side effects over 2 months after radiation completion

@ems7
Have they prescribed you gabapentin or Lyrica for nerve pain? Chemotherapy can cause small nerve fiber damage which can cause nerve pain. NSAIDs or Tylenol don’t really help with nerve pain. Lidocaine can help with nerve pain. It is temporary but provides some relief. The cortisone helps with inflammation which may irritate nerves.

You may want to work with a nutritionist/dietitian for help with diet/supplements to help reduce inflammation and support nerve health. Some small nerve fibers may regenerate. I have small fiber neuropathy and take alpha Lipoic acid, Acetyl l carnitine and magnesium supplements to help calm my small nerve fibers.
https://biologyinsights.com/lidocaine-cream-for-vulvar-pain-key-facts-and-tips/

@ems7
You may also benefit from taking Cymbalta (duloxetine) for nerve pain. Talk to your doctor about this medication. I did take this medication for a period of time and it helped my small fiber neuropathy and arthritis pain plus depression from chronic pain.

Thank you so much for your reply and information.
The doctors mentioned Lyrica & Gabapentin for my chemo neuropathy, but I don’t have pain with my neuropathy, only numbness. They mostly recommend acupuncture for neuropathy.
The rectal pain is radiation burn, which has also affected the skin around the anus and vagina. The skin burns create open sores in this area. I can only imagine what it has done to my insides!
This is the lingering pain that concerns me most, and the very irritated surrounding skin. (Fortunately the sores have healed) I do have an appointment with my nutritionist this week, so I will ask her about your recommendations. Thank you again.

rectal pain after radiation for anal cancer included a fissure, which did not respond to creams until PA at Mayo Rochester gave a compounded cream Nifedepine 2% That is the worst pain i could imagine,
she also gave me vaginal suppositories that have a valium component for rectal pain ,,,,,,,,never heard of that, but it works to relax the rectal area
I also use silverdene cream compounded RX for rectal burning as well as Proctomed cream RX all perscribed by my radiation nurse at Mayo Rochester,, She also gave me
Xerofoam Petrolatum dressing by Curad .. overlays across rectal area I used those for weeks , soothing and can be ordered on Amazon or radiology nurse gave me some to get started
Opiods required laxatives and stool softeners to lessen friction on the fissure
Also w radiation I have learned tha the rectal canal can shrink just as the vagina does, ( scarring) so I had an in office rectal dilation by a GP locally in NC ,once I got the skin burns to subside with the Xerofoam , Silverdene cream compound and Aquafor .it Sitz baths at least 2 x a day when rectal pain is intense and before and after BMs
i have used Gabapentin and Lyrica too for nerve pain,,
Dr Sood one of the directors at Mayo Rochester Womens Health is assisting me with vaginal issues I do not have vaginitis , just scaring I really like and trust her . I have some neruopathy in feet and weakness in legs so going to PT and as always, Accupucture Best wishes on your arduous journey,, let us know how you are doing !

i also just started Cymblata for the same reasons , thanks for letting us know that it helped for the neuropathy and depression from chronic pain Wishing you well on this journey !

Who is your provider that prescribed the Nifedipine and suppositories? I’m currently being treated for anal cancer and the pain is getting intense.

Sawra Maurer, P.A.-C., M.S. at Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota
She treated me for a fissure that increased the pain from radiation . I was on morphine through my palliative care nurse locally in North Carolina
Sitting in bath or sitz bath several times a day was my only complete release from pain . My radiation and chemo lasted 6 weeks. Ending Nov 2024 . Pain lasted about 5 weeks after that..then started to subside
Mayo Rochester palliative care nurses..radiation oncology. Oncologist..colon rectal dept. Women's health deot. All have supported me without fail. The pain of anal cancer and treatment is intense beyond my imagination .. but as of now. No anal pain other than stinging w BM which comes w fissure.. . It's important to go where anal cancer is treated constantly. My local cancer team had no idea how to relate to my pain since they only treat occasional anal cancer patients Please know this gets better .. its a fire walk to get through it . You will come out on the other side of this

My heart goes out to you and others who are either beginning or in the midst of Treatment. I used my patient portal to communicate as well as regular weekly visits to each specialty while at Mayo. Even my social worker at Mayo helped me deal w pain issues. Best wishes and prayers for strength. It really will get better .

Thank you so much Clare for all your responses and information. I apologize for not responding sooner, but I’ve been having some technical problems with the website. Hopefully they are fixed.
I am due for my big surgery in two weeks, & am concerned about proceeding with the rectal pain & skin issues. Trying to connect with my surgeon.

I'm sending hugs, hopes, prayers, well wishes, everything sweetie. That's a lot to deal with and your strength is obvious. It gives me strength as I'm sure it will others. You got this! ☺️😉🔆 Stay positive bc you're inspiring.
Thank you for sharing.
Xx