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Gas & bowel issues after rectal cancer treatment: What helps?
I’m 8 years out from anal rectal cancer treatment. I still have BM issues and uncontrollable gas. Diet GASX Beano and charcoal tablets don’t seem to help.
Any suggestions?
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I’m just 3 years out. The treatment was life saving, but also life changing! Everything depends on what my bowels are doing that day. Sorry I’m not more helpful, just commiserating. Good luck!
@jmwallop, like @amyb5 says, life-saving treatment, but also life changing. Gas and bowel issues are often discussed. You might find these related discussions helpful:
- Persisting abdominal pain, bloating, gas, clustering https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/persisting-abdominal-pain-bloating-gas-clustering/
- After colon resection: What helps with severe gas? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/colon-resection/
- Living with long-term bowel side effects post anal cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-long-term-bowel-side-effects-post-anal-cancer-treatment/
After LAR surgery here’s what works for me: Loperamide and simethicone, morning and night; whole milk Greek yogurt, flaxseed and blackberries for breakfast. Very spicy foods can still be problematic and occasionally my system just decides to revolt, but very infrequently.