Living with long-term bowel side effects post anal cancer treatment

Do you take loperamide every day.

I had my last radiation 6/19/24 then on 6/26 I was in the hospital they put some kind wash on my burns that gave me 4 th degree burns in my bottom. Was in bed for 2 1/1 months had to do pelvic floor treatment and it help some. I don’t have any muscle control and a mixture of diarrhea and soft stool. Raise my fiber intake and nothing seems to help
I had my first asleep bowel movement the other day.
Not sure what SNS treatment is , no one has said anything to me about that
I’m going to go see a gastroenterologist next month
I don’t like how this has turned out Im like you I don’t want go out an eat are go places
Not. Comfortable with the outcome issues

The Anal Cancer Foundation has a Facebook page with a wealth of information!

My heart hurts for you. Because of some bowel issues, I have been home so much more this last year, but am not dealing with the level you are having to put up with. And troubling issues that don't improve or can't be resolved and last and last really takes its toll on us emotionally. I'm so sorry. I wanted to share something I hope will be helpful. The last year of my brother's life he was having accidents a lot too in his home. On the couch, on the carpet, etc. You know. I had to clean it up for him. The first time I had limited time to shop for something to use and stopped at a Home Depot and bought some cleaner that is used when pets have accidents. My goodness! That worked SO well. And it took the smell out right away and it hasn't returned. I can't remember what pet cleaner I purchased? (I remember it was liquid). But I think any would work well? (if you haven't already tried) I'm a cancer survivor too and it really helps to have people to share with. Keep sharing your story. It is important for us as well as you. Take care.

Really a great challenge which all of us are forced to cope up with.Though mine was a rectal cancer which was placed in the lower end ,the radiation was almost similar to anal cancer and the after effects are similar.As it is a descending colon J pouch the fragmentation and frequency made me give up my active Ob Gyn practice.The initial years there was pain,irritation and burning sensation of the radiated area.Now that has reduced as it is seventh year in remission.As you said my bed is close to the toilet.Inspite of it accidents do happen frequently.Being on a diaper 24/7 is making the area sore. Like babies , knowingly it is very difficult to empty the bowel and continue to work or sleep.Most of the nights I am in and out of toilet It is seven years since I have slept continuously for an hour..
Maybe it is the price to pay for being alive but I count my blessing as,having a toilet close to the bed room with 24 hours water supply .Imagine living in that part of the world which has no toilets or water..Only this thought has motivated me to accept my challenges with peace and gratitude.
Only counting our blessings and practicing gratitude helps to live in a reasonable level of peace of mind,otherwise I would have gone insane by sitting at home with no professional work.
We are all there to share your concerns.Nobody can take your pain but we are willing to hold your hands virtually and pass on our strength to you through thoughts,words and prayers.God bless

My anal cancer was diagnosed in2022. I had radiation and chemo for 6 weeks. After the second week of radiation my bowels were not the same. I spent my days either looking for a bathroom or being in one. It was horrible. The radiation had killed my cancer and at the same time destroyed my sphincter muscle. The day my doctor told me I needed a colostomy bag, I sobbed right in his office. I thought it was the worse thing that could happen to me. Now almost 2 years later I am enjoying my life. I named my stoma Libby, because she liberated me from the bathroom.
Is a stoma something your doctor has recommended? It has literally given me back my quality of life. Maybe you should consider this an option?

As a rectal cancer survivor with low anterior resection syndrome, I have found loperamide (imodium) helpful in stopping diarrhea. If you have not tried this, you may want to speak with your gastroenterologist or physician and determine whether you should try it.

My step father lived with a colostomy for his last 30 years. I had a temporary colostomy for 90 days after my surgery. There are a lot of things I will try before I elect to return to a colostomy.
For example, wearing Depends full time would be preferable to me and I am not there yet. As a full time flight attendant, my lifestyle is constant travel and not being bathroom dependent when dealing with passengers or crew members. I have made progress over the last 10 years but am not where I want to be.

This may seem extreme, but a colostomy would solve your problem. You would be more independent and could travel whenever you wanted.

I am a colorectal cancer survivor who completed a rectal/sigmoid resection and radiation therapy in 1986.
Like you, my bowel movements have not been normal since. But, I have found some ways to help me cope.
I would like to learn more about your experience
Did you have resection surgery in your lower (sigmoid/rectal) intestine?
Did you have radiation therapy in those same locations?
Do your bowel movements generally start out as solid stool, and then gradually turn soft, and finally complete runny, even all liquid often during the same sitting?
Your answers, if you are willing to provide them, may help me relate my situation to your and let you know of some successes I have had in trying to manage my bowel movements in the situations that you describe