| Author |
|
steiconi
New User
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 4
|
 Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject: cramping rectum |
 |
|
I had surgery for rectal cancer almost two years ago, and have an ongoing problem with cramps. My rectum closes up, and the muscles in my lower back tighten up, causing pain and elimination problems; I feel like I have to go to the bathroom all the time, but not much comes out. I feel crummy until it relaxes on its own in a few to several hours.
Anybody else have this problem and maybe a solution??? I've tried several "bowel cramp" medications, including Belladonna, but they don't seem to help.
thanks,
Lee |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
brainman
Chief Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4434
Location: Tennessee
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
steiconi
New User
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject: Rectal Cramps |
|
|
Yes. The surgeon assures me it's nothing to do with surgery, the oncologist says chemo wouldn't do that, and the GI doc is the one that gave me three different bowel cramp meds that didn't help. Sometimes you have to ask the non professionals!
thanks,
Lee |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Darwin
Moderator
Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 132
Location: Perth, Western Australia
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:08 am Post subject: Re: cramping rectum |
|
|
My ex has similiar problems and so I could list a number of different meds but have you tried those hot bead packs you can heat in the microwave, that or a hot bath helps my ex with his pain and cramps.
Massage of the lower back perhaps?
_________________
Ex husband's diagnosis was January 2006, stage IV bowel cancer with mets to liver and lungs. Two years of continuous chemo, folfox then folfirri. On MAX chemo now. Has had radiation to pelvic area and radioactive SIRT spheres injected through the portal vein into the liver. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
steiconi
New User
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject: Rectal Cramps |
|
|
hot baths and massage help a little, but not enough. I can live with the pain; I'm hoping for something that will relax the cramping.
thanks,
Lee |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Darwin
Moderator
Joined: 11 Feb 2008
Posts: 132
Location: Perth, Western Australia
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: cramping rectum |
|
|
Sorry I am not a medical profesional so don't know what else to suggest. In Australia you can also but patches called heatease which heat when exposed to the air and last for 4-5 hours but you put them on between two pairs of panties not directly on to the skin. Best Wishes for finding something that works for you.
D
_________________
Ex husband's diagnosis was January 2006, stage IV bowel cancer with mets to liver and lungs. Two years of continuous chemo, folfox then folfirri. On MAX chemo now. Has had radiation to pelvic area and radioactive SIRT spheres injected through the portal vein into the liver. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
DulcimerGal
Senior User
Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 118
Location: Virginia
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: cramping rectum |
|
|
You mentioned trying belladonna - if you are interested in herbs and natural healing see my post further down on complementary and alternative therapies....
I am working with a Herbal doctor out of Oregon at the Centre for Natural Healing - they are outstanding. I'm currently drinking a daily protein shake full of customized vitamins and herbs, and taking other herbal supplements....not sure if they can help your cramping but here is a quote from my doctor that I love - he says our goal is like gardening - we're cultivating a new terrain where cancer cannot thrive...
Cheers
DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Ereshkigal
Regular
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: cramping rectum |
|
|
Well I don't know specifically regarding things for Colon Cancer (and subsequent symptoms).
However...
I do have IBS which causes many of the same symptoms that you experience. And trust me, I've tried many medications for them. I've also browsed and talked with a lot of people who have IBS (and of course my GI doctor) in an effort to understand and try to eliminate my condition as much as I can.
In my experience the thing that helped me the most was a medication called Cymbalta. I know it's for depression but evidently it has "off the label" use as a painkiller - or at least something that is supposed to "mask" the pain so that it's not as bad as it normally is. Honestly, that's what I would try; I know the side effects (and the withdrawal effects in particular) can be somewhat bad in some cases, but if the cramping really is that severe (and trust me, I know what severe cramping is) then you might want to give it a shot just to see if it helps at all.
Best of luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Search 
Email Digests
Register to post
Profile 
Check private messages 
Log in
What is this ?
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
