Pain in the backside

[tunybgur]

Several months after completing radiotherapy and HDR Brachytherapy, I'm still suffering side effects and now getting new aches and pains.

Apart from nocturia, which with the help of the urology dept at the hospital I'm trying to deal with, I am severely constipated with peristalsis apparently not working in some areas of my gut, due probably to damage from the radiotherapy. I've learnt to handle this with careful timing and certain exercises which seem to help.

My problem at the moment is a dull pain in the butt just to the left of my rectum, it's been around for the last few months, no visible blood or swellings but it's quite painful getting up and down, getting in and out of the car is especially slow now. Walking around or sitting still and it's just in the background.

My last PSA test was <0.01, has anyone had any similar SE's? I really don't want to involve my GP as I'm hopeful it will just go away over the next few months, but also wary of something which should be investigated.

I'm not sure if there's anything in the area which can become inflamed/infected, apart from the bowel which seems fine, any idea what it could be would be welcome....

[Tall_Allen]

it sounds like it has nothing to do with the radiation you had.

[tunybgur in reply to Tall_Allen]

My thoughts as well, but I'm not sure what it could be.....I don't want to become a hypochondriac but it has been going on for some months, probably a bit of ulceration, I'm sure it will clear up on its own....fingers crossed

[Tall_Allen in reply to tunybgur]

You may want to discuss with your PCP. Rectal ulcers can travel.

[tunybgur in reply to Tall_Allen]

Just come back from the doc's, he checked me over and said he doesn't think there's anything sinister going on, but it's probably Radiation Proctitis, a recognised SE of radiation therapy.

I've got a series of checks to go through now, but looking at the prognosis it seems there's no magic bullet, just pain and discomfort relief until it sorts itself.

[ARIES29]

Maybe have a bone scan? I have the same thing & it seems in the pelvis rather than in tissues. Then could be arthritis also.

[tunybgur in reply to ARIES29]

Unlikely, got a bit of blood this morning as well, I'm more certain that it's an ulcer, I'm off to the GP asap, something I have been trying to avoid.

[vintage42 in reply to tunybgur]

I was going to suggest it could be proctalgia fugax, painful but harmless spasms, but they don't bleed.

[TylexGP in reply to vintage42]

My thought as well as I had couple of episodes post HDR Brachytherapy but with bleeding I expect something else even a large internal hemorrhoid.

[ARIES29 in reply to tunybgur]

Sounds like a colonostamy is in order.

[tunybgur in reply to ARIES29]

Unfortunately you're right....

[NecessarilySo]

I had similar pain a dozen years ago, pain on rectum and on tailbone. I'm sure it was metastasis, caused by the biopsy. At the time, my PSA began to rise into the four area. I also had radiation therapy, four years before that. Here's the thing: prostate cancer cells grow, slowly. When they grow they cause pain. I discovered that after a spaghetti dinner, the pain subsided temporarily. As it turned out, ADT and my personal use of lycopene stopped the growth for good, within weeks.

[tunybgur in reply to NecessarilySo]

See last reply to Tall Alan

[tallpall]

Radiation Proctitus???

[tunybgur in reply to tallpall]

Yes, look it up.

[Tommyj2]

is that psa without meds? If so….glad for your successful tx…….wish I had an answer for you re your pain but I would just be guessing……

[tunybgur in reply to Tommyj2]

PSA is with ADT, coming off them in a few months

[Tommyj2 in reply to tunybgur]

Lucky you! Hope it all goes well.