Anal leakage - Does anyone have this problem and how are you handling it

[lakeheadguy]

Proctitis Enteritis, Radiation Proctitis, Anal Leakage

October 2015 PSA 14.0 diagnosed Prostate Cancer. January 2016 - 37 Rounds of Radiation + 2 Hormone Injections. Current PSA .03 January 2021 colonoscopy polyps (cancer causing: schedule colonoscopy every 3 years) and proctitis enteritis (radiation damage to large intestine). January 2022 endoscopy Radiation Proctitis (radiation damage to small intestine).

Anal leakage for over a year. Yellow color sometimes clear. No advance warning. Putrid odor. What to do? Covid shortage of ingredients for sucralfate enemas. What to eat? What to avoid? Boost fiber with Metamucil and drink lots of fluids. Does anyone have this problem and how are you handling it? Also have CKD Stage 3b.

[Sarah_PRDA Partner]

Hi lakeheadguy

Sorry to hear you're experiencing issues with mucus. This is a topic that does come up regularly so hopefully more people will come along and add their experience. I've edited your title so it will stand out a bit more.

I take it you have had advice from a health professional, hence being advised to increase fiber and fluids etc. I would suggest keeping a symptom diary to see if any food/drink/medication is triggering episodes of excess mucus. A lot of people with PRD find that caffeine, alcohol and artificial sweeteners can have a big impact on symptoms such as these. It's certainly worth keeping track of whether these effect your symptoms and reducing/eliminating anything that triggers symptoms.

We do have a 'food diary' available, if you would like a copy please send a request to [e-mail] and we will send you a pdf.

Best wishes

Sarah

[Skidman]

I have severe faecal incontinence following radiotherapy years ago. The solution is pads. They come in different sizes so you'll have to experiment. The problem is slowly getting worse, which means that the pad now needs reinforcing with a wedge of toilet paper up where the sun don't shine. I've also gone vegan and noticed that, as with other herbivores, my poo is now almost odourless. Hope this helps.

[lakeheadguy in reply to Skidman]

Do Carafate (Sucralfate) Enemas work?

[Triumph-Girl]

Hi Lakeheadguy - sorry to hear your difficulties. I raised this issue with my Oncologist - he said to try giving up milk for a month, I was sceptical as I only had milk in tea but it has helped. He referred me to physio, she sent me paperwork to record what I ate and drank plus very in depth exercise regime plus an appointment to see her 6 weeks later, a bit embarrassing but hey ho if it works…. Following appointment she says I’m doing well and if I continue I will be much better by next appointment in 6 weeks. She also told me of an app called Squeezy to download to help with exercises, also a member on here suggested probiotic yoghurts, made my tummy feel more ‘settled’. Apparently the rads can damage the muscles. I hope to feel confident to swim with the grandchildren this year - Good Luck

[Larsonist]

Hi Lakeheadguy. I am more in Skidman's category but since my treatment in 2012 and 13 I have settled into a "normal" routine, which is based around controlling as much as you can control and then working around what you cannot control. The Squeezyman app that Triumph-Girl mentions (does she like me have a Triumph?) is great. Even better is a physio who specialises e.g. post natal and get them to poke and prod you until you learn to do pelvic floor exercises really well.

next, I have my porridge every morning which helps bind things up a bit. I avoid too much dairy. I avoid green veg. which will gas and bloat the stomach, and fibre which will pass through quicker. I try and avoid large hot meals if I do not have access to a toilet for the following couple of hours, so as not to stimulate the digestive system into a high levele of activity. I often avoid public transport and take the Triumph instead of the train.

I eventually realised that being upright can also bring on leakage after a while. I have had some very uncomfortable attempted long walks. So I always try to find a seat when possible. What I can do prefectly well are activities that involve sitting down, e.g. cycling, watersports, drumming. Best of luck.