Does anyone else get the abdominal aches that last weeks after a flare up?

[BertieSpring]

Hello, does any one suffer for prolonged periods with abdominal aches after a flare up of PRD- related bowel issues?

I had radiotherapy as part of treatment for rectal cancer back in 2020 and have LARS in combination with PRD. My main symptoms are bowel-related (urgency, clustering, overnight incontinence) and they seem to be getting worse with time. I’ve often had some abdominal pain after a flare up but recently it seems to last much longer - ie for several weeks if I’ve had a particularly bad flare up. It really is the gift that keeps giving!

[Celticgirl1888]

Hi Bertiespring

So sorry you are suffering like this. My husband had radiotherapy in 2021, after a recurrence of prostate cancer.

The radiotherapy to the prostrate bed damaged the bowel and bladder.

He has constant pain on passing water. His bowel and bladder problems are ongoing.

He has incontinence and stomach pain, urgency and very little time to get to the toilet.

Bowel movements can be up to six times a day and he has rectal bleeding.

He has tried Sucralfate enemas that didn’t help and now takes loperamide to try controlling the frequency, sometimes it works sometimes not.

Going out is a drama, not eating at all until we get home and hoping that we can get back before he needs the toilet.

As you say the gift that just keeps giving. Shocking how many are suffering with PRD.

Hope you start to see an improvement soon.

Best wishes

J

[Bluegenie]

Hi Bertiespring,

I suffered with abdominal pain after flareups for over 12 years. The pain often lasted several days but never weeks! Poor you. What helped me was, three years ago, being prescribed 10mg of amitriptyline daily. My GP explained that I was experiencing neuropathic pain, resulting from nerve damage caused by the radiation. The damaged nerves send signals to the pain centre in the brain which, over time, the brain exaggerates so the pain gets worse. Amitriptyline works to suppress the brain's pain reaction. Your pain may not be neuropathic but, if it is, amitriptyline should help. So it would be worth asking your GP to give you a trial of it. It takes a bit of getting used to, as it makes you very sleepy at first, but it's worth persevering. Since I've been on it, the only times I've had pain have been when I have forgotten to take my tablet!

I do hope you find a solution. Chronic pain is so debilitating.

BG

[Renee1964]

Hello , am sorry for your pain . Severe radiation damage from chest to thighs. My oncolog. recommended for the pain an antiinflamatory , heat on stomach and back plus rest. If that doesn't work tapenadol , I had morphine but this works much better and without the side effects of morph.Hope you get a solution to your pain. XXX

[Yellow-Butterfly in reply to Renee1964]

Same here! So glad you commented. I'm on pain meds too, and sometimes feel like noone understands.

[Renee1964 in reply to Yellow-Butterfly]

Hi , it does feel that way , specially when you doubled in pain running for the toilet ! The eye rolling starts and it just makes you feel alone. But , I just ignore them and cursr under my breath ( helps a lot )😂

[Yellow-Butterfly in reply to Renee1964]

Omg, yes. Ha!! Or the eye rolls when you constantly say "I can't eat that". Like I really enjoy not eating the delicious food that you're eating in front of me. 😂

[Renee1964 in reply to Yellow-Butterfly]

Jajajaaaa Yes !! XXX

[Vailgirl]

yep. I just found that i have to suffer through it. And avoid flare ups by watching what i eat

[Yellow-Butterfly]

Yes! But a little different. Mine starts with stomach pains for 5-6 days then 5-6 days of (worse than usual) diarrhea. I am 6 years since radiation treatments. For some reason, the past 4 months have not been so bad. I hope I didn't just jinx myself!

[Fulana]

is u pain u describe is more like a cramps, right in the middle .. like a menstrual period pain?

[Fulana]

Hi Bertie;

Do u think can be pelvic floor related?

I was on cramps for over 4 months and they are gone now, but they recommend to do physical therapy for pelvic floor, and I read all about it and it was same symptoms..

I see u post this 5 months ago.. do u still experiencing the pain after all this time?