HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hemorrhoids after RT. What helps?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/25/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)

I wasn't going to get into this, actually hoping I wouldn't have to, but these hemorrhoids are a real pain.  Not everyday, but most days, then a real bad day here and there.  I see others refer to them in their posts, so I know I'm not alone.

I finished 26 IMRT/IGRT treatments last November/December and had three HDR treatments over 36 hours on December 15,16.  My biggest side effects immediatly after were urinary frequency/urgency/burning and trouble with flow at night, but these are all cleared up now, although I do still use .4MG Flomax daily.  As those cleared up, I found my biggest issues behind me.....and I don't mean distant.  My mornings are mostly fearful of the pending bowel movements, both from urgency and the pain from the hemorroids.  By late morning, the bowels are settled down, but the hemorroids can be a bother all day, and quite bad on some days.

So my question is, what have others done or used to calm these things down?  I don't want to waste money on fake cures, but hopefully there is something out there that helps.  I just haven't found it yet.

Also, I have seen others mention that they seem to clear up after 3 months or so.  Is this what others have seen?

Thanks for any help on this secret little subject.

Posted 2/25/2012 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
I did not have severe problems, but I find Prep. H wipes, after a bm, to be helpful when things are acting up.

Mel

Posted 2/25/2012 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
When I was pregnant, my ob/gyn MD gave me a prescription for xylocaine jelly. It came with a long tip and was able to gently insert prior to going to the bathroom. Wait a couple of minutes, then hopefully you'll be able to go with minimal discomfort.

Hope that helps.
Posted 2/25/2012 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
The wipes are good, the suppositories (HYDROCORTISONE), Prep H. cream and sitz baths help me the most. But I find that the suppositories and the sitz bath helps the most. The prep H suppository works fine.

Next is a lot of fiber. Plenty of fiber and lots of water. Avoid sugary and salty things that can dry out the colon. You might need to take a stool softener. You need to help get your, em, "output" a bit softer and easier to pass.

Right now I am just ending my RT and find that I need to use the wipes after every BM (don't use paper) and need the sitz bath once or twice a day. When things are really bad I'll use the suppository.

And I eat lots of fiber (have I mentioned fiber yet) - whole grains, fruits and veggies.

Hope that helps.

Andrew
Posted 2/25/2012 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Incidentally, we had a problem with a toilet and had to call a plumber. He said the wipes were causing problems. Apparently, it is not that biodegradeable.

One would think they would not make the product that way since it usually ends up in the toilet!

(Generally, when I needed to use them, it would be 2-3 wipes only)

Mel

Posted 2/25/2012 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Having had roids for years before my cancer including some really painful surgery I was concerned. My radonco started me on fiber supplements on a daily basis prior to treatment. I never stopped taking them after the radiation and they tend to keep everything soft and the body regular (actually, the radiation makes me too regular!!). I take six capsules every morning. It is called Equate Fiber Therapy. The stuff inside is psyllium husk. It sells for $2.50-$3.00 for a bottle of 100 capsules. Squid.
Posted 2/26/2012 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I've had issues here ever since I returned from a 6000 mile motorcycle ride in September. Followed by all the DRE's and ultrasound probes from my PCa treatments, internal hemorrhoids have definitely reared their ugly head. I have a dull ache, sometimes sharp pain in my rectum, and some occasional blood clots on passing bm's. The Dr didn't think it was particularly due to the radiation of the seed implants.

You might ask your Doc for an RX of Trental. Ijust got put on that and am supposed to take it 3 times orally daily for 4 months along with 1000 i.u. of Vitamin E. It is supposed to promote more blood flow to the tiny capillaries in the rectum to promote healing. I've only been taking it a few days, so can't really comment on it's effectiveness quite yet.
Posted 2/26/2012 4:12 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the replies.  Today was a good day.  But they're not all good.  I thought I might be getting too much fiber, so I actually was backing off the fruits and veggies.  Too many BMs in the morning, even soft or loose, causes a lot of pain for several hours.  A couple of nice soft efforts with no straining seems ideal.  Jeeze, I can't believe I'm posting this, but I am glad there are others who know what I'm going through.  I just want normal again.....even if it's a new normal.

Posted 2/26/2012 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hydrocortosoze cream help me. I have a perscription for 2.5%, but you can get it over the counter at 1.5%. It relieves the burn and it shrunk mine back to the size before HT. Good luck!

Post Edited (Joko) : 2/27/2012 2:38:49 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/27/2012 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
I bought a tube of prep H, but only used it a few times so it must have done the trick. I also used it before a BM to act as a lubricant.
Wipes can't be flushed in Holland either, so I abandoned them. I now use just enough (good quality) paper and then wash if possible.
I find things move along more easily if I read during a BM. So I keep books of jokes etc on a handy shelf. (something with no plot so easy to pick up/put down)
I have also changed my diet a bit, and most recently have started trying to eat more slowly and chew my food more.

Alf
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply