oh, how gross. hemorrhoids?

Hi Paul,
I have heard of this being a side effect of radiation therapy, but this is a first for me for post surgery. Certainly a good question for the nurse practitioner or surgeon. I did do a search on this, and the best I can fin d is that post operatively the veins can swell around the reqion causing hemorrhoids. The surgery I was viewing was for rectal or colon. It did not mention LRP but it would stand to reason that the veins in that area would include those associated with this. I'd ask the doctor after what I was unable to find, that being direct discussion about this being a side effect with LRP.

Tony

Same here as Tamu, Paul. No probs. for me with hemorrhoids after surgery but S#!t happens.
In my case, at about three weeks out of surgery, a varicose vein in my left leg decided to go ballastic for the first time ever. (It aggravated me more than the surgery!) The only thing my GP could suggest (but didn't recommend) was more surgery, which really sounded like fun to me, at the time. So I let it pass. And it did.
Whatever you do about the hemorrhoids, talk to your doc before you soak your backside in hot water. My urologist didn't want me to soak in hot water for many weeks after the surgery.
Best to ya,
You'll be fine.
Tom

Hi Paul,

Sorry to hear you have another owie!  Perhaps they formed with the prep clean out?  That can be pretty traumatic for some and cause a lot of irritation.  I'd certainly call the doc, they can prescribe a cortizone ointment that will help within a few days. No fun having additional problems to deal with. 

Hope you feel better real quick!

Marie

I never had them, but got them after surgery (mine was open RP). It lasted for a while - very uncomfortable. They were gone a few months after surgery for good (I hope). I had radiation recently, but did not have a problem.

I popped one out after the fourth week of rad, it disappeared about two weeks later.

Ah, hemorrhoids(thank you, spell check) one of the many indignities of life to help keep us humble. Many home remedies, over-the-counter, and doc prescribed apps out there. Most often, I am told, they are caused by extra strain with changing bowel habits. Lots of fiber/ Metamusil-type dietary supplements or stool softener products can be effective. My experience is that they do eventually let up, and you forget about them until or unless they "pop" up again.

Paul,
Never had them in my life before surgery but lo and behold, I developed them for about a year post surgery. Not enough to cause me any grief but with a little visible blood and of course giving a positive result on a fecal blood test kit (I routinely do one each year) triggering a colonoscopy. Thankfully they appear to have vanished now.
Bill

Hello there,
Yep I have them since the surgery. They do go away but I have to keep on top of what I eat etc. I had a reality check talking to a internal medicine doc. friend of mine who explained what the retro-pubic surgery consisted of. Basically major pelvic surgery (getting past major arteries and nerves), and dissecting out the prostate gland with enough margin (that where the margin we worry about comes from) to make sure the pathologist can tell if the cancer has spread. Given all that, the prostate is very close to the bowel and other organs so, yes it riles things up for sure. I'm not sure how long it really takes to get "back to normal" (I'm 7 months out) but I feel pretty good and manage this type of thing as it comes up. My two cents, but I'm glad you brought it up. Cheers--keep your chin up