annoying discomfort

[tlh]

It's been a little more than three weeks since my radiation treatments were done. Unfortunately, I seem to have a lingering issue after the treatments were done. I contacted my doctor for an annoying, uncomfortable pain (closest word I can think of to describe it, although it's not quite pain) in a very sensitive spot (rectal area). He told me this condition is called Proctitis He described it as a very mild case since the dosage of radiation was so low. I had 27gy total radiation not only to the para-aortic but also the pelvic area. It would seem that some people get this unfortunate side-effect from radiation to the pelvic area.

I was curious if anyone else suffered from this and how long it took to completely go away. Although it occurs less now and is much less uncomfortable than when it first started, it is still bothersome. Thanks in advance with any feedback.

[Karen]

If your doc thinks it's a mild case you just need to wait it out....it seems to be not uncommon after lower ab radiation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_proctitis

[tlh]

Yeah, he said it's mild. I really wish he would have told me about this before deciding between r/t and surveillance. I still would have opted for r/t, but at least I would have known to possibly expect this.

[tlh]

well -- I'm guessing from the lack of follow up posts that not many people have had to deal with this side-effect. Just my luck I guess.