Thanks very much for your reply. Since my last post I have seen a gatroenterologist and the diagnosis is indeed radiation proctitis. He tried a colonscopy procedure where he planned to use an argon plasma coagulator to seal the bleeding vessels but my tissue was in very poor shape and he did not want to make the situation worse. So, I have been on Canasa suppositories for about 10 weeks. They are going to try another colonoscopy this Tuesday and see if there has been enough healing to use the argon coagulator.
I have had some relief of symptoms with the Canasa, less urgency, etc. But, I the bleeding is just as bad as it ever was and my hemoglobin count keeps dropping, now at 9.7. The dr. said they would need to transfuse at 9.0.
Did you have any experiencce with the argon plasma coagulator? If so, was it successful? I have read about hyberbaric oxygen therapy online but it has not yet been suggested in my case.
Also, an incidental finding popped up - I now need thyroid surgery to remove an extremely enlarged thyroid (which appears benign). Yuck!
One thing after another, I tell you. Thanks again for your reply and please share any information you have on radiation proctitis.
Warm Regards,
Angi
On 1/31/2008
nancysews45 wrote:
I too have radiation proctitis and cytitis, have had for about 3 years and have had various treatments. The latest suggestion is hyperbaritic oxygen therapy. Get to a research hospital for treatment. You need the latest information. Don't worry about it being cancer, but it is a side effect of radiation. I have been being treated by a gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeon and urolo9gist. Its a long haul.
On 12/2/2007 Adoyle wrote:
It seems like I might finally have an answer to the problems I have been experiencing since my radiation therapy. I went to my family doctor yesterday and she has referred me to a gastroenterologist for possible radiation proctitis. Has anyone had this? Do you know what the testing and treaments are like? Are they usually successful in curing the problem? I feel so frustrated b/c it just seems like one thing after another and I can't just get better. My cancer is in remission though, so that is great news. I worry that this rectal bleeding is colon cancer (metastatic) rather than proctitis...HELP!