I've finished 36 of 42 IMRT and the burning started about a week ago. The
nurse recommended Destin or A&D ointment. I'm using the A&D right after a
bowel movement when the burning is at it's worst and it gives relief after a
few minutes. Don't know if the burning is contained in the stool itself as
it comes out of the bowel, but I'm going to ask on Tuesday. If the burning
is starting within the bowel then a med called Prevacid might neutralize it
before it reaches the rectum. I'll post what ever I find out. Hot soap and
water in the shower followed by the A&D ointment keeps me "tabasco" free
between bowel movements. Hope this helps.
I also started taking Pyridium last week for burning urine. You pee red, but
it seems to help and and stain comes out with a little bleach. I read where
this med also helps with burning stools since it will also color them red,
but haven't had any luck in that area yet-maybe the med takes a while.
Age - 69
8/12/02 - PSA 3.7
10/13/03 - PSA 4.69
11/11/03 - PSA 4.8
11/18/03 - Biopsy - 10 cores
one core-25% of core-Gleason 4+4=8
all other cores benign tissue
12/10/03 - Consult - Oncologist
12/16/03 - Consult - Radiation Oncologist
Treatment Plan - Northeast Ga Cancer Center
HT - started 12/17/03 - Eulixen & Lupron (2nd 4 mo Lupron-4/26)
2/10/04 - Started - Flowmax and Megastrol
Radiation - IMRT to begin 3/30/04 - 42 treatments

...

I think things started to get better for me within a week
or so after the end of radiation.  If I remember correctly,
the problem was completely resolved by around 6 weeks.
I used a ton of Preparation H, and ordinary skin creams
around the outside.

It takes a lot of trying doesn't it?  But you seem to be
doing a good job.

Good luck.

   Alan

I was prescribed Proctasol.  It worked to some extent.

I mentioned earlier about trying Prevacid. I had some left over from a
prescription I had last year for high stomach acid so yesterday I took one.
This morning's poop session was burn free-first time in a week. I'll check
with my Doc when I go for Rad today, but I'm sure he'll say it won't do any
harm.

I know exactly how you feel. I've just hit 30 of 37 EBRT treatments. A week
ago Sunday I
thought for sure I had swallowed a bottle of habanero sauce myself. I swear
I
could see the smoke rings coming out. When it was time for the paper work,
it felt like 80 grit sandpaper, with shards of glass embedded in it.

My RadOnc suggested using the Aquaphor (reminds me of that greasy kid
stuff).
It has helped alleviate some of the pain, though he said to wash it off
before the treatment,
since the radiation can be absorbed in that area. Also he wrote me a
prescription
for Anucort-HC 25mg. It is a suppository with hydro-chordisone and other
pain relieving
medication.

Also he suggested soaking in a hot tub twice a day. I don't have time in the
morning so
I just take a warm shower.

This sure is a pain in the butt!!!

Rgr

Even with the antacids (prevacid) the burning came back and got worse-so I
saw my RadOnc during a treatment visit. He said he would give me a scrip for
stuff that would heal and take care of the burning too.
Proctofoam HC 1%
Went to the drug store and got a tiny (10gram) aerosol container with a
small syringe to apply it with. 10 grams of the stuff is good for about 14
applications and should be used 3-4 times a day. Doc said I should use it
for at least several weeks after I complete Rads next week and put me down
for 4 refills.
How much?? I'm glad you asked. $ 55.00 after my drug card discount for 14
squirts that (if I didn't waste any) would last about 3 1/2 days. It does a
good job but is another Drug Co rippoff.
Proctofoam HC consists of 1% hydrocortisone and 1% pramoxine - and that's
all folks.
So after firing off a very nasty e-mail to the Drug Co that makes the stuff,
I went back to the Drug Store and got a tube of 1% hydrocortisone ($ 2.49)
and a tube of 1% pramoxine ($ 3.99). I mixed equal amounts in an empty film
canister. Been using it for 2 days now with good results . Will keep you
updated. For less than 7 bucks I'll have enough to treat every sore butt on
this newsgroup.
Age - 69
8/12/02 - PSA 3.7
10/13/03 - PSA 4.69
11/11/03 - PSA 4.8
11/18/03 - Biopsy - 10 cores
one core-25% of core-Gleason 4+4=8
all other cores benign tissue
12/10/03 - Consult - Oncologist
12/16/03 - Consult - Radiation Oncologist
Treatment Plan - Northeast Ga Cancer Center
HT - started 12/17/03 - Eulixen & Lupron (2nd 4 mo Lupron-4/26)
2/10/04 - Started - Flowmax and Megastrol
Radiation - IMRT to begin 3/30/04 - 42 treatments