My crotch is on fire!!!

[shel28]

I am being given radiation for rectal cancer. I am half way through at this point and already my crotch is itching, burning, red... and I am miserable. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to relieve the pain. The doctors say to sit in lukewarm water and use hemerroid pads but that really doesn't help. It burns all day long and I can't sleep at night. I found some over the counter Vagasil and that really seems to help for a couple of hours and I am only supposed to take it 4 times a day. I feel like I have a sunburn on my crotch.

[Dave]

I to had radiation for rectal cancer, at about half way through treatment, my doc started asking me about pain. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Holiday he just handed mr a scipt for Percocet, and said just in case, i don't want you hurting trough the holidays.
In other words, dont go through too much misery, ask your doc for some pain killers.

Better living through modern Chemistry,

Dave

[Lifes2short]

The doctor or nurses at the radiation clinic should be able to provide you with some cremes to help with the burning. To be honest, nothing will give complete relief but there were a few things that helped me when I went through it. I had to use pain killers. I was on pretty high levels of Oxycontin during the peak of my burns (I went eight weeks - ouch!!).

I recommend wearing silk boxers and very loose pants. It was the only thing I could stand next to my skin. This is a very tough time, but it will pass. Don't be afraid to use pain killers to help you through this. You don't get any medals for being a hero. Best to do whatever you can to be comfortable.

Good luck!

[Molly]

May I just say that I LOVE this Board! It's one of the only places where it's perfectly okay to title your post,"My Crotch is on Fire!"

[Luv2Run]

Ouch!!! I feel your pain. I also was dx with rectal cancer in August 2005. I had my 25 sessions of radiation in Nov-Dec 2005. I was okay until the last couple of weeks and several weeks afterwards then the burning, weeping skin began. My radiology onocologist just recommended sitz baths. After a couple months in pain I finally consulted my dermatologist.

There are two new products out there available by prescription and both are recommended for radiated skin. They are MimyX Cream and Atopiclair Cream. Both are nonsteroidal and provide deep dermal hydration, are hypoallergenic and anti-irritant. They are my LIFESAVER - my crotch is finally feeling great!! Ask for a prescription and start using it SOON! I wish I knew about it when I was undergoing treatment!

[Holly]

Holy crap! Not only does this sound painful but like bloody hell. I hope and pray that you find some relief sooner than later.

Yikes,

Holly

[cynnycal]

yep. i was a firecrotch during radiation too.
hopefully you're near the end, that's usually when it starts getting unbearable.
the vagisil i got BUUURRRRNNNED like hell when i put it on, so i avoided it, but try replens, i thought it was better.
and make sure to wear really loose light clothing (which i know isn't usually an option in the winter)

and you're right. you ARE sunburned. basically you're exposing skin in an area that normally doesn't see the light of day. at super high doses.

at it's worse my skin was SUPER dark, and peeling like crazy. it looked pretty gross.
the sitz baths help ALOT. though i know it's not always convenient to jump in the tub.

if i have any better suggestions, i'll let you know. but bear down, it'll be over soon, and you can bounce back pretty quickly from it
(well, cept for the damned vaginal dryness and vaginal narrowing. those are the crappiest side effects to have. damned radiation. grrrr)

[johnnys84]

My fiance is a physician assistant in dermatology and recommended getting a script for mimyx cream, it will help to soothe the burns.