A Delicate Issue

[Deb9991]

Okay, gang, this isn't easy to talk about so I'll just blurt it out the best way I can.  I am in my second week of treatment and I've had tremendous support from this post and Bill and Dave.  Other than occasional fatigue, I have not felt any physical illness like nausea, headaches, or aches and pains.  It has almost, and I say almost, been a breeze, except for one strange thing.  Gulp!  

I started noticing a couple days ago when I went to the bathroom that I experienced extreme burning and itching when passing bodily waste.  The itching radiates up my back and downward to my bottom and last for a few minutes and then goes away, and I'm fine.  The burning last a few minutes and then dissipates also.  They say there is no such thing as a stupid question, so, I'm sticking to that.  Could this burning and itching be the INF/Riba residue leaving my body?  

I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but if you have experienced this symptom, I would appreciate any comments.

Many, many thanks,
Debbie

[spectda]

"We enlightened ones in the trades, however, have learned to wash our hands *before* going, to avoid soiling the TP with our grubby paws… "

There's nothing worse then soiled TP, thanks for being considerate!

[Bill1954]

Hi five, Goof; gimme five!

[Bill1954]

Of course, Goof, of course; I can address your concern. As it stands, you had little to fear from your doctor, as he most likely washes his hands *after* the bathroom.

We enlightened ones in the trades, however, have learned to wash our hands *before* going, to avoid soiling the TP with our grubby paws…

[orleans]

OH my, here we go---I have to admit, poop threads don't all stink(sorry). It was Goofs jelly fish poop story that once broke a very, very, dark time in my HVC life. Deep down laughter can change the way the world looks sometime. Had to break out the toilet paper----to wipe the tears that is. jerry

[GoofyDad]

I might have done so. She'd be thrilled no doubt at the P-o-P legacy. Perfect coils, as I recall.

"he asked to shake hands with the perfect @sshole! "
Given his line of work, I had him wash his hands. I also avoid breaking bread with plumbers. I wonder whether they bite their fingernails? Bill you were in the trades, you should know the answer to this one.

[Bill1954]

Poop thread…

Around here, that’s like yelling ‘food fight’ in the fourth grade cafeteria; it’s bound to get some action :o).

Where has the Princess of Pooh been, anyway? Goof; did you scare her off?

[nygirl7]

if you hit the forum search I wonder how many poop threads actually come up.......seems like have one every few months. At least though we don't have to hear about fluffy clouds anymore - that's just TMI to me

;)

[DebiS99]

I had problems like this all during tx. Nightly soaks in Epsom salt bath will help, followed by a hydrating healing ointment. Hope it helps you, sure did me.

[Trish77]

Dubious honour to be sure........

[GoofyDad]

When I told my doc I had never had hemorrhoids, he asked to shake hands with the perfect @sshole!


yuk-yuk-yuk

[IMstacie]

it would be nice if we had spellcheck!  "grapes of wrath"  good one Trin.

Sounds like some sort of inflammation going on, if it doesn't resolve in a couple days I would definitely mention to the doctor.  It could be something serious.

[Cory255]

My numlock button kept sticking at one point.

[portann]

ops, i meant pruritus - sory, my d-amned keyboard is acting up and won't do double leters. :(

[portann]

Although hemorrhoids are often associated with purititis (aka, anal itching), we can have purititis without hemorrhoids, especially when doing treatment. It's listed as a side effect of SOC and my hunch is it's the riba.

I'd try some zinc oxide but I think someone mentioned using mentioned using a steroid cream when the itching became unbearable.

Have you been experiencing constipation or diarrhea? Metamucil is okay for constipation as long as you don't take it within two or three hours of your riba.

[spectda]

"PS, no need for embarrassment here. we have heard it all :-)"

Please no pictures though!

Yeah the sides just keep changing for me!

Be well - Dave

[copyman]

i think you mean bowel movements. the meds can make you have hemmaroids so look to treat them.

PS, no need for embarrassment here. we have heard it all :-)

[Trish77]

I wondered about a UTI too.....however I've never had hemmorhoids so I defer to those who have on what that feels like.  

Either way, I'd mention it to your doc and perhaps get a urine test to make sure there's no infection there.  Sounds definitely unpleasant and UTI's get increasingly worse.

[Trinity4]

Oopps, should read bowel movement.  

[Trinity4]

If this happens when you have a bowl movement it could be a flair up of internal hemorrhoids (I fondly refer to mine as the grapes of wrath) and a bowl movement definitely causes itching and burning.  Good old Preparation H works wonders.

Trinity

[Bill1954]

Ooooh, thank you, but not so smart as I’ve banged my head against the disease now for several years, and hopefully picked up a few pointers along the way. The poor schmuck at ER must have been hating it… I guess he didn’t have someone to run home and grab the meds for him huh?

I participate in a local HCV support group here in town, so between people’s stories in there, as well as here have enlightened me over the years as to how hospitals and clinics function; to a point :o).

Thanks for the kind words, and good luck as you push forward, Judy—

Bill

[pcds]

You are so darn smart.  You are right about taking the meds with you if you every go to the hospital.  I did have a patient I spoke with in the hospital who was in tx for hep C.  He said he told the docs he was on tx, but his med sheet did not list the drugs for tx.  I don't know how many days this poor guy missed.

[Bill1954]

Hi Deb,

I haven’t heard this described before in here; but as mentioned above, could you be dealing with a type of UTI? Interferon is known to muddle with our immune system; if you’re white cells are dropping, you wouldn’t necessarily notice it from a subjective perspective; it doesn’t make you week or ill directly.

Obviously if it continues or becomes more than an annoyance, be sure to report to your doctor. One of the nice things about a GI doc is they are pretty savvy about all things guts, so you’re already seeing a specialist in the field.

I hope this resolves spontaneously and it’s no big deal. Don’t forget if it gets out of hand, you can always use the ER; if you do go there; be sure to pack your meds, as they don’t usually have IFN/riba in stock.

Good luck,

Bill

[pcds]

Is it when you urinate?  If so you may not be drinking enough water. Your urine should look clear, that's when you know you are drinking enough.  You could have a UTI.  Follow up with your doctor quickly if fluids don't help.
Judy

[djbn13]

I haven't done tx yet so don't know but I have had the same thing with a urinary tract infection hurt like heck every time I had to go to the ladies room to the point I had to hold on to something to keep from crying.

Doc gave me anti-biotics and in a day it was gone.