https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/729#M363 Hi Bev. Thank you for your post and its good to know the reason for your condition. Hopefully soemone will come forward with some help to your question. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:05:37 GMT adamm 2009-03-11T01:05:37Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/726#M360 Hello, I have been thinking, am I the only one or is there someone else out there that has had side effects like mine? Not very pleasant. I had a modified radical hysterectomy, and had my lymph nodes removed, as I had uterine cancer. OK, so my gyno advised me that there could be problems with my bowel and bladder for a while as these organs "sulk" if they are moved in any way. I kind of accepted that, but then I had 28 days of radiation treatment to the pelvic area and again advised the same. Once again, I accepted that. In December 2007 I had to have a colonscopy and gastroscopy, and will have the colonscopy every year and every second year a gastroscopy. OK, so once again accepted that. Since I had my colonscopy, whether it is co-incidence or not I am having problems with my bowels and want to know if this is the "norm". I find some days, without warning my bowels open, not even a sensation that it is happening. Is this normal? would anyone have a suggestion on who is best to speak to? My oncologist said he wasn't sure and my local GP suggested asking my specialist for the colonoscopies, I have asked him also, but still no solution. It gets very annoying. Mind you, it isn't every day, just a few times each month. Is there anyone out there that can offer a solution? Thanks for allowing me to "waffle" on.     Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/726#M360 bev 2009-03-11T01:02:37Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/727#M361 Hi Bev,  Hopefully this won't be a long term effect, but rather something you're able to find a solution for, instead of another 'something' you'll just have to accept! I'm no expert, but having experience as a midwife, I know a little about the rectal area and problems that can happen as a result of injury there. It sounds like a sphincter (sp?) nerve or muscle may have been damaged, rather than something further up in the colon.  Some women have found that the same Kegel excercises done for tightening the vagina will strengthen the sphincter muscles as well.  If it's not nerve damage, maybe this would help you too. Take care and stay strong. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:03:37 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/727#M361 Raven 2009-03-11T01:03:37Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/728#M362 Well, I had my appointment today with my oncologist. He was away but I saw his registrar. She suggested that maybe a nerve could have been touched during my colonscopy and it has weakened the lining of the bowel. Doesn't anyone else have this problem? It was suggested though that this doesn't happen very often.    Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:04:37 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/728#M362 bev 2009-03-11T01:04:37Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/729#M363 Hi Bev. Thank you for your post and its good to know the reason for your condition. Hopefully soemone will come forward with some help to your question. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:05:37 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Side-effects-of-surgery-radiation/m-p/729#M363 adamm 2009-03-11T01:05:37Z