News I was not ready for

[NewAdventure1]

I found out I was positive in June. Immediately visited an ID specialist and shortly thereafter began treatment. Everything has been looking up.

Today my ID physician done a rectal exam and noticed upon digital exam that he felt a lesion inside my anus. Said it was rather big and asked if I had been having issues with bowela. I have in the past six months  had some bleeding which I attributed to my history of hemorrhoids. In the past few weeks also had issues with bowel movements being difficult.

Needless to say he has set me up with a surgeon for biopsy. Said anal cancer risk is very high in HIV patients. Anyome else have any experience with this?

[2tcells]

I had the same thing bleeding and all they biopsy it said it was a polyp (sp?) Not cancer it went away. They said not to eat small seeds and that was it. Hope yours is nothing as well

[tednlou2]

Can a doc tell whether a lump is a large internal hemmoroid, condoloma, or something more suspicious, just by digital exam?  I am not sure.  Perhaps they do feel differently.  I would try to tell myself it is just a large hemmoroid, until told otherwise.  I would be the one freaking out and not practicing what I preach. 

Before jumping to biopsies needed, the colorectal doc may take a look inside and tell that it is just a large internal hemmoroid.  I hope that's all they find and you'll have nothing to worry about.  Good you got it checked out.  Let us know how it goes. 

[geobee]

It's common for low-grade lesions from HPV.  That's probably what he's checking for.  They can be serious, but it's most likely nothing.  I just got checked again today, and do it every 6 months.

[Matty the Damned]

The Lord works in mysterious ways. Not least of all how he punishes those who choose to take it up the wrong 'un.

It's common for low-grade lesions from HPV.  That's probably what he's checking for.  They can be serious, but it's most likely nothing.  I just got checked again today, and do it every 6 months.

I don't know who this "Geobee" person is but ask yourself if he has to have his caboose examined every six months do you really think "it's most likely nothing"?

Presumably the same goes for you.

Turn or burn!

MtD

[mrtoad]

geobee is most likely right.i had to have it done.they removed some non cancerous growth,just so that is may not turn into cancer.it may not have,but might as well.however it is a embarrassing procedure

[Handydan]

I had a stage 3 carcinoma in the anus about three years ago and had chemo and radio therapy for it. This was something I should have checked more often because they had taken precancerous material out some years before. I didn't follow the recommendation of a colonoscopy every three years. I waited something like 7 years.

Anyway, this cancer is very survivable at about 85% if caught in time. Try not to worry too much. Not knowing is the hardest part even if it does turn out to be cancer.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask or send me a private message.

When I was diagnosed with HIV many years ago, I got some great advice from many other poz people in my support group. And that is, "there is no guarantee that this will be what kills you, but it will make you stronger".

Hang in there and I hope it comes back as nothing to worry about.

Danny