How can I fix constipation after 1st chemo?

Posted by charlotte12 @charlotte12, May 29 9:48pm

I had a totally hysterectomy for stage 3 ovarian cancer. No issues
with bowl movements or urination after surgery. Over the week-end I ended up in
the ER because of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps, no bowl movement for 3 or 4 days. I normally would have 1 o 2 bowl movements a day. I had eaten high fiber food, lots of apple juice
flavored water. Not much walking because of symptoms. Took Miralax, nothing worked. At the ER a CT was taken if there was any bowl obstruction, restriction- did not show any. At home
i took Dulcolax, 2 tablets, OTC, which helped after about 6 hrs. Now again no bowlment. Took Miralax in the afternoon. What helped with your serious constipation?

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@charlotte12

Thank you so much for sharing- I will get gaterode and blueberries today. Can you share what treatment you received while at the hospital? I went to the ER
with the ambulance, on a Sunday afternoon, the waiting room was full, waited 3 hrs to get to the triage, waited another hour to see a resident doctor, without my husband as advocate I would
have been lost. I was aware there were other patients in same agony or more.
I did not come with blankets, another symptom of cancer, chills, shivering,
the ER only had thin bed sheets, I had 6 on me, did not do any good. A relative
came by and brought me warm blankets. That finally did the trick. I have3 blankets now in the car. I know now what I can be faced with. Thank you
for checking the forum and helping others.

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i did the original orange and lemon/lime gatorade... none of the "zero" stuff ... while in the hospital they kept trying to get me to eat (which of course didn't work as i was throwing it back up) other than fresh fruits... i had iv lines hooked to me for fluids because apparently i was "severely dehydrated" even though i was drinking tons and my urine was almost clear...they also were giving me meds through the iv for nausea, pain and i don't remember what else...so i don't think it was dehydration as much as there was nothing much in there to keep pushing food through since i couldn't eat... after that first chemo the ONLY foods i could tolerate and keep down were blueberries, watermelon, gatorade and believe it or not fried oysters...i must have eaten a gal of those things over the first week once i was released from the hospital...doc said apparently my body needed the vitamins/minerals that were found in them and when i met with the nutritionist ironically oysters were on just about every single group of foods i needed to eat lol...so my body knew.. the first chemo was by far the worst..(other than the metallic taste in my mouth and omg that has been horrible EVERY time").
i'm doing the carbo/taxol combo of chemo and my surgery is monday..

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@kathyholmes

Oh, so sorry for anyone struggling with this! I went through it with my chemo! In my opinion, one of the worst side effects! I cut out dairy and went to oat milk and creamers (when I could tolerate), added fiber into my diet everywhere I could and took as much Senokot as I could - it’s plant-based and my oncologist told me I could safely take it everyday of my life. Do talk to your care team - they should be able to offer suggestions! Hang in there. There is hope on the other side! Sending hugs this morning!

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I have Senekot as part of my gi supply, I took one pill while I was constipated. It did not seem to
work. I'm still testing various meds, drinks, food. Thanks for your comment.

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@charlotte12

I have Senekot as part of my gi supply, I took one pill while I was constipated. It did not seem to
work. I'm still testing various meds, drinks, food. Thanks for your comment.

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Of course! I had to take the absolute max dose in the days immediately following my chemo. I hope you find a solution soon!

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@charlotte12

I tried prune juice, pure, before I went to the ER, the taste was not so great, I drink it now
with some water. Maybe I can get adjusted to it, by adding my juice at a time. Thank you.

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I thought i sent you a message this morning but i must have forgotten to do the next step to send it. I also said: Prune Juice but it is a bit hard to do but if you add water it dilues the strength. So try moist dried prunes. it is yummy... You can cook them in tapioca or rice pudding.. but out of the bag, you will like it. Best of luck trying. Bijou

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@charlotte12

I tried prune juice, pure, before I went to the ER, the taste was not so great, I drink it now
with some water. Maybe I can get adjusted to it, by adding my juice at a time. Thank you.

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I get severe constipation during chemo. I start the evening before taking 2 dulcolax overnight and 2 dulcolax stool softener. I truly believe the stool softener does the trick. I forgot the stool softener already and noticed the constipation was still very bad.
The day of chemo I take 3-4 dulcolax and 2 stool softeners, oncologist says this is ok.
I take this dose the day of chemo and up to 4 days afterwards. Or until no more constipation.

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Something like Lax-a-Day in juice or herb tea or ?? the morning or when pharmacist suggests - has been prescribed for me. It isn't addictive. It isn't chemical. It simply softens stool. Veggies and water or juice helps, of course. But the weren't enough. And eating can be difficult if you're feeling sick.

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@kathyholmes

Of course! I had to take the absolute max dose in the days immediately following my chemo. I hope you find a solution soon!

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i take miralax daily now, it gives me daily bowl movements in liquid form-
but bowls are working

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sakın moralinizi bozmayın. aynı hastalıktan, aynı kemoterapiyi aldım ve yaşadığım kabızlığı size anlatamam. buna kabızlık denmez, taş yutmuşum sanki. bana nerdeyse hiçbir şey iyi geliyordu. duphalac şurup sadece iyi geldi. 4. kemoterapimde biraz düzelebildim. kemoterapinin yan etkisi bu. sabah uyanır uyanmaz kabız ilaçlarımı içiyorum. sonrası da radyoterapi aldım. onun yaptığı ishali de kelimelerle anlatamam. zor zamanlar ama geçiyor.

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@mommacandy

i did the original orange and lemon/lime gatorade... none of the "zero" stuff ... while in the hospital they kept trying to get me to eat (which of course didn't work as i was throwing it back up) other than fresh fruits... i had iv lines hooked to me for fluids because apparently i was "severely dehydrated" even though i was drinking tons and my urine was almost clear...they also were giving me meds through the iv for nausea, pain and i don't remember what else...so i don't think it was dehydration as much as there was nothing much in there to keep pushing food through since i couldn't eat... after that first chemo the ONLY foods i could tolerate and keep down were blueberries, watermelon, gatorade and believe it or not fried oysters...i must have eaten a gal of those things over the first week once i was released from the hospital...doc said apparently my body needed the vitamins/minerals that were found in them and when i met with the nutritionist ironically oysters were on just about every single group of foods i needed to eat lol...so my body knew.. the first chemo was by far the worst..(other than the metallic taste in my mouth and omg that has been horrible EVERY time").
i'm doing the carbo/taxol combo of chemo and my surgery is monday..

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wishing you a successful surgery today-

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When I had 2 rounds chemo 3- 3 weeks apart, I drank kombucha everyday, still do most of the time. Had no problem with constipation, stool softener wasn't really working and my grand-daughter turned me on to it. Radiation had opposite issue so ate cinnamon toast every morning.

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