Help with what to bring to a friend with stage 4,

Bowel issues should be a subject to itself! So many answers! First, she should be discussing with oncologist. Drugs like odansetron and olanzepine are prescribed for us with the “potential” for constipation. It’s much more than the potential!!!
I will not take them after one horrible experience.
Some of the many things I was advised:
1) drink a cup of warm prune juice
2) add Benefiber to diet
3) take gentle acting Senna pill
4) all else fails-suppository

Help your friend speak to their nurse about some of these options and more. I’m sure many more can chime in!

Thank you!

It would be important to know if the constipation is caused by a bowel obstruction that could be treated palliatively (radiation or surgical resection), or possibly by opioid pain medications she might be taking.

Opioids are notorious for causing constipation; a stool softener is often recommended to accompany them. Maybe take her some nice, extra-soft toilet paper? 😉

Thank you! That’s very helpful!

Has she tried taking probiotics? I took them and also drank quarter glass of kumbocha probiotic drink. I believe that has helped me a lot! I take magnesium zinc and calcium all in one vitamin before bed. I have bowel movements everyday and no pain. I have fruit most days and try to have a vegetable everyday ,but sometimes I don’t . Hope this helps worth trying.

Also I stopped pain meds as that was a main culprit of constipation and just took Tylenol ,I know that might not work depending on her pain level. There’s a tea also called smooth move I got from Amazon. Drank before bed and next day I went no problem. It has senna in it so maybe ask ur doc if it’s right for you and it’s natural. Good luck!

@valerina30 I will suggest these!

@valerina30 Walmart also carries a "smooth move" tea. Checking with doc is good idea.

For pain management try acupuncture; ask doctor about professional gummies with THC or cannabis or both.
A material stuffed massager helps sometimes when it is really bad. Hempvana ultra pain relief nerve pain helps some too & is available @ Walmart for under $20. Reading or word puzzles can take your mind off the pain too & you can find the puzzles at Dollar Tree 🙂 Reading books are free from the Fussy Librarian if you have a Kindle or Nook, otherwise Library or Goodwill.

I have found great comfort for abdominal pain and pressure with an old school water bottle.
It helps me more than an electric heating pad simply because of its weight and the pressure it provides.
I got mine at Walgreens after a long search by my MIL who is an old school nurse.
Thank you for wanting to help your friend. Mine have been everything to me since my stage IV diagnosis in February.