Anyone had severe constipation after first round of chemo?

Posted by maryzoe @maryzoe, Dec 28, 2025

Has anyone had severe constipation after their first round of chemo for serious carcinoma? I had to go to the emergency room at the local hospital twice now for back, side and abdominal pains. The first occurred after I had a urethra stent removed which was put in during my radical hysterectomy. Second occurred a week after my first chemo treatment. I spent last night in the E. R, came home feeling good, had cereal and tea this morning and feel wretched again. I'm afraid to take any of the anti nausea medicine because I know it causes constipation.

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Hi I am being treated with enhertu and after some infusions I am constipated, a situation that I am unfamiliar with since my normal is to move my bowels multiple times a day. That being said when I don't go for 2 days, I drink a small can of prune juice in the evening and everything is resolved in the morning. I'm only bringing this up because no one has mentioned the use of prune juice! Good luck ladies !!

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Hi, Mary. I don’t know what kind of chemo you are taking, but I was given abraxane (same active ingredient as taxol for those allergic to taxol binder) and carboplatin for HG serous carcinoma and treated at Mayo Jacksonville. I see you have sc and are being treated at Mayo in Arizona. I found too much water nauseating and the MiraLAX and supplements to be too much. The following worked for me. 1). Take 2-4 prunes a day and add or substitute a half glass prune juice if you feel constipated; 2) eat lots of fruit, particularly watermelon, cantaloupe, pears (canned is fine) and apples; 3) eat oatmeal everyday day; and 4) drink a cup of morning coffee. I don’t know how often you are receiving taxol (assuming you are), but if it’s every three weeks you might consider switching to the weekly to make it easier on yourself. This is challenging but you can do it!

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@val64
Thanks for the info. I tried miralax and it did nothing. I guess I just need to be more patient.

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@maryzoe
During chemotherapy I took Miralax the morning of the infusion and in the evening, dosis per package, continued taking it the following 3 days, 2x a day. This worked for me. I had a regular bowl movement once a day.

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