1. < Gynecologic Cancers

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 | @charlotte12 | Jun 19 8:22am
In reply to @annalena "When the constipation was really bad, the chemo nurses suggested Phillips Milk of Magnesia. It worked..." + (show)
@annalena

When the constipation was really bad, the chemo nurses suggested Phillips Milk of Magnesia. It worked amazingly well. Start with a half dose or less - it works really fast. See how that works before increasing the dose.

When the constipation was milder, I used Traditional Medicinals, Smooth Move tea. It has Senna. I would drink a cup before bed and that would usually do the trick.

Jump to this post

I'm still using miralax, works well for me, I use it once a day now, the first days after chemo, 2x

REPLY
annalena | @annalena | Jun 19 7:34am

When the constipation was really bad, the chemo nurses suggested Phillips Milk of Magnesia. It worked amazingly well. Start with a half dose or less - it works really fast. See how that works before increasing the dose.

When the constipation was milder, I used Traditional Medicinals, Smooth Move tea. It has Senna. I would drink a cup before bed and that would usually do the trick.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Jun 13 8:34pm
In reply to @charlotte12 "update: I took Miralax in the morning before starting the 2nd round of chemo, and then..." + (show)
@charlotte12

update: I took Miralax in the morning before starting the 2nd round of chemo, and then in the evening,
it worked for having a bowl movement the next day, I keep taking miralax, morning and evenings for the next five days, recommended by my care time- so far no constipation.

Jump to this post

@charlotte12 This is good news that you found something that works for you. Miralax isn't the most pleasant over-the-counter preparation to take but it's fairly mild and I'm glad it's doing what it's supposed to do....and that your care team recommended it.

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charlotte12 | @charlotte12 | Jun 13 12:09pm

update: I took Miralax in the morning before starting the 2nd round of chemo, and then in the evening,
it worked for having a bowl movement the next day, I keep taking miralax, morning and evenings for the next five days, recommended by my care time- so far no constipation.

REPLY
1 reply
charlotte12 | @charlotte12 | Jun 6 6:32am
In reply to @terradean "when I was on 2 rounds 3 weeks apart, Carbo/Taxol my granddaughter turned me on to..." + (show)
@terradean

when I was on 2 rounds 3 weeks apart, Carbo/Taxol my granddaughter turned me on to using Kombucha, I drink Dr. Brew living in Oregon. I drank it through chemo and to date feel the best when I use it. Stated regular daily. My granddaughter said one of her professors in college stated people could live to be 100 if they drank it regularly.

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thanks-I have not tried it yet.

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terradean | @terradean | Jun 5 9:10pm

when I was on 2 rounds 3 weeks apart, Carbo/Taxol my granddaughter turned me on to using Kombucha, I drink Dr. Brew living in Oregon. I drank it through chemo and to date feel the best when I use it. Stated regular daily. My granddaughter said one of her professors in college stated people could live to be 100 if they drank it regularly.

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1 reply
charlotte12 | @charlotte12 | Jun 5 9:53am
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@charlotte12 This is very good news. Thanks for letting us know." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@charlotte12 This is very good news. Thanks for letting us know.

Jump to this post

I take the miralax at around 12:00 p.m., same time, regular bowl movement next morning,

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Jun 5 8:12am
In reply to @charlotte12 "thanks - the daily miralax is working for me now, daily bowl movement -" + (show)
@charlotte12

thanks - the daily miralax is working for me now, daily bowl movement -

Jump to this post

@charlotte12 This is very good news. Thanks for letting us know.

REPLY
1 reply
charlotte12 | @charlotte12 | Jun 5 6:48am

thanks - the daily miralax is working for me now, daily bowl movement -

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1 reply
jc100 | @jc100 | Jun 3 7:51pm
In reply to @terradean "When I had 2 rounds chemo 3- 3 weeks apart, I drank kombucha everyday, still do..." + (show)
@terradean

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.

Jump to this post

My gastroenterologist recommended taking MiraLax in the morning and Colace in the evening. This combination works for me. I start taking them as soon as I get home from my infusion. Before using this combination, I was semi-constipated for 10 days. Now I have no problems.

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