Pre-surgery help: How to prevent constipation & sitz bath tips?

@jakofin Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I hope you will find our Gynecological Cancers Group to be supportive. There are many members here who have experienced vulvar cancer @andwho @tilli @jchantler @melindab2 and they frequently post to support one another.

Vulvar Cancer: Anyone Else?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vulvar-cancer-1/?pg=19#chv4-comment-stream-header
I have not had vulvar cancer. I had a radical hysterectomy when I was diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma (endometrial cancer) in 2019 and radiation therapy in 2021 after a recurrence was diagnosed. I have had constipation off and on for many years.

It sounds like you are doing all you can with your diet and nutrition. Do you go for walks? I’ve learned that movement, especially walking, helps to get your bowels moving. I have used various over-the-counter remedies that work slowly but eventually do work. These include Citrucel and MiraLAX. I suggest you check with your doctor or your surgeon before trying these.

Did your surgeon recommend a laxative before surgery? Or are you being cautious in case the constipation increases after your surgery? If yes to the second question then well done to get yourself prepared.

well take colace a few days before and senokot tends to work pretty well. oddly i find the thing that works the best are fig newtons!! (better than figs for some reason)

Hi just to clarify I have clear cell carcinoma of the uterus, not vulvar cancer. Love connecting with others, whether they have the exact same cancer or not. Love this site!

Yes, I have clear cell stage 111C1 of the uterus. It was found April 10th after post menopausal vaginal bleeding. May 6th I had a radical hysterectomy and removal of 7 lymph nodes, partial peritoneum. It was found microscopic cells in 2 pelvic lymph nodes. I just completed my second os 6 rounds of Carbo/Paxol and Jemperli -immune therapy. The only reaction so far is neuropathy pain in my legs and feet for 3-4 days. Taking inflammatory medication. I will also be receiving radiation.
How are you feeling and where are you with the surgery and chemo regimen? How are you feeling emotionally and physically? Support from family and friends are so important.
Good luck on your journey and recovery. You got this!!!

Thank you for sharing your experience. I've had 3 chemo treatments Pacitaxel and carbo platin and Keytruda with "mixed results." One tumor shrunk but I am getting new ones. Can't have surgery (yet?) due to metastists.
Now have a blood clot in my pulmonary artery, and taking blood thinners. I'm stage 4 B.
I've been doing ok until just lately. Worried chemo won't work, worried about blood clot. Need to work on my mental health - massage, acupunture, meditate, GARDEN!

Thank you, @jchantler, for the clarification. My mistake here. Like you I like connecting with others in our Gynecological Cancers group whether or not they have or have had the same cancer as me. Thank you for writing that!

@tigger16 Hello, and welcome to our Gynecological Cancers group. I see you’ve joined us recently. Your treatment is going well and I’m glad to know you have minimal side effects at this point. Will you be receiving radiation therapy after the chemotherapy or during?

It’s so kind of you to inquire of others and how they are feeling. Yes, support from family, friends, and support groups like this one are very important. It’s too difficult to go through any of this on your own.

When is your next chemotherapy infusion?

Thank you for the suggestions for dealing with constipation. Dr's office said a stool softener. I was just trying to be ahead of it! And I'm not sure if that will be enough. I haven't done much walking lately so I appreciate the suggestion.

It is good to connect with others who have gone thru hard things like this. I had never heard of vulvar cancer before my diagnosis. It is hard to talk about!

The physicians are working hard to bring us clinical trials that includes immunotherapy. I have hope for all of us.
Hang in there! We have each other.

Thank you so much.
Supporting each other is so important.
My next Chemo and immunotherapy is July 28th. I have a few weeks to feel physically normal.