Can we read ...Old messages from the previous advanced prostate cancer group

[Charlean]

Is there any way to read old posts from the older advanced prostate group? There were some old posts from John Arnold about constipation, etc that I wanted to reread and can't seem to be able to see them. Unfortunate as there is a great deal of info in all of those older messages.

[Darryl Partner]

Yes. Just go to the old group and search the past conversations.

[Charlean in reply to Darryl]

I tried and they light colored, like I couldn't click on any of them..I will try again. Thanks.

[Charlean]

Says I have to be a moderator to do anything. Frustrating.

[Cancersucks]

I cannot access posts on the old site as well. I was looking for Zytiga posts. The site will not let you search even if you were a member.

[CERICWIN]

Hi Charlean,

I'm still here, and I've had really bad trouble with constipation, to the point of fecal impactions, which have to be removed manually---a very unpleasant experience.

My medical oncologist prescribed Amitiza, which is rather expensive, at about $400 per month (which works out to more than $10 per poop.....lol) The Amitiza is prescribed for OIC---opioid-induced constipation---and is somewhat effective.

But it's not quite enough at times, so I have to take Generlac at times to keep things flowing south. I'm on extended-release morphine and also Dilaudid for breakthrough pain, which causes most of my constipation.

Before I started on the heavy painkillers, I used ground flaxseed, Metamucil and Senna to help with defecation.

CERICWIN (Eric)

[Charlean in reply to CERICWIN]

Thanks Eric. I am trying not to give him too many more pills if possible but it is opiate induced..due to theextended release Oxycontin. I will keep it in mind though if we don't get some results with the senna and the Milk of mag...etc. I remembered John had gotten that from some nurse and swore but it.

[JoelT]

I re-published (with his permission) John's receipt for treating constipation in my online book "A Survors Online Working Guide to Advanced and Recurrent Prostate Cancer". Here is what I wrote:

The late John Arnold (former member of the online advanced prostate cancer support group) shared a recipe he obtained from a hospice nurse who cared for him. He described the concoction fondly as the “Brown Bomber” and claimed that it worked like a charm:

• Every day take two “Senna Plus” tablets four times: two upon waking, two with lunch, two with supper, and two at bedtime.

• Whenever two or more days pass without a respectable bowel movement drink along with your normal morning coffee, a mixture of 4 tablespoons of milk of magnesia, 4 tablespoons of coffee, 4 tablespoons of prune juice.

John claimed that when you stirred it all up it didn’t taste bad at all. He reported that by the second evening he always had a good bowel movement, adding that he would take a second dose on the second day as well if he hadn’t had a movement on the first day. He also said that the nurse told him that whenever he had a bowel movement not to repeat the milk of magnesia, coffee, and juice mixture again for two days without a good movement. He indicated that his treatment worked well and would often carry him for five days before needing to repeat the treatment. During these five interim days he kept on taking the "Senna Plus” as well as occasionally drinking some prune juice."

John was always a huge presence for many of us.

Joel

[Charlean]

Thanks Joel. Yes, John wrote some very interesting posts, especially about his end of life, sharing with everyone. I still wish we could read those messages though.