Pain after chemo (carboplatin/Taxol)

Hi - I have the same type of cancer only diagnosed at stage 4. I did have a radical surgery and had a 9 hour operation to remove or repair a lot of what you have mentioned above and a few other sites. I had 9 weeks of carbo/taxol combo - surgery - 9 weeks of carbo/taxol. After all of that I had no evidence of disease. There is a lot of research to show that surgery is a vital part of removing the cancer in high grade and links to survival rates. I had a very poor prognosis over 3 years (weeks) but after the treatment plan above it stabilised me and gave me a chance to get back on my feet and a chance to manage the illness rather than the alternative. I have also had discussions with a world leading pathologist and two surgeons who all felt that a successful surgery was key. It is maybe worthwhile asking for a referral so that you can speak to a surgeon and let them explain in more detail why they feel it is necessary. It is no doubt a major surgery and like any surgery does have risks.

I had a lot of trouble with my bowels, my cancer had spread to my bowel so have been on docusate for the past 3 years. I take 4 daily and increase if I have not been to the loo on the second day. They are very effective and can be used long term. The pain could be coming from this as how it was explained to me that any pressure at all particularly constipation puts a lot of pressure on your internal organs. However I do think you should speak to the chemo hotline or your Oncologist to be sure as everyone is different and I would not like to be giving out incorrect advice.

I hope your wife feels better soon, the first is usually the worst as it is all new. Hopefully she finds a routine and will get to work out her good and bad days and be able to plan around them. There are lots of women on here that have been through this and can also offer advice.

Hi, though sorry to meet under this circumstance.

First off, I would nearly bet this is constipation pain, as my mom experienced the same thing! My mom has found that MiroLax has worked best for her, having one dose in the morning and one in the evening. My mom is currently off chemo (though starting back up on July 6th) and still takes a daily dose to help keep things regular ;).

The bloating could also be from ascites; a fluid buildup in the cavity, that typically goes away with chemo.

While the surgery is huge - it is also a very good indicator towards reaching NED (no evidence of disease). While, I think choosing chemo now is a good choice - I would recommend interval debulking too. Neo-adjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery) helps shrinks the tumors and allow for a better outcome in debulking (in stages 3 and 4). Typically, after the surgery, an individual completes a few more rounds of chemo to wipe out the remaining cancer. My mom's disease progression was to severe to first offer surgery, so she completed 4 rounds of neo-adjuvant dose-dense (weekly) chemo (taxol and carbo), had an optimial debulking (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, spleen, omentum, and appendix removed), and will complete 3 more rounds of chemo. Moms surgery only lasted 2 1/2 hours.

I would try to contact another gynecologist oncologist, and hopefully he/she can better explain the surgery vs other treatment options!

Wishing you and your wife the best,

Kris x

Hi.

I too am high grade serous stage 3. I had the debulking surgery last October. All visible cancer was removed. I've been in complete remission since end of January.

I had pains in my abdomen after the first and subsequent chemos. Was told this could be the cancer cells dying. The pains were small and sharp. More like prickling.

I didn't have any bowel issues so cannot comment on that. 🙁

I would like to wish your wife all the best. This site is wonderful with ladies (and men) discussing, advising and reassuring.

Xx

Many of the anti-sickness meds given with chemo are constipating. In my experience (not universal), I weigh up which is the more tolerable: nausea or constipation. They tend to be prescribed on a one size fits all basis but we're all different.

As others have written, my understanding also is that full surgical clearance is a key step in optimising survival. This isn't a disease which gives us much leeway.

Wishing you both all the best and I hope you find this site a source of experience, wisdom and friendship.

Hi, welcome to our site. I have high grade serous stage 3b. I was diagnosed 4 years ago. I had surgery first, abdominal hysterectomy that included removal of uterus, tubes, ovaries and omentum and scraping of the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) and scraping of the bowel. I then had 6 cycles of carbo/taxol and together this left me with no evidence of disease.

I too had low abdominal pain, as well as back pain, bloating, breathlessness and ii felt full very quickly when eating. The bloating was due to the fluid (ascites) that had gathered and this contributed to the breathlessness I was experiencing etc.

Constipation is a major issue. Your wife really needs to get on top of this as it can lead to a bowel blockage, which she really does not want to have. I'm speaking from experience! She needs to make sure she drinks lots of fluids with chemo, takes her laxitives and gets moving!

I think you will find that most ladies have had surgery, those that haven't are usually very upset that they were unable to have it. As Julie said, successful surgery by a gynaecological surgeon who specialises in cancer surgery is key to a successful outcome in this disease. Perhaps surgery at the half way stage might be an option for your wife as Julie herself had and many others too.

I wish her all the best. Please let us know how she is getting on. Ann x

Hey!

You have already had a lot of wisdom from the other ladies on this forum as constipation is a really difficult side effect of the chemo regime. I was diagnosed with stage one high grade and had the surgery (2 surgeries in all). I also had the Chemo which is recommended for high grade regardless of stage. I got through the chemo ok but I did find the impact it had on my digestive system very difficult! I did take lactulose but I also tried to use my diet to support my digestive system and took advice from the physiotherapist in the hospital after the surgery. She recommended Kiwi fruit and pears as well as prune juice. These do help though I was not able to develop a taste for prune juice!!!! In my opinion one of the most important tips with regards to both chemo in general and constipation in particular is how critical it is to keep yourself hydrated, your wife should make sure she drinks plenty of water before during and after each chemo session. I really cannot stress enough how important this is in conjunction with the medication. I did read somewhere that often the pain meds given during chemo have a significant role to play in constipation so its the combination of all of these meds that creates the difficulty I think!

Its not an easy road but your wife will get there and obviously you are providing her with much needed support.

I hope your wife gets through her chemo ok and wish you both the very best for the future!

D