Hi I am linda

[19521965]

I am on my second round of chemo. First round caused constipation and second round caused diarrhoea. Would love to hear from anyone going through this too, how are you coping with it?

[Lyndy]

Hi Linda

It's a pain isn't it? So unpredictable! My experience was that quite a small change in what I had eaten changed the 'response ' from my body. I think you can only deal with what's happening at the time after all we can't expect to feel normal when the body has taken such punishment from the chemo. Take it easy and give your body time to do what it needs to do xx Lyndall 

[19521965 in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you, I have not quite got my head round everything yet. Still in shock at results but trying to stay positive. Have been reading up on everyones experiences and am amazed how brave everyone is. I hope that I can cope as well as you ladies have. linda x

[Choski]

Hi Linda, I'm due my second Chemo session next Wed, I did have constipation after the first session. I was warned that might happen so made sure I drank loads of water and fluids on the days before plus during my 6 hours in the chair. I drink a Nutribullet drink every morning so lots of veg and fruit, introduced Bran Flakes for breakfast, took a sennakot each day and made sure I took a warm wrap to put around me and a book  to read whilst I was in the bathroom!  Slightly raised my feet and rocked gently back and forward as that also helps. I found it took a couple of trips for about 30 to 40 mins each time, if nothing happened after that then I gave up and tried again later. Haven't had bad diarrhoea yet just loose motions, so kept the fluids up and ate a more binding food. It's such a fine balance between the two. Speak with your centre as there may be  something else they can advise or provide. Hope you feel ok and have a more normal BM!! 

Take care, Clare 

[TrishLey]

Just sending you hugs. The bowls seem to be the problem area for most of us. All advice already given in the other posts is really good so I hace nothing to add except if it is really bad then contact your GP or Onc team as it will be depleting all your nutrients.

Best wishes

Trish 

[19521965 in reply to TrishLey]

thank you good advise x

[Hidden]

Just wishing you well, as one lady said its a matter of balance, cut the fibre if you are loose bring it back if constipated.   I was always constipated except when on Avastin, something could trigger a bout of you know what.   So I ended up bring Immodium in my bag wherever I went.  The problem with that is then you can go the other way.  When constipated I find tinned prunes in Juice work as well as Movicol.  One of my neighbours told me to stop stressing and believe in the power of gravity, what goes in must come out sometime.  So you just have to balance.  It is easy to get upset when there isnt a particular pattern but maybe this time you came in contact with a tummy bug.   Just have plenty of fluids with loose motions to prevent you getting overtired.

[Hidden]

Hi Linda I had something different each time, tell your oncologist and there is always something they can help you with and the ladies on this site have lots of good tips to. Wishing you the very best, let us know how you are doing xx

[Eleni]

hi Linda. I have different symptoms each cycle but the constipation is a common one. I have yoghurt and a couple of prunes for breakfast and that seems to help. I also have sodium docusate (Dioctyl) prescribed too which helps keep the stools soft. It is ok to take that all the time but I tend to stop for about a week before 3 days before the next cycle when I start again. I did have diarrhoea for 2.5 days this cycle but keep eating and drinking and I drink loads of water all the time! It passed without the need to take any immodium or whatever..........I also walk every day for at least 30 minutes and that is definitely beneficial - even when I am dragging myself out of the door with fatigue!

Everyone has posted sensible and helpful advice. Know that we're all here for you. Eleni x