Constipation from Chemo

[Emmalouise071]

Hi Ladies,

My mum has recently had her first round of chemo and is experiencing constipation as a side effect of this. Has anyone experienced this? And what did you do to relieve the pain?

[Cropcrop]

It's one of the potential side effects of chemo. I would suggest speaking to her medical team/GP for a laxative to help, in the interim you could speak for to a pharmacist who can advise. Hope she feels better soon ❤ xx Jane

[HogwartsDK]

Hey Emma Louise!

It's the worst part of Chemo IMHO! I had to work very hard to manage it when I was having Chemo! The physio in the hospital told me to eat Pears and Kiwis I drank loads of water, which is very important for all sorts of reasons, and also prune juice! They gave me Lactalose in the hospital and that helped too! There are lots of ladies on here that will give you loads of advice as I don't think anyone who has had chemo has not had some sort of issue with their digestive system. Your poor mum I hope she finds something that will help her soon!

Dx

[GBIRVMIC]

Omg.. it's just awful. Ok what I learnt is get some sachets of Laxido and start taking one a day 3 days before chemo, on the day of chemo take 2 one in the morning one in the afternoon then keep taking one a day for next 3 to 4 days.. drink loads of water leading upto/during and after chemo. I hope this helps your mum and I do sympathise. All the best Love Michelle x 💐

[Mommoo65]

O gosh, the dreaded constipation. If it wasn't that, it was diarrhea. Stool softeners were recommended before and after chemo treatment to keep things moving. They never worked well for me and more than once, I had to dynamite. One or two tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia always did the trick. BUT, this approach is not for everyone and certainly not the first choice of Dr's!

Definitely prunes, kiwi and other types of those fruits are best, with lots of water intake. Stay away from bran and fiber til things get back to normal. And do hold off on beans. All talk no action there!

All the best. Keep doc informed. Bowel obstruction is no fun.

[michelle2]

I have to agree. Prunes prunes and more prunes and helped me. With a bit of gentle exercise like walking. Wish you well

[Choski]

Good tips re food , gentle walking and drinking already . Plus tips for sitting on the Loo: feet slightly higher either on a small stool or book, gently rock back and forward (don't shake the pan!), take a shawl in to keep warm and a book and try for about 20 minutes then if nothing try later, definitely take laxatives and tell your team.

It's a common and horrid side effect

Take care

Clare

[Biscuitqueen in reply to Choski]

Totally agree! Especially with the seating position; apparently humans are meant to be more in a squatting position so putting something under your feet helps! We have an old shoebox that lives in the bathroom now that my Mum uses.

Also saying the sound 'idge' as in 'fridge' can stimulate the rectal muscles to gently contract and release as you say it multiple times. Hope something works for your Mum

[Chamber]

Absolutely horrid! Constipation makes you feel even worse ! Only thing to work for me was Laxido ,and prunes every morning until things worked again xx

[SarahsJourney]

Emma, I've had horrendous constipation, although to be fair it got far far worse after surgery.

With chemo alone I managed it just about with dulcolease (2 tabs) 2-3x a day & this worked just about okay, with a good diet & plenty of fluid (water & rooibos tea in my case). I also had suppositories prescribed incase it became really impacted 😳 Worth having on standby

After surgery things ramped up thanks to the bowel being handled, & side effects of stronger pain killers. For this the lovely ladies on here recommended Docusate Sodium & also Senna tablets. These were a godsend as it had become really debilitating.

Wishing your Mum the best of luck in getting on top of it xxx

[Hidden]

I used movicol, as many packets as it took to get things moving then 1 a day after to make sure it stayed that way. Xxx

[Flamingobeef18]

Tried lots of things but it was fibrogel that worked for me. I do sympathise it is horrendous .

Juliax

[Bonnie11]

Hi it helped me greatly to keep a diary so you learn your bowel reaction to chemo and what works best. I had it down pat by cycle 3.however I have found that bowe sluggishness persists beyond chemo due to surgery and age.I have found 2 tabs of flax seed oil daily keep me regular now and it's very gentle and no cramps. Good luck

[Claire65]

Hi

After surgery I was prescribed Laxido and it has become my new best friend. I have just had my fourth cycle of carbo/taxol and continued taking one sachet in the morning. Together with fruit and veg every day it seems to do the trick. I wish your Mum well. Xx

[Hidden]

I think a lot of people suffer from constipation during chemo so best speak with your Mums team to see what they recommend. In the meantime, small meals more often rather than big ones. Eating a kiwi half an hour before food may be helpful, prunes in fruit juice and indeed prune juice itself. When your Mum doesnt feel like eating Chicken Bovril is nice and light and perhaps crackers. I lived on Carrs water biscuits

[Carolelynn]

I was told to take Senecot S. I took 2 in the evening and it really helped a lot. My chemo nurses said i could take up to 4. day.

[Lyndy]

Hi Emma Louise

Another tip for your Mum is to begin with stool softener the night before chemo or at least the same day...don't wait for everything to grind to a halt! xx

[Hidden]

Movicol worked for me - start night before chemo and then took one in the morning and one at night plus lots of water and oranges. Hope things ease for your mum.

[Hidden]

Hi Emma Louise. I had rotten problems w. constipation. I began naively with fruit & senna. My innards responded with raucous laughter while I was getting in a worse pickle. Industrial strength chemo requires industrial strength laxative. Tell your Mum she needs to work out when to start, how much to take each day, how often, and for how long. It will likely be similar after each chemo. I needed doses of laxative for a week but can't think now how many doses per day. Good luck. Pauline