Well I didn’t expect this!!: Well I say I didn’t... - My Ovacome

My Ovacome

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Well I didn’t expect this!!

Alifit profile image
36 Replies

Well I say I didn’t expect it - I suppose I should have done!

🙀 TMI WARNING 🙀

I had to restart Ondansetron due to dizziness, and obviously Laxido to help it all through. I’ve a history of ‘slow motility’, so I’m not a stranger to constipation, but I’ve not ‘been’ properly for more than a week now.

I decided I should phone my CNS about this to see if she had any advice - guess where I am now? In hospital! It’s 20 past midnight and I’m waiting for a drip oh and a pillow case and actually a proper bed too! No one seems to know why I have seized up, but equally they don’t seem unduly worried - suffice it to say, I’m a bit fed up, very tired and suffering with vile indigestion as supper was a Costa egg sandwich! I’m not in any pain, but am really bloated and they are certain it’s not ascites. So here I sit waiting, feeling a bit fraudulent - there are some very ill people here - and waiting for tomorrow.

I’ll keep you posted!! 💩 🤞! Xx

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Alifit profile image
Alifit
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36 Replies
Lily-Anne profile image
Lily-Anne

It’s better to be checked out for a blockage. How much laxido are you taking and which day of chemo do you start?

LA xx

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to Lily-Anne

Morning L-A you awake too?

I took 3 Laxido (laxsecco 🥂 as my friends call it!) the day before chemo. I was, however, having problems before that. My consultant looked at my last scan and asked if I had ‘been’ before the scan - I was full of the stuff apparently, but there doesn’t seem to be a mechanical reason for the problem. She gave me sodium docusate so I’d been on them for a couple of weeks before chemo started too.

Will see what they say in the morning - they haven’t actually given me anything here - not even the threatened drip.

I’m going to try to sleep now although the hospital noises are not helping!

Hey ho!

Best love, Ali x

Lily-Anne profile image
Lily-Anne in reply to Alifit

Awake and trying not to murder my husband who thinks the whole bed belongs to him 😡

I took ear plugs into Hospital last time it really helped. They’ll probably give you some fluid and an enema but I bet it’s not before a doctor arrives to write it up. It amazes me how slow it can be

Hope you get some sleep

Xx

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to Lily-Anne

Thanks lovely but it ain’t going to happen for a bit, they’re admitting a new patient now. Most of her family are here too, supporting her which is lovely, but the whole process isn’t quiet.

I consigned my old man to the spare room last week - two days after my chemo he went for some beer and a curry! I really couldn’t tolerate the varying odours (!). He was very good about it though!

Hope you can catch up too.

Xx 😴

Maus123 profile image
Maus123 in reply to Alifit

Alifit : Hah. Sounds familiar, Alifit. I tend to move out into the spare bedroom/office 'exile' the first week after chemo.. and remind my husband in no uncertain terms to $%&§! close the kitchen door when he's cooking anything.

Hope it's not a vile blockage but things get moving again soon for you. If things seem very slow in the hospital, maybe your man can bring some enemas/movicol from the pharmacy and you can take them in agreement with the hospital staff?

Xx. Maus

Lily-Anne : Once he's been banned to sleep on the balcony, hope you get some proper snooze hours. ;) Xx. Maus

Alifit profile image
Alifit

Thanks Jenny,

Oh I can see the funny side of it - I’ve just met a nurse in the corridor who says the next step is suppositories, so I’m guessing they’re sure there is no blockage. I wonder if they just threaten you with suppositories to frighten your bowels into action!

There was a lot of chat about ‘salts’ which apparently can affect ‘output’ so that may need to be addressed too. I do feel fraudulent as there a lot of very ill people here, but I’m sure I did the right thing by flagging it up.

My consultant is coming to see me later so hopefully I’ll be sent on my way to finish the shirt I started making yesterday, be interviewed for our local magazine about cancer (they originally wanted an article about our dancing group - I suggested that OC was more important) and to pack for my holiday!!! 🌞

Best wishes, love Ali xx

Kryssy profile image
Kryssy

Oh my. I'll try to avoid any double entendres, but it is hard not to. I'm so sorry that you have found yourself in a terrible sounding hell hole with people who don't seem to have a clue what to do. Let's hope that today you can have a good clear out as there's nothing worse than being full of sh*t. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I don't go for a day then I take Oxypowder. All conventional meds disagree with me and I throw up and get more constipated. Oxypowder is safe and effective, but not cheap. Just take the recommended dose at bedtime and overnight it turns everything to liquid so make sure you stay home in the morning. Before all this chemo malarkey I used it every couple of weeks to clean out my colon. I don't have shares in the company.

Don't think I'd like an enema. Had one for my first birth. Hated it. I'm keeping everything crossed that you get your movement today and get out of the mad house. Lots of love xxxxxxx

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to Kryssy

Please don’t avoid the double entendres - I need a laugh!

I’ll look at Oxypowder - it sounds a bit like that stuff you put in with your washing to magic the dirt away!

I had an enema with my first one too - it was the standard then - it was not a nice experience whilst in labour, then they took the razor to you as well - the indignity of it!

I also had one in the recent past when undergoing a sigmoidoscopy - it was done in a private hospital room with its own bathroom - I’m in a 4 bedded ward here. I will feel sorry for the others when it all kicks off!

I’m still going on my holiday even if I have to use dynamite to sort this.

Much love, Ali x

Kryssy profile image
Kryssy in reply to Alifit

Ah, the dreaded shave. Forgot about that. How on earth were babies born before the razor was invented? No don't go swallowing stain remover, silly billy. You'll be blowing bubbles out of your arse for a week.... but there again, how lovely squeaky clean it will be :-) xxxxx

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to Kryssy

I’m very tempted Kryssy - maybe I’ll look on Amazon for Mr Muscle plug hole unblocked - that’ll do the trick!!

Xx

Kryssy profile image
Kryssy in reply to Alifit

Hubby has a gadget thing which attaches to a long tube and then his air compressor. He clears the pipes from our septic tank if they get blocked. Any good for you my sweet? I'll gladly pay postage xxxx

BeeWild profile image
BeeWild

Aw poor you! Let’s hope they can get things moving today and you start to feel relief and can get home!

Honestly befor OC Id never obsessed about my bowels but this disease just keeps on giving and bowels and poo 💩 are part and parcel of our days now 😂

Take care and sending hugs xx

Bev

ShropshireJo profile image
ShropshireJo

Hi. Hope you managed to get some sleep. Been awake since three but my first reply to you about five got lost☹️. Like I guess many of us, I really sympathise with your predicament. Even after all the chemo sessions I’ve had, I still struggle to get the balance right to avoid concrete bowels without the exact opposite. Just when I think I’ve got it sussed, I’m back to square one. I do hope they can get you sorted ASAP so that you can get packed and ready to go on your holiday. Sending a big hug Jo 🌹🌻🌺🌼🌸

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to ShropshireJo

I know Jo, I was so determined to get it sorted from the start and used my pre-emptive plan of action, but somewhere along the way I made a mess of it and ended up here. I sort of feel a bit of a fool, but the threat of a blockage really sticks in your mind.

Hopefully I’ll be back on track by tomorrow - the holiday can start a day late if necessary.

Best wishes to you, Ali x

doodoolatrice profile image
doodoolatrice

Bless you, that bunged up feeling is horrible. I was in hospital for a week recently, (came out last Thursday) as I badly broke my ankle and had to wait four days for them to operate to pin and plate it. The lack of exercise and codeine they gave me made me constipated and I left the hospital desperate to go, but I couldn't. Thankfully I always keep a stash of glycerine suppositories in the drawer so I took one (you just run one under the tap and gently push it in). I then sat down for about ten mins and hey presto I was able to go. I'm still struggling to get my bowels moving normally but at last I'm no longer bunged up. I hope they manage to get you sorted, hugs, Kerry x

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to doodoolatrice

Hmm, suppository didn’t work so the staff are in the dynamite cupboard now!!

I’ll be fine - it’s just a matter of time.

Best wishes to you Kerry xx

in reply to doodoolatrice

Oh Kerry, hope you are doing ok, you have my full sympathy, done same thing on 24th June, 3 breaks plus dislocation ouch😬! Jennyx

doodoolatrice profile image
doodoolatrice in reply to

Ouch, two breaks and they had to manipulate it back into position (not sure if this was a dislocation or not) under gas and air. Last time hubby saw me sucking in gas and air like that I was in labour ha, ha. How are you doing now Jenny ?

in reply to doodoolatrice

Was put into lala-land/sleep for realignment (thank heavens)

Had stitches out (29) from one side of ankle, dissolvable on other side, replastered at 2 weeks. Appt this Monday (4wk). No pain just totally fed up and torchered? sitting on couch watching hubby doing things his way 😬😬. No weight bearing at all for minimum 6weeks.

Jenny x

doodoolatrice profile image
doodoolatrice in reply to

I'm due back to have my stitches removed next week. There was talk of a boot instead of plaster which I'm hoping for. I feel your pain about all the sitting around. It's doing my head in already. I'm very house proud and whilst hubby is doing his best bless him, he doesn't (quite rightly) see the point of hoovering and cleaning the bathroom every day. The dead flowers in the dining room and dust are driving me mad lol, take care Kerry x

in reply to doodoolatrice

pegging the washing out!! 😱😱🤯

doodoolatrice profile image
doodoolatrice in reply to

Nooooooo 😩

January-2016-UK profile image
January-2016-UK

What a nightmare! I hope something works soon so you can manage that longed for holiday. I suppose it’s too serious to suggest figs, but not sure the egg sandwich would have helped!

All the best!

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to January-2016-UK

No - it was a mistake from the start, but I didn’t feel I could eat a hot sandwich on the ward and it was the only vegetarian option! How do they do that to a sandwich? I love fresh figs, but can eat dried if I have to. I seem to remember being told to be careful with dried fruit if you are likely to be neutropenic - or I might have made that up!

On my way home now!!

Hope they sort you out soon Ali. liquorice pontefract cakes from the sweet shop always work for me and I like them too😋😋 Jenny x

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to

Sorted - I’ll soon be on my way to the nearest sweet shop - I love liquorice!

Good call Jenny!

in reply to Alifit

Must admit to eating most of the bag 🐷🐷🐷 lol

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to

Oh hang on, that’s not a picture of M and S Percy Pigs is it? I love those too!

Lyndy profile image
Lyndy

Oh no! Hope it’s better news today xx

Alifit profile image
Alifit

Good news, no real threats to my bowel so on my way home!

Xx

Nancy222 profile image
Nancy222

Fingers crossed that once you relax in your own bathroom, things will move. Keep us posted. (And oh my goodness, laughed when I read about the dynamite cupboard!)

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to Nancy222

Oh dear me yes - toilets that aren’t your own that is a real problem. I’ve come home with a large carrier bag of stuff - the pharmacist took me into a little room to explain the drugs - I explained that I’d had them before and I knew what to do. I then asked if he ever tasted the things he doles out - as I thought, no. So I offered to make him a Laxido then he let me go home!

Thanks Nancy xxx

caf132 profile image
caf132

Oh no my dear- i hav e been constipated my whole life. Its not fair. I also when having CT scans say i am basically full of s#$t. I have been on everything including Linzess, Amitiza, duculax, lactulose, Miralax, etc etc etc.

My doc says the only tab that works, Duculax is bad to take long term. I have an extra loop in my colon, lucky me, that contributes to my constipation. i feel 8 month pregnant most of the time.

i am sorry you are in such a bad situation.....hope you resolve it soon.

I was listening to a doctor show with a gastroenterologist on it. He said Miralax does not work for all and some people it makes them really bloated and not able to go. He recommended stopping everything and just take good old All Bran in the morning and increase water. I tried this. day four and I have gone every morning since. who would of thought after I have been on everything under the sun. It helps that I drink a pot of coffee in the morning also but anything to get things moving.

Good luck to you, I hope you are home now and resting.

Xx Carol

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to caf132

I am Carol - I’ve got to catch up on sleep now, things to do, places to go, people to see!

I did toy with the idea of um not really fasting, but cleaning up my diet a bit (I eat like I did when I was a child sometimes - bet there aren’t many folk out there who were brought up on sugar sandwiches, sugar on salad and about half a slab of butter in your potato skin!). Maybe the AllBran answer is a good one - can I have a tablespoon of sugar on it please?!

Unfortunately, I don’t dare do coffee - turns me even more loopy and that’s just the decaffeinated. Water of course, I’m onto.

Thanks for your advice, love Ali x

MostlyHarmless profile image
MostlyHarmless

Hi Alifit. I've just spent a happy 24 hours in my local hospital after my bowel stopped moving. Nurse at the walk-in centre couldn't detect any noises so after a conversation with the Macmillan hotline sent me to A&E. I've had a lot of problems since starting Avastin and been told 24 hours is the point at whoch I need to seek medical advice.

The hospital gave me Gastrografin - aka Apocalypse Bowel. I had this once before when I had a colonoscopy so at least I knew what to expect. A bit like drinking half a pint of neat pernod without the alcohol benefits. I was at the far end of a small ward and attached to a drip. The sight of me hurtling across the ward with my beloved sprinting next to me holding the drip stand led to a certain amount of (friendly) comments from my fellow prisoners.

I have been told I need a liquid diet for a couple of days then low fibre for a few weeks then gently reintroduce other things. Whole beans (e.g. kidney beans) and really high fibre are banned which is a problem for me as I am long-term vegan. I would have been in another day or two but the hospital catering could not cope with liquid or low-fibre vegan food. I'm not complaining about that, their usual vegan fare is pretty good for a hospital.

I'm going on holiday soon so could do without the additional complication. Thankfully, we are renting a little house so my beloved can exercise his culinary skills. Probably won't be eating out and been told to severely limit alcohol. Also, I may have gone off my previous favourite - pastis!.

Alifit profile image
Alifit in reply to MostlyHarmless

Well, mine has sorted itself out, in fact it has decided to do the opposite now. I’m in Cornwall so I’m hoping it’s just temporary and that I don’t need to seek help from the local hospital. I’m not sure how to manage if it carries on - do I carry on with the laxatives or do I resort to Imodium. I was given no dietary advice in hospital - although, unlike you, my bowel didn’t stop.

I was ok on Avastin, except for a sore mouth and nose - both of which have come back with the Carbo/caelyx.

I hope you enjoy your holiday and find a new favourite!

Best wishes, Ali x

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