Ovarian cancer and chronic diarrhoea

[Iwillbeatit]

Stage 4b high grade serious ovarian cancer recently developed chronic uncontrollable diarrhoea. Any suggestions how to cope and what is causing it.

[Lindaura]

My very first symptom was diarrhoea. I had felt fine until one afternoon, my bowels were funny.

I decided that I had the flu and stayed in bed and ate the required potatoes, bananas and apple sauce, but it didn’t go away, so I stopped eating anything. I felt like I had a bad flu, and then I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

Only 7 days from the onset, I looked in the mirror and my torso looked as though I had swallowed a beach ball.

2 days later, I started throwing up and my husband called an ambulance. As soon as they wheeled me into A&E, the doctor knew it was Ovarian Cancer.

That was just 10 days from my first bout of diarrhoea.

The diarrhoea lasted for the entire length of my treatment, but I controlled it with Loperimide for the duration, once I knew I did not have an infection or virus.

What caused it?

Those little nodules probably. Growing throughout my belly.

But, for you, it is time to speak to your CNS. Maybe get a CA-125 test.

A little check up can’t hurt.

All the best,

Laura

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Lindaura]

Thank you Linda I had a mixture of diarrhoea and constipation when diagnosed last August plus had and still have blown belly. Had 8 chemo with constipation now had 11 avastin out of 18. CA125 14 done last week but it is on m y liver and spleen as well so worried my liver has had enough its getting difficult to go out despite the Imodium.

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Iwillbeatit]

S o try Linda or Laura.

[Seasun36-uk in reply to Lindaura]

Hi Laura,

That is interesting that it was your first symptom.

I had it too, along with bloating & feeling full, but not for long before diagnosis. Can you believe how quickly it all develops?

Best wishes,

Linda x

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Seasun36-uk]

No mine developed very quickly thought I went from 0 to 9 months pregnant in three weeks except my tummy was hard.

[Lindaura in reply to Iwillbeatit]

It is terrifying and I asked my Oncologist about how long I must have had it as I was so riddled with cancer at the start, and she said. Not long. It grows that fast!

Which is why she (and I) believe in treating right away, before it spreads.

Hope this is just some awful glitch for you and that you get it under control soon.

Best wishes,

Laura

[Pishi123]

I used to have only natural low fat yogurt and boiled white rice. It worked for me and is an old fashioned middle eastern remedy. Takes a little bit to work. Good luck hope it settles down quickly.

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Pishi123]

Thank you wish will try that

[Pishi123 in reply to Iwillbeatit]

Hi just wondered how you are getting on? Hope things are improving?

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Pishi123]

Ok I am a bit better on rice chicken plain food no oil or dairy. Seeing consultant next Friday. Thank you for asking.

[Birdsong222]

Hi, l think Laura is correct, speak to your CNS, they can often either get you seen or get you stronger meds just to knock it on the head, then with careful eating you can go out and about again.

Good luck with this.

Sylvia

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Birdsong222]

Thank you Sylvie nurse said loperimide

[TudorPurr68]

I had this dreadful diarrhoea but as an effect of the chemo. Do please speak with your CNS and try to take as much fluid as you can. All the best x

[Iwillbeatit in reply to TudorPurr68]

Yes I have am taking three litres of water a day as I am on avastin I drink nothing else except occasional ginger tea. Thank you and good luck on your journey

[Seasun36-uk]

Hi .

Are you going to have surgery or is it not applicable for you?

I had HGS stage 4 and it had spread to under my liver. The debulking operation was successful at getting it all out.

I remember the Oncologist saying that the cancer irritates the colon.

I think our bowels are very sensitive. It could even be the Avastin?

Do talk to your team.

All the best,

Linda x

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Seasun36-uk]

Hi Linda

I was initially told I would have s surgery but now No because of it being on my liver and spleen those surgeons said no as they would not be able to safely operate. The nurse said with 8 chemo and 11 avastin treatments one year of this my body has had enough. Keep drinking and take loperimide. Interesting it could irritate the colon. My friends husband who had colon Cancer I now remember suffered terribly with diarrhoea. Thank you

[Maxjor]

You're getting great advice and just to add to it, when it happened to me (and currently I am seriously dealing with the opposite) you can get dehydrated adding to the problem so make sure you keep up with your liquid intake until you get it under control. Better to focus on one problem at a time! Wishing you luck in getting it resolved. oxoxoxo Judy

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Maxjor]

Thank you Judy trying to drink my normal three litres a day but struggling as tummy feels so full even though it's clearly not. Having dioralyte t o dehydrate but its a shock as before I was like you and constipated. It's a constant battle of problems to conquer this disease. Good luck to you.

[delia2]

I don’t have personal experience with this; my problems were all the opposite. I realize you’ve already talked to your CNS but you could get back to her to say it’s not working. Your electrolytes will be unbalanced. There is prescription lomotil (name in US). Maybe palliative care could give you something stronger. Good luck!

[Iwillbeatit in reply to delia2]

Thank you Delia if the bland diet does not work I will get onto them and ask.

[Caroles1]

Obviously you need to check if it is OC connected, but can I just tell you there is widespread stomach bugs around and it is across all ages.

Half of a hospital near me was closed because of the neuro virus.

I myself have had a bug caught from the grandkids and passed on, to people not OC connected.

Sorry too much info, but, poo like water and has taken nearly 10 days to get normal.

I just stuck to plain toast, no veg, no fruit ( not like me) and lots of water.

Almost o.k., but take advice

Xx

[Iwillbeatit]

ThAnk you that's very interesting.

[Cinderella]

Please contact your CNS as soon as possible since diarrhoea can be a side effect of Avastin. It is important to check what you need to take to stop the diarrhoea if it is due to Avadtin and not s bug.

[Iwillbeatit]

Update saw consultant sample and bloods taken scan today. Low residue diet with no oil and no dairy helping . Thank you for support and advice.