I was hoping I could lean on your experience regarding the latest issue my partner is going through. Recently after eating, she has felt cramping in the area above her belly button and also nausea. A couple of days ago she vomited and also had some very soft stool. She went through a partial bowel obstruction last July and we had to go to emergency. It cleared on its own after about 24 hours of intense pain. At the time they indicated it was due to adhesions and not cancer.
This time though it's a bit different as the pain is not as intense and she is still able to pass some gas and stool, even if it is quite soft.
For the last day we thought it best to not eat anything solid, so she has been on soups, water and yogurt. The pain is not that intense, but small cramps in that area still comes and goes. She is on chemo right now - carbo/taxol weekly and avastin added on one of the weeks.
Has anyone gone through something similar while on chemo? I am scared that this means she is progressing while on chemo...which means it isn't working. Though, her CA 125 has gone down since the beginning of this treatment from over 400 to now 23. She is only her 5th cycle of chemo for this 1st recurrence. I am wondering also if chemo can cause these types of pains / cause an obstruction.
Any insight on this would help...
Thanks so much!
Written by
Stuee01
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I am sorry that your partner is going through a rough time, as a result of the treatment. The very good news is that the CA125 has dropped drastically and not too long now before the 6th cycle and hopefully the post treatment scan will give you, both, the reassuring news.
I have also had some cramps and intense belly pain while on Carbo/Taxol. Nausea was almost constant and for 7-10 days after each cycle. I was drinking fresh ginger and lemon tea all day long. It helped as well with hydration.
Chemo changes the rate of intestinal activities, either way. This is why some have constipation whereas others suffer from diarrhoea.
It is also best that you contact her team to give you, both, some peace of mind, mainly due to the previous partial obstruction.
Thanks for your response! Yes, we will contact our oncologist. But since she has been off solid food it seems to be getting better. So fingers crossed it is improving!
Thank you very much for your post. I am sorry to hear that your partner has been experiencing cramping and nausea.
Is this something that your partner has been able to contact her clinical team about? As Newbie_2020 suggested, it is important to contact them so that they can identify what may be causing the symptoms and to give advice about how to manage the cramping and nausea she is experiencing.
Thank you for your comment. Yes we will be speaking to our oncologist on Tuesday. So far though at least since she has been on a liquid diet, the pain and nausea have gone. 🤞
Thank you for your reply. It's really good to hear that the pain and nausea your partner was experiencing has resolved. I hope the oncology appointment goes smoothly tomorrow.
Please do get in touch if you would like to talk through anything, or if there's any information we can help with.
I was admitted to A&E with severe cramping in that area just above belly button and under sternum. It was within 24 hours of chemo. I was having trouble breathing but on reflection I think that may well have been me panicking due to the pain. I prepared for next chemo about 4 days before by sticking to a very bland low fibre diet. It goes completely against the grain to think this way when talking about bowel issues but anything with fibre sits in your bowel longer and absorbs moisture making the situation worse. I would then stay on that low residual diet for the duration of the initial side effects of chemo , for me that was about 7 days then gradually introduce a little more variety. Chicken white fish white bread and pretty much no fibre definitely helps me. I have ongoing issues with bowel. Just spent 3 days in hospital with partial blockage now very sore and trying desperately to keep everything on the move.
Rest assured it will not be the disease causing this but another side effect of the chemo doing it's best to help but the body doing it's best to rid itself of something potent.
Thank you for giving an alternative view on this. I think for me it's just a bit confusing since my partner did have a blockage last year and the symptoms were extremely severe. This time though, they were quite subtle and I have read that chemo can cause damage to the lining of the bowels which impacts the movement of food. Today she started eating soft foods, like eggs and bland white bread and currently there are no symptoms. We'll keep our fingers crossed. I just want her to be able to finish up the last 2 cycles of chemo...
No wonder you worry when it happened that way before. Take it up with your team and maybe ask about the possibility of the liquid food that can be prescribed. Based on previous blockage issue it may be something they would consider taking into account her current subtle symptoms.Good luck
I’m so sorry to hear about your partners pain. I had two bowel obstructions and was told once you have one, you are susceptible to more. After the second one, I was placed on a low fiber diet. No more than 8 grams of fiber per day. I took 2 stool softeners in the am and 2 at night. I found the leaflet MD Anderson gave me and I followed it very closely. It was a boring diet but it’s now been 13 months since I’ve had one.
Thanks for the info! Yah, since last year's obstruction we have been extremely careful with fiber. Before that we were trying to eat 'healthier' so my partner was eating lots of foods with fiber like nuts and oats and other types of healthy vegetables. I will look at the leaflet as well.
I haven't read the other comments so may be repeating advice already given.I have had a bowel obstruction last year and in the last month started to have cramps in upper abdomen. I was passing stools and gas with the stools stopping and then wind stopping to and started to vomit significantly. Bowel sounds were gone. An x-ray ( well 2) showed that I have severe constipation in my upper abdomen. I am on a cocktail of laxatives and anri nausea medication but still feel I need to keep Billy ( my bucket) to hand.
I would strongly advise you get this checked out and hopefully a plan can be put in place to make your partner more comfortable. Sending love, Sara
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Abdominal cramping after chemo any advice?
CA125 dropped after 1st chemo
Weight gain after chemo
Fluid leaking from belly button... What could this mean 
What happens after chemo ends 
