carbo/caelyx

[NewtonEmma1900]

I have just completed round 6 of 6 carbo/caelyx (2nd line for peritoneal stage 3) and waiting result of the latest scan but my CA125 has gone down to 7. I have had some of the usual side effects but this weekend of I have had 2 bouts of severe abdominal cramps after eating, similar to indigestion but gaviscon does not seem to work. Even though I went tied in pain I still slept. Could it be linked or am I just being over sensitive?

Thank you in advance. X

[Irisisme]

Hi Emma,

I’m just 2 doses in of similar chemotherapy (Cisplatin instead of Carboplatin with Caelyx). I’ve found this combination tougher to cope with than Paclitaxel but not any worse for abdominal pain. This is 4th line for me.

I think you need to tell your oncologist or specialist nurse (or whoever you usually go to for help). You are getting severe abdominal cramps, this should not be ignored. You don’t give a level (I use the Stanford Pain Scale, 0-10, check it out on line).

You could be getting a bowel blockage if you tend to suffer from constipation, this could be so even if you have also had a little bit of diarrhoea (could be ‘overflow’). You may need to cut back on roughage (fruit skins, beans etc). You do really need to get this checked. I have been hospitalised with a partial bowel blockage in the past, and it is very unpleasant!

I do hope you find relief and wish you a pain free future.

Luck & Hugs,

Iris🍀🤗

[NewtonEmma1900 in reply to Irisisme]

Thank you Iris, I spoke to my oncology nurse and she told me that my ct scan results were just back - showing NED at the time of the scan. She suggested that I speak to my GP. I have now booked to speak to her although as I write I am feeling a bit better.

[AuntyOrange]

Hi NewtonEmma 1900. Your story is so similar to mine I thought I'd written it myself haha & I'm also 71 but was 70 when it happened to me. After about a month or more of terrible pain, I checked myself into hospital as suggested by my ON & surgeon. I was in for a week while they did on the normal tests, endoscopy, ct, barium swallow & a lot of prodding, all of which came up clear. Then it just stopped. Now 11 months later, I've started to get a new problem, which I call gut spasms, so my oncologist has referred me to a gastroenterologist but I can't get in until 1st March. Fortunately the pain level & regularity of attacks is a lot less than last year's problem. They do a lot of things during our operations that we don't want to know about but anything to do with pain should be thoroughly checked. Good luck. Love & hugs, Irene. xx