Any suggestion for constipation caused by Niraparib

[Beatyourself]

Hey dear ladies,

I am on niraparib (200mg/ day in the evening) since august 2023 and experience constipation.

I try to go daily but is not always happening. I also have to work for it every day, lot of patience before I get sth out or not ... it is usually hard and little..

I am trying to eat as healthy as possible, veggies, fruits, whole grains, dried plums.My doctor gave me psyllium sachets, but I don’t see much difference.Also try to move every day (Pilates, yoga, short run, walk). Before diagnosed OC HG stage 4B, I just went for morning pace run and could hardly get home in time for toilette. Coffee, orange juice, yoghurt, smoothie - none of strange combos seem to help.

do you have any natural tricks to improve this ? Anyone with same effect from niraparib?

Many thanks, best wishes

xxx

[Lyndy]

Hello Beatyourself

Constipation is a near constant problem for many of us. Sorry you are suffering from it.

During a recent episode I discovered that the physillium husk sachets (Fybogel) are the poor cousin of Laxido which looks similar but actually works!

I would suggest you try Laxido (up to 8 sachets a day if you have impaction) or a lower dose if you are just a bit bunged up. Over the counter.

Maybe ask to see the dietitian at your hospital for further advice.

xx

[Beatyourself in reply to Lyndy]

Dear Lyndy,

Many thanks for quick reply and also advice, I see it indeed has different ingredient so will consult with my oncologist and give it a try.

Best health and wishes to you 🍀

B x

[BrandyHorse]

Laxido and pessaries work well together especially directly prior to chemo. Take care

[Beatyourself in reply to BrandyHorse]

Thank you, BrandyHorse, and best wishes to you !!

[Hannah54]

Hi, I find that eating porridge with chopped dried prunes and apricot in the morning helps and also drink 1 and a half to 2 litres of water a day. Also take your time if you can, read a magazine, crossword etc ☺️xx

[Beatyourself in reply to Hannah54]

Thank you for sharing your tips, I like porridge so will try it indeed, best wishes 🍀🤗

[Motiva]

I use slippery elm to aid bowel function. Starting olaparib was similar for me too.

Also chia seeds.

[Beatyourself in reply to Motiva]

Thank you for your tip !! Never heard of slippery elm!! I do often put chia in my yoghurt but maybe not enough yet, will consider chia pudding best wishes for you 🍀

[Rosado22]

Have you tried eating a pear a day? Hubby’s granny used to swear by it and we have a pear a day or much does seem to help. I also drink peppermint tea and sometimes take a laxido or a couple of senna, if I have a day or so where I haven’t been. A mince dish cooked with a tin of lentils and a tin of red kidney beans also does the trick, served with brown rice.

[Beatyourself in reply to Rosado22]

Thank you for your tips ! Will definitely try I it too ! Best wishes for you 🍀🤗

[Alice77]

Lots of water, prunes and apples will help.

[Beatyourself in reply to Alice77]

Thank you Alice77 best wishes for you 🍀🤗

[Goldelox]

Hi , i never posted before but am compelled to do so now. Not a fun perdicament! I also suffer with constipation. I am on a low residue diet ever since my surgery. 11/2 years ago. I was diagnosed with 4B OC also. They removed a whole lotta cancer and some of my colon (here is where the constipation comes in!) Following my surgery 4 weeks later I developed a bowel obstruction. OH MY, that was worse than the previous surgery. After that i started eating little to no fiber with also taking stool softeners. Have'nt had alot of problems since.....very loose bowel movements but as long as it is coming out!.....i'm ok with that . Hope you find soon whatever works for you. Hang in there

[Beatyourself in reply to Goldelox]

Hi Goldelox, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I was also concerned sometimes whether I have no bowel blockage. Luckily so far only stubborn constipation. I am sorry you had to go through this and very happy today it works well for you ! Best wishes for you too 🤗🍀

[Saintgermain]

Hellow Beatyourself,

As I've struggled with constipation most of my life I've discovered the never fail solution I'm in the states but get if from Amazon its an old remedy and inexpensive called Swiss Kriss I take 2 tablets at nighttime you can adjust accordingly I'm going thru chemo for a recurrence, I follow it with 2 Natures Sunshine stool softeners as I find the stools are harder to pass during treatment I mentioned the Swiss Kriss to my oncologist she said that's the best I was so surprised that she heard of it.

[Beatyourself in reply to Saintgermain]

Hi Saintgermain, first of all I am sorry to hear you are going through chemo again, hope you are keeping well and can handle it in best way possible ! Thank you so much for the suggestion ! Never heard of it and see indeed I can get it via Amazon. Will check it out ! Best wishes for you, stay strong 🍀🤗

[Saintgermain in reply to Beatyourself]

Thank you my ca125 went up 2 tiny lymph nodes showed up on petscan Onc didn’t want to watch and wait I just finished 3 of 6 Carbo taxol not too bad just fatigue my ca125 went from 915 to 53 onward and upward glad I could help stuff works

[Beatyourself in reply to Saintgermain]

It is great that marker works so well for you as indicator ! Great to hear you are managing it well and most of that you see result of it too ! Wish you lot of energy to go through last 3. Is a countdown now !! Sending you positive vibes 🍀🤗

[Trickysite]

One senna tablet (7.5mg), 1 teaspoon Movicol in water and 1 dried soft fig work for me! Emma x

[Beatyourself in reply to Trickysite]

Dear Emma, thank you for sharing your tricks will try it ! Best wishes to you 🍀🤗

[Wirralian]

I too am on Niraparib and constipation is a problem. I’ve been on it since June. Your doing all right things with diet and exercise but some times I think you just have to accept you need a little extra help. I take Cosmocol sachets. (Other products are available ) You can get them in an orange flavour (a powder you mix with water). It may take some time before you get things just right. You just have to titrate them up until you get the right amount that works for you. Persevere with it. You’ll get there. Stewed apple and stewed rhubarb are also good if eaten on a daily basis and drink plenty of water. Xx

[Beatyourself in reply to Wirralian]

Dear Wirralian, Thank you so much for the tip and courage ! Good to have these ideas to experiment what works best 🙏 hope Niraparib will work for you !! Much health to you ! B

[Beatyourself]

thank you so much for sharing your experience ! It gives hope I can get it back to normal with bit of changing routines and adding new surprises to diet best wishes for you too ! Hope niraparib will work magics for you 🍀🤗

[Izoominka]

Good Morning, Beatyourself! The best thing for me is Lactulose!! It does the trick every time no matter how constipated, two spoonfuls twice a day or 4 if very constipated, and it will open the gates!!

Large bottle of medication

[Beatyourself in reply to Izoominka]

Dear Izoominka, thank you so much for the tip, I will definitely try that ! Great to see it worked for you. Best wishes B