Constipation from PARPS

[Chanterelle]

Hello,

I had a recurrence last year after being in remission for over 6 years. I was diagnosed as being a 3C and am BRAC2.

I did really well with the chemo and now I have been taking Olaparib for a little less than 3 weeks. It's been rough especially at the beginning. They had to wait a few extra weeks to give me the medication as my neutrophils were too low. They came back up and my bloodwork was good. Just before that, I had caught for the first time COVID and had to deal with that as well.

I don't feel the best I must admit but the nausea has gotten a lot better. I did not take the anti-nausea medication because they cause constipation and I didn't want to deal with nausea and constipation.

My bowell movements were OK at first but not as great as before and then a few days ago, I started getting constipated and needing to strain a lot. I read online that this can be a side effect of the medication. My entire eating schedule has changed since I started taking the PARPS and it seems like my digestive system has slowed down. I was only able to go a little bit but with the help of Restoralax. I have only been taking it the last few days but I tend to panic and not wait long enough for it to work which means straining. I am by nature a nervous person.

Can you tell me your experience about being on Olaparib. Seems more people have diarhea than constipation. I am in Canada and I am followed by a nurse who takes care of the patients on PARPS. I haven't had the chance to speak with her because of the holidays.

I don't feel too good when I haven't had a decent bowell movement in a few days and I am scared that the medication will stay in my system too long and become toxic.

Just looking for advice. I know the first few months can be tough on PARPS.

[Lyndy]

Hi Chanterelle

I remember my bowels went on a go slow while on Olaparib… they did function but just weren’t in a hurry to do anything!

As I also get a bit anxious and never believe the laxatives will work, I can sympathise.

I tried to keep a note of what was happening and to keep on top of it using Laxido or lactulose.

You are the expert, remember that.

I would suggest that you try out different laxatives, find out what works best and stay tuned in to your body. You can do this! xx

[Chanterelle in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you so much for your reply. Yes that's how it feels with my bowels. Just took a couple of dried prunes to see if it will help. I know that I have to be patient but I had a routine before and it worked but with this medication, I am completely off. I will try other types of laxatives if need be but I prefer to keep it natural as they can stop working after a while.

[Heart12345]

Hi Chanterelle, I finished my 2 year course on Orlaparib a few months ago and my bowel motions are more or less normal now. When I was on Orlaparib I definitely had sluggish bowels and had a tendency to constipation. I found if I ate a mango a day or some tinned prunes in juice it helped a lot. I made sure I drank water throughout day to stay dehydrated and it all helped. Movement was also good a gentle walking about etc.

As far as nausea went my oncologist said the first 8 weeks are the worst and it tends to get better after that which it did with me. I found that eating something before first dose in the morning helped and not to skip meals as nausea was worst if hungry, even a slice of toast helped nausea. When I felt a little more nauseous than normal because I’d maybe not stayed hydrated I found a small piece of crystalline ginger helped. I managed to do without anti sickness by controlling when I ate but I may have been just lucky. I was on 600 mg a day. I wish you well 🤗

[Motiva]

Hello Chanterelle,

I have started olaparib 2 m ago as part of my maintenance programme. I felt very nauseous if I took it on an empty stomach as I didn’t have my first meal until mid morning. Like you I had to change and now have overnight soaked oats, chia seeds, goji berries and cacao nibs pre tablets.

I started taking slippery elm when I was having chemo to manage to constipation side effects of the ondansetrone. It has made a big difference along with lots of water. For a while water and peppermint tea both tasted odd but fortunately this has passed after finishing the paxlitaxel/carboplatin.

Do you practice yoga? Twists are helpful and it is very calming too to lower your heart rate and get into the rest and digest phase.

Good luck and hello to lovely Canada.

F x

[Alfiepop]

Hi Chanterelle,

I sympathise with you. Constipation is miserable isn’t it. Laxido worked well for me. I would need to increase/decrease frequency of doses according to how much my bowel was misbehaving.

If you do try this medication make sure you are drinking plenty of water (as mentioned in the instructions) as Laxido works by drawing fluid into your bowel to soften stools.

Metochlopramide might be worth trying if nausea is still a problem. It works in a different way to Ondansetron and doesn’t cause constipation. It worked really well for me when my body was getting accustomed to Olaparib.

Whatever you decide I hope you get relief soon

Best wishes

Lisa

[DinkyAnnecy]

Hi. I found I needed to take Olaparib with food only. If I took it in an empty stomach I would feel terrible. As for the constipation, have you tried eating yoghurt? I am not the biggest fan but would try to have two of the cups a day, one morning and one night.

[Kaitlinsmum]

Hi Chanterelle,I was on the Parp Niraparib for about 3 years. It messed with my bowels, which haven't got back to normal. I'm in the UK so the names of the meds might be different. My doctor explained that I need 2 types of laxative: one to soften the stool and one to make sure it moves along the bowel. I take 2 Bisocodyl and 2 doccusate at night then 2 doccusate in the morning. I also found that a breakfast of porridge with prunes and berries helps. Good luck x

[Bleubleu]

Hi Chanterelle.

Sorry to hear that you experiencing issues with constipation & whilst it wasn't a major side effect for me, one thing I did learn after having a full abdominal hysterectomy was that , I had to completely change my eating habits!! I was constipated for months,using Laxatives, pessarys etc but when I started eating more fruit(Oranges), eating Weetabix, wholemeal bread etc, my constipation stopped & I went back to going to the toilet normally!!!

I didn't take the anti sickness tablets because as you say, they make you constipated so I sussed out that, the only way around it is to change your diet & it worked wonders for me!

I was HGSOC brca positive back in March 2022, NED at the moment & they've had to lower the dose of Olaprib as my haemoglobin was constantly low& needed blood transfusion but, it's your diet, lots of fibre, helped me!!Good luck xx

[Lirene]

Hi Chanterelle, so sorry you have these problems; do try pure unsweetened Açai Berry, I get mine from Ocado. It is frozen but is soon thawed. I put a couple of teaspoons in half a glass of water and it works for me! Over the years I have tried almost everything-this is one of the best I have tried and it is not expensive. Prayers for you and everyone with OC such a horrendous disease-please Lord find us a cure xx