I’ve been having stomach cramps for 48 hours which are becoming more persistent. I’ve tried taking buscapan but it hasn’t worked. I’m not vomiting or having diarrhoea but feel quite nauseous achey and tired.
I had twisted bowel in 2020 the year following my original debaulking and chemotherapy. Needed emergency surgery for it but I was vomiting up ‘coffee granules’ that time and knew there was something very wrong.
Ive had chemo again this year for first recurrence and am now on Niraparib. This time I’m not sure if it’s anything to be concerned about but is painful and not subsiding.
I know that I should consult the 24/7 helpline or at least my GP but also know that they will tell me to go to A& E which I just can’t face again having been in 4 times in past 12 months.
I haven’t passed stools for couple of days but thats not at all unusual for me. I take Doculate twice daily.
Any suggestions from your own experiences please?
many thanks
Claire xx
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Barmycharm
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Your stomachache could be from the dulcalex. Some people get violent stomachache from it. Maybe stop taking it, drink water and use an over the counter plant based fiber supplement instead of Dulcalax. Taking that twice daily seems like a lot:(. Good luck!
Hello Barmycharm How awful you are having to go through this worry and discomfort If it is still there today which I think should be Day 3 then that is out of the ordinary for you and I do think you should seek advice from your oncology team and GP It may be something manageable even if it does mean the dreaded trip to A&E Maybe with laxatives Anyhow if still there today will need sorting Stay strong xx
Hi barmycharm, I've recently had the same problem and I've been to the A&E with it. The first time I was prescribed laxido, 2 in the morning and 2 at night because I was constipated packed tight. After a few day's I was able to go but then I had diarrhoea and still got the stomach cramps. Like you the buscapan didn't work that good and I had some morphine unopened in my medicine cupboard so I took a 2.5ml spoon which is a low dose, you have to be careful with dosage. It did the trick and I had a lovely night's sleep. I took that dosage for a few nights and things settled down for a while. But I ended up back in A&E same problem, this time I was prescribed senna tablets and morphine to manage the pain. This time it worked and up to now my bowels are behaving. You only take the morphine if the pain is that bad it makes you cry and twist the bed sheets with your hands. They don't really like you taking morphine but I got a really understanding doctor who said that you need to manage the pain but only take it when you really need it. Good luck and hope you get sorted soon. ♥️.
I had this 2yrs ago I called 111 and they went through their questions and said they’d get a doctor to call me back. Once I’d spoken to her she told me to go straight to A&E which I did. They gave me an injection - sorry I don’t know the name - and that eased the cramping significantly. I was also advised not to take Buscopan or similar as it can make the cramping worse in some people. I also had part of my bowel removed several years before my diagnosis so that was an ongoing issue, which did stop until recently (a whole other story!) If you get this cramping again I’d recommend calling 111, Don’t tough it out unnecessarily. I also found using a heat Pat eases my cramps if I get them, look on Amazon but search for an animal one as they’re significantly cheaper than the people one. I hope you’re feeling better today x
I am sorry to hear about the stomach cramps that you have been experiencing. I have seen that you have received a number of responses from members of the forum community sharing their experiences of stomach cramps which I hope has been helpful.
It is really important to seek medical advice to identify the cause of your stomach cramps and to have support to manage the symptoms you are experiencing. We would strongly advise calling the 24/7 helpline you mentioned, NHS 111, and/or attending A&E if your symptoms have not resolved by now.
I do hope that the cramps resolve soon. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Ovacome support team if there is anything at all that we can help with. Our support line is available Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm on 0800 008 7054 or by emailing support@ovacome.org.uk.
Thank you so much for your replies. It’s so difficult in these circumstances isn’t it to ascertain whether sone symptoms are simply a normal bout of stomach ache or something more because of the disease and/or related history.
I phoned 111 who referred me to local UTC for assessment. The Dr there has examined me and doesn’t think it’s obstruction but could be another flare up of colitis. So has referred me on to A&E for blood tests and further investigation.
I have bowel problems from my previous surgeries and have also suffered blockages. I was advised not to take buscopan and also changed my laxatives from dulcolax to laxido. It hasn’t solved it but definitely helped. Good luck at a and e and hope it’s sorted soon x
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