Bowel obstruction.

[MrsCoole]

HGSOC stage 3C. Debulking surgery September 2023 followed by 6 platinum based chemotherapy sessions. Negative for BrCa 1/2 and HRD. Started on maintenance tablet Niraparib in March 2024 and now in December 2024 have had three 3 monthly CT clear scans and a consistently low Ca125 value of 8. Over last 3 months increasing constipation and now cannot pass any faecal material without daily multiple sachets of Laxido and Docusate sodium. Also having to ‘force’ out urine on occasion. I can only assume I have a bowel blockage but not getting any help with a diagnosis.

[Trickysite]

You don't say if you have consulted doctor etc. If worried, go to A&E. as bowel blockage (if that is what is) should never be ignored. I understand 4 days without a poo is an emergency. If you are managing to poo with the aid of the laxatives, you probably do not have a problem. I find that since my op, my bladder expulsion is much slower and I have to wait for gravity to have its effect when I get to the last bit of the urine. Shifting forward seems to aid gravity! Good luck, Emma

[MrsCoole in reply to Trickysite]

I live near to Aberdeen attend Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. I have been in contact with the hospital twice in the last 4 weeks via the National Cancer Helpline about difficulty in passing waste. I was told on 10 December by my Macmillan nurse that the CT scan on 29 November showed no evidence of cancer including both the small and large intestine. The nurse practitioner who saw me in hospital after that said that a doctor in her ward looked at scan and said bowel was congested with material. She heard gurgling noises in large intestine and said I should take 8 Laxido sachets in 1 litre of water in 1.5 hours + 2 senna tablets . This cleared a lot of material and after another 2 weeks I have been told to take 2 sachets am and pm along with 10 ml Docusate sodium am and pm for 2 weeks. That was up to 20 December. Nothing is back to normal and I’m continuing by choice to take the same dose now. I think I have no chance of being seen over the Christmas period when hospital staffing is reduced.

[MrsCoole in reply to MrsCoole]

Thank you for your reply - I appreciate your advice,

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Dear MrsCoole

Thank you for your post. As Trickysite explained, bowel blockage is a serious complication which usually needs urgent treatment. Please seek medical advice either from your medical team, GP, NHS 111 or go to A&E.

If any of your symptoms suddenly worsen or become very severe, or if you start to feel very unwell please go to A&E.

Cancer Research UK has useful information about bowel blockages on their website here: cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

CRUK give the following advice:

"Sometimes cancer can block the bowel. This is called a bowel obstruction. The symptoms include:

- cramping pains in the abdomen

- feeling bloated

- constipation and being unable to pass wind

- being sick

A bowel obstruction is an emergency. You should see your doctor quickly or go to A&E at your nearest hospital if you think you have a bowel obstruction."

I hope this information is useful and you have relief from your symptoms soon.

Best wishes

Anna

Ovacome Support

[Eriksendi]

good to get it checked. I’m in hospital now, was admitted on 22nd, struggling to poo even with laxatives and pain down left side. I’ve had a history of problems since my surgery in 2017. I now have a large loop of bowel. Waiting for results from various tests. Please get it checked out if it worsens x x

[MrsCoole in reply to Eriksendi]

I live near to Aberdeen attend Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. I have been in contact with the hospital twice in the last 4 weeks via the National Cancer Helpline about difficulty in passing waste. I was told on 10 December by my Macmillan nurse that the CT scan on 29 November showed no evidence of cancer including both the small and large intestine. The nurse practitioner who saw me in hospital after that said that a doctor in her ward looked at scan and said bowel was congested with material. She heard gurgling noises in large intestine and said I should take 8 Laxido sachets in 1 litre of water in 1.5 hours + 2 senna tablets . This cleared a lot of material and after another 2 weeks I have been told to take 2 sachets am and pm along with 10 ml Docusate sodium am and pm for 2 weeks. That was up to 20 December. Nothing is back to normal and I’m continuing by choice to take the same dose now. I think I have no chance of being seen over the Christmas period when hospital staffing is reduced.

ARI is in a desperate state with a critical incident a couple of weeks ago when the hospital could not accept any more patients.

Thank you for replying. Laxatives still working for me a little. Will get in touch with Cancer Helpline if laxatives stop working totally.

[Lilyada]

Hi there. I understand your problem. I am 3c HGSOC. After op (March ‘22) and following chemo, I did have a bowel obstruction - pain, projectile vomiting etc. in hospital had nasal tube and nil by mouth, not even water, for four days. It was decided (from the scan) this was due to adhesions and a large dose of laxatives did the trick.

Since then have been paranoid/careful to have regular bowel motions. I take one Cosmocol in the morning, try and drink a fair amount of water each day. I end the day with senna tablet, sometimes two. It’s been trial and error but this regime seems to work for me.

I found that I had to take responsibility and decided upon this by trial and error. I am never complacent as don’t want to go down that road again!

Do hope things go well for you.

Wishing everyone a good Christmas and a healthy 2025.

Angela

[Pat_01]

If CT is clear, then it's not a real bowel obstruction. It could be constipation caused by Niraparib. Niraparib (Zejula) is not very useful in BRCA and HRD negative. Have you had PET scan along with your regular CT scan? If PET scan is negative and CA125 remains the same, you can exclude recurrence.