Reoccurring Small Bowel Obstruction During Niraparib Treatment

[Albatrosssss]

Hello,

I had 8 rounds of chemo and extensive surgery - debulking for ovarian cancer stage 3C. I started on Niraparib 5 months after surgery and coincidentally started to have small bowel obstructions. I feel that the constipation that Niraparib causes is contributing to small bowel obstructions. Has anyone else experienced this?

I was told that surgery to fix the scarring in my bowels will cause more scarring. Being on a low-fiber diet is also not helping with the constipation issues. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[SuffolkJen]

Hi, I have been taking 3 prunes in juice for the last 2 years and that keeps me on an even keel.

Before then I would have problems from time to time and relied on sachets of laxatives to help. Since the prunes have been part of my nightly routine I’ve had no further issues.

Hope this helps xx Jen

[Curry55 in reply to SuffolkJen]

Ive had a bowel obstruction last year I take laxative in powder form since I am under a dietitian from the rm sutton speak to them at your team they can refer you to a dietitian

[Albatrosssss in reply to SuffolkJen]

🙏 Thank you Jen! I will try the prunes.

[Frankiedoggo]

Hello, sorry to hear you have been through this! I had similar problems but wasn't on the same drug, just pain killers at the time. If you were eating a good amount of fibers prior it will shock the system a bit! My dietician agreed that I could slowly introduce small amounts of well cooked veggies at first and build on it. I have a stoma bag so a blockage was a concern. Speak to dietician about gentle fibers like Molaxole, worked very well for me.The prunes are great, also papaya and pear were good for me.

Miso paste( I have a soft spot for soup products 😅) in a soup worked well. Natural yoghurt could be good for you too, to move things forward.

I was advised that Vit D and K are crucial for GI function too, not much D here in UK😁

Some fiber will irritate your intestines more than others, I found cooked carrots and sweet potato to be the most gentle but give good effect.

Best wishes

[Albatrosssss in reply to Frankiedoggo]

Thank you for the helpful tips!!🙏. Not much sun in Canada as well. Stay strong.

[bamboo89]

Ask for some Movicol from your doctor on prescription (or you can buy it over the counter) - I have to take a sachet daily to prevent blockages.

[Albatrosssss in reply to bamboo89]

Than you! I will try to find Movicol. 🙏

[bettycor]

I’m not on Ninoarib but I had struggled with constipation while taking Taxol in my initial treatment. Now I’m taking weekly Taxol. A couple of months ago one of the infusion nurses told me I needed to take Magnesium Oxide 400 mg twice a day. Since I started that, I’ve had no more constipation. You buy it at the drug store. Don’t know if this would work for you, but you might give it a try. Best wishes to you.

[Albatrosssss in reply to bettycor]

Thank you so much! I will try the Magnesium Oxide. 🙏

[Pianoplayer731021]

Hi, I was diagnosed stage 4 OC. I have had three bowel obstructions while on Niraparib and after discontinuing after three years. I had many UTI s also. Some of those obstructions were due to me not chewing my food well enough. My intestines have narrow places from scar tissue that builds up. Meat and romaine lettuce were my culprits. I also was constipated and I found that drinking more water and walking more helped me. A sedentary lifestyle and not drinking can contribute to that constipation. Just as the other ladies mentioned, your diet can be helpful in keeping that at bay. Hope you feel better in the future xx.! 😊 Donna

[Albatrosssss in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

Thanks so much Donna! Stay strong! 🙏 I find cranberry capsules are good to prevent UTIs.

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Albatrosssss]

Hi, sad to say that UTIs are just one of the possible side effects of niraparib. I had to take breaks off that drug many times. Three years can affect the immune system. So glad that I am off any of those treatments now. Still showing NED after over 5 years since diagnosis. I feel blessed 🙏😊

[Weaves]

Hi Albatrosssss,

Yes I too have had a bowel blockage whilst on Niraparib. I’ve since taken to eating a couple of golden Kiki’s a day. I’ve also made batches of date flapjack which helps. Although the downside is the noise my stoma makes due to gas!

Have they advised you to have a low fibre diet because of blockages? I wonder if slowly introducing specific fibrous foods in small amounts might work?

I think it’s finding what works for you, I can’t tolerate those laxative drinks so take a stool softener tablets.

[Albatrosssss in reply to Weaves]

Thank you Weaves! The low-fibre foods were introduced after debunking surgery and again after recent bowel obstructions. I am now taking Restorlax daily but will try the advice from all you amazing strong women. 🙏

[Gerontious]

I was interested to read your post. I don't think I have any obstruction but do suffer badly with constipation from naraparib. I've been using prescribed powder laxative but that seems to upset my system. I've made a fruit compote which includes apricot, figs, dates, fresh pears, all of which are cooked in water with honey and a cinnamon stick. I then add tinned prunes. It keeps well in the fridge for up to two weeks and I just add more fruit as I use it. This really helps in keeping me regular. I do hope you get some relief.