Tummy ach ???

[doreenharwood]

Hi I had my 1st chemo session on Wednesday and it seemed fine. I was ok thursday and friday but by saturday I had bad tummy pains. Has anyone had this, also I have been constipated since. I have taken Lactulose to see if this helps. I dont want to bother the doctor if this is normal. Thanks Babs x

[Hidden]

Had self same problem, even to calling the out of hours Dr.

He prescribed Movicol, which worked for me.

I take it regularly (geddit :-)) now, along with Docusate and syrup of figs.

I think it's available off prescription if you want to try it today.

Best wishes, I can sympathise

[Hidden]

Hi Babs,

Sorry you are having these pains. As you become used to having chemo you will notice patterns in the symptoms you get and the times they occur. Constipation was the one I found made me feel rotten and depressed, so I always took syrup of figs or senna for the first few days. I was also warned that from days 3 to 10 symptoms were likely to be most apparent, and that during the second week my immune system was at its weakerst, so to avoid people with infections generally, but especially then.

Having said all that; you do not yet know how you will react; this being the first treatment - do not hesitate to ring your chemo dept and check out your symptoms with them - they should have given you a 24 hr number, and they should never consider it a 'bother' to answer your questions. Chemo is a serious business, and we all react individually. It is poison after all - and there is no absolute 'normal'.

Very best wishes,

Isadora.

[Whippit]

Dear Babs,

I'm sorry you've got tummy ache. It's always worrying if you don't know what's causing it. I wonder if it is constipation coming on. As the others have said try taking something to move it all on. I favour Chinese Tea remedies - you'll probably have a chinese remedy shop in Maidstone. I've always found it's pretty effective! The alternative is to get a prescription. You should also ring the Oncology Department at Maidstone Hospital. I know if feels like you're making a fuss - but they really do want to hear from you if you're worried.

Good for you for putting the first chemo behind you. I don't seem to recall you're having surgery before starting chemotherapy but if you have that could be another reason for having tummy pains.

You mentioned in an earlier blog that you hoped to go back to work quite soon next week. Are you still going to do this? I had to take several months off as I had a radical hysterectomy prior to chemotherapy and that had a 3 month recuperation time. I was like you and wanted to return to work as soon as possible. A friend on chemotherapy arranged one week off in three whilst she was on chemotherapy and that seemed to work well for her.

I hope you're having a good weekend.

xx Annie

[ladygooner-uk]

Hi Babs

I think we all find different ways that work for us- my onc gave me milpar and senna to take for 3 days after chemo, I also had massive bowls of fresh fruit every day to supplement this.

I also found that acupuncture helped me no end , for the aches and pains, and keeping my bowels in working order, along with nettle tea to help my immune system cope (I got quite addicted to it!).

I did go back to work during chemo, but was off the week of chemo, worked from home week 2 and went in on week3.

I would send someone out to your local pharmacy to get something that works as a stimulant laxative- like senna etc as well as calling your hospital for advice.

hope it settles down for you

love

sue

x

[doreenharwood]

Hi I have not had any surgery yet they are just giving me chemo at the moment. I think it may be constipation shall have some figs for breakfast. I went back to work last night it was busy but I enjoyed getting out. I have cut down my hours doing part time now which is better than sitting at home. I think next time I have chemo I will take a week off as they say the more chemo you have the more tired you fell, but I will see how I go thanks Love Babs x x

[wendydee in reply to doreenharwood]

Looking at other posts and remembering my immediate post-op days, I found that four or five prunes with breakfast worked well. I know we've been seeing blogs about avoiding sugars, but sometimes, needs must! All the best for the continuing chemo

Love Wendy xx

[Hidden]

Hi Babs

How I remember the constipation! You've had lots of tips already. I got to the point where I couldn't face Movicol cos it was a bit like drinking wallpaper paste. Lactulose was a bit better but terribly sweet. As well as the diet rich in fruit and veg take on plenty of water. Your energy is probably pretty low but try to walk a bit as I think it helps to keep on the move (in both senses!)

Chemo is not pleasant but try to remember, this too shall pass. Sorry

Linda

[Hidden]

Hi Babs

Constipation is one of the main side effects of chemo. I also feel that my colon becomes more sensitive when I have chemo. I like to think it's the chemo strangling the tumours!!!

I find movicol very effective tho foul. Pears are very good and I seem to remember Spanishanna recommending weetabix and kiwi fruit every morning.

My old oncologist suggested that I start taking the laxatives the day before chemo starts and I have found that it helps.

Good luck

Suex

[suzannehadenough]

Hi babs. As all the other ladies have said it sounds like it is just the run of the mill effects of the chemo. I was the same and as the treatment went on the worse the constipation got for me. I was in the bathroom crying in pain. I was given docusate from the hospital but do try lots of fresh fruit and a little excersise if u can.

I did what some others did regarding work too. I had one week out of 3 off. It worked for me. And towards the end of treatment I really needed that week off.

Good luck. Thinking of you lots of love

Suzanne. X x x

[MargaretJ]

Forget Lactulose! Call in dynarod in the form of your community nurses. My surgery put me in touch, they came out three times in one day, and administered various suppositories and enemas and the result was blissful relief! I now take movicol whenever things slow down. I have to be careful now I have the stoma but you must not put up with constipation. Call the Dr! It is not trivial and can make you feel really ill!

Sorry to sound so bossy!

Margaret!

[doreenharwood in reply to MargaretJ]

Got an appointment this evening with the nurse re my constipation hope she can help its getting quite uncomfortable

[doreenharwood in reply to doreenharwood]

Sorry did not finish my sentence pressed the wrong button. So will let you know how I get on later. Thanks for all the advice its such a good thing to talk to others in the same situation x x x

[MargaretJ in reply to doreenharwood]

Hi Babs!

Good luck with the nurse! I could have kissed my community nurse when it worked! I was given a number to call whenever it happened, unfortunately they do not have any similar treatment for the stoma so I am ultra vigilant. Movicol suited me (rarely use it with the stoma as it can have interesting results). It is tolerable but the taste made me think of lemon scented washing up liquid! I seem to manage now with lots of raw fresh fruit and veg and drinking loads of water (2 litres a day).

My heart goes out to you. Constipation made me feel worse than anything else!

Hugs!

Margaret

[Jan76]

Hi Babs ..

I had a bad reaction with movicol ..it brought me out in a itchy rash ...so hd to stop it ...the doctor gave me some senna ..very good and very gentle and easy to stop taking now that I have finished the chemo ...

The first few days after starting chemo not even gun powder would shift IT !!!!!

Drink loads of water and lots of fruit ..berries ..are good ..

Take care not to over do things re work ..

Love Janet xx