Acute bowel issues -diet.

[Kazibar7]

Help! I have stage 4 ovarian cancer. After a mostly successful chemo set with cisplatin and taxol finished in Feb, I had a mop up targeted at two spots in my pelvis. Just 5 sessions. Oncologist didn’t expect anything beyond a week or two diarrhea. InsteAd I’ve had awful cramping pain, diarrhea, vomiting, it has gone on an on. I spent 4 nights in hospital. I’ve lost a load of weight which is good but…

Last week the pain was preventing me leaving the house. So my oncologist prescribed fentanyl patches (the lowest dose ones). I had one great day. Then worse diarrhea and vomiting than ever. Less pain. But…

Talked to my oncologist and she told me not to eat vegetables.

today I’m still running to the loo every 20 mins to produce either a pea sized poop or mucus.

I’d really appreciate your advice.

[Sarah_PRDA Partner]

Hi Kazibar7 , Thanks for posting. As you have had radiotherapy treatment quite recently we would advise raising concerns with your health care team in the first instance.

The symptoms you describe could be short-term side effects of treatment (rather than PRD) which your radiotherapy team should be able to advise you on.

[Kazibar7 in reply to Sarah_PRDA]

Ok so it’s a month later. Th pain has largely resolved itself and I’m off the patches. BUT I now have bowel incontinence and my medical team really don’t seem to have any advice. It’s three months since the radiotherapy.

Its much better than the pain. But, it’s proving a mental health struggle.

When I wake up, I feel ok but need to go to the loo. As soon as I sit up in bed or stand, my bowels release a flood of mucus. I’ve generally got good pelvic floor muscles but I can’t seem to stop it. I think it’s because the mucus is so slippery.

By the time I get to the loo (only one room away) the mucus has been joined by small bits of poop. Sometimes that escapes onto the floor.

I’m wearing Tena pads but they don’t really help as the mucus is too thick to be absorbed. Or I wear old period pants, but within an hour I’m having to change.

It’s crazy making and between washing me, pants, floor etc I’m exhausted.

Has anyone had this mucus overgrowth. Is there anything I can ta. Loperamide obv slows the poop, but It doesn’t touch then mucus.

I’d really really appreciate any advice.

[Deborah411 in reply to Kazibar7]

Hi, I have that mucus issue as well. It’s very early in your healing still. If it continues for a long time I would ask the doctor if they should do a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to see if there is anything going on in your colon? I have radiation proctitis and colitis from anal cancer treatment 3 years ago. I will have a normal bowel movement and half an hour later I have an urge to go again but it’s usually mucus and blood. I was told the tissue is very fragile so it can get inflamed. I have tried Pentasa suppositories to help with inflammation. I find them difficult so I was given a prescription for a foam enema that hopefully will help. Silly question but do you drink enough water during the day? Maybe your initial stool is too hard. Eating prunes or bran can help keep the stool soft naturally. I take a half a teaspoon of laxaday every night with juice to be sure to keep me regular.Could it be caused by a food your eating? I became lactose intolerant during my treatment and am still trying to figure out what foods bothers me. I recently have been given a simpler Fodmap diet to try. Maybe speak to a dietician, they can help. I hope you feel better soon!❤️

[Triumph-Girl]

Hi Kazibar - sorry to hear you are suffering so. I was treated for stage 1b2 in 2020 and I had bowel incontinence problems, bloating, wind, nausea, as you say I think the mucus causes the bowel problems. My Oncologist told me to stop cows milk and have me prescription for fybogel and Imodium plus physio appt. She told me to download the Squeezy app and record diet and symptoms. Also put feet on a low step and push stomach out to fully empty bowels. I only had milk in tea so didn’t really expect a result but I have found the mucus had reduced a lot. Like you I didn’t think I had pelvic floor issues but carried out the Squeezy exercises for 12 weeks, I think my muscles were damaged by the rads and they don’t ‘do their own thing’ any longer. I took the fybogel for 12 weeks, never the Imodium, and my tummy is more settled. I was recommended a prebiotic cereal Bio&Me so have stopped the fybogel now. I use Oatly milk and eat probiotic yoghourt, I eat small meals and snack when hungry. Nausea, mucus, bloating, wind all now much reduced. Didn’t think I would swim again but have confidence now to go, dancing too.I am fortunate that I didn’t suffer as much as some on this site and hope this information helps others.

I wish you the best for the future