Endometrial Cancer - Pelvic Chemoradiotherapy.

[Ohthistoo]

Hi there,

I have all the digestive issues you'd expect. I'm chronically constipated and take sodium docusate 8-10 per day. I had a very large spleen and compromised immune system. I'm 3 years post treatment. A large dose of b12 reduced the spleen to near normal but if it falls below 1000 it starts to enlarge again. My neutrophils are consistently abnormally low. It seems to me that my bone marrow in my pelvic bone has not recovered and so my spleen which should be doing the immune system role gets involved in producing red blood cells and gets swollen from over work. The large shots of b12 help red blood cell function and development. Just mentioning this in case anyone in similar situation. You might be undiagnosed but if you have left upper tenderness/swelling it could be your spleen and you might need an ultrasound. If that is the case even if your b12 is normal (350) push for loading doses. Haematologists know that b12 can reduce spleen size.

Does anyone else have this lack of peristaltic action in their large intestine? I also find it cramps, sometimes and twitches like it has hiccups. I had hoped these were signs it was waking up. But apparently not. My whole gastric system is very slow. I have been abused by 3 gastroenterologists but am now in the care of St Marks bowel hospital and I could not be more relieved.

I basically only eat a high fat diet with meat, eggs and dairy. This I can digest. Weight loss has happened but after a fast rate of loss it has settled to about 3-5lb a month. As I started off fat especially after cancer treatment no one is bothered by this. I'm guessing it will be fine until I become underweight. As a tall and broad woman I find this difficult. It feels like cancer diminished me in all ways. Good luck everyone and happy new year.

A.

[Hopeful-one]

Hello Ohthistoo. I'm sorry to hear of your troubles, it's not easy is it. I am interested to read what you say about the bowel slowing down. I am currently experiencing a similar thing. Having had chronic diarrhea for years, over the last 9 months or so my bowel function has slowed dramatically-apparently triggered by a week of Doxcycline for SIBO though the timing could be coincidental- and now I am regularly constipated with considerable discomfort around the tummy button area (and to my left hand side sometimes). The weird thing is that this is at the same time as it is becoming harder to pass urine, with a sensation of not being able to push urine out. This has not been investigated yet though I'm on waiting lists for gastroenterology, and urology follow up.I hope St Marks are able to help you good luck!

[Ohthistoo in reply to Hopeful-one]

I would definitely recommend a proctogram. I also took doxy for SIBO. I think it made my constipation a little better. I would recommend sodium docusate if you're not on the. I'm not a medical doctor so just talking from experience. Very, very important not to strain. I used to have the ring if fire round the belly button. If memory serves I think this is IBS. Our bowels are irritated! Whou'd a thunk it?! My proctogram revealed I had a retrocele. I became very constipated during radiotherapy I'd say the trauma of that + radiotherapy cause untold damage. I also have this issue identified during the proctogram where my pelvic floor muscles are too strong and work opposite to how they should. When you need a poo they should drop down automatically. Mine rise up even higher to block exit. You get that sense of what I call 'turtles head' where the poo seems like it's going to come out but it goes back in. I write about it in detail here as I think a lot of us will suffer with nerve problems but also mechanical problems. I'm so sorry to hear about your constipation. I feel no one takes it seriously. It's very dibilitating. But I also understand I'm 'lucky' to not be fecally incontinent. Please feel free to keep in touch.x

[Hopeful-one in reply to Ohthistoo]

Thanks for your reply. I've not heard of a proctogram so will look if up. The body is soooo complicated isn't it, so many processes all interlinked. I'll see how I get with the gastroenterologist -if I ever get offered an appointment!!