Bad flareup :(

[RoseTyler]

Hiya everyone;

Yesterday I had the worst flareup I've ever had :(. I had friends round for the weekend and I took about 6 Loperamide so I could eat 'normally'. I have done this before and it usually works to prevent the diarrhoea and urgency. Well, it did that, but it seems that I had a partial bowel obstruction as throughout the day Sunday, I felt increasingly bloated and then at night, looked like I was 8 months pregnant! My belly was so painful and distended all night. Monday morning, I was no better. My tummy hurt so much and I was actually sick :o. (I hadn't puked since chemo!)

I still hadn't done a poo (sorry if tmi; damn PRD) ;o , and I even felt kind of feverish and wonky. I went back to bed and then had to go to loo a bit later where I had a few small poos, but nothing like I would expect.

It was all very alarming! I had read several stories on here of people who have had bowel obstructions and I seemed to have all the classic symptoms. WTF?! I usually have the opposite problem, but if my bowel has narrowed, or there are adhesions from the radiotherapy damage, I suppose this can happen; especially as I have to live on Loperamide in order to eat. :/ Perhaps this time, it just worked too well. I just don't want that to happen ever again!

My GP is clueless and I haven't had a chance to connect with a Late Effects Clinic yet. It is a bit complicated for me as I live in Canada for the Summers and back in the UK in Winters so I'm not in one place all the time.

Any tips to prevent the bowel obstructions whilst at the same time keeping the diarrhoea under control? It's all so damn complicated!

Thanks for being here everyone :).

[Sarah_PRDA Partner]

Hi RoseTyler ,

I just wanted to pop on and say hello. I hope things have improved and you are feeling better.

It's really important to seek medical attention if you suspect a bowel obstruction, as this is a medical emergency. I have listed the symptoms below for reference:

- Sudden and strong pains in the stomach area

- Bloating

- Feeling or being sick

- Inability to poo or pass wind

- Cramping tummy pain or discomfort that comes and goes in waves (colic)

- Heartburn (acid reflux)

- Noisy gurgling from the abdomen

The 'Practical Management of the Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Pelvic Radiation Disease' guide states that dietary fibre manipulation (a reduction in dietary fibre intake) may help. Understanding the cause of your chronic diarrhoea is also important as this may make things harder to manage through diet.

Absolutely mention this episode to the late effects team if you can contact clinic, as they may be able to offer you advice.