Ibrance people, do you struggle with constipation?

[Khoya95]

I have been trying my best to eat veggies, fruits and lots of water. But sometimes I find it so hard to pass stool as it dries too quickly. Had hemerrhoids a few months because of the same. Noticed it happens when I restart my cycle every single time. Having a lot of fibers help. The other thing that helps is too poop twice a day. But it is not easy to bring ourselves do that. How do you all cope?

[Iwasborntodothis]

OH MY! you and I are having the "concern" and you saved me a post. I dread using the restroom because my hemmoroids hurt so bad and (I'm on Troldelvy) it happens usually briefly every cycle. This cycle its been going on too long so I got some cream with lidocaine today. I would love advice too.

[Merma in reply to Iwasborntodothis]

No,Ibrance hasn’t caused that with me. Have you tried taking fiber? Best wishes in resolving this problem.

[Khoya95 in reply to Iwasborntodothis]

I see. See if adding more fibre helps. I read oatmeal with some nuts and seeds also helps. So I am going to have that for breakfast for a while.

[Nocillo]

I did not have any trouble like that with Ibrance. I hope you find some relief!

[AvidBooklover]

I do not have this issue, but I try to drink 64 oz of water a day and I eat a lot of fiber!

[Khoya95 in reply to AvidBooklover]

Yes Increasing my water intake. Let me see

[Red1246]

It had not occurred to me that Ibrance was the cause but yes, I have huge issues with constipation. Been on Letrozole and Ibrance 100mg since September 2019.

I’m in week one of three of being off Ibrance while WBC’s pick up enough to start next cycle. Drink tons of water, eat prunes, veggies, walk at least 45 mins most days with our dog and still have issues. I’ll now Google Ibrance to see if it’s one of the side effects and ask my oncology NP for advice. I’ll post here if she has any useful info to share. In the meantime, all best Khoya95.

Kathleen

[Khoya95 in reply to Red1246]

Thank you Kathleen. Looking forward to it.

[Red1246]

P.S. I just googled Ibrance and while diarrhea is listed as a possible side effect, constipation is not. 🤷🏻K

[Khoya95 in reply to Red1246]

I see. That is interesting. I shall also do sone research

[Fiercefighter13]

Hi Khoya95, try eating some Chia banana pudding for breakfast every day. Make sure that the chia has soaked well overnight and drink plenty of water. There are a few recipes online and I believe that should solve your problem naturally. Take care!

[Khoya95 in reply to Fiercefighter13]

Yes, I am planning to do this, plus add some oats to it so that fibre intake will be better.

[CyndiA]

On Ibrance and Letrozol since 2019. I had the same problem, but it's not Ibrance. It's the Letrozol or whatever you're talking with it. Fiber helps. You can use Metamucil. Another thing I did was eat soaked prunes every day. The recommended time to soak prunes in water is around 8-12 hours. You can soak them overnight in the refrigerator, or for a few hours at room temperature. I soaked mine overnight on the counter in a covered coffee mug. Also, drink the prune water.

Mine did ease up. I have no issues now.

[Khoya95 in reply to CyndiA]

Thanks a lot for the prunes tip. I shall do that. It makes sense that it could be the anastrazole (that's what i take along i think, it is either that or a AZD9833 - I am on a clinical trial).

[Red1246 in reply to CyndiA]

Do you think eating the prunes dried doesn’t work? I’ll soak them tonight but will probably not remember regularly. I thought it might be the Letrozole or other other AI. Thanks!

[CyndiA in reply to Red1246]

I didn't do it every night. It did help. What helped the most was eating a fiber one bar every day. It did go away though after a few months.

[bikebabe]

if you know what time of cycle then maybe drink fybogel and Lactulose which helps it hard stools pass more easily (not if diabetic though). And all those other suggestions for keeping regular. I have thyroid disease as well of which constipation is a symptom and have found the looseness of palbo and constipation of thyroid sort of created a strange but delicate truce.

[Khoya95 in reply to bikebabe]

I see. My thyroid is normal. I shall note the timings of these side effects like you said, so that I understand it better.

[NPmary]

I was so glad when my doc ordered senna (IC senna 8.6 mg tablet twice a day) it is gentle and effective. I also have constipation/diarrhea problems from radiating changes so I usually only take one a day and skip some days. I suspect this med will help you, you do need a prescription. Good luck.

[Khoya95 in reply to NPmary]

I shall check.

[Gingerann1]

Just passed the 3 year mark on Ibrance and have not had this issue. I don’t seem to go as often but nothing like what you are describing. Just as others have suggested, I’d call Oncs office and get their recommendations for what to take to get some relief. I’m sure this is miserable for you. So sorry you are dealing with this.

[Khoya95 in reply to Gingerann1]

Thank you. I think like some others pointed out it could be the other med that I take along with Ibrance.

[Red1246 in reply to Khoya95]

I just looked up side effects of Letrozole and constipaciones not listed. 🤷🏻

[Godbeforme]

Luckily, I like broccoli florets and eat quite a bit 3 or 4 times a week which makes #2 extremely predictable AND EASY. I call it a broccoliostomy ... I know it sounds crude but hey, no sitting on the pot straining for this gal and no, it isn't caused by the ibrance it's caused (my opinion) by old age. God bless you and heal us all in Jesus name, amen.

[Khoya95 in reply to Godbeforme]

I love broccoli too. I shall get some.

[Godbeforme in reply to Khoya95]

it works! Happy New Year! I only cook it once a week, I buy a 2 or 4 lb bag and dump it in a big plastic bowl and cook 2 lbs at a time on 12 minutes in the mike and then eat on it all week. Now I can hear my hubby saying, "now go teach your grandmother how to suck eggs". He is English and has that wit and sharp tongue LOL

[Warrior77]

I didn’t have that problem, if anything, ibrance made me super regular. That said, I’m on everilimus now and I’m experiencing less regularity than I would like. Fresh pears are a natural laxative. I eat them every day, one or two for breakfast with yogurt. I purée them or eat them whole to mix it up. I also make sure I poop whenever I can. And yes, sometimes it’s several times a day. Lastly, I always have prep h on hand. I found if I catch it early, it can stave off the worst of it. Everyone is different, so see if any of this works for you. Oh, and hydrate! I drink a lot of fluids, but nothing caffeinated.

[Khoya95 in reply to Warrior77]

Yes, I am also working on increasing my water intake, some prunes and fibers.

[Beryl71]

Well I sort of go with the flow, sometimes not at all and other days several times! Try not to angst about it, but if I'm going out I sometimes worry that I'll suddenly get the urge. If I go too high fibre and fruit it affects me the other way. I'm not one for medicines for this. Good luck. X

[Khoya95 in reply to Beryl71]

Thank you

[1stgradeteach1]

Since starting this MBC journey in 2020 I've had bowel issues one way or the other. My GI and Onc have both agreed that daily Mirilax is working for my constipation. I use one capful daily every morning in my coffee and have been regular for some time. I'm currently on Talzenna once daily.

[Khoya95 in reply to 1stgradeteach1]

Thank you

[CTGirl1962]

I have this problem and I take senna (2 at night) and a magnesium supplement. Seems to help most days!!

Good Luck!! 🙏🏻

[Khoya95 in reply to CTGirl1962]

Thank you

[michelangelina in reply to CTGirl1962]

Yes! Magnesium helps.

[KimberlyB40]

I do but I've had this problem before I got sick so I can't tell if Ibrance is effecting it in anyway. Are you on any opiods? Because they have a special prescription just for opioid induced constipation. No amount of fiber or vegetables or aloe all natural supplements have ever made a difference so If you aren't interested in asking your Dr for a prescription, then I would suggest getting laxative suppositories to help a few times a week. I'm always so afraid that my body would become dependent on a laxative so I'd only do a few times a week rather than the instructions on the box.

[Khoya95 in reply to KimberlyB40]

Yeah, I am also worried about the dependency, but if it goes on, it will cause hemerrhoids, so it is better to take medicine to get us functional to our best. I am working on my diet, if it continues further, I shall ask my doctor to prescribe laxatives.

[mariootsi]

I also struggle with constipation on Ibrance. I do drink alot of water but the only thing that helps me is miralax. Also have hemorrhoids. Use hemorrhoidal cream. Very uncomfortable.

[Khoya95 in reply to mariootsi]

Yes, I have been using this cream called Calandula, it is homeopathic and made from marigold. I am not a firm believer of homeopathy but my experience is that for some ailments it work. This ointment specifically helps heal hemerroids faster.

[Mermaiden]

hello khoya95, I do suffer with this every month, but interestingly enough, my suffering begins on day two of the week off and continues until day two of the new cycle. I too beef up liquids and fiber, but I also take colace during that week, and that seems to help a lot.! Good luck to you!

[Khoya95 in reply to Mermaiden]

That is interesting that you get it during the break of the cycle. I am also working on my diet. Thank you.

[Mermaiden in reply to Khoya95]

Actually, it goes along quite well with another reply that said, the culprit is the letrozole rather than the Ibrance! The letrozole is so drying it makes sense. And I guess for me the Ibrance helps balance that out so when I’m without it, I go super dry.

[FloridaNYgirl]

I have a problem occasionally, and I use a stool softener as suggested by my oncologist. I regularly eat well, lots of vegetables and fruit for fiber (my go to is dates) and about a half gallon of water per day.

[Khoya95 in reply to FloridaNYgirl]

Yes, I am also going to be very mindful of my diet and plan it accordingly.

[MaryCos]

I have been on Ibrance for a little over 3 years and, yes, constipation has been a problem. I don't have hemorrhoids, but my constipation has been so bad (numerous times) that I thought I might have to go to the hospital because I was impacted. (And I had blood in my stool from forcing the bowl movement, which I suspect is also what caused my recently detected hiatal hernia.) I also have had problems with frequent abdominal pain.

Problem for me is that the abdominal pain can be a sign of pending diarrhea OR constipation, so I have to pay attention to other signs, like when my last bowl movement was... because the last thing I want is to fuel the diarrhea by taking a med for constipation. All that said, I did some research a while back on the different types of over-the-counter meds for constipation as my generic "stool softer" wasn't doing the trick. Once I switched to Dulcolax soft chews... I haven't had this problem. So, I am going on at least a year since my last serious bout with constipation and becoming impacted. I still have constipation on occasion, but I can counter this quickly as soon as I determine that I am heading in this direction, and take a Dulcolax. In fact, this works SO well for me that I learned right out of the gate not to take more than one chewy.

[Khoya95 in reply to MaryCos]

I am glad you found your remedy. It must have been so hard. I hope we heal soon. Thank you for the information.

[Rbeth]

Try tomato juice or V8 with ice. Drink all the time. Stool softeners. Lidicaine cream for pain

For pain: oxycodone and Pregabalin morning and night Oxy constipates me but takes away my pain. Be well. Reenie

[Khoya95 in reply to Rbeth]

Thank you. I shall try tomato juice.

[Best521]

Hi Khoya95, You are doing some of the same things I do. I drink lots of water, teas, coffee in the morning. I aim for 8 glasses of fluids a day, a diet high in fiber consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts etc. and low in saturated fat. I make sure I get up and move my body throughout the day, walking, stretching, and exercise bands. I also love to get up dance when the right song comes on the radio. 💃

[SoulJourney]

hi all! Just learning how crazy it is to manage sudden changes in digestive system brought on by meds.

I fought with constipation for 6 of my 9+ years. At first I was against aids as I didn’t want my bowel to become lazy or dependent. I would only use them when all else failed. I did everything else including 4 litres of water a day, dates, prune juice, high fibre, foods that used to cause me diarrhea - corn and fatty foods. I avoided bananas and cheese.

This thinking brought in a blockage that lead me to decide that I would go to the hospital, but it was late so I would wait till morning. In the morning I could walk into Cancercare urgent care and avoid the general emergency room. That evening for whatever reason things started to / had to move. I ended up passing a literal softball size stool! Broke two ribs and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. My husband dressed me on the toilet, but couldn’t really move me from the bathroom.

After that experience I had no problem taking Restalax (same as Miralax) every morning and night until regular. I learned that I could take breaks and if I went in the day I could skip it at night.

Suddenly this July my chemo failed and I was switched to Enhertu; no more constipation within a week I had diarrhea so bad I haven’t had any aids since. I was relieved at first but at the second cycle the imbalance in my gut became so severe I got C Diff. At cycle 4 I got it again to the point they hospitalized me for 48 hours with sepsis. Now there are all kinds of risks including being taken off chemo permanently.

As for the hemorrhoids take care of those too so you don’t get skin tags and scarring. Either imbalance will cause a problem there! I was just prescribed a steroid cream that seems to be doing what Annusol couldn’t do. They are almost gone and I have had that since the first round of C Diff.

Be open with your oncology team about everything going on with you because they can help the small stuff from becoming a big deal.

Sorry this is so long but you need to know constipation or diarrhea unchecked can seriously get out of hand.

I am really lucky I have not ruptured my bowel yet just have diverticulitis and now maybe IBS.

Take of you!!

Hugs Tammie

[rubyc1234]

I get bad diarrhea, never constipation. The brochure in the Ibrance package says you can have either.

[Soundofmusic10]

Restoralax. I dissolve it in my coffee in the morning. Can't even tell it's there. Good luck!