How do I know when it's time to go to ER for fluids????

idlehunters
idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
Diarrhea has been INTENSE NON STOP for 3 days..... I am talking all thru the nite...even all over the couch! LOL....sorry...it's really nasty! Gotta laugh or I'll cry cause my butt is knots of blisters. My concern is I know I am getting dehydrated. I am drinking constantly....until I am so full I feel like I am gonna bust and I am still thirsty. I am trying to hold off till tomorrow when I will go to Onc office for some IV fluids and can then avoid the ER today. However....I don't want to get too far gone and will go to ER tonite if I HAVE to but at what point do I say...ok...can't wait no more....better go get some fluids at ER...what signs do I look for? Gosh....I just DON'T wanna do ER! And anybody know what I can put on my hurting butt??!? Thanks guys

Jennie
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Comments

  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    Fluids
    Hey Jennie,

    I'm so very sorry to hear that you're diarrhea is that bad. If you have a blood pressure monitor, take your BP while seated then again while standing. If the Systolic drops by 25 then you should go in. When I was having severe vomiting, a nurse told me that was the benchmark they use to tell if someone is dehydrated. Of course, the best is just to bite the bullet and go to the ER. When you go in, tell them that you are a cancer patient and have a diminished WBC, and they should rush you right in.

    If you're not using them already, I'd recommend incontinence pants and Huggies with aloe. The pants will help to absorb moisture if you just don't make it in time and the aloe in the Huggies will help to soothe your skin. They're also sturdier than generics or Pampers wet wipes. Finally, try some calmoseptine for your irritated skin. It's got calamine in it to help soothe and heal.

    This cancer stuff sure can be a pain in the butt!

    Hugs

    Doc
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    Fluids
    Hey Jennie,

    I'm so very sorry to hear that you're diarrhea is that bad. If you have a blood pressure monitor, take your BP while seated then again while standing. If the Systolic drops by 25 then you should go in. When I was having severe vomiting, a nurse told me that was the benchmark they use to tell if someone is dehydrated. Of course, the best is just to bite the bullet and go to the ER. When you go in, tell them that you are a cancer patient and have a diminished WBC, and they should rush you right in.

    If you're not using them already, I'd recommend incontinence pants and Huggies with aloe. The pants will help to absorb moisture if you just don't make it in time and the aloe in the Huggies will help to soothe your skin. They're also sturdier than generics or Pampers wet wipes. Finally, try some calmoseptine for your irritated skin. It's got calamine in it to help soothe and heal.

    This cancer stuff sure can be a pain in the butt!

    Hugs

    Doc

    Thanks Doc
    LOL...a pain in the butt!!!!! GAWD!!!!! I just went pee and literally screamed it burned sooooooo bad and then I cried but the tears are not flowing very much and right away I was like...uh oh..tears diminishing...... There's your sign!!!! So silly to be joking about this but what the heck.....keeps my sanity!

    Jennie
  • Lifeisajourney
    Lifeisajourney Member Posts: 216
    Lomital/or overcounter Immodium
    for diahera, vaseoline for bottom has to be used each visit, had diahera for a year, keeping hydrated is hard because water or anything will contribute to diahera.....been in hospital 4 times for bowel rests, only iv's, but that was for diviticulis, when on chemo spent 10 days, nurses use to say I HAD to stop diaherra, but watch out for constipation from lomotil/immodium, another probem...my diet is a constant in my life and I still fight everday for control...ask onc about probiontics ....good luck.....Pat
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    Pinch the skin on the back of your lower arm, over the bone.
    If it goes back to normal slowly, then you are dehydrated. It should immediately go back down if you are hydrated. A simple veterinary trick I learned, but then heard from an MD that it can apply to people as well.

    When in doubt - get yourself to an ER!

    Alice
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member

    Lomital/or overcounter Immodium
    for diahera, vaseoline for bottom has to be used each visit, had diahera for a year, keeping hydrated is hard because water or anything will contribute to diahera.....been in hospital 4 times for bowel rests, only iv's, but that was for diviticulis, when on chemo spent 10 days, nurses use to say I HAD to stop diaherra, but watch out for constipation from lomotil/immodium, another probem...my diet is a constant in my life and I still fight everday for control...ask onc about probiontics ....good luck.....Pat

    Hi pat
    Been taking 4 different things to try to control the poopin but to no avail and that includes lomital and Imodium.wow....this Folfox certainly is....a challenge. Tried Vaseline...a&d, hemi creams.... Numbing stuff.....I am using just calamine now. The whole poopin/dehydrating thing kinda worries me cause I know it can get bad on ya....fast! Take care pat

    Jennie
  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    Diarrhea
    My radiologist prescribed LOMOTIL to control my diarrhea. Much stronger than IMMODIUM. Never needed more than 3 pills to sttop me cold. Perhaps they will work for you as well. Good luck to you.
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    So sorry you're going through this!
    Brings back painful (literally) memories of chemo. Lomotil helped me, but not as prescribed...I would take 8 pills all at once, only way it stopped things for me. And i spent hours sitting in the bathtub, soaking my sore butt. As for getting fluids, I would say do it sooner rather than later. Dehydration is so hard on your body, actually downright dangerous, so I think it's better to get this addressed as soon as possible so your system doesn't get any more overtaxed than it is already. Hugs! Strength! Ann
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member

    So sorry you're going through this!
    Brings back painful (literally) memories of chemo. Lomotil helped me, but not as prescribed...I would take 8 pills all at once, only way it stopped things for me. And i spent hours sitting in the bathtub, soaking my sore butt. As for getting fluids, I would say do it sooner rather than later. Dehydration is so hard on your body, actually downright dangerous, so I think it's better to get this addressed as soon as possible so your system doesn't get any more overtaxed than it is already. Hugs! Strength! Ann

    And I've also read..
    that the stuff used to numb the area around a port before infusion (lidocain?) can also work on this problem.
  • Coppercent
    Coppercent Member Posts: 158
    abrub said:

    Pinch the skin on the back of your lower arm, over the bone.
    If it goes back to normal slowly, then you are dehydrated. It should immediately go back down if you are hydrated. A simple veterinary trick I learned, but then heard from an MD that it can apply to people as well.

    When in doubt - get yourself to an ER!

    Alice

    Pinch the skin.
    Alice I have been told the same thing about the skin pinching and it has always been accurate for me. Also my body seems to shut down. Don't know a better way to explain it Then I get the IV fluids at my infusion center and I am better immediately. After you have been dehydrated a couple of times you will know the signs from your body immediately.
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member

    And I've also read..
    that the stuff used to numb the area around a port before infusion (lidocain?) can also work on this problem.

    At the ER.... Hit ya later
    Thanks all
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member

    At the ER.... Hit ya later
    Thanks all

    that's a girl, ask for a shot of vit c in the iv bag
    Ok just joking, diarrhea and chemo is no joking matter, back on my 6 months folfox, I went to er twice for diarrhea, well onc mentioned her other crc patient went straight to ICU, so it's life threatening with a capital L.
    For me initially codeine and gastrow stop work reliably, but as I got into naturopaths the slippery elm, probiotics, gut relief powder and and homeopathic potion worked much better with fewer sides.

    The issue is that one Cell thick seni permeable membrane is inflamed, not only can it not absorb water it can leach it out. My vote is er and then a great Naturopath, it reduced the ads burning as well. Clearly the mushy poop is too acidic, a few ideas come to mind to treat this but they are assumptions and a very very good cancer specialist Naturopath may give advice that is health giving and outside your onc field of expertise. Enjoy er, you might as well.

    I am having a good few days, only used one poop pad the last few nights, added some meat into dinners to slow my digestive issues.

    Hugs,
    Pete
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member

    that's a girl, ask for a shot of vit c in the iv bag
    Ok just joking, diarrhea and chemo is no joking matter, back on my 6 months folfox, I went to er twice for diarrhea, well onc mentioned her other crc patient went straight to ICU, so it's life threatening with a capital L.
    For me initially codeine and gastrow stop work reliably, but as I got into naturopaths the slippery elm, probiotics, gut relief powder and and homeopathic potion worked much better with fewer sides.

    The issue is that one Cell thick seni permeable membrane is inflamed, not only can it not absorb water it can leach it out. My vote is er and then a great Naturopath, it reduced the ads burning as well. Clearly the mushy poop is too acidic, a few ideas come to mind to treat this but they are assumptions and a very very good cancer specialist Naturopath may give advice that is health giving and outside your onc field of expertise. Enjoy er, you might as well.

    I am having a good few days, only used one poop pad the last few nights, added some meat into dinners to slow my digestive issues.

    Hugs,
    Pete

    Glad I came.....
    Yep..... DEFINATELY DEHYDRATED! And hey doc....they did that test you mentioned first thing....lol.... I thought....hummmmmm...he be right! So I am getting a huge bag of fluid as I type and I am starving......all I can think about is KFC! Yep....gonna hit there on my way home. Thanks guys for listening to me ramble and talk myself into coming here....thru you! Just another day in the neighborhood. Hey Pete... I am seeing TCM bright and early tomorrow morning. He says he has some new things to add to my herb list that will take care of these nasty side effects. We shall see........

    Jennie
  • Varmint5
    Varmint5 Member Posts: 384 Member

    Glad I came.....
    Yep..... DEFINATELY DEHYDRATED! And hey doc....they did that test you mentioned first thing....lol.... I thought....hummmmmm...he be right! So I am getting a huge bag of fluid as I type and I am starving......all I can think about is KFC! Yep....gonna hit there on my way home. Thanks guys for listening to me ramble and talk myself into coming here....thru you! Just another day in the neighborhood. Hey Pete... I am seeing TCM bright and early tomorrow morning. He says he has some new things to add to my herb list that will take care of these nasty side effects. We shall see........

    Jennie

    Glad you went to ER
    Jennie,

    My daughter had the same thing - diarrhea that looked like chicken broth. Just water. Just poured out of her. She had to have fluids several times but she had them at the infusion center. And so they started giving her a bag of fluids in between her chemo weeks for good measure.

    She was taking up to 12 Imodium a day and also a tincture of something - tasted horrible. And she started taking Culturelle. Eventually she got less and less diarrhea with the Folfox, but when it was bad it was BAD. I feel for you.

    If your mouth is dry, your eyes look sunken and feel dry, skin looks shriveled with poor turgor (pinch the skin on top of your hand - if it stays pinched, you are too dry), hardly peeing and when you pee it's really yellow - good signs you are dehydrated. Drinking water does not contribute to diarrhea - you have to drink and have to replace the electrolytes - Gatorade is good for that if you feel like you are leaning toward dehydration.

    Good luck! Make sure they give you a RX for prescription strength anti-diarrhea medicine before you leave the ER.

    Sandy
  • jjaj133
    jjaj133 Member Posts: 867 Member

    Glad I came.....
    Yep..... DEFINATELY DEHYDRATED! And hey doc....they did that test you mentioned first thing....lol.... I thought....hummmmmm...he be right! So I am getting a huge bag of fluid as I type and I am starving......all I can think about is KFC! Yep....gonna hit there on my way home. Thanks guys for listening to me ramble and talk myself into coming here....thru you! Just another day in the neighborhood. Hey Pete... I am seeing TCM bright and early tomorrow morning. He says he has some new things to add to my herb list that will take care of these nasty side effects. We shall see........

    Jennie

    so glad you went, watch the
    so glad you went, watch the KFC on the way home though : (
    Good luck at the TCM.
    Big Hugs,
    Judy
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member

    Glad I came.....
    Yep..... DEFINATELY DEHYDRATED! And hey doc....they did that test you mentioned first thing....lol.... I thought....hummmmmm...he be right! So I am getting a huge bag of fluid as I type and I am starving......all I can think about is KFC! Yep....gonna hit there on my way home. Thanks guys for listening to me ramble and talk myself into coming here....thru you! Just another day in the neighborhood. Hey Pete... I am seeing TCM bright and early tomorrow morning. He says he has some new things to add to my herb list that will take care of these nasty side effects. We shall see........

    Jennie

    I would ask your Oncologist
    I would ask your Oncologist again about the Lomotil, and Tincture of Opium. (Things to have on hand Nupercanal, Bananas, Gatoraid or like, Lomotil, Tincture of Opium, Ginger - I preferred dried and cookies)

    I was going to the loo about 20 times a day! During FolFox and for a month after chemo. I had to use Nupercanal to protect my hiney from the acid. It formed a barrier like sunscreen. It also felt like my hiney had not been fully cleaned, better then the acid burn. I am tough as nails and the hiney burn could make me cry.

    My instructions from my Oncologist for Lomotil was, take on after every time you go liquid. (Make sure to get instructions from your Oncologist, I am passing information and not prescribing. My Legal Council made me write that statement. lol)

    Tincture of Opium will stop the diarrhea. It also is the worst tasting thing you will have ever experienced! (No Joke!) You have to be careful because it will stop the colon spasms, and to much and you will be constipated. Just as serious of problem. I could use with Lomotil and get pudding poops. lol Not solid, not constipated and not acidic. Not a complete win, but not hurting any more. My hiney healed and I did not have to feel like I had a greasy hiney for weeks on end.

    I ate a Banana or two after every loo visit. I would also drink 1 Liter of Gatoraid. This helped me not feel depleted. If I did not consume a banana and gatoraid, I was exhausted and depleted. I know of people whom did not eat and they were always exhausted and depleted. All of this still did not keep me from being hospitalized for dehydration.

    The ginger helped me feel less nauseated.

    I know Chemo is a difficult process and some things work for some and some things work for others. The above worked for me, and I received most of the information from others on this site. I then went to my Oncologist and asked for advice on all of the above. He told me to adjust quantities for my needs.

    Best Always, mike

    PS Anyone whom has been through Chemo and has not pooped their pants or couch is pretty much not telling the truth. LOL Chemo is not our finest moment. I had Gas so bad my dogs would leave the room.
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    thxmiker said:

    I would ask your Oncologist
    I would ask your Oncologist again about the Lomotil, and Tincture of Opium. (Things to have on hand Nupercanal, Bananas, Gatoraid or like, Lomotil, Tincture of Opium, Ginger - I preferred dried and cookies)

    I was going to the loo about 20 times a day! During FolFox and for a month after chemo. I had to use Nupercanal to protect my hiney from the acid. It formed a barrier like sunscreen. It also felt like my hiney had not been fully cleaned, better then the acid burn. I am tough as nails and the hiney burn could make me cry.

    My instructions from my Oncologist for Lomotil was, take on after every time you go liquid. (Make sure to get instructions from your Oncologist, I am passing information and not prescribing. My Legal Council made me write that statement. lol)

    Tincture of Opium will stop the diarrhea. It also is the worst tasting thing you will have ever experienced! (No Joke!) You have to be careful because it will stop the colon spasms, and to much and you will be constipated. Just as serious of problem. I could use with Lomotil and get pudding poops. lol Not solid, not constipated and not acidic. Not a complete win, but not hurting any more. My hiney healed and I did not have to feel like I had a greasy hiney for weeks on end.

    I ate a Banana or two after every loo visit. I would also drink 1 Liter of Gatoraid. This helped me not feel depleted. If I did not consume a banana and gatoraid, I was exhausted and depleted. I know of people whom did not eat and they were always exhausted and depleted. All of this still did not keep me from being hospitalized for dehydration.

    The ginger helped me feel less nauseated.

    I know Chemo is a difficult process and some things work for some and some things work for others. The above worked for me, and I received most of the information from others on this site. I then went to my Oncologist and asked for advice on all of the above. He told me to adjust quantities for my needs.

    Best Always, mike

    PS Anyone whom has been through Chemo and has not pooped their pants or couch is pretty much not telling the truth. LOL Chemo is not our finest moment. I had Gas so bad my dogs would leave the room.

    Wow mike....
    You have some different things to try. I like that. Thank you and you can bet I will be trying a few. Thank you all for input. I am glad I got drip at ER but that was short lived.i mean the pooping is the issue and no matter what I taken thus far.....and that's everything y'all mentioned except mikes stuff....none is working. There is no on/off switch....it just runs out of me....it's bright green.... I mean vivid green......neon almost.......all watery with bits here and there. Sorry to get graphic just trying to see if anyone can relate. Why is it green? I have to put a sitz bowl on toilet and go into the water every time I go cause that is thevONLY way I can pee without screaming in pain.....and then it still hurts but bearable long enuf to get some out for relief. I am dropping all plans for tomorrow to instead work on this issue with Onc.....or whoever can help me. This pooping has got to stop. I don't want to already pass on my 2nd infusion tuesday but dang....I can't seem to get past the first one! Dang....I'm beat. Catch ya all up tomorrow when I know which end is up.

    Jennie
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    thxmiker said:

    I would ask your Oncologist
    I would ask your Oncologist again about the Lomotil, and Tincture of Opium. (Things to have on hand Nupercanal, Bananas, Gatoraid or like, Lomotil, Tincture of Opium, Ginger - I preferred dried and cookies)

    I was going to the loo about 20 times a day! During FolFox and for a month after chemo. I had to use Nupercanal to protect my hiney from the acid. It formed a barrier like sunscreen. It also felt like my hiney had not been fully cleaned, better then the acid burn. I am tough as nails and the hiney burn could make me cry.

    My instructions from my Oncologist for Lomotil was, take on after every time you go liquid. (Make sure to get instructions from your Oncologist, I am passing information and not prescribing. My Legal Council made me write that statement. lol)

    Tincture of Opium will stop the diarrhea. It also is the worst tasting thing you will have ever experienced! (No Joke!) You have to be careful because it will stop the colon spasms, and to much and you will be constipated. Just as serious of problem. I could use with Lomotil and get pudding poops. lol Not solid, not constipated and not acidic. Not a complete win, but not hurting any more. My hiney healed and I did not have to feel like I had a greasy hiney for weeks on end.

    I ate a Banana or two after every loo visit. I would also drink 1 Liter of Gatoraid. This helped me not feel depleted. If I did not consume a banana and gatoraid, I was exhausted and depleted. I know of people whom did not eat and they were always exhausted and depleted. All of this still did not keep me from being hospitalized for dehydration.

    The ginger helped me feel less nauseated.

    I know Chemo is a difficult process and some things work for some and some things work for others. The above worked for me, and I received most of the information from others on this site. I then went to my Oncologist and asked for advice on all of the above. He told me to adjust quantities for my needs.

    Best Always, mike

    PS Anyone whom has been through Chemo and has not pooped their pants or couch is pretty much not telling the truth. LOL Chemo is not our finest moment. I had Gas so bad my dogs would leave the room.

    i would not admit that
    you might get reported to the rspca for gasing your dogs. but if your dogs are like mine, they will get revenge their way.

    whenever someone says i have a hot ****, i just think to myself, "they have no idea"

    hugs,
    pete
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member

    i would not admit that
    you might get reported to the rspca for gasing your dogs. but if your dogs are like mine, they will get revenge their way.

    whenever someone says i have a hot ****, i just think to myself, "they have no idea"

    hugs,
    pete

    LOL PETE!
    Mike right about anyone not admitting they have crapped all over theirselves too....cause we all have.,..thought that was funny too . Gotta keep a sense of humor.just gotta. :-)

    Jen
  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    Go to the er. You described
    Go to the er. You described my weekend 2 treatments ago. I couldnt stop going to the bathroom. I couldnt evan keep gatorade in me for more than 30 minutes. That is when i knew i needed iv fluids.
  • Vickilg
    Vickilg Member Posts: 281 Member

    Go to the er. You described
    Go to the er. You described my weekend 2 treatments ago. I couldnt stop going to the bathroom. I couldnt evan keep gatorade in me for more than 30 minutes. That is when i knew i needed iv fluids.

    Calmestine
    Hi there... see if you can get Calmestine to put in the burned areas. I use to get it at the hospital pharmacy but it does help. I am sorry you are going through this. Big hug!