Stomach cramps

Options
mommysescape
mommysescape Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Has anyone had severe stomach cramps from Chemotherapy? My husband was on CPT 11 for three treatments and then got switched back to Oxiplaton, Levococorin, and 5FU. He has had stomach cramps for 2 months now. The doctor seems to think it's an ulcer. He has been on meds for this, but it isn't working. They will go in with a scope sometime next week. He has hurt so much that he has basically stopped living. He is in depression, but in denial of his depression. Can anyone help?

Comments

  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #2
    Options
    Hi: My husband has cramps as well from chemo (I think mostly from the 5-FU) the med that he finds helps the most is Buscopan for cramping (I doubt an ulcer is causing cramps- burning maybe...what stage is he?
    Bev
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
    #3
    Options
    Hi!!
    I had severe stomach cramps from the imodium I was taking when I was on 5-FU. I later switched to other over the counter things and they helped. The imodium was too much for me. Some of the meanest cramps I have ever had. Once the imodium stopped, the cramps stopped. I am on CPT-11 right now with 5-FU and Avastin. Big time gas is my problem currently. Regarding his depression, has he spoken to his doctor about this? There are meds out there that can help him so much. Chemo can be very difficult...physically and mentally. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Terri
  • mommysescape
    mommysescape Member Posts: 5
    #4
    Options
    terril said:

    Hi!!
    I had severe stomach cramps from the imodium I was taking when I was on 5-FU. I later switched to other over the counter things and they helped. The imodium was too much for me. Some of the meanest cramps I have ever had. Once the imodium stopped, the cramps stopped. I am on CPT-11 right now with 5-FU and Avastin. Big time gas is my problem currently. Regarding his depression, has he spoken to his doctor about this? There are meds out there that can help him so much. Chemo can be very difficult...physically and mentally. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Terri

    That you both for replying. He is in stage IV. At least that is where he was. His CEA has gotten down to 74, so it is looking up. I just hope the PET scan (in 7 more treatments) will be as optimistic. I will mention the Buscopan for the cramping. He isn't on Imodium, so that isn't the issue. He has been unable to work due to the cramping. He is taking Donnatol that only helps for about an hour. He is getting immune to alot of pain pills. AS far as his depression, he will not admit to himself that he is depressed and refused to do anything about it. He will sit an cry and talk about things like if it weren't for you and the kids, I'd commit suicide. I just don't know how to help him. I could tell the doctor, but the doctor has already given him Zoloft. He just won't take it. IF he won't take his medicine, there is nothing they can do. Thanks again,
    Michele
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #5
    Options
    mommysescape said:

    That you both for replying. He is in stage IV. At least that is where he was. His CEA has gotten down to 74, so it is looking up. I just hope the PET scan (in 7 more treatments) will be as optimistic. I will mention the Buscopan for the cramping. He isn't on Imodium, so that isn't the issue. He has been unable to work due to the cramping. He is taking Donnatol that only helps for about an hour. He is getting immune to alot of pain pills. AS far as his depression, he will not admit to himself that he is depressed and refused to do anything about it. He will sit an cry and talk about things like if it weren't for you and the kids, I'd commit suicide. I just don't know how to help him. I could tell the doctor, but the doctor has already given him Zoloft. He just won't take it. IF he won't take his medicine, there is nothing they can do. Thanks again,
    Michele

    Hi Michele. I think at some time or other depression hits us all and that makes for some pretty bad mood swings. Even as a stage 2 my life seemed to be in the balance and prior to surgery and chemo I really found things hard to accept. The only thing I knew was I had cancer...and that floored me! I guess that the difficulty is getting him to basically help himself....and you can't twist his arm.
    I sought out a "cancer clinical phsycologist", thats what they call them here in oz. I had many sessions with him to deal with basically my emotional state....it helped enormously. I was advised by my oncologist and clinic nurses to do this. Even if he will not participate you would do well to seek out this help if at all possible.....because by doing that you will help yourself and a phsycologist just may be able to convince your hubby to talk to them.
    You could only try Michele. My wife, Jen, came to some of my appointments also.
    Our very best, Ross and Jen
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
    Options
    Hi, sorry your husband has stomach cramps. I had them real bad for many months. I am on CPT 11 and Erbitux, when I'm on the CPT 11, I would cramp for about 4-6 days so bad I wanted to die. It gave me constipation which compounded the problem. I now have few problems because of the chemo. I take Donnatal (for cramps) and GasEx (for gas). The day of the chemo, I take 2 senecot (a laxative) plus I tried Gerber's baby food prunes. I also started making fresh juice every morning about 2 months ago. I find that the juice is easy to digest and I get my nutrients that way. The laxatives and GasEx help move things a long and lessen the cramps. I really had it bad for many months before I figured out what worked for me. I also eat less so I figure less in..less out. My Onc wasn't that helpful. I also talked to many of the nurses and then put together the mixture that I have now and have had about 5 chemos with little problems. I hope this helps. I don't think there is one way that works for everyone.
    -phil

Discussion Boards