To many BMS

shirlann54
shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
Its been allmost 9 post treatment .If i'm on the go to much like shopping going here and there.And skip a few meals i have more BMS.Last week i was helping my mom get ready a trip to florida she go's to here sisters about 3 times a year.I was on the go way to much .Mom's had 2 Dr's appt back to back .And some shopping to do. And other things it has been so hectic she don't drive.My brother took here to the airport sat. She will be back in Nov.I really over did it .I have had a lot of BMs this weekend and today too some times haven't made it to the bathroom in time .I have been resting.I,m feeling better today.I know one thing i,m going to start listeing my body and not over do it like that again.`I'm going to rest rest rest lol. shirley
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Comments

  • 7243
    7243 Member Posts: 249 Member
    BMs
    Well, I have the same issue and I'm almost 8 months out too. Most days I have at least 2 BMs and some I have 3 or 4. All are generally normal "consistency" not diarrhea-like at all. If I'm nervous ... that's the day I have 3 or 4. I also have times of "urgency". Sounds pretty normal to me! I eat LOTS of fiber now and a HUGE amount of veges and that likely impacts my situation, however I feel better when I "go" on a regular basis ... I just need to be close to the "facilities".

    Heading back to work after a long break ... a bit nervous about it, but ready (will head to the bathroom when I "even think" I need to go ... with no delay!).

    Hang in there ... rest up! You've been a busy bee!

    ooops ... here I go ... 3rd time today!
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    Bms
    If I didn't go at least 3/4/5 and maybe 6, I would be worried. I look at it this way, something goes in more than likely something is gonna come out within moments. I am really grateful for any meal I can complete without a bm. I think it's important to adjust and accept your new normal, it will make it easier to recognize something is wrong, when the pattern changes.

    I too have been pushing myself too hard and decided I too would rest today.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
    7243 said:

    BMs
    Well, I have the same issue and I'm almost 8 months out too. Most days I have at least 2 BMs and some I have 3 or 4. All are generally normal "consistency" not diarrhea-like at all. If I'm nervous ... that's the day I have 3 or 4. I also have times of "urgency". Sounds pretty normal to me! I eat LOTS of fiber now and a HUGE amount of veges and that likely impacts my situation, however I feel better when I "go" on a regular basis ... I just need to be close to the "facilities".

    Heading back to work after a long break ... a bit nervous about it, but ready (will head to the bathroom when I "even think" I need to go ... with no delay!).

    Hang in there ... rest up! You've been a busy bee!

    ooops ... here I go ... 3rd time today!

    Tired
    Thank you .I need to eat more fiber.My diarrhea had been getting better tell this week end.Last week i really over did it.And i wasnt eating like i should.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162

    Bms
    If I didn't go at least 3/4/5 and maybe 6, I would be worried. I look at it this way, something goes in more than likely something is gonna come out within moments. I am really grateful for any meal I can complete without a bm. I think it's important to adjust and accept your new normal, it will make it easier to recognize something is wrong, when the pattern changes.

    I too have been pushing myself too hard and decided I too would rest today.

    BMS
    I dont eat out much i feel safer eating at home .Sometimes when i eat its out within moments too.When did you get done with your treatments?
  • pjs62
    pjs62 Member Posts: 95

    BMS
    I dont eat out much i feel safer eating at home .Sometimes when i eat its out within moments too.When did you get done with your treatments?

    same issues....
    I was done with my treatments Sept. 2010. But now still dealing with tummy issues.
    We rarely go out to eat & if we do I either share a few bites with hubby, or have cup of soup & rolls. I eat 4-5 small meals at home....cereal, soup, pancakes, even Lean Cuisine. It helps but yes I still have 2-3 bms at times & feel a need to 'be on the look out for bathrms"! One things I noticed is helping is taking probiotcs, enzymes, feenel seed...check with your local Health Food shop for digestive aids. Its what my nutualist recommened.
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member

    BMS
    I dont eat out much i feel safer eating at home .Sometimes when i eat its out within moments too.When did you get done with your treatments?

    Treatments
    I completed tx 12/8/10. I was being treated as you were being diagnosed. I just had three good days in a row, which was really exciting for me. I told my husband I felt as if I could go out in the forest and cut down some trees. It felt so good to be bursting with energy again. I overdid it though, surfing every day for the past three.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member

    Treatments
    I completed tx 12/8/10. I was being treated as you were being diagnosed. I just had three good days in a row, which was really exciting for me. I told my husband I felt as if I could go out in the forest and cut down some trees. It felt so good to be bursting with energy again. I overdid it though, surfing every day for the past three.

    bms
    I completed tx 6-30-09, and for the 1st year my bms were unpredictable, and in the 2nd year I was able to determine when it was safe to leave the house. Like some posters said as soon as anything went in, it wanted to come out. I am absolutely fine now. I just want to make the point that it takes time to heal and get control back. One day at a time it gets better.
  • BeaRose
    BeaRose Member Posts: 45
    z said:

    bms
    I completed tx 6-30-09, and for the 1st year my bms were unpredictable, and in the 2nd year I was able to determine when it was safe to leave the house. Like some posters said as soon as anything went in, it wanted to come out. I am absolutely fine now. I just want to make the point that it takes time to heal and get control back. One day at a time it gets better.

    bms
    During tx my intestines were severely burned to the point of failing to digest anything. I was put on a med called Lomotil. It slows the motion of my intestines, I take it prior to meals. My Dr. says it is equal to 5 imodiums. It works wonders. I have maybe 1 or 2 I gotta wents a month now. I am 1 year post tx at the end of the month. Hang in there!!
  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    Almost 3 Years Out
    I am almost 3 years out and still unconfortable leaving the house in the mornings. I usually have 3-4 BMs daily, more if anxious or stressed. I try to not make committments until afternoon. Prior to anal cancer I had 1-2 BMs daily. I think some of my lack of confidence may be psychological as I had a small accident at the grocery store 2 years ago.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
    BeaRose said:

    bms
    During tx my intestines were severely burned to the point of failing to digest anything. I was put on a med called Lomotil. It slows the motion of my intestines, I take it prior to meals. My Dr. says it is equal to 5 imodiums. It works wonders. I have maybe 1 or 2 I gotta wents a month now. I am 1 year post tx at the end of the month. Hang in there!!

    BMS
    Thank you .I had been doing much better till this weekend.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162

    Almost 3 Years Out
    I am almost 3 years out and still unconfortable leaving the house in the mornings. I usually have 3-4 BMs daily, more if anxious or stressed. I try to not make committments until afternoon. Prior to anal cancer I had 1-2 BMs daily. I think some of my lack of confidence may be psychological as I had a small accident at the grocery store 2 years ago.

    not going out much
    I,m staying close to home for the rest of this week .I had a accident at Kmart back in june .I got to my car before any one know it .I wasnt far from my house .I was glad to get home. Shirley
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    BeaRose said:

    bms
    During tx my intestines were severely burned to the point of failing to digest anything. I was put on a med called Lomotil. It slows the motion of my intestines, I take it prior to meals. My Dr. says it is equal to 5 imodiums. It works wonders. I have maybe 1 or 2 I gotta wents a month now. I am 1 year post tx at the end of the month. Hang in there!!

    Lomotil
    I took Lomotil for awhile and it helped. It's interesting how a tiny, little pill can help so much. I'm sure it will take time for innards to heal. I guess patience is the key word.
    For the just in case moments I actually wear Depends when I'm away from home. Didn't think I would start wearing them this soon in life, but just want to be on the safe side. Since I was a teacher before I retired in June, I'm glad I retired because there aren't a lot of bathroom opportunities during the day.
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member

    not going out much
    I,m staying close to home for the rest of this week .I had a accident at Kmart back in june .I got to my car before any one know it .I wasnt far from my house .I was glad to get home. Shirley

    Bms
    Two pieces of toast equal 5bms so far. Haven't finished the toast yet. I consider the bathroom, my office now. Clipping coupons between bmssssss.I agree the morning is difficult, and even more difficult if there is stress or an appointment. It still is a small price to pay for such a great life.
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member

    Bms
    Two pieces of toast equal 5bms so far. Haven't finished the toast yet. I consider the bathroom, my office now. Clipping coupons between bmssssss.I agree the morning is difficult, and even more difficult if there is stress or an appointment. It still is a small price to pay for such a great life.

    Bms
    I am now back in the office for bm 7 at 830 am, and now there is blood. Bright red of course. I was going to leave for work at 730 but that won't happen, as I don't feel this is done. This really is my biggest complaint. Next time I want to leave early, I will skip the breakfast. It's a learning curve, with a lot of whirligigs in it. ha ha.
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    My last treatment was August 15th and I'm finding rest is key to everything. Before my diagnosis I don't think I really knew how to rest. I would go until I dropped. Well about the time of my diagnosis I had dropped and didn't know it. I besides Anal Cancer and a bunch of benign tumors in my "pelvic bowel" had Thrush, a spot on my lung, horrible bi-lateral sciatica, and poison ivy without having been around it - especially where I got it (lol)!. Now I enjoy resting. But tonight my husband and I are going into NYC on the city subway system to see a private screening by the DGA of "The Help". It's our first date in a long time. I went to Bible Study this morning. I had a rehearsal for the Songs of Emily Dickinson by Aaron Copeland this afternoon that I postponed till Monday because it would be just too much for one day. Thank God we have a dog that likes to rest with me because it is still so hard to do! So far I make it to the bathroom:-)
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    sandysp said:

    My last treatment was August 15th and I'm finding rest is key to everything. Before my diagnosis I don't think I really knew how to rest. I would go until I dropped. Well about the time of my diagnosis I had dropped and didn't know it. I besides Anal Cancer and a bunch of benign tumors in my "pelvic bowel" had Thrush, a spot on my lung, horrible bi-lateral sciatica, and poison ivy without having been around it - especially where I got it (lol)!. Now I enjoy resting. But tonight my husband and I are going into NYC on the city subway system to see a private screening by the DGA of "The Help". It's our first date in a long time. I went to Bible Study this morning. I had a rehearsal for the Songs of Emily Dickinson by Aaron Copeland this afternoon that I postponed till Monday because it would be just too much for one day. Thank God we have a dog that likes to rest with me because it is still so hard to do! So far I make it to the bathroom:-)

    Sandy
    Hi Sandy, This sounds like a very good day and night for you. I am glad you feel well enough to go into the city to see The Help, this sounds like fun to me. I hope you continue to feel well. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    z said:

    Sandy
    Hi Sandy, This sounds like a very good day and night for you. I am glad you feel well enough to go into the city to see The Help, this sounds like fun to me. I hope you continue to feel well. Lori

    Imodium
    For those of you who are still strugglig with frequent BM's and/or diarrhea issues post-treatment, you might try taking one Imodium tablet daily to help slow things down. This is what my rad onc recommended for me and it really helped. He told me it would not be harmful to do this and I could adjust the dosage as necessary. I experienced the same urgency and frequency issues as you all have reported, but I am over 3 years post-treatment now and everything has settled down. Don't be discouraged--things will improve with time!
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    mp327 said:

    Imodium
    For those of you who are still strugglig with frequent BM's and/or diarrhea issues post-treatment, you might try taking one Imodium tablet daily to help slow things down. This is what my rad onc recommended for me and it really helped. He told me it would not be harmful to do this and I could adjust the dosage as necessary. I experienced the same urgency and frequency issues as you all have reported, but I am over 3 years post-treatment now and everything has settled down. Don't be discouraged--things will improve with time!

    Bms
    It's the up and down of it that gets to me. Some weeks fine, some not. This whole week has been a mess. It is not diarrhea, so I hesitate to take the ammonium. I realize it is probably diet related.

    Prior to diagnosis, I would throw anything in my mouth believing that I worked out so much that I would work it off. Now I worry about everything I eat or drink. I have been eating a lot of vegetables, thought I was ready. I have backed off the veggies for the past few days, some improvement in frequency this am.

    Welcome back Martha.

    For me u r the person at the finish line, cheering u can do it.

    Thank u for that.

    Carrol
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member

    Bms
    It's the up and down of it that gets to me. Some weeks fine, some not. This whole week has been a mess. It is not diarrhea, so I hesitate to take the ammonium. I realize it is probably diet related.

    Prior to diagnosis, I would throw anything in my mouth believing that I worked out so much that I would work it off. Now I worry about everything I eat or drink. I have been eating a lot of vegetables, thought I was ready. I have backed off the veggies for the past few days, some improvement in frequency this am.

    Welcome back Martha.

    For me u r the person at the finish line, cheering u can do it.

    Thank u for that.

    Carrol

    Hi Carrol!
    Thank you for the welcome back and your kind words. You are sweet to say that.

    As for the frequent BM's that seem to not end, veggies can be a problem. I hit the floor running after treatment ended to get as many fruits and veggies as I could. Well, that really backfired on me and I was spending all of my time running to the bathroom. I soon realized that I was getting WAY too much fiber and that my insides were not ready for it. I backed way down on the fresh/raw stuff and made sure that I only ate cooked fruits and veggies. I found them much easier to digest and they didn't pass through me like a laser beam! Eventually, when things started to improve, I gradually added small amounts of fresh stuff back in my diet. Even at 3 years out now, I still am cautious with salads (small amounts are okay) and I found that spinach just plain blocks me up, cooked or raw, so no more Popeye food for me!

    I would take apples, peaches or pears and peel them, cut them up, and put them in a large glass measuring cup. Sprinkle with cinnamon, cover, and nuke in the microwave for 90 seconds or until softened. I found I could tolerate those fruits cooked like that very well. Also, they are great like that eaten over some vanilla ice cream!

    I might suggest keeping a food journal. Tracking what you eat on a daily basis and what kind of bowel issues follow or don't follow is a good way to identify trigger foods. I know it's discouraging, but don't give up on the foods you love because eventually you will be able to add them back in. I eat spicy food every week and it doesn't seem to have any bad effects. I also like a little tequila now and then!

    I will be your cheerleader for as long as it takes for you to get over the hump! You will, I just know it! Hugs!
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    mp327 said:

    Hi Carrol!
    Thank you for the welcome back and your kind words. You are sweet to say that.

    As for the frequent BM's that seem to not end, veggies can be a problem. I hit the floor running after treatment ended to get as many fruits and veggies as I could. Well, that really backfired on me and I was spending all of my time running to the bathroom. I soon realized that I was getting WAY too much fiber and that my insides were not ready for it. I backed way down on the fresh/raw stuff and made sure that I only ate cooked fruits and veggies. I found them much easier to digest and they didn't pass through me like a laser beam! Eventually, when things started to improve, I gradually added small amounts of fresh stuff back in my diet. Even at 3 years out now, I still am cautious with salads (small amounts are okay) and I found that spinach just plain blocks me up, cooked or raw, so no more Popeye food for me!

    I would take apples, peaches or pears and peel them, cut them up, and put them in a large glass measuring cup. Sprinkle with cinnamon, cover, and nuke in the microwave for 90 seconds or until softened. I found I could tolerate those fruits cooked like that very well. Also, they are great like that eaten over some vanilla ice cream!

    I might suggest keeping a food journal. Tracking what you eat on a daily basis and what kind of bowel issues follow or don't follow is a good way to identify trigger foods. I know it's discouraging, but don't give up on the foods you love because eventually you will be able to add them back in. I eat spicy food every week and it doesn't seem to have any bad effects. I also like a little tequila now and then!

    I will be your cheerleader for as long as it takes for you to get over the hump! You will, I just know it! Hugs!

    Hi
    Thanks for your support. I loved the recipe and I know my husband will too.

    Carrol