Immuno suppressed and narcotic farts

Radioactive34

So, I am still working my way through the first week post chemo. My ears are ringing like no tomorrow. They feel really off. I have an inner ear disorder and this just feels like it is making it way worse.

The constipation is still a problem. I label the topic narcotic farts, because bowel/gas movements are just so painful. Farting hurts a lot. They make me wish I had prior warning and enough time to pop something for the coming pain. Sigh, I totally dislike narcotics. They make me itch and contribute to the constipation. Though going to the bathroom just hurts enough to make me contemplate narcotics. I am left feeling so pained and sore. It is just wrong.

I talked to my oncologist. He said it was par for the course. The chemo should help longterm. The goal was to avoid getting to the constipation stage. I agree, but that is hard. I am taking fiber supplements, eating as healthy as possible, and am moving as much as I can but....still...

Also, I did not consider the whole immuno suppressed thing. I have been out and about without worrying about where or who I interact with. Though today, I am feeling more horrible. I have a temp that is climbing. I am thinking...uh oh....I forgot about the having to worry about a compromised immune system.

Ugh....back to nap between trying to work on the housework.

kayandok

Magnesuim oxide
has helped me with managing my constipation for after chemo and beyond! Now I am a pro (not sure if that is something I would have boasted about before dx!) at NOT letting my bowels get to the point of constipation. I take this 250mg tablet sometimes 6 times a day (2 per meal) right after chemo and decrease down as necessary. I do have to use the lax every once in a while, but these little pills work naturally and have really saved my life. I hope this is helpful.

Take care Radio!

hugs,
kathleen

carolenk

kayandok said:

Magnesuim oxide
has helped me with managing my constipation for after chemo and beyond! Now I am a pro (not sure if that is something I would have boasted about before dx!) at NOT letting my bowels get to the point of constipation. I take this 250mg tablet sometimes 6 times a day (2 per meal) right after chemo and decrease down as necessary. I do have to use the lax every once in a while, but these little pills work naturally and have really saved my life. I hope this is helpful.

Take care Radio!

hugs,
kathleen

When fiber isn't enough
Sorry for your predicament--fiber will make more gas. The magnesium oxide (same as Milk of Magnesia) is a better choice. The magnesium holds water in the colon so the stool stays soft. Olive oil or coconut oil 1-2 tablespoons helps, too.

Managing my bowel movements became the highlight of my day for quite a while. Ah, it's the simple things that mean so much! : )

Carolen

leesag

carolenk said:

When fiber isn't enough
Sorry for your predicament--fiber will make more gas. The magnesium oxide (same as Milk of Magnesia) is a better choice. The magnesium holds water in the colon so the stool stays soft. Olive oil or coconut oil 1-2 tablespoons helps, too.

Managing my bowel movements became the highlight of my day for quite a while. Ah, it's the simple things that mean so much! : )

Carolen

Poo was a big issue for me!
Poo was a big issue for me! I used to tell my husband that my "Poo is time sensitive, when it wants out, get out of my way!" lol

My helper of choice is sennekot S.



Leesa

Mwee

They call me the Constipation Queen
not something I ever thought would take control of my daily life. You can try taking stool softners along with your pain pills and please make sure that you're drinking lots of water. I, too have had terrible ear ringing since starting cisplatin. You'll get through this, but it doesn't help to try and hurry your body to come back from chemo. As soon as I start feeling any better after an infusion, I'm up trying to do all the things I think need being done and EVERY time I set myself back. I never seem to learn, but hopefully you will.
(((HUGS))) Maria

kayandok

carolenk said:

When fiber isn't enough
Sorry for your predicament--fiber will make more gas. The magnesium oxide (same as Milk of Magnesia) is a better choice. The magnesium holds water in the colon so the stool stays soft. Olive oil or coconut oil 1-2 tablespoons helps, too.

Managing my bowel movements became the highlight of my day for quite a while. Ah, it's the simple things that mean so much! : )

Carolen

Carolen,
I'm glad to know that Milk of Magnesia is the same thing. I get the magnesium oxide from my doctor here in Japan, so good to know it is just over-the-counter there, if I am stuck in the States without my supply.
k:)

Hissy_Fitz

Mwee said:

They call me the Constipation Queen
not something I ever thought would take control of my daily life. You can try taking stool softners along with your pain pills and please make sure that you're drinking lots of water. I, too have had terrible ear ringing since starting cisplatin. You'll get through this, but it doesn't help to try and hurry your body to come back from chemo. As soon as I start feeling any better after an infusion, I'm up trying to do all the things I think need being done and EVERY time I set myself back. I never seem to learn, but hopefully you will.
(((HUGS))) Maria

Jonie (aka J Lo) turned my
Jonie (aka J Lo) turned my husband on to "Smooth Move" tea. It works for them. I can't stand the taste, but if you are an herbal tea drinker, check your health food store for it.

I use Miralax. I also take stool softeners every day, unless they seem to be working too well, then I just lay off them for a couple of days.

Carlene

AussieMaddie

Not going is NOT good
Hi,

what others have said sounds good. I've answered a similar question at length on a different board in here at:
http://csn.cancer.org/node/219285

Fortunately, I've not had constipation on carbo/taxol, but I did have it very severely when I was on a weight-loss drug over a year ago. I found a number of things factored into it. At first, I thought it was just a matter of eating more fibre, until I learned that if you don't drink enough, the fibre makes the stool only harder. For me, by far the best thing were the stool softeners because it meant that however much I passed at least it didn't rip my bowels as it did so. I was finding it so hard that I would be exhausted at the end. It also caused my varicose veins to become worse, so no more. Stool softeners, and glycerine suppositories to the rescue.

You can read my 'Tool box' for constipation that I arrived at from my experience at the link above - hope between that and what others have said that you can completely overcome the problem.

AussieMaddie

MK_4Dani

Right after chemo:
start taking the stool softners, I didn't one time and the constipation was awful followed but poo that felt like a brick coming out...it was like giving birth. Why are you taking narcotics?

IF YOU HAVE A TEMP YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! I was told to call immediately if I started with a temp. This does not sound like par for the course.

Forget the housework, you need to rest.

Mary

LaundryQueen

MK_4Dani said:

Right after chemo:
start taking the stool softners, I didn't one time and the constipation was awful followed but poo that felt like a brick coming out...it was like giving birth. Why are you taking narcotics?

IF YOU HAVE A TEMP YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! I was told to call immediately if I started with a temp. This does not sound like par for the course.

Forget the housework, you need to rest.

Mary

Ringing in the ears
The ringing in the ears goes with chemo-induced hearing loss. Somehow, I managed to preserve the hearing in my left ear only. The right ear has significant loss of hearing in the upper frequencies only. The platinum drugs & taxol/taxotere are responsible for the hearing loss. I was told by the ENT doc that the damage is irreversible. At least acupuncture has stopped the ringing.

LQ
PS. Too lazy to start a new thread.