The dreaded Diarrhea

GSRon

Hi All..!   Well not a fun topic, but one worth getting input.  I am on Votrient, but decided this is to much a broader concern so I started a new post, Vs adding to the Votrient thread.  So, I have been taking Imodium daily  and it had been a big help.   But in the last week, the Diarrhea is worse than ever, I have now increased the Imodium, but I fear it no longer is having any effect.   And tonight I was asleep when it hit... not a pretty sight..!

So, the question of the day is... what else works to control or just reduce the Diarrhea..??

 

I should also add, that I have take three different versions of Imodium.. the pill form, the liquid form, and now I am trying the generic form.   Intersting that the generis pill is a fraction of the size as the brand name pill, yet they specify the same doseage..??   I hated taking the large pill, but this small pill is easy to swallow... 

Coments please..!

Thanks..

Ron

Texas_wedge

Ron, assuming the diarrhoea

Ron, assuming the diarrhoea is due to the Votrient and not something else, modifying your diet may help to get it under better control. 

The general guidelines will be - eat slowly, eat little and often, avoid spicy and fatty foods, avoid fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol (but make sure you have adequate fluid intake to make good what's lost via the diarrhoea), avoid milk and dairy products while the diarrhoea is bad, for now cut down the amount of fibre you're getting in cereals, veggies and fruits (the items you'd favour if the problem was constipation) and favour cooked over raw veg and fruit.

BLKJAK

Texas_wedge said:

Ron, assuming the diarrhoea

Ron, assuming the diarrhoea is due to the Votrient and not something else, modifying your diet may help to get it under better control. 

The general guidelines will be - eat slowly, eat little and often, avoid spicy and fatty foods, avoid fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol (but make sure you have adequate fluid intake to make good what's lost via the diarrhoea), avoid milk and dairy products while the diarrhoea is bad, for now cut down the amount of fibre you're getting in cereals, veggies and fruits (the items you'd favour if the problem was constipation) and favour cooked over raw veg and fruit.

Diet

Would items like cheese, eggs and bananas added to Ron's diet help? These are items that can cause constipation, so perhaps they would help to counter the diarrhea.

BLKJAK

BLKJAK

Votrient and Diarrhea

Hi Ron,

I'm sorry you have to deal with this issue. It can really wear you down and bum you out (pun intended).

I'm on my third month of Votrient now and have very random issues with diarrhea. Most days my bowel movements are very solid to the point of feeling constipated. There are days when I don't have one at all. I think the oxycodone and oxycontin are causing this. I was told to take a stool softener twice a day by my oncologist but haven't taken any in over a month. Then there are times when I need to find a restroom immediately. These are not the norm for me and usually occur after eating out or specifically after eating ice cream from Dairy Queen. Without fail I will have loose stool within 45 minutes of eating DQ. So I can kind of predict what's going to happen and when.

For the record, I drink water all day. I don't drink soda or juices. I have recently allowed myself to drink a glass or two of red wine (cabernet sauvignon or merlot) around 7:30-8:00pm.

Are you on any pain meds as I am?

BLKJAK

 

GSRon

BLKJAK said:

Votrient and Diarrhea

Hi Ron,

I'm sorry you have to deal with this issue. It can really wear you down and bum you out (pun intended).

I'm on my third month of Votrient now and have very random issues with diarrhea. Most days my bowel movements are very solid to the point of feeling constipated. There are days when I don't have one at all. I think the oxycodone and oxycontin are causing this. I was told to take a stool softener twice a day by my oncologist but haven't taken any in over a month. Then there are times when I need to find a restroom immediately. These are not the norm for me and usually occur after eating out or specifically after eating ice cream from Dairy Queen. Without fail I will have loose stool within 45 minutes of eating DQ. So I can kind of predict what's going to happen and when.

For the record, I drink water all day. I don't drink soda or juices. I have recently allowed myself to drink a glass or two of red wine (cabernet sauvignon or merlot) around 7:30-8:00pm.

Are you on any pain meds as I am?

BLKJAK

 

Loose Goose..

OK, so I have been darn good on my diet...  no red meat, lots of fruits and veggies with fish and chicken...  I drink 99% water, have a little OJ every few days..  Not on any pain meds, just some BP meds..

 

So, I was taking the original Imodium, I just started on the generic version that is a very small pill... and so far it is working a lot better..!  The generic does not have the anti gas ingredient, but the Imodium never stopped my gas anyway..!  So, maybe this smaller - cheaper pill will last a while...

 

I was waiting to hear the laugher from some of the peanut gallery.. after all... we do have to laugh at times..!!   Heck I a laughing just thinking about it...

 

Be well all..!

 

Ron

MDCinSC

GSRon said:

Loose Goose..

OK, so I have been darn good on my diet...  no red meat, lots of fruits and veggies with fish and chicken...  I drink 99% water, have a little OJ every few days..  Not on any pain meds, just some BP meds..

 

So, I was taking the original Imodium, I just started on the generic version that is a very small pill... and so far it is working a lot better..!  The generic does not have the anti gas ingredient, but the Imodium never stopped my gas anyway..!  So, maybe this smaller - cheaper pill will last a while...

 

I was waiting to hear the laugher from some of the peanut gallery.. after all... we do have to laugh at times..!!   Heck I a laughing just thinking about it...

 

Be well all..!

 

Ron

Well Ron,

The fact is, we don't want to get you laughing TOO hard, now do we? Hmmmmmmmm?

GSRon

MDCinSC said:

Well Ron,

The fact is, we don't want to get you laughing TOO hard, now do we? Hmmmmmmmm?

Maybe..?

OK, so I am smiling here...!  It may be too soon to claim success, but switching to the generic so far is working a lot better... Time will tell...  All that said, I thought it would be a good idea to let everyone know, as some of the more shy types may be in a similar situation and have not spoken up...  Life is good..!

Be Well All..!

Ron

Phoenix Rising

Try this way...

I take 2 multi-symptom Immodium tablets with a full glass of water 2 hours BEFORE I take the Votrient (also with a full glass of water).  I take all of the Votrient tablets at once--once a day, just before bed.  Works perfectly for me and no more "running" to the restroom. 

Limelife50

GSRon said:

Maybe..?

OK, so I am smiling here...!  It may be too soon to claim success, but switching to the generic so far is working a lot better... Time will tell...  All that said, I thought it would be a good idea to let everyone know, as some of the more shy types may be in a similar situation and have not spoken up...  Life is good..!

Be Well All..!

Ron

Hi Ron

Wow i guess atleast your colon is pretty much flushed out and i would assume constipation is not a word you use very often.Is there not at least some type of undergarment you could use to maybe contain the situation.

Ed Brabant

GSRon said:

Loose Goose..

OK, so I have been darn good on my diet...  no red meat, lots of fruits and veggies with fish and chicken...  I drink 99% water, have a little OJ every few days..  Not on any pain meds, just some BP meds..

 

So, I was taking the original Imodium, I just started on the generic version that is a very small pill... and so far it is working a lot better..!  The generic does not have the anti gas ingredient, but the Imodium never stopped my gas anyway..!  So, maybe this smaller - cheaper pill will last a while...

 

I was waiting to hear the laugher from some of the peanut gallery.. after all... we do have to laugh at times..!!   Heck I a laughing just thinking about it...

 

Be well all..!

 

Ron

Loose Goose

Going to try the generic. The regular isn't doing that good of a job now. Everytime I feel like it's gas off I go to the bathroom. Getting a good work out. It's a gamble some times you win and some times you loose. Been on the loosing side for a few days now. So I don't dare take the bet.

GSRon

Phoenix Rising said:

Try this way...

I take 2 multi-symptom Immodium tablets with a full glass of water 2 hours BEFORE I take the Votrient (also with a full glass of water).  I take all of the Votrient tablets at once--once a day, just before bed.  Works perfectly for me and no more "running" to the restroom. 

does not matter

In the end.. If the Votrient works then the runs are worth it..

njkate07

Wondering

My husband has diarrhea so bad I wonder if the Votrient as well as his other meds are even being absorbed.

We are almost housebound now as he wants to be a few steps from his own toilet.

He is on 800 MG of votrient and takes in the morning. The immodium as well as a prescription anti diarrheal is not working.

Footstomper

A three trouser day is not a good day

Its how I ended up rating my time with the dreaded diahrrea. My oncologist decided that this was a real quality of life issue aand took me off the meds immediately.

Your husbands situation sounds awful and, believe me I really sympathise. I ended up on immodium, the prescription stuff and tincture of opium. Nothing worked and my oncologist changed my drugs for the better. Its a quality of life issue. Ithink you should contact your oncologist at once.

Good luck. I hope youre using moist towelettes!

DMike

Ron & TW

Hi Ron and TW,

We miss you!

David

njkate07

Footstomper said:

A three trouser day is not a good day

Its how I ended up rating my time with the dreaded diahrrea. My oncologist decided that this was a real quality of life issue aand took me off the meds immediately.

Your husbands situation sounds awful and, believe me I really sympathise. I ended up on immodium, the prescription stuff and tincture of opium. Nothing worked and my oncologist changed my drugs for the better. Its a quality of life issue. Ithink you should contact your oncologist at once.

Good luck. I hope youre using moist towelettes!

Foot Stomper

Yes, he has the preperation H towelettes to  soothe.

What drug did they switch you too? I am going to ask about Sutent as you take that for 28 days then have 14 days off. you would think the oxy would counter act this as that constipates.

Footstomper

njkate07 said:

Foot Stomper

Yes, he has the preperation H towelettes to  soothe.

What drug did they switch you too? I am going to ask about Sutent as you take that for 28 days then have 14 days off. you would think the oxy would counter act this as that constipates.

Drugs

I suffered from this from many drugs and frankly, as each drug seems to effect everyone differently, I think it would be irresponsible to name any individual drug. 

Ive been on 5 or 6  different drugs, 3 of which had the same effect on my bowels, but I have read on here of people who have thrived on the same medication. Currently I'm taking Nivomulab, which I have read a number of people on here struggle with side effects. For myself I found it had virtually no side effects, while it reduced the size of my tumours for a while. After about 6 months tho' one of my mets started growing significantly and thats what Im dealing with now.

I'm afraid its a matter of trial and error, guided by your oncologist. But you need to get in touch with him because it sounds like your husband is enthroned in one of the more unpleasent circles of hell I would not wish to revisit.

If you wish to know the meds I've tried, click on my name and the whole story is there.

Srashedb

Shock and sadness

I saw this post from Ron from 7/2/2013; that was the date my husband was told he had stage 4 kidney cancer. Seeing Ron's name and recalling his sense of humor was initially a shock, follow by sadness. Ron was the first person to reach out to me when I posted after my husband's diagnosis.

I learned so much from TW but didn't really have time to know him since he passed shortly after I joined.

RIP Ron and TW, RIP

Sarah

njkate07

Footstomper said:

Drugs

I suffered from this from many drugs and frankly, as each drug seems to effect everyone differently, I think it would be irresponsible to name any individual drug. 

Ive been on 5 or 6  different drugs, 3 of which had the same effect on my bowels, but I have read on here of people who have thrived on the same medication. Currently I'm taking Nivomulab, which I have read a number of people on here struggle with side effects. For myself I found it had virtually no side effects, while it reduced the size of my tumours for a while. After about 6 months tho' one of my mets started growing significantly and thats what Im dealing with now.

I'm afraid its a matter of trial and error, guided by your oncologist. But you need to get in touch with him because it sounds like your husband is enthroned in one of the more unpleasent circles of hell I would not wish to revisit.

If you wish to know the meds I've tried, click on my name and the whole story is there.

Footstomper

I called his oncologist yesterday and he advised to stop the Votrient until our next appt on 09/22. Now hubbie is worried this will set him back, I told him from things I've read on line this is not out of the normal when someone is having severe side effects. So now he is hoping his stomach settles down and in a few days he can enjoy a very small steak and baked potato before he goes back on chemo.

MattInVa

njkate07 said:

Wondering

My husband has diarrhea so bad I wonder if the Votrient as well as his other meds are even being absorbed.

We are almost housebound now as he wants to be a few steps from his own toilet.

He is on 800 MG of votrient and takes in the morning. The immodium as well as a prescription anti diarrheal is not working.

As it was explained for me. I

As it was explained to me. I was fine for the first 6-8 weeks and it became gradually worse. After 6 mose I made sure I was never far from a bathroom facility.

I got about 7-8 mos before progession. One of my doctors hypoyhosized that the loss of absobtion due to the chornic inflamation of the digestive tract caused by the drug itself could lead to its failure, rather than the actual effect on the cancer cells. The more offten my diarrhea became the less effective votirient was.

Nothing curtailed the runs, I lost appetite and weight. Imodium (Perscription), fiber pills for bulk, etc etc did nothing stopped the flow. 

I was on 800mg the whole run (Pun semi intended).  My blookwork stayed good, my BP was excellent and got better better, I had nose bleeds early on too. The signs it became less effective was probably a tapering of side effects other than diarreah. Watch the scans, I had one with stability and 8 weeks later there was progression. Be thinking of your next choice of drug. I am starting on 3rd and probably my final line 

Another doctor I consulted doubted this so its a theory (Makes sense to me).

 

njkate07

MattInVa said:

As it was explained for me. I

As it was explained to me. I was fine for the first 6-8 weeks and it became gradually worse. After 6 mose I made sure I was never far from a bathroom facility.

I got about 7-8 mos before progession. One of my doctors hypoyhosized that the loss of absobtion due to the chornic inflamation of the digestive tract caused by the drug itself could lead to its failure, rather than the actual effect on the cancer cells. The more offten my diarrhea became the less effective votirient was.

Nothing curtailed the runs, I lost appetite and weight. Imodium (Perscription), fiber pills for bulk, etc etc did nothing stopped the flow. 

I was on 800mg the whole run (Pun semi intended).  My blookwork stayed good, my BP was excellent and got better better, I had nose bleeds early on too. The signs it became less effective was probably a tapering of side effects other than diarreah. Watch the scans, I had one with stability and 8 weeks later there was progression. Be thinking of your next choice of drug. I am starting on 3rd and probably my final line 

Another doctor I consulted doubted this so its a theory (Makes sense to me).

 

Mattin Va

Makes sense too me as well. He needed B12 as his was very low, doctor gave me vials and syringes for a once a month injection, as he said pill form may not be absorbed...hmm

Right now he is not taking the Votrient per doctors instructions until we see him on 09/22

Eliezer2

alternatives to immodium

immodium does not work for all people.  try lomotil and a powder sold in europe OTC called SMECTA.