Abdominal cramps after chemo

evettesmom

my husband gets chemo and immunotherapy every three weeks. The days after his treatment he has constipation and cramps. I give him preparation h with lidocaine for the external but can anyone please recommend something to help with the pain from the cramping. It occurs quite often

eDivebuddy

I’m really sorry he’s going through this. Those cramps and constipation can be brutal. I’ve been through it myself, and what helped me was a combination of DocuLax (a stool softener), Gas-X (simethicone), and mint tea to relax the gut. I also took magnesium. I think it was partly for the cramps, maybe also to help with constipation or to replace what chemo was depleting. Either way I'd I failed to take it I cramped up.

One thing that really made a difference was marking a calendar to track when side effects hit. Chemo and immunotherapy side effects often follow a predictable pattern. Once you spot it, you can plan ahead and start supportive care before things get bad.

Also, immunotherapy can cause gastrointestinal issues, so it's important to keep the care team updated. I know how scary it can be to report side effects because there’s always that fear they might pause or stop treatment. But they do have ways to manage side effects and keep treatment going safely. You don’t have to choose between relief and staying on the meds.

You’re doing an amazing job supporting him. It really is tough, but you’re not alone.

eDivebuddy

I also want to say that some of the anti-nausea meds they give can cause constipation too, so that’s another reason to bring it up with the team. They might be able to adjust what he’s getting to make things easier on him.