Constipation?: NHL

Folks24
Folks24 Member Posts: 106
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I've got B-Cell NHL and have completed my 1st treatment of R-Chop. My 2nd is June 6th.

So far the symptoms I can handle but I have constipation that doesn't seem to alleviate. Per doctor's suggestions I have used: stool softener, magnesium citrate, enema, Senokot and am now trying out prune juice a few times a day. So far 5 days, no action. I think I am drinking enough liquids too.

Thankfully I am not in pain but I got two weights on the lower two sides of my stomach and seem to add a bit to it every time I eat. It is just uncomfortable and not inducive to wanting to eat though I have low appetite anyway. Yes, I am eating well.

Any suggestions??? Thanks!

Comments

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #2
    Prunes
    Hi Folks,
    I took 2 Senokot "EVERY" night after diner and it did the trick for me. I'm sorry it isn't working for you. You might want to try "Smart One's"...single wrapped soft chewey prunes. They taste great. With everything you have already tried, you'd think something would have worked...especialy the enema. If it doesn't get better soon, you should probably call your doc back and tell him NOTHING is working.
    Good luck and best wishes...Sue
    (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • diazr1
    diazr1 Member Posts: 101
    #3
    allmost60 said:

    Prunes
    Hi Folks,
    I took 2 Senokot "EVERY" night after diner and it did the trick for me. I'm sorry it isn't working for you. You might want to try "Smart One's"...single wrapped soft chewey prunes. They taste great. With everything you have already tried, you'd think something would have worked...especialy the enema. If it doesn't get better soon, you should probably call your doc back and tell him NOTHING is working.
    Good luck and best wishes...Sue
    (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

    Naked Green Machine
    I have drunk the Green Mavhine and it has helped me.
  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #4
    Hi Folks,
    I agree with Sue
    Hi Folks,

    I agree with Sue and you should probably talk to your doctor if it has been that long but it depends on what's normal for you.

    Walking helped me some to get things moving. My worst experience with
    constipation was after my first treatment. What I did later was start taking
    senokot the day before my treatment started. I did try to walk 30 mins or so
    every day. I still was constipated but less severe than before.

    Eating more fiber, drinking plenty fluids and avoid constipating foods.

    Foods that can cause constipation

    Alleviate/prevent constipation

    I now try to eat oatmeal fairly often for breakfast. It's easy to prepare in a
    microwave. To make it tastier, I've added fruit, raisins, etc. I just put it
    all in a bowl, add the appropriate amount of water and microwave it. I usually
    use the non-instant kind. I tried various high fiber cereals but found some of them caused a lot of gas. I seem to tolerate the oatmeal pretty well.

    Hope this helps and keep us posted.

    Hugs and positive thoughts,

    Jim
    DX: DLBL 4/2011, Chemo completed 10/2011, currently in remission. :)
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #5
    jimwins said:

    Hi Folks,
    I agree with Sue
    Hi Folks,

    I agree with Sue and you should probably talk to your doctor if it has been that long but it depends on what's normal for you.

    Walking helped me some to get things moving. My worst experience with
    constipation was after my first treatment. What I did later was start taking
    senokot the day before my treatment started. I did try to walk 30 mins or so
    every day. I still was constipated but less severe than before.

    Eating more fiber, drinking plenty fluids and avoid constipating foods.

    Foods that can cause constipation

    Alleviate/prevent constipation

    I now try to eat oatmeal fairly often for breakfast. It's easy to prepare in a
    microwave. To make it tastier, I've added fruit, raisins, etc. I just put it
    all in a bowl, add the appropriate amount of water and microwave it. I usually
    use the non-instant kind. I tried various high fiber cereals but found some of them caused a lot of gas. I seem to tolerate the oatmeal pretty well.

    Hope this helps and keep us posted.

    Hugs and positive thoughts,

    Jim
    DX: DLBL 4/2011, Chemo completed 10/2011, currently in remission. :)

    The absolute only thing that worked for me was acupuncture. Took care of the problem right away with no pills. The stool softners etc did NOTHING.

    The first time I couldn't do anything but cry and toss and turn, it was horrible. As soon as my chiropractor recommended acupuncture I didn't hold out hope......now I will do nothing else!

    Try it,
    Thanks
    Beth
  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #6
    dixiegirl said:

    The absolute only thing that worked for me was acupuncture. Took care of the problem right away with no pills. The stool softners etc did NOTHING.

    The first time I couldn't do anything but cry and toss and turn, it was horrible. As soon as my chiropractor recommended acupuncture I didn't hold out hope......now I will do nothing else!

    Try it,
    Thanks
    Beth

    Cool
    Hey Beth :).

    Wow, interesting. Never even thought of acupuncture as an alternative.
    Cool and thanks.

    Jim
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #7
    dixiegirl said:

    The absolute only thing that worked for me was acupuncture. Took care of the problem right away with no pills. The stool softners etc did NOTHING.

    The first time I couldn't do anything but cry and toss and turn, it was horrible. As soon as my chiropractor recommended acupuncture I didn't hold out hope......now I will do nothing else!

    Try it,
    Thanks
    Beth

    Beth...
    Hi Beth,
    How are you feeling since your SCT? Have you got good energy...I still don't have but 60% of my energy back. I really miss my old energetic self...sigh. Thanks for the information on acupuncture. I hate needles, but I've heard acupuncture can help in many ways, when it comes to body pain. Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #8
    allmost60 said:

    Beth...
    Hi Beth,
    How are you feeling since your SCT? Have you got good energy...I still don't have but 60% of my energy back. I really miss my old energetic self...sigh. Thanks for the information on acupuncture. I hate needles, but I've heard acupuncture can help in many ways, when it comes to body pain. Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

    Hello
    My energy levels are better than before but still not great. I am doing well and go for my one year post sct followup on 6/11th.

    As for the acupuncture? I never even felt the needles at all for the acupuncture....they are super tiny. It also helped with TMJ and sleeping. I know for future reference that I will definitely see her before letting anything get bad.

    Well, I gotta get to work.
    Take care everyone!

    Beth
  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,819 Member
    #9
    dixiegirl said:

    Hello
    My energy levels are better than before but still not great. I am doing well and go for my one year post sct followup on 6/11th.

    As for the acupuncture? I never even felt the needles at all for the acupuncture....they are super tiny. It also helped with TMJ and sleeping. I know for future reference that I will definitely see her before letting anything get bad.

    Well, I gotta get to work.
    Take care everyone!

    Beth

    Pins and needles...

    My brother had been to a pain management specalist for some time following a serious head injury in an auto accident about five years ago. He had vertigo and balance issues, along with pain. What finally helped him was acupuncture. He, too, said it was painless, and it worked very rapidly for him. It is surely an under-explored aid for chemo side-effects, I am sure.

    I ate so little in treatment that I never had "regularity issues." At one point, all I could tolerate was french fries, for whatever odd reason. I had a friend who cold eat nothing but pot pie for six months. Go figure. Drinking huge amounts of water is what they constantly preached to me, and is undoubtedly critical.

    max
  • JoanieP
    JoanieP Member Posts: 573
    #10
    constipation
    I had the worst constipation after Riuxin. Sometimes I needed two enemas. I feel so bad for you. I love prunes and since rituxin I never want to be like that again so I eat 7 a day. No problems here:)

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