Survivor Questions

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  • Psalm37bl
    Psalm37bl Member Posts: 25
    #22
    ron50 said:

    Hi Beth
    I too was dxed stage 3 c. I am well past the ca ,over 14 years. As far as my plumbing is concerned my GI made the point ,you had irritable bowel before ca ,why would it be any different after ca. Why indeed. So I find that I am either constipated or running off to the loo every five minutes. It has been particularly bad since I doubled my dose of metformin for type two diabetes. I aked my gi how to deal with constipation. She advised me to dissolve half a teaspoon of epsom salts in some hot water and take that. Next question was how do I stop the vomiting. As usual I solved my own problem. I got some gel caps from the chemist. I just fill the gel cap with epsom and no worries. No taste nothing. It is a good safe non habit forming laxative. I have had really bad arthritis since chemo,both psoriatic and spondylitis. It is not fun but the arthritic drugs are as bad as chemo. I have had high dose prednisone , Salasoprosyn (excuse spelling) methotrexate,arava and endep,lyrica and neurontin for neuropathy. The arthritis drugs are not for pain but to stop disease progression and the neuropathy drugs did not work for me. They want me to take humira now but I am not going there. I have serious problems with my kindeys too ,my nephrologist wants me to try humira as well and if not that cyclosporin ,cyclophosphomide or imuran. Not going there either. I have had three kidney biopsies and all that has told them is yes there is a problem with my kidneys but it does not relate to any of the common kidney problems. Three strikes and you are out. I am not a fan of the lets try medicine. I do know that I was given methotrexate for my arthritis and it helped my kidneys till it stopped working. I really miss self injecting methotrexate....not! Life after ca is anyting but boring. Hope your path thru survival is a lot easier,best wishes,Ron.

    Thank you for your post Ron!
    Thank you for your post Ron! I love hearing survivor stories like yours! I too know 2 men who had colon cancer with no reoccurrence. One has been 17 years, and one gentleman is 85 and had his in the 1980's and is still going strong! That's a beautiful fish. What kind, and where was it caught? Enjoy everyday! Beth
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #23
    Hi
    As others have said it is all a balancing act with foods and as individual as each person.

    The things which can cause constipation would include white rice, toast and bread, bananas, apples.

    Check with your doctor about the directions on the stool softner. Those are for 'normal' folks and there to make sure they don't self medicate and ignore a problem. Also ask your doc about seeing a nutritionist. If you keep a diary about your food intake it may also lead you to know what works and what doesn't for you.

    I have also used the old wives 'cure' of a cup of PLAIN hot water. Make the water as hot as you can tolerate and drink it down. As you know, lack of water is one of the causes of constipation.

    If you don't like water, try to get in watery foods such as cantalope, watermelon and the like.

    Best of luck finding what works for you.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #24
    Psalm37bl said:

    Thank you for your post Ron!
    Thank you for your post Ron! I love hearing survivor stories like yours! I too know 2 men who had colon cancer with no reoccurrence. One has been 17 years, and one gentleman is 85 and had his in the 1980's and is still going strong! That's a beautiful fish. What kind, and where was it caught? Enjoy everyday! Beth

    Hi Beth
    My fish is an estuary cod around 30lb taken on a close reef just off the town of Caloundra on the Sunshine coast Queensland Australia. I love my fishing and the outdoors. My arthritis slows me down a little but I still get to fish every now and then. Mainly in the rivers and creeks now ,I'm a little too unbalanced to go offshore on my own. The trip I caught that fish my crew mates were a double lung ca sufferer and a viet vet who had had sextuple bypass and I was half way thru my year of chemo,Ron.
  • Psalm37bl
    Psalm37bl Member Posts: 25
    #25
    Lovekitties said:

    Hi
    As others have said it is all a balancing act with foods and as individual as each person.

    The things which can cause constipation would include white rice, toast and bread, bananas, apples.

    Check with your doctor about the directions on the stool softner. Those are for 'normal' folks and there to make sure they don't self medicate and ignore a problem. Also ask your doc about seeing a nutritionist. If you keep a diary about your food intake it may also lead you to know what works and what doesn't for you.

    I have also used the old wives 'cure' of a cup of PLAIN hot water. Make the water as hot as you can tolerate and drink it down. As you know, lack of water is one of the causes of constipation.

    If you don't like water, try to get in watery foods such as cantalope, watermelon and the like.

    Best of luck finding what works for you.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thank you Marie! I love
    Thank you Marie! I love kitties too!
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #26
    Hello Beth from another Beth
    Hi Beth,

    I am in remission almost 4 years now, stage 4, I struggle with bowl problems all the time, I know if I dont have a movement for 2 days I am taking stool softeners, just the cheap Walgreen brand, I take 3 of them, 4 if I have gone 3 or more days with out any movement. Its a constant battle, if I take to much then in comes the Imodium, for me its just a matter of getting to know your body all over again, and telling yourself this is your new norm. As for the neuropathy, I have it bad in my feet as well. Some days I just want to cut them both off, other days not so bad, but it is constant for me, constant tingling, or a numbness feeling, have tried a few different meds for it, but as of yet nothing has really worked. It has been bad lately so might be seeing if the DR has anything new come up that might work. THe tiredness, that is another beast in itself, I struggle with that too. I know there are many factors that can contribute to being tired, had a thyroid problem but now have that squared away, not I am thinking it might be my weight, need to loose weight, need to exercise, need to eat better, all of which I know and one day I will achieve my goal of exercising and loosing weight :)

    Well just really wanted to say you are not alone...Wish I had some miracle answer to help you. But I will keep you in my prayers..

    HUGS
    Beth
  • So Worried
    So Worried Member Posts: 111 Member
    #27
    Constipation...
    I know a couple glasses of apple juice has helped my husband before...you could give it a try. Good luck and hope you find something that helps you. Prayers sent your way...
  • So Worried
    So Worried Member Posts: 111 Member
    #28
    Constipation...
    I know a couple glasses of apple juice has helped my husband before...you could give it a try. Good luck and hope you find something that helps you. Prayers sent your way...
  • So Worried
    So Worried Member Posts: 111 Member
    #29
    Constipation...
    I know a couple glasses of apple juice has helped my husband before...you could give it a try. Good luck and hope you find something that helps you. Prayers sent your way...
  • So Worried
    So Worried Member Posts: 111 Member
    #30
    so sorry
    so sorry for the multiples, website was locked up...sorry everyone.
  • So Worried
    So Worried Member Posts: 111 Member
    #31
    Deleting posts?
    so sorry for the multiples, how do you delete a post in here? thank you so much
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #32
    So Worried said:

    Deleting posts?
    so sorry for the multiples, how do you delete a post in here? thank you so much

    You Can't...
    If you START a thread you can delete the thread but posts can not be deleted. They can be edited up until someone responds to your comment. Pressing the Post Comment more than once results in the multiple posts.
    Press once, have PATIENCE
    :-)
    It's like being constipated.
    Just take one laxative or a few prunes.
    Don't eat a box of prunes or take 50 laxatives, let them "kick in"...
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #33
    I do have something to add
    I do have something to add that you might check out. I finished my last chemo 5/11 and waited for a year to get my energy back. I was very tired. I started back to work, a new job even. I was more than tired, I felt depleted, groggy, couldn't think, remember, concentrate, ready for bed at 730 and woke up ready for bed again. I was also very very down. I mean in a very dark place. I told someone I didn't care if I woke up in the morning and meant it. I knew my kids knew they were loved and felt that was enough.

    Well, at a friends urging, I had my estrogen and Vitamin D levels check. We colorectal ladies know radiation will put is in menopause. ....But my levels came back post menopausal and my vitamin D was 20 (normal is 30-80, 50 being the happy place for the DR.)My Dr recommended I take Estroven which is sold over the counter and is supposed to be a natural hormone replacement. Also was put on 5000 IU Vitamin D3 daily for 3 months, and to be rechecked at that time.

    I will tell you that the difference is amazing! Right away I felt the difference. It's now been 6 weeks. I am alert, and feel great. If I am tired it's because I worked hard and earned it. I can tell the difference at work and everything I do.

    Might be something to look into for part of your concerns. I don't have the same issue as your other. Good luck, Gail
  • Psalm37bl
    Psalm37bl Member Posts: 25
    #34
    PhillieG said:

    You Can't...
    If you START a thread you can delete the thread but posts can not be deleted. They can be edited up until someone responds to your comment. Pressing the Post Comment more than once results in the multiple posts.
    Press once, have PATIENCE
    :-)
    It's like being constipated.
    Just take one laxative or a few prunes.
    Don't eat a box of prunes or take 50 laxatives, let them "kick in"...

    Love your humor! Thanks!

    Love your humor! Thanks!
  • Psalm37bl
    Psalm37bl Member Posts: 25
    #35
    dorookie said:

    Hello Beth from another Beth
    Hi Beth,

    I am in remission almost 4 years now, stage 4, I struggle with bowl problems all the time, I know if I dont have a movement for 2 days I am taking stool softeners, just the cheap Walgreen brand, I take 3 of them, 4 if I have gone 3 or more days with out any movement. Its a constant battle, if I take to much then in comes the Imodium, for me its just a matter of getting to know your body all over again, and telling yourself this is your new norm. As for the neuropathy, I have it bad in my feet as well. Some days I just want to cut them both off, other days not so bad, but it is constant for me, constant tingling, or a numbness feeling, have tried a few different meds for it, but as of yet nothing has really worked. It has been bad lately so might be seeing if the DR has anything new come up that might work. THe tiredness, that is another beast in itself, I struggle with that too. I know there are many factors that can contribute to being tired, had a thyroid problem but now have that squared away, not I am thinking it might be my weight, need to loose weight, need to exercise, need to eat better, all of which I know and one day I will achieve my goal of exercising and loosing weight :)

    Well just really wanted to say you are not alone...Wish I had some miracle answer to help you. But I will keep you in my prayers..

    HUGS
    Beth

    Thanks Beth! I love hearing
    Thanks Beth! I love hearing you have 4 healthy years since your diagnosis! Continued wellness and good health wished for you!
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #36
    dorookie said:

    Hello Beth from another Beth
    Hi Beth,

    I am in remission almost 4 years now, stage 4, I struggle with bowl problems all the time, I know if I dont have a movement for 2 days I am taking stool softeners, just the cheap Walgreen brand, I take 3 of them, 4 if I have gone 3 or more days with out any movement. Its a constant battle, if I take to much then in comes the Imodium, for me its just a matter of getting to know your body all over again, and telling yourself this is your new norm. As for the neuropathy, I have it bad in my feet as well. Some days I just want to cut them both off, other days not so bad, but it is constant for me, constant tingling, or a numbness feeling, have tried a few different meds for it, but as of yet nothing has really worked. It has been bad lately so might be seeing if the DR has anything new come up that might work. THe tiredness, that is another beast in itself, I struggle with that too. I know there are many factors that can contribute to being tired, had a thyroid problem but now have that squared away, not I am thinking it might be my weight, need to loose weight, need to exercise, need to eat better, all of which I know and one day I will achieve my goal of exercising and loosing weight :)

    Well just really wanted to say you are not alone...Wish I had some miracle answer to help you. But I will keep you in my prayers..

    HUGS
    Beth

    I wish I could be
    I wish I could be constipated/ Since colon surgery(ies) I now go 3-5 times a day. I do drink a lot of water. Living in California (Costal Desert, and now the mountains in Arizona, I need to hydrate for the climate.) I do eat a balanced diet (The Zone) and I still poo loose. My wife eats with me and other then Breakfast we eat the same all day long. She gets constipated when she does not drink enough Tea or water. (Green Tea)

    Hydration solves a lot of problems like headaches, migraines, constipation, digestive issues, etc...

    Best Always, mike
    PS I agree with Pete Reverse Osmosis and go down to .5 microns. I use a system from Titan Water Pros because they are the least expensive great system. ($140 or less for the system and $60 for a three years supply of filters! They are out of Phoenix. I needed an $8 part from Home Depot to make it work under my kitchen sink.) That is much less then any other price I could find. It took me 20 min and a couple of swears to install. lol
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #37
    PatchAdams said:

    Chemo induced arthritis
    Very common to have chemo induced arthritis and painful joints come with menopause (which is caused by chemo).

    Lisa42 (no longer with us) had horrific arthritis pain after chemo and she was in her early 40's. Ron52 has awful arthritis. I have the roaming joint pain and still have neuropathy from chemo over 3 years ago.

    I've been constipated since my resection almost 4 years ago. Raisinets work for me. A couple of handfuls at night while watching t.v. then coffee in the morning are my trick. Triskets (just a couple) are my rescue tool. My Gastro said to use a capful of Miralax daily but I'm not one for meds. My onc said stool softeners. No thanks.

    I had the opposite
    I had bad arthritis in my hands, pain everyday, but during and after my chemo it went away. One part of chemo I'm extremely thankful for, the pain in the hands is something horrible, it's so nice that it's gone for now, thank you chemo for that one.
    Winter Marie
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #38
    Psalms37bl -

    Re:
    "I had surgery removing 1/2 of my colon"

    You have to intake more liquid, since your colon is not absorbing
    what it did when you had a complete amount of colon.

    Not "more", as in a quart at one time, but liquid at a rate of
    around 4oz per hour. if you take in more water than your body
    can absorb in a short amount of time, it will just eject it. But
    a smaller amount (4oz per hour) will more easily be absorbed
    and released -into- your system.

    Not enough hydration will lead to all the side-effects that you are
    experiencing. You might also suffer from a b-12 deficiency as well,
    from the dehydration! The side effects from a b-12 deficiency includes
    all the symptoms you mentioned.

    So do not drink "more water"; drink water more frequently.

    Best of health!

    John
  • Eltina21
    Eltina21 Member Posts: 173 Member
    #39
    Survivor Questions
    Gee Beth, you sound like my sister. You asked the questions that I always wanted to ask. That is what I enjoy about this site. No one is ever alone. The neuropathy did leave my fingers and hands as well, but my feet are another story. I am also going to try to drink more water. The responses that you have received contain so much positive information.

    Peace and Blessings,
    Karen
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #40
    Into my third year
    of remission (touch wood, my head). I did have a lot of bowel issues up until last year, and some things I could eat in the past I can't do now. But you will learn what is right for you or not, just wish there was a guide book for those who have finished treatment. I tend to have a lot of memory issues, short term, but ahhh. Hugs

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