anyone have...?

1linde said:

yes to 2, 3, and 4

18 months out and think I will always have gastro type issues.  The one thing that really opened my eyes is joining weight watchers. I always had a severe reaction to eating fiber post treatment and thought I was doomed to a white bread unhealthy diet. Everytime I ate high fiber foods - even a fiber muffin - I would have problems with immediate bowel movement which is manageable in private but not in real life.  I had that problem with my first day of weight watchers but instead of quitting fiber food after one attempt went to day two. After the second day no such violent reaction.

 

I still have multiple bowel movements in the morning and give myself two to three hours before leaving for work and even changed my work to begin at 11am and work into the evening to not stress myself out.  It seems that things get better for a while and then there are issues. I have to use cottonelle and the like as it is always an ordeal to me to go to the bathroom and deal with cleanup. I NEVER had those issues in my life but don't want to stay perpetually on anti diarrehal meds as I was using to help with symptoms.

 

Make sure to discuss all concerns with your doctors. I think even with focused radiation our intestines take a beating during treatment.

thanks linde1. yes, things get better fast and then they seem to get a little worse.  Reasurrances to the contrary, I think that you're right, focused radiation is a relative term and I'm guessing that we all had full body radiation. If not, why the thick lead double doors that swing shut during treatment?  To protect.....me?  Don't know what's causing my current problems but I sure hope that this passes.  Because it's a beautiful day outside, my dog is begging me to go out and I want to as badly as he does, but... I just don't feel well. 

Phoebesnow said:

La ch

Yes to 2 3 4 then and now.  Lean more towards constipation now.  I had really bad gas for several months after tx.  Used gasx and think that was a mistake, better to go natural.  Got better around July 7  2011 7 months post tx, ate all vegetables fruits going perfect all way up until nov2012 now hard stools, blockages, unable to east anything but chicken fish and baked potato.  Tons of blood everybtime Totally fed up.

Sorry to hear it. Thanks for the information.

jcruz said:

2 and 3 yes occasionally,

2 and 3 yes occasionally, less so as time goes on.

I don't know about 1.

4. Still dealing with tricky digestion.  Sticking mainly to low-fiber foods but have introduced a few new well-cooked vegetables and a tasty wheat (but not too grainy) bread with success.  And out of fear of accidents I usually take an imodium tab before I go to work, depending on how the morning at home BMs have been.  I'll be so glad if I can get past this phase.

thanks jcruz... I was doing better a week or so ago and now my entire GI tract from mouth to 'southern terminus' is in a turmoil.  Anyway, I'll just give it time; I'm in touch with my gastroenterologist so I'm not going it alone. I've just ordered some kefir grains with the intention of fermenting my own kefir for the probiotics in a way that won't break the bank. My personal belief is that tight beam radiation is a relative term and that in all probability we've all been full body irradiated, otherwise the heavy lead doors that close during treatment wouldn't be necessary for anyone outside them. So with that as my operating theory, I'm thinking that the flora in my gut was obliterated. We'll see if the kefir helps (although I've been eating it store bought for a while).  Anyhow, thanks for your input. 

Marynb said:

LaCh
Yes to all of your questions, but don't forget that I also have another cancer that started in GI tract. As far as the liver, you will have to have that checked out asap. They can at least do a full liver board and ultrasound to start with.

As far as your digestion, I must say I was amazed at your diet, as you described it. After treatment, I am stil unable to eat many vegetables. I must cook all vegetables. When I don't stick to my new normal diet, I really suffer greatly. I can not digest any fats at all anymore. The pain is not worth it. I have had to increase protein. This may help with your hair loss too.

Recovery is not a straight progression. You will have good days and bad. Good weeks and bad.

It was warm here today and I hope you get out to Central Park with your dog very soon! Hang in there, my friend!

Hey Marynb,

Well, the liver thing isn't something that's going to be worked up right away because it may be related to the chemo; I'll repeat the bloods in a month.  The digestion thing isn't related to the kinds of foods that I eat, or was eating, because I can't eat anything right now, that is, there's not one food that triggers the problems, but all foods do. Just...food.  Putting anything in there. It almost seems like my entire GI tract has suffered an injury 9 weeks after the end of treatment, from top to bottom, from stomach to butt (which, btw, is again starting to hurt....anal pain?  What? I thought that was over.)  As for the weather...yeah, yesterday was beautiful. For a reason that defies logic, walking 15 minutes to Central Park seems like too much for me right now, and yet I walked for over an hour along the East River with my dog. It isn't logical.  It's just what I did.  Soon, we'll go soon. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Hang in.