the pendulum swings

LaCh
LaCh Member Posts: 557
in Anal Cancer #1

Four months post Tx...  Anyone go from the runs to constipation and back again?  It's feast or famine...

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    LaCh

    Oh, yes!  I would say in my case the diarrhea/urgency lasted for several months, then I began having bouts of constipation, intermittently.  This treatment makes for some cranky and unpredictable bowels.

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    #3
    mp327 said:

    LaCh

    Oh, yes!  I would say in my case the diarrhea/urgency lasted for several months, then I began having bouts of constipation, intermittently.  This treatment makes for some cranky and unpredictable bowels.

    mp327

    what I mean is, I fluctuate day by day.  One week usually contains both, although the constipation is way more common for me (but it always was). Anyway, it's not real constipation, it's very slow gut motility.  The runs are actually a relief and not wholly unwelcome. The  constipation is.

  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #4
    LaCh said:

    mp327

    what I mean is, I fluctuate day by day.  One week usually contains both, although the constipation is way more common for me (but it always was). Anyway, it's not real constipation, it's very slow gut motility.  The runs are actually a relief and not wholly unwelcome. The  constipation is.

    lach

    yes, i still do change from day to day... i have had diarrhea and then i will have slight constipation but i take 3 - 5 colaces each day to stave off constipation... i have a huge fear of the pain from constipation .... ( i am almost 4 years post)....the runs have gotten a lot better though..... but i have to keep enough fiber and colaces in me to stave off the constipation.......  this tx has ruined  my bath room normalcy.....  sephie

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #5
    LaCh said:

    mp327

    what I mean is, I fluctuate day by day.  One week usually contains both, although the constipation is way more common for me (but it always was). Anyway, it's not real constipation, it's very slow gut motility.  The runs are actually a relief and not wholly unwelcome. The  constipation is.

    LaCh
    I have found that my body is very reactive to my diet. Have you kept a food journal to see if there is a pattern? Just a suggestion. It has taken me This long to figure out what I can and cannot eat.
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #6
    Marynb said:

    LaCh
    I have found that my body is very reactive to my diet. Have you kept a food journal to see if there is a pattern? Just a suggestion. It has taken me This long to figure out what I can and cannot eat.

    LaCh..  When I tell my family

    LaCh..  When I tell my family I'm just having a crappy day, they get it!  No questions asked!  And if anyone else overhears they only think its been a trying, hard day!  I go day to day not knowing how I will be, but basicly feel really good!   

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    #7
    Marynb said:

    LaCh
    I have found that my body is very reactive to my diet. Have you kept a food journal to see if there is a pattern? Just a suggestion. It has taken me This long to figure out what I can and cannot eat.

    marynb

    unfortunately, I have.... the only foods that I can eat that don't park in my stomach for a week are protein.... eggs and fish.... not a very balanced diet...

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    #8
    Lorikat said:

    LaCh..  When I tell my family

    LaCh..  When I tell my family I'm just having a crappy day, they get it!  No questions asked!  And if anyone else overhears they only think its been a trying, hard day!  I go day to day not knowing how I will be, but basicly feel really good!   

    lorikat

    unless someone calls me on the phone, which happens now and then, I don't have to say anything to anybody...  I'm gllad thatyou're feeling so well most of the time...

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #9
    LaCh said:

    marynb

    unfortunately, I have.... the only foods that I can eat that don't park in my stomach for a week are protein.... eggs and fish.... not a very balanced diet...

    LaCh
    Have you tried Juicing or better yet, the Nutri bullet? It is inexpensive and so worth the money.

    I would start a new food journal now that you are a little further out from treatment. Add one new food at time. You could very well have food allergies or sensitivities. Has anyone done blood work to see if there are food allergies?
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #10
    LaCh said:

    marynb

    unfortunately, I have.... the only foods that I can eat that don't park in my stomach for a week are protein.... eggs and fish.... not a very balanced diet...

    LaCh

    proteinI protein for me too.  I may grow feathers!

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    #11
    Marynb said:

    LaCh
    Have you tried Juicing or better yet, the Nutri bullet? It is inexpensive and so worth the money.

    I would start a new food journal now that you are a little further out from treatment. Add one new food at time. You could very well have food allergies or sensitivities. Has anyone done blood work to see if there are food allergies?

    marynb

    yep, no food allergies... basically I can eat protein (fish or eggs, I don't at meat) without a problem. Everything else and it's like I ate a boulder; it sits in my stomach for at least 12, 13 hours. Normal is 6. Then it winds its slow slow very slow way through my small intentine and once it gets to my colon, I'm fine....

    I sometimes say that my gut motility alternates between two speeds, stop and full stop.

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    #12
    Lorikat said:

    LaCh

    proteinI protein for me too.  I may grow feathers!

    lorikat

    I'm ok with fish and eggs, nothing else (and I don't even like eggs). 

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #13
    LaCh said:

    marynb

    yep, no food allergies... basically I can eat protein (fish or eggs, I don't at meat) without a problem. Everything else and it's like I ate a boulder; it sits in my stomach for at least 12, 13 hours. Normal is 6. Then it winds its slow slow very slow way through my small intentine and once it gets to my colon, I'm fine....

    I sometimes say that my gut motility alternates between two speeds, stop and full stop.

    LaCh

    Are you still doing your exercise program or walking?  Exercise can help with slow motility. 

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    #14
    mp327 said:

    LaCh

    Are you still doing your exercise program or walking?  Exercise can help with slow motility. 

    mp327

    yeah, I walk a lot...

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #15
    LaCh said:

    lorikat

    I'm ok with fish and eggs, nothing else (and I don't even like eggs). 

    Whole husk organic psyllium

    If I don't do this every day (I start my day with fresh squeezed orange juice with whole husk organic psyllium added), I have no idea what my day will be like - like you described. But this regimin really works wonders for me and I really notice it when I miss a day or days. Especially the days my butt gets raw from a dozen or more "unsatisfying" movements a day. I do intense cardio workouts three times a week and take Yoga once a week and swim laps for one hour and/or do aquafitness classes two to three days a week. I can't tell you how much better I am doing this. That being said, it seems I need to take a nap for an hour to an hour and a half a day. But I'm 63 so maybe that's just part of being a grandma!

    Good luck.

    Sandy

     

     

     

     

  • islandgirlculebra
    islandgirlculebra Member Posts: 155 Member
    #16
    sandysp said:

    Whole husk organic psyllium

    If I don't do this every day (I start my day with fresh squeezed orange juice with whole husk organic psyllium added), I have no idea what my day will be like - like you described. But this regimin really works wonders for me and I really notice it when I miss a day or days. Especially the days my butt gets raw from a dozen or more "unsatisfying" movements a day. I do intense cardio workouts three times a week and take Yoga once a week and swim laps for one hour and/or do aquafitness classes two to three days a week. I can't tell you how much better I am doing this. That being said, it seems I need to take a nap for an hour to an hour and a half a day. But I'm 63 so maybe that's just part of being a grandma!

    Good luck.

    Sandy

     

     

     

     

    Sandysp: Where do you get the

    Sandysp: Where do you get the psyllium? Do you go to a natural foods store? I have some of those days where I just go way too many times and my butt gets raw....... Sometimes I can figure out why (based on what I ate the day before); but other days it seems there's no reason for it.....I'm thinking I should try the psyllium. 

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #17
    islandgirlculebra said:

    Sandysp: Where do you get the

    Sandysp: Where do you get the psyllium? Do you go to a natural foods store? I have some of those days where I just go way too many times and my butt gets raw....... Sometimes I can figure out why (based on what I ate the day before); but other days it seems there's no reason for it.....I'm thinking I should try the psyllium. 

    Vitamin Shop

    The Vitamin Shop(s) are everywhere. I get my Psyllium Husks there some times. We have a big market here called Fairway and they have it as does Whole Foods. Metamucil is actually psyllium husks but I have never taken it. I just look for unflavored whole husk organic psyllium husks. It's the first thing I put in my stomach in the morning and I so want to make sure it is chemical free and whole. My Colo Rectal Surgeons office recommended this regemin to me. I have diviticulosis (or diviculitis, I can't remember) also, and so this is a really good idea, I believe. I don't want any more troubles! Martha's situation woke me up to the problems this condition combined with the after radiation symptoms can cause.

    All the best,

    Sandy

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