Chemo Update & Constipation

My first chemo i wasnt prepared for the constipation as much as the other ones.  I think if i remember right i started taking colace when i started noticing the symptoms.  It was a little too late and it took quite a few days to have a bowel moement and it wasnt pleasant.  I learned my leason.  I took the colace with me to my next doctors apt and asked him if i could take it the day of my infusion.  He said yes and i took the pill right then because i was doing chemo that day.  from then on i just took it the morning of my infusions and for a few days after too.  Sometimes i would take Miralax instead.  Both seemed to work for me. 

Hope that clears up for you soon.

Janae

I have never been as pro-active as I should be with this problem.  My first oncologist recomened Senna-s ( generic Sennekot).  My second and present oncologist recommended Myralax.  Both worked but I didn't start using them until I needed them.  I was always afraid I would need to go while I was on the road or have to go while I was at my appointments.  Last year after an open bowel resection I was,told to take colace every day to,keep.things moving. 

My first line treatment was the sandwich and the first time I met with my radioligist he ask me if I had any disestive issues and I said constipation.  He,replied with a rather sly grin, " I can cure that for you", and he sure did! for the time I had external radiation.

luckily it seems to go away when chemo is finished.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

it was truly awful because I tend to naturally have a bit of a problem in that area   Like the others mentioned I stayed on top of it- I also used smooth move tea and ate similiarly to Editgrl.  I still found the 1st couple of days really challenging!  Good for you being so on top of it and drinking plenty of water- I think you'll find things much easier  

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers   (((HUGS)))

It was truly awful and like I'd never experienced in my life. I got in the habit of cubing a couple of watermelons and storing in the fridge the day before each treatment. Besides drinking water, I would plow through those watermelon chunks in the days following, and it helped. I also used a stool softener called "DulcoEase Pink" which contained docusate sodium, as recommended by nurse practitioner. I used Miralax a coule of times as well. 

I took Miralax 2x/day during treatments after a terrible bout on constipation following my first chemo treatment. The oncology nurses gave me their "secret" emergency mixture to help with that episode. Here it is in case you ever need it (it tastes horrible but it works pretty quickly):

1 cap full of Miralax (the cap that comes with the Miralax bottle) + 1 cap full of Milk of Magnesia (the cap that comes with the MOM bottle) + 2 MOM caps full of prune juice. Pour all ingredients into a microwave-safe cup and warm in the microwave. Stir then drink. If you don't feel something moving down there within an hour, do it one more time. It worked like a charm for me. Hope you never need to try it!

I just had #2 chemo of taxol/carbo on Wednesday.  Had worse constipation ever next day, but got through it.  (or it got through me, LOL)  As advised by my doc's PA, I will now be taking colace regularly throughout treatment, really watching what I eat, and eating small amounts throughout the day.  Drinking tons of fluids is a constant, too.  All this has helped already, making me a much happier person!    Hope you find relief, too...~LL