Any UPSC 1a who did observation rather than chemo/radiation

Constipation was probably the most significant side effect I had from chemo, especially the first few times.  I echo what Cindy said about Miralax.  I also used Smooth Move tea, heated prune juice, lots of liquids, fresh fruits.  After the first few rounds, I started just to not worry about not having a BM unless it was uncomfortable, and that seemed to help a lot.  My body usually normalized by the end of the first week, so hang in there.

Faye, it is good to hear that you are doing better today. Chemo is tough and you will have lots of ups and downs but you'll get through it. Stay hopeful!

Also, try to stay on top of the constipation. After a major episode with constipation after my first cycle, I took Miralax every day until chemo was over. It made a world of difference.

Also, keep moving. Even if it's just to the mailbox and back, do it. Then, do it again. Keep doing it. You'll feel more energized if you keep moving. Trust me, you won't want to do it. You'll need to push yourself. The studies are out that it works (Google the term "chemo fatigue study 2017" if you want to see them).

Hoping that tomorrow is even better for you! Keep us posted. Kim

Hi Donna Faye,

Sorry your'e having to go through this.  Previous posters have some great advice.  Miralax is your friend. 

As important as dealing with the physical side effects is battling the mental side effects.  My friend had sent me a book that was of comfort to me.  It was called:  Praying Through Cancer: Set Your Heart Free from Fear: A 90-Day Devotional for Women

Also, I practiced some guided imagery exercises.  U of M cancer center has some on their website and they're free.  You can find them at :  http://www.mcancer.org/support/managing-emotions/complementary-therapies/guided-imagery/audio-library, I would try to do this every day. 

Good luck.  We're here for you. 

I think a second opinion is always a good thing, especially with the rarer and more aggressive cancers.  While the NCCN guidlines do include observation only for "select patients," standard of care for UPSC generally does include chemo and/or some kind of radiation for even Stage 1A. Make sure you have copies of your pathology reports, scans, and scan reports in case you find yourself wanting a third opinion.  

The CA-125 may or may not be a good marker for you.  In my case, it has always been in the normal range, even before my surgery, and even now, when I have a recurrence.  However, for some it can be an indicator.  It certainly wouldn't hurt to have it done, and some doctors do it matter of course periodically.

Doctors do get weird about the metformin.  TakingControl58 has mentioned this, too.  I wonder if your oncologist prescribes any drugs off-label or he's just got an attitude about this one.  I, too, ran into a wall when I asked my medical oncologist about it.

I always find it very suspicious when oncologists have an attitude about metformin. The oncologist
in charge of giving me my chemo at MSKCC called my integrative oncologist unethical for prescribing
it for me, and yet I'm insulin reistant, which is a major risk factor for our cancer.  My glucose, insulin and
insulin growth factor-1 levels have never been more normal. Metformin is addressing all the health issues
that drove my cancer plus has anti-cancer properties. And the drug will prevent me from getting
diabetes (my father got Type 2 diabetes in middle age so I knew I was at risk). But the same oncologist
entered me in the Taxol/Carbo trial with placebo or metformin- and were giving me bottles of pills that
could have been metformin. Luckily I got out of the trial after one month, and was in complete remission
6 months later. From the day I started metformin, Feb 2015, I never grew more cancer. 

It is well known that metformin has many anti-cancer benefits- the anti-cancer benefits were first discovered in
2005- that is 12 years ago. They fast track expensive immunotherapy drugs yet won't fast track a cheap,
effective drug like metformin for cancer treatment. It costs me $8/month for metformin- it is the only
prescription drug I use. I think that's why- it's cheap and it works. Next month will be two years since
my chemo ended, and I haven't had any since then, and I remain in remission, and I had Stage IV metastatic EC. 

There are no cancer drugs on the market that do all that metformin can do. Will it work on everyone? Of course not,
but neither does chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic endometrial cancer. You have to do more than just use
standard cancer treatments.

The issue of prescribing the drug off label is bogus, because the chemo they are giving us is prescribed
off label for endometrial cancer.  These chemos were originally tested on breast and ovarian cancer.  Look how
many women get Avastin for EC, but it is not FDA approved for endometrial cancer. TheFDA does not test every
chemo and chemo combination on every type of cancer.  So these doctors are hypocrites. They have no right
witholding a drug from you that has more research on it than most drugs on the market. And might save your life.
It saved my life.

I would suggest you talk to your internist about the drug or an endocrinologist or integrative oncologist. 
If you have pre-diabetic levels of glucose (100-125) metformin can help you. This drug might save your life,
or keep your cancer from progressing-no doctor has a right to refuse a drug that has so much potential.
And serous carcinoma is the most aggressive. Frankly, I don't know how some doctors sleep at night knowing
their patients have a poor prognosis yet they refuse to prescribe metformin.  You could tell your oncologist that
you will sign a document that says you will not hold your doctor responsible for any side effects of the drug, if that
is what is his issue. See what he says then. 

You are in charge of your cancer, not your doctor.

Takingcontrol58

Donna Faye said:

second chemo

In spite of 4 bad days from stopping steriods too quickly, have had 2 good weeks and now looking at #2 on Thursday. Less concern now that have learned some lessons about chemo in the 21st century. Family and friends have boosted my spirit and am going in optimistic about the next bout.  Then only one more to go, some radiation and I can put this behind me for a long time - hopefully.

Again, many thanks to this website and the strong women and men who post and find friends they may never meet but whose words mean so much at a time when needed.

Agreed! Now that you have one under your belt it should be a little easier to manage this second cycle. Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing. Kim