Side Effects of the Meds

jenignash
jenignash Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My mom was diagnosed with OC in 2000, since then it has returned twice. She just started the first round of chemo last monday. The worst things for her are the aching in her legs, which she has pain killers for that, and the constipation from all of the meds together. She has taken everything that the doctors have told her to take for it and nothing seems to work for the constipation. Does anybody have any suggestions? I hate to see her in some much pain.

Comments

  • juneaugirl
    juneaugirl Member Posts: 12
    #2
    I too had unbelievable constipation with chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin) I found out that the reason for this is that the chemo can cause neuropathy in the extremities, occular nerves and nerves in the gut, ie: constipation and/or diarrhea. I did not find much of anything that really helped and 14 months after the last treatment my gut is still somewhat effected. However, my chemo nurse told me to try this. Saute' in water chopped raisins, apricots (dried) and prunes for about 20 mins. You may have to add water as it cooks and, yes, it will be a stewed goo. It doesn't taste bad but it is very sweet and tastes best heated. A couple of tablespoons a day might get things moving a bit. I ate about 1/4 cup a day and according to my nurse I'm the only person she knew of that it didn't work like a charm for. But I've always been a little different. Hope this helps.
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
    Neuropathy can be so painful. I used vitamin
    B-6 to help it out as well as L-glutamine. Once you stop chemo most people experience a decrease in the pain. Hopefully, that is the case with your mom. As to the constipation, my doctor had me take Colace. Has she tried that? Beyond that she should start a daily routine with other things such as prune juice (warmed a little so the chill is taken out). Drinking lots of water all the time will also help. If she can handle eating raw veges like broccoli, etc. Even if they are cooked it's fine. Fiber from other sources such as psyllium (you can get it ground up or in products like Metamucil), oat bran, but water is important to take with fiber or you can get just as constipated. For immediate relief to get her over the rought spots, maybe she can use a Fleet enema or suppository. That is, of course, if it is all in the lower bowel. Any higher up and only the other suggestions will help.

    I hope your mom finds some relief. I know how miserable this can be. My neuropathy was so bad sometimes at night I would cry and pace the floor. So, I'll be praying for her.

    Keep us informed.
    Monika

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