Severe Contipation

answer
Call her doctor and let him recommend a laxative. Once it has gone on 5 days this will probably required. However it could be a bowel obstruction so a doctor should decide. ((Hugs and prayers)) Saundra

DITTO TO ALL PREVIOUS COMMENTS
Does the doc tell her to take something like Senna-S the night before and the day of and days after chemo? Of course, lots of water is required. Five days is definitely a concern and very uncomfortable. I can remember many times being in the bathroom lying on the floor just 'waiting' to go. That's even having taken the Senna. Even a 3oz glass of prune juice daily can be helpful. High fiber cereals, whole grains like certain crackers, wheat germ, etc., but you need to do something on a regular basis. Hope the doctor will give your Mom something to ease it up for her. It's miserable beyond miserable!
Luv and Hugs,
Monika

Constipation
Liz,
I agree with all the other comments. However, I have an additional idea. I had a nurse tell me once "if what you are taking from above doesn't work, then you need to treat it from below." Like most of us, I get bad constipation following chemo. The laxatives don't work for me,so I use a Fleet's enema the third day after chemo. It is certainly not a fun option, but it is very effective and works quickly. I would highly recommend that you ask the doctor first, however, because you certainly don't want to use this if there is any chance of a bowel obstruction - results could be life-threatening.
Thanks and good luck to you.
Carol

A friend would bring me licorice which is supposed to help with constipation. My doctors would have been furious if I went 5 days being constipated - 3 was the max and even then I would get the lecture. I learned, quickly, that I had to start the treatments - a couple of stool softener pills the day before chemo and then one a day for a few days after - just to be sure things were moving. If a true necessity I would take the milk of magnesia - ugh.

Good luck! And let us know how your mom is doing. I'm glad your pregnancy is going well. How exciting.

Take care.
Kris

lizper said:

Thank you!
Tks to all. These recommendations will surely be taken into account from know on. My Mom is now doing better and finely not suffering this unconfortable thing since chemo was 12 days ago things get a little better. Liz

narcotic induced constipation
My daughter in law's obgyn found a new drug that's just been released this summer, Relistor, an injection given every other day. I have had relief now, for almost 2 weeks, and I was up to 5 days with all the over the counter laxatives and hints mentioned above. My body just didn't want to go any more. I swear, this stuff will help to prolong my life. I was toxic. My Doc got immediate approval, bless him!
Good Luck. I will also put this in a separate post to pass it on quickly.

laxatives???????
I used to take laxatives or colon cleansers occasionally (natural types) even before I had cancer and especially during chemo. But 7 months after finishing chemo treatments I got a bowell obstruction (nearly as painful as childbirth--you don't want to find out) and had to be hospitalized for several days. Nothing was found on the CT scan or x-ray. My CA-125 was fine. So all I can say about laxatives is that I have never, never taken them again since Dec. 2007, that very, very painful night of throwing up constantly and enduring endless agonizing waves of pain in my stomach. I don't trust them. Only natural cereals, apples, fruits, nuts and vegetables, popcorn to give me the fiber needed. I don't want my bowells to twist or whatever happened to them.

Dreamdove said:

added comment about the bowell obstruction
By the way, this happened on Christmas evening after a nice dinner with my 3 kids.

bowel obstruction
My mother had her bowel obstruction on Christmas day also. She was in the hospital for 17 horrible days! The staff there was less than adequate, especially for an oncology floor. My mommy's obstruction was caused by a tumor mass in and around her illius. She had exploratory surgery and nothing could be done. Now she is on pain management and looses 2-3 lbs. per week. I am sorry you and your children are going through this! I am having a hard time with it and I am 45 and my mommy is 66. I will say prayers for you and your children. How old are they?