Constipation and fluid

marcy
marcy Member Posts: 58
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My MIL started her chemo this last Thursday. (this is her 3rd relapse) Earlier in the week she had over 2 liters of fluid taken off her abdomen.
Yesterday she was weak and very constipated. Is this normal?
What can she do to prevent this constipation? Also, is the fluid normal too?
Thanks for any words of wisdom. God Bless. :)

Comments

  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #2
    We all get it!!!
    Chemo seems to lock down the bowels in all of us. This is what I did after the first treatment in which I had to get a prescription that worked but was as painful as having a baby. Two days before chemo, I start taking a vegetable stool softener and the night of the chemo I take a vegetable laxative. I eat prunes in between. This keeps me from getting constipated and the sick feeling that is added to the chemo from it.
    It is most important to drink lots of water...I carry a big glass of water everywhere I go and drink by sips.
    I have not experienced the abdominal fluid yet. Hope this helps your MIL to be proactive. Saundra
  • MsEddie
    MsEddie Member Posts: 9
    #3
    Fluid & Constipation
    Ascites, the buildup of fluid in the abdomen, is a fairly common symptom of ovarian cancer. For me it was the symptom that made me sure something was wrong and sent me to the doctor in the first place. I've had several pericentesis (fluid removal) treatments in the 3 years since I was diagnosed, ranging from 3 to 11 liters. My doctor says 11 liters is probably a record and your MIL will probably never carry that much fluid at once. I am a sizeable citizen and can gain several pounds of fluid before I notice a difference, so I've been keeping a closer eye on my weight. The good news is that when the chemo works and my CA-125 goes down, the fluid buildup slows down and can even stop for a few months.

    I don't seem to get much constipation from chemo, but pain medication can cause me a major problem with it. MS-contin was the worst, Vicodin is not as bad. Fortuntely, I haven't had all that much pain for which I needed to take pain killers. I agree with Saundra that drinking enough fluids, eating extra fiber (if you can), and using stool softeners and/or laxatives helps.

    Best wishes to you and your MIL.
    Edwina

    PS: Please excuse the vocabulary - I am strangely fond of big words.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    Fluid n Constipation
    Hi Marcy, You should get a lot of responses to these problems. I take citrucel and senna-s daily. In the beginning I would start taking it a couple days before chemo and a couple days after. All of the premeds cause constipation for most people.

    I have dealt with two different types of fluid, one was the ascites that the cancer causes and the second one was from a lymphocele after surgery. If the fluid is from ascites it should go away after chemo, but if it doesnt' go away make sure someone mentions checking for a lymphocele. I had over 6 liters drained after they realized I had a lymphocele, and then every couple weeks 2-3 liters drained until they finally put a drain in abdomen.

    You are sure a blessing to your mil. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • marcy
    marcy Member Posts: 58
    #5
    BonnieR said:

    Fluid n Constipation
    Hi Marcy, You should get a lot of responses to these problems. I take citrucel and senna-s daily. In the beginning I would start taking it a couple days before chemo and a couple days after. All of the premeds cause constipation for most people.

    I have dealt with two different types of fluid, one was the ascites that the cancer causes and the second one was from a lymphocele after surgery. If the fluid is from ascites it should go away after chemo, but if it doesnt' go away make sure someone mentions checking for a lymphocele. I had over 6 liters drained after they realized I had a lymphocele, and then every couple weeks 2-3 liters drained until they finally put a drain in abdomen.

    You are sure a blessing to your mil. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

    Thank you all so much for
    Thank you all so much for your replies.
    We just got back from the hospital. We took her to ER this morning at 6:00am. She was throwing up and still had not had a BM in 5 days! She had taken everything you can think of and also gave herself a enema. NOTHING!
    They finally put her in a room at 3:00pm this afternoon. The did a CT and there are no obstructions. :)
    She finally got some magnesium drink at about 5:00pm. Still NOTHING. :(

    We left the hospital at about 7:00. (we just got home as we live a hour away)

    The doctor said she will be fine after the magnesium works. We'll see.

    Thank you all again. I love this board. You are all so informative and so very supportive. God Bless you all. :)

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