BM issues

BonnieR
BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
God's morning to all!

I have read to many posts where someone is dealing with bowel problems and just want to encourage you to start taking senna-s b4 treatment. I have had bowel blockage and tell you it is very painful.

Here is my regimen and yes it has changed over the years and then changes again depending on the chemo.

I have taken miralax daily for several years now, it brings fluids to your bowels and really helped in the beginning. With the miralax I also took citrucel a couple times a day (citrucel doesn't cause the bloating that metamucil and similar drugs do). Then the day before chemo I would take senna-s and keep taking it until I had bowel movement. Also keep Smooth Move Tea in my cupboard, a cup in the evening really helps. Plus remember to drink lots of fluids if you are so sick yuo can't afterwards maybe go in the next day for extra fluids via IV.

Now my regimen has changed a bit ~ I have to take senna-s daily and before chemo I start the maximum dosage. My Dr said a person can take up to 16 a day. I know that is alot but better than a blockage. I would go a week or better sometimes without a bm. My doc says if I go three days the fourth day I am to drink a half bottle of magnesium citrate.

Lots of stuff to keep a body moving, but it is far better than another bowel blokage. I have been in the hospital twice and they are no fun.

So please try to stay ahead of the constipation, I know easier said then done. :-( At least talk to your medical team about it.

Hugs N Prayers Bonnie

Comments

  • green50
    green50 Member Posts: 312
    #2
    Miralax is good
    I too take Miralax and it works. Thanks for the rest of the info Bonnie hope everyone reads your info. I had an awful time before Miralax. I took the fleet enema which can't do that very often. Then both my cancer Dr and MD told me about the Miralax. That was a miracle for me since I have had the problem before chemo. Thanks again Bonnie. HOpe your doing well.
    Prayers and Hugs
    Sandy
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #3
    green50 said:

    Miralax is good
    I too take Miralax and it works. Thanks for the rest of the info Bonnie hope everyone reads your info. I had an awful time before Miralax. I took the fleet enema which can't do that very often. Then both my cancer Dr and MD told me about the Miralax. That was a miracle for me since I have had the problem before chemo. Thanks again Bonnie. HOpe your doing well.
    Prayers and Hugs
    Sandy

    Miralax
    Plus you can buy it over the counter now - no icky taste and it works!
  • marcy
    marcy Member Posts: 58
    #4
    kris43 said:

    Miralax
    Plus you can buy it over the counter now - no icky taste and it works!

    Thank you! :)
    Thank you so much for the information. My MIL has had to go to the hospital after the last 2 chemo treatments because of horrible constipation. She was in horrible pain. Perhaps this can help her get ready for the next chemo treatment due next week. Thanks again and God Bless. :)
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #5
    CAN'T STRESS PRETREATMENT ENOUGH
    I also add glycerin supositories before bedtime. They help lubricate and work overnight. I also have the strong stuff they give you before surgery but just for if nothing else works. I only took that the first chemo treatment because I did not premedicate. I do not ever want to take that again. !!!!UGH!!!! Saundra
  • dapple58
    dapple58 Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Cancer and IBS
    Hi My cancer is gone but i have so many other problems. I have irritatable syndrome and Bi polar I take my meds then im allright.
  • lnyeholt
    lnyeholt Member Posts: 59
    #7
    dapple58 said:

    Cancer and IBS
    Hi My cancer is gone but i have so many other problems. I have irritatable syndrome and Bi polar I take my meds then im allright.

    Good Advise
    Thank you for bringing up this topic, Bonnie, and for giving your experienced-based advise. I have suffered from IBS for years as well as fibromyalgia, both of which make me prone to constipation. After my surgery I was advised to use Senecot in addition to the high-fiber diet I already employ. I was not warned to do anything else prior to chemo but I'm very glad I read this post and will be much more proactive next week before I have my first chemo treatment.

    Thank you also to Sandy & Saundra for your input!
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #8
    I AGREE. . .
    . . . with all of you. This protocol must be started BEFORE chemo begins, and continued throughout your treatment and after. Whatever works for you, you must be diligent and not miss a day. As Bonnie said, it's not fun at all to deal with a blockage.

    You have probably noticed that many laxatives are being pulled from the shelves. There is no more Senna-S to be found here in Michigan, as well as Fleet products and those liquid laxatives that work in 2-6 hours. Miralax is a good product. And as with all laxatives/softeners, you MUST drink lots of liquids. Exercise helps, veges and whole grains as well. Though I am currently in remission, I still get my CT scans and doctor visits that require being thoroughly cleaned out.

    My best to all of you.

    Hugs & Prayers,
    Monika

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