Constipation

Lena Rose
Lena Rose Member Posts: 73
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Can anyone have any suggestions to help with constipation issues? My husband is taking 3 anti-nausea drugs plus colace, senakot and mirilax and is still constipated. He's drinking as much liquid as he can but is going days without a bowel movement. Any help would be appreciated. I don't know how he(we)will get through 4 more weeks of treatment. It seems like an eternity.

Comments

  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    #2
    Hi Lena,

    My chemo doc prescribed me polyethylene glycol and believe me it works. Ask for some of that. I was the same way, and it was terrible.

    Best,
    Steve
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #3
    stevenl said:

    Hi Lena,

    My chemo doc prescribed me polyethylene glycol and believe me it works. Ask for some of that. I was the same way, and it was terrible.

    Best,
    Steve

    not fun
    I am taking things too trying to help with this issue. I was also drinking prune juice, plus I need the calories and potassium in there. Well, I haven't done the prune juice for a while and I am paying dearly for that today. It really does work, and it is not another pill. I even did it all thru rads, right in the peg tube. If you can drink it warmed a little, even better results. I can't because of tongue.
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    #4
    sweetblood22 said:

    not fun
    I am taking things too trying to help with this issue. I was also drinking prune juice, plus I need the calories and potassium in there. Well, I haven't done the prune juice for a while and I am paying dearly for that today. It really does work, and it is not another pill. I even did it all thru rads, right in the peg tube. If you can drink it warmed a little, even better results. I can't because of tongue.

    PG
    Oh yea,
    The PG is powder. you just mix it with water.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #5
    stevenl said:

    PG
    Oh yea,
    The PG is powder. you just mix it with water.

    probably the worst part
    I will readily admit the constipation to be the worst part of the entire ordeal, chemo, radiation, and surgery included. There is no magical answer. Prunes and prune juice are a great idea and do help. It's the pain medicine that slows everything to a crawl and yes its a catch 22 situation. Suppositories help. Laxitives help. If possible try and take at least a short walk daily as exercise helps more than anything. Best of luck and my sentiments are with him, I'd rather fight tigers than go through the whole constipation ordeal.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #6
    DUPHALAC
    Hi Lena,

    Understand the struggle. I was given Duphalac daily as it draws water into the Colon and is basically a stool softener. They might also consider Maxolon (Metoclopramide) which helps move stuff along in the upper digestive tract. He can also look at a 'Fleet Water Enema' while not far reaching into the colon - can help clearing and offer some stimulation of the bowel.

    An oral Fleet water treatment, while very effective may not be possible if he has had surgery in the throat or has bad mouth pain. I was given one 6 days after my tumor was removed from the tonsil/throat and it nearly killed me - so just a warning. It is basically a heavy saline solution you drink, which they usually used for people prior to getting a colonoscopy or gastric surgery so it does clear 'everything' out. Kaboom !

    Non-drug methods : The best thing he can do if possible is get a full Colonic irrigation. Is he in hospital ?? They often shun this idea as did mine so I found a special colonics clinic and had an 'open' irrigation. It was amazing. Apart from his being constipated and feeling terrible, the knock on effect of toxins being trapped in the colon are not good. The medications and other unfriendly bacteria and other toxic waste can get reabsorbed creating a vicious cycle.

    An open Colonic Irrigation treatment will clear all the toxins and rubbish out and very importantly -stimulate the bowel. If he has had surgery recently, the anaesthetic may also have residue trapped on the colon along with all the other toxins from Chemo and medications he is taking. If you take this route, Just make sure you use a professional outfit. I was almost carried into the Clinic I was so sick - and almost 10 days without a proper bowel movement. After 1 hour I walked out a new man. it shows shows how sick this condition can make you.

    Lastly, if he is still able to take fluids by mouth, try a big glass of warm water every morning or whenever. This is an old Chinese habit and works wonders. He also needs to move around, do squats maybe if he is able.

    All the best.
    Scambuster
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    Hi Lena


    Do what ever you need to just keep his bowels moving, let the Chemo doc know and ask for help. I had to take duphalac or what ever I could find that worked; you might also try using an Enema.
  • Lena Rose
    Lena Rose Member Posts: 73
    #8
    Hondo said:

    Hi Lena


    Do what ever you need to just keep his bowels moving, let the Chemo doc know and ask for help. I had to take duphalac or what ever I could find that worked; you might also try using an Enema.

    Thank you
    Thank you all for all your replies. Did anyone try any alternatives to the anti-nausea drugs? Thanks again, you all have my utmost respect for what you have been through and your perseverance.
  • friend of Bill
    friend of Bill Member Posts: 87
    #9
    consti[pation
    Devilish problem. OTC remedies and prescriptions didn't help much excwpt for ducolox (sp?) suppossitories and a fleet enema, followed by another one an hour later. Keep experimenting - something will work.

    Vince
  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #10
    friend of Bill said:

    consti[pation
    Devilish problem. OTC remedies and prescriptions didn't help much excwpt for ducolox (sp?) suppossitories and a fleet enema, followed by another one an hour later. Keep experimenting - something will work.

    Vince

    Constipation
    It is important to understand that any medicine taken for constipation is also a diuretic too much of a laxative could cause severe diarreah, this will lead to severe hydration causing all types of problems, happened to me once and was pretty bad, yes the floodgates opened but the body and leg cramps were lousy, also with taking chemo (cistplatin especially) you have to think of the kidneys, that;s why everybody and their uncle will tell you to drink, drink, drink. I would start with dulcolax and prune juice and tell your doctor

Discussion Boards