Still have problems with diarhea

Options
fandaj
fandaj Member Posts: 81
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I finished my chemo treatments in November 2003 and still have problems with diarhea. It sneaks up on me so fast I often have to run to the bathroom. Is this "normal" for semi colons. Will it ever go away. Arlene

Comments

  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #2
    Options
    Hi Arlene,

    So sorry that you are still afflicted with this nasty side effect of chemo. You know what worked for me? Putting lots of roughage back in my diet. Salads and more salads. Whole grain (actually flourless) breads. The healthier I started eating, the more normal my intestines began to feel - and act. I was the Imodium Queen.....but things have really improved. See what you think. It might also help for you.

    Best of luck to you.
    Take care.
    Cheers,
    Maura
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #3
    Options
    You know, Arlene, I misread the date....2003 is a fair amt of time. Have you spoken to your doc about this? See what you think....this could be symptomatic of things which I am not familiar.

    All the best,
    Maura
  • alihamilton
    alihamilton Member Posts: 347 Member
    #4
    Options
    My husband still has this problem but it has improved in recent months...he is nearly two years post op and has tried taking Metamucil tablets, which we think helps a bit. But he does have certain times when he has several bowel movements within a short space of time and then other days when he just goes each time he eats. It is then more manageable but it is anxiety provoking! I know there are others on this board that have the same problem so I am sure you will hear from them.

    Ali
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #5
    Options
    Hi Arlene, My dad had major problems with loose stools after his resection. He lost a big part of his sigmoid colon, which is where lots of the fluid is absorbed. He religiously used Metamucil three times a day, which helped tremendously, or else he would suffer from "the squirts" as he called it, with worries about loosing control, too. He was also very good about increasing his regular, food based fiber intake: whole grains, fruits and veggies. If your onc isnt' working with you on bowel management, you may want to see a GI doc with a nutrition consult?
    Good luck, Judy
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    Options
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • fandaj
    fandaj Member Posts: 81
    #7
    Options
    alihamilton said:

    My husband still has this problem but it has improved in recent months...he is nearly two years post op and has tried taking Metamucil tablets, which we think helps a bit. But he does have certain times when he has several bowel movements within a short space of time and then other days when he just goes each time he eats. It is then more manageable but it is anxiety provoking! I know there are others on this board that have the same problem so I am sure you will hear from them.

    Ali

    Hi Ali, How many tablets a day does your husband take? Thanks, Arlene

Discussion Boards