Still Recovering

BlownAway60
BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am still recovering from my first Chemo. I have been fighting with diarreah since the day after I got my first treatment. I tried the imodium and then a perscription the onc gave me, the "BRAT" diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) but nothing has worked. The onc has come to the conclusion that something other than the Chemo is driving it. He started me on an antiboitic yesterday. Hoping this resolves the issue as it has been over a week dealing with this stuff. Other than the "D" I have been doing pretty good. Really tired sometimes.

Not much pain from the Nuelasta shot. Most I had was in my legs and ribs.

No problem whith the Herceptin I got this week.

Donna

Comments

  • LC815
    LC815 Member Posts: 155
    #2
    Sounds like you've got more
    Sounds like you've got more good going for you than bad! Make sure you get plenty of rest.
    I never had a problem with Nuelasta, either, but some people really do, so good for you.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #3
    Hang in there, Donna
    That sounds really unpleasant. I'm sorry. Glad you are working with your onc. to treat it. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids since the diarrhea is depriving you of liquids. Hope you feel better!
  • elizarose
    elizarose Member Posts: 124
    #4
    mimivac said:

    Hang in there, Donna
    That sounds really unpleasant. I'm sorry. Glad you are working with your onc. to treat it. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids since the diarrhea is depriving you of liquids. Hope you feel better!

    You might want to talk to a
    You might want to talk to a dietitian there, but mine told me that taking some types of fiber can help with both diarrhea and constipation. She told me to take benefiber. I had a lot of diarrhea with taxol, not every week but off and on.
  • chipoo
    chipoo Member Posts: 32
    #5
    elizarose said:

    You might want to talk to a
    You might want to talk to a dietitian there, but mine told me that taking some types of fiber can help with both diarrhea and constipation. She told me to take benefiber. I had a lot of diarrhea with taxol, not every week but off and on.

    I had the same problem
    Just had my first chemo treatment on Friday, November 6th and I have had diarrhea for a week as well. I also tried the immodium and a prescription med. Called the Oncologist today and she had me take the anti-diarrhea med. once every hour for four hours. It worked. I have not had diarrhea since. The Taxotere I am taking for chemo is known to cause diarrhea.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #6
    mimivac said:

    Hang in there, Donna
    That sounds really unpleasant. I'm sorry. Glad you are working with your onc. to treat it. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids since the diarrhea is depriving you of liquids. Hope you feel better!

    So sorry Donna. Be sure and
    So sorry Donna. Be sure and let your oncologist know about this. Hopefully, he can help you. And, drink LOTS of water.
  • Taina
    Taina Member Posts: 166
    #7
    me 2
    Donna, hello...
    I also had bad "D" while my tx.
    Drink lots of water, booster or ensure...
    You will get better...
    hugs and kisses your way..
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #8
    Drinking Lots
    Drinking lots of fluids but onc recommended only water and gatorade. No milk or dairy.

    I told my husband this morning that I thought I might try some real food. Something other than the "BRAT Diet" since it doesn't seem to make a difference what I eat. I need something to build more energy.

    Donna
  • Booberta
    Booberta Member Posts: 61
    #9
    BlownAway60 said:

    Drinking Lots
    Drinking lots of fluids but onc recommended only water and gatorade. No milk or dairy.

    I told my husband this morning that I thought I might try some real food. Something other than the "BRAT Diet" since it doesn't seem to make a difference what I eat. I need something to build more energy.

    Donna

    You might consider
    Probiotics. If the chemo is killing the "good" bacteria in your intestinal tract it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can help restore it. This often included in yogurt but if you're avoiding dairy, you can check out the health food stores. Some specialty drinks now contain probiotics, sorry can't remember the name of any of these. A web search for probiotics can give you more information.

    Hope this helps, its worth a try.

    P.S. Probiotics also help to improve your immune system.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #10
    Booberta said:

    You might consider
    Probiotics. If the chemo is killing the "good" bacteria in your intestinal tract it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can help restore it. This often included in yogurt but if you're avoiding dairy, you can check out the health food stores. Some specialty drinks now contain probiotics, sorry can't remember the name of any of these. A web search for probiotics can give you more information.

    Hope this helps, its worth a try.

    P.S. Probiotics also help to improve your immune system.

    i also have this problem
    i also have this problem diahrea constipation.now i have a rather lack of motility, just called the Gi doc said to increase the benefiber.I am already on a low residue, lactose free diet, he said i could slowly start to increase. He said your intestine is irritated from the meds you are on. I was thinking of the probiotics they sell them in small pearls in health food stores and now in CVS. I usually take them when on antibiotics. benefiber you can take if you have c or D I find it all confusing. I f you figure out anything else let me know and I will as well.
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #11
    know the feeling!
    just went through all that and boy i had diarrea alot myself alot during the first 3 treatments but it got better.. as far as the neulasta shot yes had that too and there wasnt a bone in my body that didnt hurt.. i took herceptin as well and still do even though my chemo has ended. i dont have any side effects to it at all.. so everyone is different!! so just take care of yourself get plenty of rest when you feel you need it!!


    my prayers are with you hope you the very best with the rest!!!
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #12
    Hope you're doing better today
    Donna, I second the pro-biotics suggestion (with your oncologist's input, of course). My husband drinks something called Good Belly that we buy at the Whole Foods Market. One thing to watch out for is the sugar content. Drinks with lots of sugar may make the "D" worse. Good call on avoiding dairy for now. Good luck.

    Mimi
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #13
    mimivac said:

    Hope you're doing better today
    Donna, I second the pro-biotics suggestion (with your oncologist's input, of course). My husband drinks something called Good Belly that we buy at the Whole Foods Market. One thing to watch out for is the sugar content. Drinks with lots of sugar may make the "D" worse. Good call on avoiding dairy for now. Good luck.

    Mimi

    there are some good books
    there are some good books that discuss recipes for diahrea/constipation/ etc,, may help, I will post when I get downstairs, but currently am having your problem so cant leave my room. I know they suggest room temp fluids, flat soda. I'm sure you have tried all that. I had cultures twice which were negative. even tested for hepatitis twice -negative. Please be careful hydrate. i ended up in the hospital with low potassium, dehydrated, even my liver function tests went up. I'm still having trouble catching up ( and this was on AC). now on taxol.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #14
    carkris said:

    there are some good books
    there are some good books that discuss recipes for diahrea/constipation/ etc,, may help, I will post when I get downstairs, but currently am having your problem so cant leave my room. I know they suggest room temp fluids, flat soda. I'm sure you have tried all that. I had cultures twice which were negative. even tested for hepatitis twice -negative. Please be careful hydrate. i ended up in the hospital with low potassium, dehydrated, even my liver function tests went up. I'm still having trouble catching up ( and this was on AC). now on taxol.

    book
    I found the book its called Eating Well through Cancer by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello MD
    it has diabetic exchanges, tips, capters on neutropeniaconstipation,high calorie high protein,diahrea. I am on a restricted diet but will use this soon. I found the worse thing was being confused on what to eat , etc.... hope you are better!!!!
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #15
    Thanks for All the Comments
    Thanks for all the comments and well wishes. I am doing okay now. Just trying to prepare myself mentally for my second Chemo on Wed. See my onc on Tue and hopefully he will reduce the levels of my Chemo drugs so I don't have all the issues again.

    I didn't end up in the hospital but did have to go to the Chemo Clinic and get a bag of fluids due to dehydration. I was drinking fluids but couldn't get enough in to make up for what I was losing.

    Donna
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #16
    BlownAway60 said:

    Thanks for All the Comments
    Thanks for all the comments and well wishes. I am doing okay now. Just trying to prepare myself mentally for my second Chemo on Wed. See my onc on Tue and hopefully he will reduce the levels of my Chemo drugs so I don't have all the issues again.

    I didn't end up in the hospital but did have to go to the Chemo Clinic and get a bag of fluids due to dehydration. I was drinking fluids but couldn't get enough in to make up for what I was losing.

    Donna

    Glad you're better
    And keep drinking those liquids. As you know, it can be hard to replace them. I wish you luck on your upcoming chemo, and a peaceful Thanksgiving with your family.

    Mimi
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #17
    mimivac said:

    Glad you're better
    And keep drinking those liquids. As you know, it can be hard to replace them. I wish you luck on your upcoming chemo, and a peaceful Thanksgiving with your family.

    Mimi

    I am dealing with that beast
    I am dealing with that beast a bit now. more frequent going, talked to an onc dietician, said eat 5 small snacks, soluable fiber, benefiber or oatmeal , rice but in small amts so you dont go the other way. small amts fluids frequently to kee p hydrated. Are you on AC because they keep telling me diahrea is an unusual side effect of AC. now I am on taxol. Does your hospital have an onc dietician? they have tons of knowledge.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #18
    carkris said:

    I am dealing with that beast
    I am dealing with that beast a bit now. more frequent going, talked to an onc dietician, said eat 5 small snacks, soluable fiber, benefiber or oatmeal , rice but in small amts so you dont go the other way. small amts fluids frequently to kee p hydrated. Are you on AC because they keep telling me diahrea is an unusual side effect of AC. now I am on taxol. Does your hospital have an onc dietician? they have tons of knowledge.

    also said if boost or ensure
    also said if boost or ensure makes you go also, to cut it down to 3 ounces. I was drinking low calorie gatorade because of the sugar but she told me to go with reg and things like gingerale.which I do but prefer it flat.
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #19
    carkris said:

    also said if boost or ensure
    also said if boost or ensure makes you go also, to cut it down to 3 ounces. I was drinking low calorie gatorade because of the sugar but she told me to go with reg and things like gingerale.which I do but prefer it flat.

    Taxotere
    I am on TCH, Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. Taxotere, I have heard the big "D" is a side effect. They put me on the "BRAT" diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast)for about 4 days. No dairy and drank only gatorade and water. When I starting eating real food is when the "D" eased up. My system is still not right but is better than it was.

    I am also a diabetic and only eat frequent small meals but no sugar.

    Donna
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #20
    BlownAway60 said:

    Taxotere
    I am on TCH, Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. Taxotere, I have heard the big "D" is a side effect. They put me on the "BRAT" diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast)for about 4 days. No dairy and drank only gatorade and water. When I starting eating real food is when the "D" eased up. My system is still not right but is better than it was.

    I am also a diabetic and only eat frequent small meals but no sugar.

    Donna

    they put me on low residue
    they put me on low residue and lactose free and I dont see a difference. I give people credit who have to manage diabetes and chemo because it is so hard with intolerances and bowel problems etc...

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