Too much gas and constipation

Sam999
Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I guess this is a group where i can post any question.

I have lot of gas...switching to soy protein...i guess too much of whey protein.

I also have constipation...tried senna and colace but not helping much.

Any good ideas?

Should i add fibre in my smothies?

I could not eat much today becuase of this.,,i know i cannot go on like this. Looking for some good solutions. Will also talk to doc tomorrow. Do not feel like making a call for this.

Thanks,
Sam

Comments

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #2
    Hi Sam,
    Only thing that
    Hi Sam,

    Only thing that works on Jim is old fashion **** of Magnesia. I do not even give him a full dose and it works within qa few hours. And yes, put fiber in your smoothies, flax and fruit and or veggies are good. Also, drink lots of water.

    Hope this helps.

    Debbie
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #3
    Sorry
    I can't help, I was the opposite. And, yes, this is the place to ask the questions.
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #4
    KTeacher said:

    Sorry
    I can't help, I was the opposite. And, yes, this is the place to ask the questions.

    Debbie,
    I have milk of
    Debbie,

    I have milk of magnesia that they gave me after surgrey. Thanks for mentioning that, i will take that today night. I totally forgot about that.

    I knew someone would say something that will help :)

    Thanks,
    Sam
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #5
    Constipation
    I had horrible constipation and had several enemas. They finally gave me a perscription laxative. I took it probablay 3 times a week for a month. Then twice a week for a while. Now I am down to about 1 time a week. The nurse told me it takes several months for the digestive system to get staightened out and that I should not stop after a week, but continue for a month or two. I finished radiation in Mid March and am now just off the laxatives.

    The weigh protein made me more constipated.

    Hope that helps.

    Ann
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #6
    If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Constipation
    Diarrhea is Thursday.

    Frustrating to not be sure day to day which GI problem you'll have when you wake up. I kept meds on hand for both ends of the spectrum. This, too, shall pass (heh heh - I said "shall pass" - heh heh).
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #7
    are you on narcotics?
    it makes a significant difference.
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #8
    longtermsurvivor said:

    are you on narcotics?
    it makes a significant difference.

    Yes wish this one 'passes'

    Yes wish this one 'passes' soon :)

    Pat, I am not taking any pain meds yet but my doc did say that when i start pain meds i will have constipation but mine started without the medication so when i take it is going to worsen.

    Ann, did you switch to soy protein to help constipation from whey? I gues if this continues, they might give me some prescription.

    I am also thinking about cutting down on protein...i am not losing any weight yet so i guess reducing a bit will not matter...i take about 40-50 gms of protein which is actually less that what they asked me to take but it is maintaining my weight. I have actully 30 pounds extra that i could lose :)

    Sam
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #9
    Constipation
    I was (and still am) using a feeding tube with 100% of my nutrition comimng from Ensure or Ensure wannabe's and this would cause me sever constipation. I finally started taking a dose of Miralax (generic is cheaper) each night and it solved the problem. Stool softners did nothing to help. Embarassing when you have to go to the hospital because your are impacted but oh the relief when they are done. About a year ago I started blending real food for my tube and the problem is thankfully gone.
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #10
    I used Colace, Matt....
    and the Senna Tea....both were effective (more than effective). For a while there I was terrified it was going to hit while I was on the rad table. The physician I talked to here (the one who had HNC) used metamusal daily with lots and lots of water...He listed three things that were of upmost importance in the care of self. Bowels were first on his list...then mouth care, and then the exercises for your jaws and tongue.

    Drink the Senna a couple times a day, and use the Colace in between...you're liable to get the runs, but timing could be made for that to happen on the weekend (I'd start them in earnest on Thrusday).

    p
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #11
    Greend said:

    Constipation
    I was (and still am) using a feeding tube with 100% of my nutrition comimng from Ensure or Ensure wannabe's and this would cause me sever constipation. I finally started taking a dose of Miralax (generic is cheaper) each night and it solved the problem. Stool softners did nothing to help. Embarassing when you have to go to the hospital because your are impacted but oh the relief when they are done. About a year ago I started blending real food for my tube and the problem is thankfully gone.

    Yes i agree. I dont have PEG
    Yes i agree. I dont have PEG yet but i was lacking in some reeal food. I just had a smoothie with black raisin and half a banana. Going to have some veggie purre this afternoon. I think stomach needs some real food besides protien. Only part is not sure how long will i be able swallow this. I am in my 4th week so thing might start downhill soon.

    Will ask about miralex too. Also googeling for natural stuff.

    Thanks,
    Sam
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #12
    phrannie51 said:

    I used Colace, Matt....
    and the Senna Tea....both were effective (more than effective). For a while there I was terrified it was going to hit while I was on the rad table. The physician I talked to here (the one who had HNC) used metamusal daily with lots and lots of water...He listed three things that were of upmost importance in the care of self. Bowels were first on his list...then mouth care, and then the exercises for your jaws and tongue.

    Drink the Senna a couple times a day, and use the Colace in between...you're liable to get the runs, but timing could be made for that to happen on the weekend (I'd start them in earnest on Thrusday).

    p

    Hi Phrannie,
    I have the
    Hi Phrannie,

    I have the senna tea, will give that a try. I also now using raw protein by garden of life. I will have half whey protein and half soy.

    I will try different suggestions on this thread and will post what works for me. I have a pretty tough stomach, so anything that works for me will work for most people :)

    Sam

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