CONSTIPATION--problem with so many of our drugs
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Bouncing betties---------yes I get the things we talk about-----NEVER------But a reality of the drugs that we take during cancer and other things cause constipation or obstipation. Either causes severe effects to the colon. The effects to the colon has many effects. Loss of certain absorption of nutrients, water. If you review the first page I thought I was going to make a Market Something b/c I knew what Entereg would do.
The colon does not like drugs. Try probiotics------powder TBL in yogurt or cottage cheese. Or By mouth if you have thrush.=============cancer drugs interfere with all normal things in our bodies---------we just have to find out how to over counter the side effects. The word I just used does not mean over the counter drugs, It means as I said --we have to not let the drugs take over counter what they cause as problems to our systems.
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I doubt anyone has the particular problem that I currently have.
I am suffering from haemhorroids which is odd considering I have a stoma bag. This means that to all intents and purposes, my rear end no longer works. I have been having strong urges to 'go' which I don't understand. The first time this happened on the New Years long weekend, I kept running to the toilet but, after nothing happened on the umpteenth time, I didn't run and then proceeded to embarrass myself by messing my pants. It wasn't faeces as such but a jelly like substance which the professionals said was 'normal' for some people. Eventually, it went away and I haven't had it again until this week. I will probably have to ring my stoma nurse tomorrow if the usual cream and pushing them back inside doesn't work.
Any advice anyone, all options would be gratefully received,
Sheila.
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AussieSheila: Until you get some answers from your nurse, you might use Light Day Panty Liners (or whatever generic available there). I'm 68 and well past menopause, but I still keep them around the house for those "special occasions" when I find myself at the opposite pole from this thread. And I'm not talking only about pre-colonoscopy "purges".
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Aussie Sheila , you've probably had a response from your Ostomy nurse. Wouldn't hurt to be seen by your GI doc. It's a change. Could be an expected change that only those folks that are intimately involed with the anus and rectum know about. Could be simple, could be complex. When answers can't be easliy found or given---THAT'S THE TIME TO CALL THE DIRECT PROFESSIONAL FOR THAT BODY PART or disease.
Please, if you feel comfortable sharing the answer, it would be appreciated. Sheila(USA)
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Sheila, I had to go for two scans on Thursday (body and bone) to clear me of progression or the surgeon will not do a reversal in case I have to have chemo. By the time I got home about 5 hrs later, I had a very uncomfortable rear end, so I applied some o.t.c. medication, hoping it would work while I lay down for a while. When I woke up it was after 4 pm and my nurse had packed up for the day and is off til Monday. I bought some cream that contains anaesthetic today and as the pushing urge seems to be waning, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the contractions down there will 'pass.' If not, I will go to my local hospital like the last time. Thanks for your concern Sheila, I appreciate having the benefit of your many years of experience.
Sheila.
How often so you get to start and end a post with the same name?
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I have the opposite problem but it's because of diverticulitis. This attack has been coming and going for 3 months and I'm on my 2nd round of antibiotics. Please, someone HELP!
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Ro, do you drink any alcohol or smoke. If so stop all for about a month. After a few days to one week b/c you want to see what the response is.. At the end of first test period, add probiotic powder Tbl spoon mixed in with yogurt or gottage cheese, or cereal. 2-3 tx's a day. after 2-3 days to evaluate tollerance i.e no s.e.'s. Get the superdophilus at a health food store. Next Add stewed prunes or appricots as previously described by other in previous posts. Then start to add fiber1-2 gms per day( this one clear with your doc). Work up to 25-30 gms of fiber a day. Preferably, by food, but if you must use a product ask your doc--there are many OTC products--Metamucil, citracell. For any constipation keep miralax and glycerin sypositories on hand. The key to the above is these are basically all natural products--excluding Miralax.and suppositories.
You could start faster if you want>>quit alcohol/smoking>start probiotics same day>> prunes same day>>and fiber (Fiber needs to be clear with doc this is a must during active diverticulitis). But if you start everything at once, you won't know which one is changing things. You could say I don't care, I want relief now. I get that. Had diverticulitis twice, lost part of the Colon. Not just quoting out of a book here. My second bout with d-itisis was b/c of celebrex.
What drugs are you on?----------Good luck and let us all know what works
If you have time to read from the beginning you make find something you over read before. Worthe a try.0 -
Aussis Sheila, I laugh every time we post together and then there is Seyla sheila. That's why I some time ad USA sheila LOL
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So glad to find this thread!! Pre BMX I was a smoker and NEVER had a problem with regularity. Now almost one year after BMX and three reconstructive surgeries as well as quitting smoking, I only go once a week!!! I also attribute my weight gain to lack of movement.
Adding lots of fiber and trying to drink more water............
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I should add that fiber is not an innocuous, harmless thing. In a colon that is not used to working the fiber through b/c a colon used to a low fiber diet or also known as low residue , the muscle layer of the colon is weak. If too much fiber is introduced too fast, it can actually cause an OBSTRUCTION. If tic's are present, it may cause a blowout. So, just b/c you hear eat lots of fiber. Doesn't make it totally true. 1-2 gms per week to whip that colon into shape. Then keep it up the rest of your life. Please read water section 1st page. Too much fiber without enough water(liquid)can make cement. TRY and poop that out. Effectively that's how adobe mud houses are made
."The Joys of POOP". WE all should write a book.
It's time for some Poop jokes. Of course they can't be clean.
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Hey Ingoo. I just added a thing on fiber. Then posted and there was your post . This was meant for you babe.LOL. above
SAS
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ingoodcompany is right. Drinking more water defiintely helps. I know that physical activity helps but that's not always easy for us. I've had a few days of issues, but I do know that drinking DanActive has helped my stomach. So many new and fun experiences with breast cancer
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Please, oh, please, Read from the beginning . there is so much good info written by everyone. The nurses in the group or that fly by try do add info about safe things. Pay attention to the safe recommendations. They will help keep you from getting a Blowout. I will periodically, post this in case someone drops in that bypasses the beginning
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Does taking docusate sodium (stool softener) on a regular basis hurt anything? That plus about a gallon of water finally broke up my log jam. I think it's the calcium. Perhaps that's why I've never been able to take it regularly.
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Wren I think the taking dulcolax question should be answered by your GI doc or pharmasist. Over time your body will become less responsive, which then you need to find a new routine.
Calcium is a sure bet on constipation. Trying some of the things recommended from the beginning would be worth a try. How much Ca++ a day. Less likely to get constipated if you take it through your food. Using Ca++ to prevent osteopenia/osteoporosis.?Induce by AI's?
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Thanks for the info, Sas. I can always count on you! I don't drink or smoke and the only med. I take is the generic Arimidex. I take probiotics every day and I will take your advice on slowly adding fiber. I'm drinking so much water, I feel like a camel! I just bought the Splenda with 1 gram of fiber per serving. I'll get some apricots tomorrow. Thanks again, I'll let you know how things progress. I'm hoping this too shall pass (that was my poop joke!).
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Ro don't take your probiotic within two hours of anti bx. b/c it will just kill it. Take probiotics at least 3-4 times a day while on antibx. You're likely on Keflex which is cephlahexin. Taken usualy 4 tx's aday with D-tic. So. it's a real trick to keep evrything 2 hours apart.
It's time to have the serious sitdown with your GI doc about getting that stretch of colon out. Rationale. It's reared it's ugly head twice. Now with this bout the timing has been very long or protracted. Being on prolonged antibx's can mess with your immune system and have long term consequences. Each doc has.there approach. He presented it to me almost as I presented it to you. Except the finale rationale was you could avoid a rupture. Once tic's rupture, there is no way to predict until it's all over ,with how the course of events is going to go. My choice at the time was to get the offending portion out. What I would change is, I would have done it sooner. I delayed things for several weeks b/c of a family reunion.
Left big thought out after re-reading your post. If your tics are causing you pain, during those periods you should be on clear liquids until the pain goes away. Pain worsen's--get yourself to the ER.
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Sas - Taking calcium because I have osteopenia and have just started aromatase. I have been taking it 2 x day because I read you can only absorb 500 at a time. I got the citrate because it's a little easier on the tummy. My food intake is limited by lactose intolerance - not severe, but can't just drink milk. I'm going to try the dried plums. I love dried apricots, but have never noticed a change when I eat them. I used to keep dried apricots and almonds on hand for a good snack.
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Sas, did you have to have a colostomy after resection and if so, for how long?
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Ro ---No I didn't have a colostomy. There was a minimal possibility that I would, but that's why I choose the ELECTIVE COLON RESECTION. I didn't want to risk a rupture. My Gi doc recommends after two bouts , an elective be considered b/c of rupture risk. So, it's a hard decision. Like I said have a sit down with your GI doc.----GOOD LUCK
Wren---consider rice milk , lactose free, estrogen free, loaded with calcium. There is also , almond milk and some others. Anyone interested on the estrogen in our cow's milk google key words. Risks of cow's milk and estrogen.
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I drink almond milk, but rice is good also.
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Ptdreamer, I chose rice milk simply b/c I was allergic to the others. I think the key is once people read about the dangers of USA milk they will switch to an alternative. Plus they load them with Calcium, which we all need b/c of the AI;s and tamox causing osteo. Oral pill calcium is sooooooooo constipating
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If anyone is experiencing anal fissures due to the constipation, try manuka honey. My acupuncturist told me about it and it, along with nifedipine, seems to be working. It has antibiotic properties that seem to help a number of skin and digestive disorders. It's expensive, but if it works-it's worth every penny!
I believe if I can keep my stool soft, very soft, these fissures will heal with the help of these products. They have so far worked to minimize the pain throughout the day. BMs are still somewhat painful but that's to be expected until these fissures completely heal.0 -
NCB---------had a very long involved piece that went to the computer netherworld. Couldn't rewrite. Except when fissures are involved be very careful not to stick up anything up the anus unless specifically instructed by the GI doc. Could be dangerous. There is one drug I can think that they might recommend, but again please , don't do it without express orders. Good luck.
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Bump, I will bump this weekly or so, their are so many good suggestions from folks I don't want it to get lost.
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Bump----read thead from beginning, has much info from many giving people sheila
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Never had issues with this until chemo and all of these drugs. So most days I take two gummy "Fiber Well" chews. Not something recommended by my doctor, just something I saw at the pharmacy. Trust me, it works. I've figured out all of the best restrooms on the route from my daughter's school back to our house in the morning.
I used to eat Kashi-Go-Lean cereal every day, but it has soy and isn't organic, so I stopped eating it. My hair stylist called it Kashi-Go-Poop! In any event, there must be some really good organic cereals with fiber, would love some recommendations.
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JENILEE HAVE TO WRITE IN CAPS RIGHT NOW, EYE TROUBLE.
TRY A HEALTH FOOD STORE FIRST, THEN DO COMPARISON SHOPPING AT LOCAL STORE.. i'M ALWAYS WARY OF STANDARD STORES TRUTH TELLING ABOUT ORGANIC. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED GETTING AROUND WHAT IS TRUTH IN THE PACKAGE.
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check on amazon.com. They have EVERYTHING!
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BUMP
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There was just a report on the Kashi cereal that said that it was not the "organic food" that they claim...I have boxes in my pantry so thinking of throwing them out. I am going to check google and get more info on this report before I do that.
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Uncle Sam cereal is very good and packed with fiber. The only negative is the flax seeds are whole and get caught in my teeth! I mail order a great supplement from Europe called Fruit and Fibre made by Oris. It is a chewable all natural and works like a dream for me. Wish I could buy in the states
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Just wanted to share with you something that has saved my sanity. I have diverticulitis and have been sick since December. My onc said my BC treatment had probably made my condition worse. I was on several antibiotics which worked for a few days and then the fever would come back. I got a sinus infection in April and was given Clarithromycin (sp?). Of course, it caused another case of thrush on my tongue. ARRGH! I went to GNC to get some strong probiotics and a lady came up to me and asked me if I was taking the probiotics for stomach problems so of course we got into a discussion of our tummy troubles. I told her I was looking at either an intestinal blowout or surgery. She suggested I try taking 8 ounces of Aloe Vera juice with fruit juice daily. She said she'd been drinking it for years and it had cured her GERD. (Oh by the way, she was buying Bert's Bees lotion.) I figured what the heck and started drinking it. And it WORKED! No more stomach pain, nausea or diarrhea! It's been a month now and so far so good. I need to hang out in GNC more often. I don't know if this will help anyone else, but I used Aloe gel on my radiation burn with awesome results and now I'm getting the same by using Aloe on the inside.
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I think I have tried everything to help me "go" on a regular basis and nothing seems to work except a supplement for digestive health. It is Cascara Sagrada 450 mg. I do not take it everyday...maybe 2-3 times a week. Every time I take one by the evening I go and then I go the next morning. I told my husband that a good BM is better than sex...LOL
do you research on this supplement and also you might want to ask your doctor about it if you are on medication....
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Ok everybody get ready for this tip. If it's mentioned earlier, then take this as another endorsement.
Everyone needs to try CHIA SEEDS! It works! I have had an anal fissure since chemo --ouch. Could not get regular, but voila! Success.
Lot's of positives for chia seeds:
Has a favorable soluble/insoluble fiber ratio. It is one of the few plant based sources of omega 3s (also has good omega 3/6 ratio). It's shelf stable, doesn't go rancid or need to be ground. When soaked in water, it absorbs 9 times it's weight in water and forms a gel like substance that actually helps you retain hydration longer. And, reportedly helps block or slow the absorption of carbohydrates.
Whew, it's a superfood. You can even cook with the gel, where it can replace fats, sugars in recipes.
It is a little awkward to take. I do one tablespoon a day and holy sh*t -- literally!
. Only you ladies can truly understand the relief I'm talking about.
Seriously, get at whole foods, google it and go for it! (put in smoothies, sprinkle on cottage cheese, shove it in your mouth, just DO IT,,,,,,)
Amanda0 -
I have been taking 1 tablespoon of Chia Seeds in my green tea for 2 months now...it is a superfood but did nothing for my going problem...like I said in the above post, only Cascara Sagrada helped me. I will continue with the chia seeds...they are super!!
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Yesterday I had the colonoscopy that I told you I was having earlier in this thread, and the doctor says he can't find a thing wrong with me, and I don't have to go back for 10 years. It's really good news, especially as the problem that bothered me originally after my breast cancer surgery was already getting better. Being told there's nothing wrong with you when you feel awful can be worse than being told you're sick, because when you know what's wrong, something will be done about it. The doctor suggested that I have a consultation with my regular family doctor.
I hope constipation isn't a side effect of any of the sedatives that I got. I was given Fentanyl and Versed. If constipation is a side effect of either of these, could someone let me know so I can start taking a stool softener?
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I believe that all sedatives (and pain killers) have a side-effect of diminishing the work of your intestines - which in turn leads to constipation. I don't know anything factual about either of those two in particular, though.
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Gardengrumby--the opiates interfere with the MU receptors in the intestines. There has been a drug approved that prevents this , but it is under very strict guidelines by the FDA--it's name is Entereg. Not available outside of hospitals. When it was in development-trials, I actually bought stock . But lost money and sold it. Subsequently was approved.
Sedatives can cause constipation , but don't know the route b/c I haven't studied it. As a young nursing student learning drugs, one of the things that the older nursing students passed on was when quizzed on your drugs by the instructors always start with " nausea/ vomiting, diarrhea, constipation". That got you four to start with.
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It's three days now since the colonoscopy and it's still a bit too soon, I think, to know if I've got a problem. Yesterday I didn't feel any bowel activity at all, but today I"m feeling a bit bloated and passing some gas. Something should come out within a day or two, I should think. I'll know i have problems if I get a really strong urge (hasn't happened yet) and it's stuck in there.
Doctors shouldn't use drugs that can cause constipation when they're doing a test like that. After going through that prep, I've had enough trouble with that part of my body and want things to get back to normal. I've been drinking lots of water. That should help.
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Booboo2---You did a total colon clean-out with the prep. Depending what you ate since, and the working of you gastrointestinal tract, 3 days after a colonoscopy, it isn't considered that abnormal to not pass anything. Check in with your GI doc. If you are taking drugs that delay gastric motility meaning slows every thing down for example, pain medicine and or other drugs, It's not the drugs they used for the scope. It may be what you are using on a daily basis and what you are eating or not eating.
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Bump- or bum in this case- to poop or not to poop that is the question?
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I am a recent adapter to a magnesium supplement called Natural Calm. Helps with the bowels and I also notice it helps with some toe cramping I was experiencing.
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i drink a senna diet tea.. works goods for me because i can have a little cup or just a couple sips.
celery, an apple, dried cherries.. (oh yeah,, they're the best with dried apricots and apples)
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Bump
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The following link was sent by SpecialK --defiinitely worth a read.
Here is a prune and bone health link:
http://www.fyiliving.com/health-news/why-your-bones-love-prunes/
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Bump for more comfortale butts.
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Bump for plugged up butts
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I have been taking gummies, called Fiber Well by Vitafusion. Got them at Costco. They are working, finally feeling normal. They are 5 grams of fiber per serving. Does anyone know of any negative issues with taking supplements in this form? I also take the calcium and multi in this gummie form. Makes it easier than swallowing all those pills.
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I think the only thing with gummies would be to brush your teeth afterwards. I think the stickiness might contribute to cavities.
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