BC treatment causing constipation, extreme gas and immediate urinary incontinence
Back story - Original ST 3C, now Newly Diag at 10 yr recurrence ST4 w/Metastatic (Bones) after detected by Signatera. After CT, MRI and PET scan collaboratively confirmed, immediately was started on IBRANCE, FULVEST, XGEVA - Like you, I am sad that I am here writing this note but thankful for this community of support. Like many others, I am not handling this well on many fronts (physical & emotional) especially since there's no WIN in sight and now living with a medical study expiration date of short life expectancy. I have started the new regime of Ibrance, Fulv & Xgeva and in my 5th month finally getting a grip and dealing with my list of side effects. I made some progress on most utilizing the myriads of counter measures to lessen impacts except for constant neutropenia which I'm told I can't do anything about other than get off the drugs.
That aside, wanted to ask about one of my most embarrassing issues and whether any of you have experienced the severe constipation and gas and then the associated immediate side effect of urinary incontinence. Too many times I'm just 'peeing' myself - sorry, not eloquent but you get the idea. I tried the mega extra fiber doses and onco said to stop doing that. Just advises drinking the more water daily and using Miralax 2x daily (forever). The mlax helps that when I go, things are not as severely strained and more regular, but nothing is helping the constant state of distended abdomen of gas and the induced urinary incontinence. One minute I am ok, the next minute I get a sense of urinary urgency and can't hold my bladder long enough, running to the bathroom with very little urine exiting. Clearly there's no UTI (been tested) and was told it is just a side effect of gas pushing on the bladder. So, daily I do the water, only slight increased fiber, moderate exercise, yes magnesium and taking the mlax but nothing is helping the gas buildup and lack of bladder control, even the Kegels (which I didn't even need previously) aren't making a difference. I simply cannot hold it which results in my hitting the bathroom almost every hour and at least 2 times during the night which really is not a trend I can continue. Does anyone have ANY ideas?? The only thing I haven't tried is something like beano because I'm not eating foods that are causing the gas, it's just the meds creating this condition so am thinking there aren't any tummy enzymes to make it effective. Thoughts? thanks for your consideration and may today be one of your "better" days….
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@pennypennypennyhall - I just have to ask... have you tried Gas-X or Phazyme (both are simethicone)? I'm on the other end of the spectrum with Verzenio and the Big D, but the simethicone helps with cramping; maybe it will relieve the gas? In regard to the urinary urgency, I think the fulvestrant might be a contributor (I'm sure the anastrozole is for me). Part of my issue is I'm usually fine until I get close to a bathroom, then it's a rush. I try to psych myself out with self-talk ("it's not time yet"), which actually helps. And I keep up with the kegels, longer and stronger - which helps me through those "oh, sh*t" moments
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No, I haven't tried that. Thank you, I will ask the onco about that and drug interactions. I'm exactly with you on the psych yourself out. I do try to talk myself out of it and then do the squeezes to distract myself and interrupt whatever signal the brain is sending to the bladder because of the bloating but yep, as soon as I think just head over to the bathroom it's like it triggers an emergency all of a sudden. Sending virtual hugs to you for your own journey, many thanks for your input.
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