What to do about diarrhea

[Sheryl H]

Had my first taxotere and herceptin on June 23rd. Three more taxotere to go and a year's worth of herceptin. Felt good for about four or five days after, then developed the wonderful diarrhea. Not having a horrible time with it. Seems to be getting a little better. Just wondered what all of you had found works the best for it. I had horrible constipation with A/C so find this a little ironic.

Sheryl,

When I did chemo TCH, I first got diarrhea and I used something right away so then had constipation so bad that I quit chemo after two rounds. I was in severe pain for almost two weeks. I would say if the diarrhea is not bad that maybe you should just live with it, as it's better than constipation. Just drink plenty of water.

I'm almost a year on herceptin and still get diarrhea first week after infusion. Saturday night I was up all night with it, but it seems to pass after one or two days. Good luck.

[Peggy]

Sheryl,

I had major diarrhea with taxotere. I ended up in the hospital with what looked like "chopped tomatoes" . I did not start taking meds immediately at the first sign of diarrhea and that is probably what got me in such trouble. So, my advice is a little different than Grace's. I would have to recommend taking meds early. I did not have to stop treatment, but working was a real challenge for the 5 months of treatment. Hope you're feeling better

[Blanche]

Hi Cherly, I also had severe diarrhea with taxatere, mine came with my last dose. My onc reccommended colace, it did work , but not right away. Hang in there, I just finished taxatere and now I' m completing my year of herceptin in about 6 more treatments. Blanche

Sheryl,

Actually Peggy's advice is good. I should have attended to both problems with my oncologist immediately but instead I let them drag on, until I was nearly in the hospital myself with severe constipation. My biggest mistake when I was on chemo was not being more insistent on getting and accepting help. I let the problems drag on far too long (too proud to insist I needed help) and by the time I came to the third round, I thought I was going to die and refused to do another. If I had called my doctor immediately I would have been advised what to do. But do also drink plenty of water. And what I used was Colace for the diarrhea, and finally for constipation, Senokot, both recommended by Oncologist.

[TSund]

Ruth takes immodium for just the first couple days after TCH, but tries to keep it a LOW dose (1 pill or even 1/2) so as to not to end up constipated. Someone here (Brenda?) suggested bentonite clay on another thread here, and this has really helped. She finds if she takes the clay 1 tablespoon every day (make sure you get the kind for internal consumption) and fiber every day, both problems are much kept minimal.

Hope this helps.

TRS

[Blanche]

Forgive me Cherly, I'm definately suffering from chemo brain. I suggested that you take colace which is for constipation, what I meant was imodium which of course my onc, reccommended. I'm sorry. I hope everything is well with you.