tips to combat chemo constipation/diarrhea

[tryingtohanginthere]

I everyone, this is my first time to post. I met a lady while getting fluids yesterday that told me about this site. I am SO glad she did!! I have had 2 tch rounds and both time have had to get fluids after. My problem is dealing with constipation it causes. I struggle with this normally, and now it is really awful! I take senokot plus have to use Miralax. I am drinking LOTS of water, too. It really nauseates me, and feel like it sets me back on rebound days. Any ideas out there? Thank you all!!

[jra40]

I had the same problems you are experiencing and used those same constipation meds. If they didn't work for me at times, I talked with my oncologist and they prescribed something to help. One of my relatives who is a nurse told me a trick: Take an apple and microwave it for about 3 minutes until soft then eat it. It surprisingly worked really well for me!

Stay strong and keep the faith,

Jessica

[Rich66]

You could ask your onc to add Tykerb into the mix ;)

[CoolBreeze]

I drank 64 ounces of water the day before, the day of, and the day after chemo. I also ate a very high fiber. Breakfast was whole grain cereal or toast with a pear, lunch was beans with whole grain toast and a salad, and dinner was chicken and high fiber vegetables like artichoke. Snacks were dried fruit, which had a lot of fiber.

I was mostly able to control my constipation with diet and water but if I couldn't, on day three, I would take metamucil. Worked like a charm.

I've been on taxotere, taxol, carboplatin, navelbine and of course, herceptin. My water/fiber regimen has worked for all of them, I was very disciplined about it.

I got a brita pitcher so I could measure. 64 ounces sounds like more than it is - just have your water with you all day.

Good luck, I hope it works for you!