Question at Five Weeks Recovery Point

Thanks, Ruth. Like I mentioned to Nicola, I think there are better medicines and guidance in the UK compared to the US. My docs are fabulous, but they only offer Miralax and Dulcolax as options. I looked up Laxido and Normacol, but they are not available in the US.

I'm going to chat with my docs if my GI system doesn't start moving like it should.

Thank you for all the tips! 

Hi again Sarah (scary40),

I’ve had a bit of a read up & further to your question about ingredients in stool softeners, it seem as though you want to be looking for something with docusate sodium & docusate calcium as the active ingredients. I don’t know if that’s any help! Maybe run this by your Dr?

Nicola 

Hi Sarah. I'm 3.5 years out from end of treatment and I still take one sachet of Laxido...a poop softener ...every night. My oncologist says it's fine. I was also advised to have a very low fibre diet..which I know goes against 'normal' advice...but we arent normal! I'm like you and bleed so easily and am sore for days if I do anything other than ice cream poop as i call it! You are very early days after treatment...it takes a few months to all heal inside. I certainly would not take anything with senna in it. Hope this helps. Penny.x

Hi Nicola,

Thanks for checking. Yes, docusate sodium is the main ingredient in Colace. I've been trying to use only Colace, but I still can't go. Once I add Senna along with docusate sodium, I go every morning (with a bit of a production). I'm mostly worried about the senna because I read so many posts and warnings that say don't take long term. When I asked a nurse at my medical oncology office, she said it's okay to take for six months because everything is in disarray below. I'm going to send a message to my radiation oncologist tomorrow for further clarification. 

Thanks for all your advice on this forum - you comfort so many on this site! 

Hi Penny,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm worried about the senna, too, but can't seem to go without it. Your last sentence seems adamant not to take senna - can you share why? Like I told Nicola, one nurse told me I can take senna for at least six months, but many medical articles warn against taking it. I know it's natural, but I guess that's not always healthy.

Also, I've heard the anti-fiber advice; I take massive amounts of fiber. What's the reasoning behind low fiber? I want to try this approach to see if it will help, but I'm afraid I'll be stopped up for weeks. What does your diet consist of? 

Thanks for any insight to help guide me through these first months of recovery! Cheers to being 3.5 years out from treatment. It sounds like a lovely place to be! 

Ruth I have just looked for this is it the rectal cream you used ?? I have extremely sore skin x

Hi 1redhawk

I used both the rectal and vaginal Mucosamin. It is to aid healing. Not sure it will relieve / get rid of soreness. I do think it helped my healing though which ultimately relieves soreness! Is the soreness internal or external? Bloody awful isn’t it!! So glad I’m through that 6 month consultant check up for me on FridayX 

I don’t think I’ve ever healed ! I’m 5 years in July hopefully signed off. My skin is so sore on the rim it cracks open after bowel  movement usually because I’m always constipated. Its a vicious circle I don’t seem to be able to break. 
good luck for Friday I only had one MRI 12 weeks after finish my onc has never offered anything other than DRE 3 monthly. I will be glad it’s the last one so fed up of these now! 
take care Amanda x

Gosh, good 5 years on though! Definitely worth trying the Mucosamin then! Mind you I’ve not been constipated at all (thankfully!!) x

Hello Sarah, 

I believe Macrogol or Movicol or Laxido in the Uk is called GaviLax in the US. Hoping you can find the right thing 

Continued use of Dulcolax or equivalent encourages the bowel to become even more lazy over time. Senokot is usable and preferable to Dulcolax (I’ve used senna for 30 years on advice of colorectal surgeon after being diagnosed with a slow transit bowel). But that was only because Movicol made me very nauseous. 

However the formula of Movicol and others has been improved vastly over the years and it is much easier to take. And now I have been diagnosed with cancer I take Movicol gladly each day! It helps massively. You must drink lots of water though for it to work well. 

Taking dulcolax or senna will always damage bowels as it forces out compacted stools causing fissures, stretched bowel etc. Where as if you use a stool softener it is kinder to your bowel and a lot less painful!!! 

I hope this helps and you can find the recommended medication.

best wishes

M