Emptying bowels to order

Hi Crystaltipps73f2a8 ,

Firstly welcome to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. 

Your superpowers are really valid at the stage you’re at right now, I remember feeling the exact same way, once your treatment begins hopefully like a lot of us here you’ll start to feel a little more in control again. 

I finished my treatment a little over 7 years ago but I wasn’t told I had to empty my bowels prior to my planning scan, hopefully others will be along to share their experiences too. 

Regarding incontinence, I swung completely the opposite way during & after treatment & suffered constipation although in hindsight I don’t think it was true constipation but possibly a lot of internal inflammation, I took stool softeners throughout & for approximately 3 years post treatment but everything in that department is back to working ok again now. Many people do suffer a degree of diarrhoea during treatment I think due to the radiotherapy irritating the bowel/colon but you should be prescribed loperamide if this is the case to help manage it, again hopefully others will come & share their experiences. 

Remember we’re here to support you however we can so any questions please just ask, most of us are not medically trained but have a lot of experience of this treatment & recovery from it between us so have a lot of hints & tips for getting through it. 

Nicola 

Hello Sarah,

 I’m so sorry about your diagnosis but it’s good that you have found the forum. There are so many kind people on here who are great at answering all manner of questions and give really helpful advice. It’s such a frightening time receiving this diagnosis and fearing what lies ahead. It’s absolutely normal to go into catastrophising mode at this stage and we’ve all been there.

I was certainly never asked to empty my bowels prior to the mapping scan or treatment and understand that it’s almost impossible to’go’ to order. It sounds unusual. You will definitely be asked to drink a large volume of water. 

In terms of incontinence my experience was unpredictable urgency ( this was primarily in the few weeks post treatment) and a couple of occasions where I didn’t quite make it. After that it was erratic but I was able to manage as long as I knew where the nearest toilet was. I finished treatment in mid November and the treatment was successful. I do still have to take stool softeners and made changes to my diet. Things haven’t returned to normal but it’s manageable and I no longer fear incontinence. 

Wishing all the very best for Monday and for the weeks ahead. 
xx

Hello Crystaltipps73f2a8 

Another warm welcome from me; you have had the diagnosis that no one wants to hear, I am sorry.  But you have certainly come to the right place for support, guidance and tips.

First of all, having to empty your bowels before treatment is an absolute first for me; I have never heard of it but I am sure there is a good reason.  Which leads me onto after treatment (and what I did may work for you during treatment as well).  I took Laxido daily so I always had soft stools.  I didn't feel comfortable going out before I went to loo so first thing in the morning I used to have a huge pot of tea, and sometimes prune juice.  Very quickly afterwards I would visit the loo, then another couple of times, and by the time I went out to walk my dog, I was well and truly empty.  So I can honestly say I was never incontinent but I had to be very careful as urgency was something that came after treatment.  I never had an accident whilst out, and if I felt the need, no matter where I was, I would tell the staff I needed the loo, that I was a cancer patient.  I was never refused and was treated with courtesy and kindness every time.

I am sure that you are going through a whole host of emotions right now, the run-up to treatment is so very stressful but I promise you, once you start, you will feel much more in control of what is going on.  It is tough but doable and on here you have a host of virtual friends who know exactly what you are going through and will provide support should you want it.

Big hug

Irene xx

Evening Sarah and welcome to the group.

Just like you my brain was racing in the early days, so much to take in and come to terms with. This lovely friendly group really helped me with everything I needed to know to start treatment.

About emptying your bowls, the only time it was relevant for me was before the MRI scan. I couldn't do it due to the tumour, but the scan still went ahead.

I am sure they will find a way to do what they need to do regardless of a full bowel.

Wishing you all the best for Monday.

Ally

HiCrystaltipps73f2a8  sarah

Another welcome from me. I finished treatment 10 months ago today. The bowel emptying is a new one on me, however I did have to have relatively full bladder for the mapping scan and before each radiotherapy appointment. I did have poonamis as such a few times during treatment, I got a warning but not enough to get there in time luckily for me they were all when I was at home. Sending hugs. Xx