5 weeks post treatment

Hi JET1414 

I'm a bit further along than you coming up to 3 months post. I would have thought it normal while I haven't gone backwards as such my bowel movements change between what I would class as normal, needing to go quick or taking forever. Are bodies have been through a lot and i think it takes time for them to recover. I've read on here that others have done the fodmap diet to help with bowel movements, hopefully it will help you. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time I know it's frustrating we just all want to get back to normal. Sending hugs. Xx

Jane

I am so sorry, you really are having a rough time of it.  I don't think what you are going through is normal (if there is a normal) and it sounds as if you need professional help.  Others who have had ongoing problems use Loperamide (Imodium) but I hesitate to recommend anything, I have no medical training but that said I am hoping that you were checked over thoroughly at the hospital.  Hopefully the Fodmap diet will help and quickly too. 

Sending a gentle healing hug.

Irene xx

Hey Jane JET1414 

I'm day 17 after treatment and started the Fodmap protocol - in just a few days it's really helped me.  A typical days diet for me is

Breakfast: Coconut yoghurt, 2 crumbled oat ginger biscuits with raspberries, pineapple and blueberries (half a cup total of fruit) I'm adding a pro and probiotic to this and a Linwoods sprinkle of flax seeds and goji berries 

Lunch: salad leaves with tomato and cucumber with either roast chicken or king prawns and vegan mayo (I'm sensitive to eggs) 

Dinner:  Steak, sweet mash, and green peppers or chicken pad-thai or lamb and fries with courgette and green beans.

Before Fodmap I had baked beans on toast = explosive poop and also coleslaw on a sweet spud = explosive poop.  Turns out onion is a no, skins on spuds (white and sweet) are a no and well as for the baked beans that was a BIG NO!  

I'm finishing my night with a kiwi fruit to help with keeping the stools soft.  I'm also having a bone broth decaf coffee as a snack in the afternoon.  

I'm avoiding guten, sugar, caffeine, eggs and the high Fodmap foods.  Removing eggs made the biggest difference and taking gluten back out of my diet.  Think my body is also appreciating that this is relatively clean way of eating - no over processed foods - and it's not for ever.  In two weeks I'll start reintroducing some foods and use a food diary to see how I fair. 

I focus on staying hydrated too - lots of herbal teas and water. 

I would definitely be reaching out to your MDT for advice...  Also you should be able to take electrolytes - if you're not already, these really help after a bout of being poorly.

I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time - keep us updated with your progress. 

It's horrible worrying about what to eat and how it's going to exit.  Along with stomach cramps hopefully you can make some tweaks and see some progress.

Big hugs 

Ali 

Hi Mrs Badass,

That is really helpful and good to know.

I am aware that I am not eating nearly enough as I am afraid of the effect on my pooping, hence my weight is dropping far too much.

I started the Fodmap yesterday and had porridge made with almond milk for breakfast and some kiwi.

Then a chicken and mayo sandwich on gluten free bread for lunch.

Dinner was salmon, new potatoes and broccoli 

But I had an uncomfortable night nauseous and stomach cramps, I have had porridge today but nothing else and am feeling better and no diarrhoea so scrambled egg with cheese for dinner and fingers crossed the diet will start to work for me.

Thank you xx

Hi Jane

I’m seven weeks post treatment and have definitely gone backwards. At around four weeks after treatment I felt quite well and all the pain had stopped! But then I started to feel really exhausted again and started having pain again when I poo. I’ve also developed sciatica so that’s really painful and stopping me making progress! I saw my oncologist earlier this week and he said it was normal to go backwards and that progress was not always linear! I hope we both feel better soon xxx

Hi Heather,

I am also 7 weeks post treatment and have been on the FODmap diet for one week and it has made a huge difference to me. I no longer have diarrhea but have a good bowel movement every morning when I wake up.  I still have painful piles unfortunately and the diet is quite restrictive so I am struggling to put on any weight but I am able to do much more every day without feeling exhausted.

I do think the first 3 months post treatment will be a rocky road and we do need to be patient (which I am not!) and be kind to ourselves and rest when needed.

I hope you feel better soon.

Jane xx