Help with constipation

Hi MinionKev and a warm welcome to the board from me although I’m sorry that you’ve found yourself here. How are you feeling? These early days waiting for scans and meetings etc. are very stressful but once you have a treatment plan in place then things will feel a little better. Please stay away from google - it is out of date and downright scary in places - stay on here and the bowel cancer uk site. If you click on people’s names then their profile page may show their treatment so far and you can post with any concerns that you may have anytime

Personally constipation has never been the problem for me but there are a few tips in the booklet below 

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/Eating_well_Bowel_Cancer_UK.pdf

You could also give the nurses on here a ring on 0808 808 00 00?

Hope you get a plan in place soon

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen

Thanks for your reply. 

Not to sure about feelings to be honest. Am trying to just let things settle in my head which seems to be my way of coping with anything. 

My diet seems not too bad and I drink plenty of water. 

I even try the sugar free sweets from Lidl which my wife swears by for her regular bowel movements. 

I have a conversation with the Colorectal Nurses booked on thursday so will mention it then.

Thanks for the PDF. and the advice. 

Take care

Kev x

Hi Kev 

I have struggled with constipation like this but find avoiding high fibre food helps I have a tumour in the colon and find foods especially bread and pasta very painful to pass ! Can I recommend to you to try anything with rice and chicken and cereal bars nut based seem to help and of course plenty of fluids.

Am beginning to find that too with the high fibre foods. 

It's just finding that balance. Also looking at moving to more low residue foods. (Moviprep diet!!!!)

Thanks for your reply

K 

Hi Minionkev

I had keyhole surgery to remove a colon tumour Jan this year . I also struggled with constipation. Prunes and prune juice helped, I added it to my cereals. Tons of water 2 litres a day for me and also walking seems to help me. I do a morning walk most mornings, and it just seems to help things "get through" ! When none of it works, which does sometimes happen, I use Laxido. Pleasant tasting quick drink in the morning, I have it on prescription from my GP. However, I prefer to find more natural ways to sort things out basically, so I am always really thinking about what I eat and drink. Hope things improve for you. Take care and all the best for you going forward.

Hi Rose

Thanks for the reply. 

I've also found a walk helps. 

Very strange finding that fibre seems to make it worse.

Also think I'm too "demanding " of my system at the moment too as I am a bit of an impatient sort.

All the best and take care

Kev

Bit of an update with this. 

Saw the Colorectal surgeon on thursday who confirmed stage 3 cancer and waiting for the Oncology stuff now. 

Anyway, I mentioned my constipation and he was amazed that the GP had given my fybogel as that works by adding mass and uses gravity then to aid constipation. 

He told me to take Movicol (Laxido) twice a day which would soften the stools and ease the build up around the tumour. 

OK, I need to poo more often but at least I am pooing and have had a three day streak. 

Hope this helps someone but obviously discuss it with your team first. 

Kev

Yep I have a large box of Laxido to hand! I usually use just one sachet per week and try to rely on more 'natural' ways to get things moving. Glad its working for you!

I have a partial bowel block and yet i had to remove anything fibre. So im on laxative s and low residue food. 

Hi Tony. 

Used to love white bread and moved to wholemeal years ago thinking it was healthier. Now, I am back to white bread being a low residue food. Would prefer if I could do it without "artifical" help but seems to be the only thing that works at the moment. 

Take care.