Constipation from chemotherapy what helps

It's just about the worst part of chemo.  The thing that worked for me was gylcien suppositories used at bedtime.  Cost about £3 from the chemists BUT do not take laxatives at the same time. 

hi bustysusy,

If you want a more plant based option I have found that a small bagful of ready washed spinach from the co-op works every time. it sounds a lot but it is only a small bag and spinach reduces to about two tablespoonfuls.  I have it as a medicine if I am not cooking a meal and put plenty of sweet chilli sauce on. I really notice the difference if I don't have it. My brother swears by 4-5 prunes every night, but he isn't having chemo. good luck . I know it isn't funny at all, but you will probably get some interesting answers. It is a  problem for many of us and the drug letrozole can have that effect. I nearly had to operate on myself before I discovered spinach. Too much information!!  lots of love

sorry bustysusy

I meant the reply for Chaddie.p    I get in an awful mess with IT when I have a new year's eve hangover.

C'est la vie. 

Dear

I was told by oncologist that constipation causes a lot of discomfort , pain and upset to patients and is not to be trivialised . I was in agony but managed to clear by myself - it was either that or manual evacuation by health professional !!!  It was the middle of the night , I ran a deep warm bath to help me relax and go ( yes in bath , I was so bad I was bleeding ) I had not ignored any symptoms ,it just all came on so quick , this is how  babies are relieved when constipated , Ok not nice but neither are the other options . Never experienced anything like the pain before . 

If your friend is in pain and the above doesn’t work , then telephone the chemo helpline , as I’ve said before they are here to help us 24/7 , you will not be bothering them . Phone them soon and they can fax a prescription to a local pharmacy . I was given lots of meds for this , gentle to strong and Maintenance meds until I finished chemo . 

Not a good idea to self medicate , I was told by my chemo team to consult them or the national chemo line first and let them advise me  what to do .

hope all moves soon and comfort be reinstated 

best wishes 

Ruby Rose  

This had been a major problem for me. I have found that after each chemo session I didn't go to the toilet for 4 or 5 days. Initially my until told me to useLaxido and glycerine suppositories but I was having to manually clear myself as well and in so much pain when I went to the toilet. I have now been told to use Lactulose 3x a day and things seem to be easier. I have also decided to limit how much I am eating in the first 4 or 5 days. Fruit for breakfast homemade vegetable soup for dinner. Probably a bit early to say if this is going to work. You need to make sure you are drinking plenty at least 3 LTRs and increase fruit and veg. I hope this helps. It is such a problem. 

Dear HockeyNut

I agree drinking water - 3ltrs if possible is great for all body functions and eating healthy but I think Chemo just totally mucks up your body functions and if taste is affected it’s not always easy to eat the correct foods . It’s nasty ! On the good side CHOCOLATE was good for me  . I was on Dosetaxel, so fortunately the horrendous side effects lasted a week in the middle of each treatment - awful but with medication it was doable . 

Wishing you well 

Ruby Rose  

Ruby Rose you are so right about the taste changes. I have been fairly lucky on that front. I just go off eating when the constipation sets in. I am on the Dosetaxel next and I must admit I am dreading it. Still this is the half way point now.

Wishing you all the best with the rest of your treatment

Hi, Eat lots of chocolate I didn’t have chemo but have been constipated, it’s the only thing that worked for me.Good Luck

Well my cunning plan hasn't worked. Still just as constipated this time round. Trying all sorts and nothing seems to work. The last two cycles it was day 5 is when it all seems to kick back in. Really gets you down!!!

I found Cosmacol the best laxative, has to be prescribed by your GP, believe me I have tried many over the years so have lots of experience!

Once you are sorted this time, work on the principle, prevention is better than cure.....plenty of fluids to drink. I continue to use Cosmocol but just require one sachet alternate days and that keeps me regular....

Lots of good advice in this thread, plenty of fruit and veg. We are all different, if I have a high fibre diet I get constipated, bulks me up too much....The different medication can have opposing effects, it always make me smile when side effects are listed as Constipation or Diarrhoea....

Good luck, there is nothing worse than constipation it really is uncomfortable and also has an impact on other body functions.....reduces appetite and possibly urine retention 

Best wishes