My hubby has diarrhea really bad today. He has PEG put in on Monday and using Ensure. Hadn't had bowel movement for over a week, added Milk of Magnesia per doctor. Is this normal part of radiation? He is miserable. It's a weekend; he'll wait to see how he feels tomorrow.
Any thoughts from anyone who's been there...done that?
Thanks,
Cat

Buzz had debilitating diarrhea almost throughout his radiation treatments. Our dr. prescribed over-the-counter Imodium and gave us a backup prescription for something stronger just in case.
His PEG tube liquid is Jevity with fiber. We were told that diarrhea is a common side effect.
The downside to diarrhea for Buzz was the extreme weight loss issue. He has lost more than 35 lbs, but continues to eat as much as possible and continues 2-3 Jevity every day.

I grabbed the Imodium out of the cabinet for him to take. He's too wore out to do anything tonight. It sounds like Pedyalite is good to use to keep him from getting dehydrated. I think we'll ask for a prescription for the Jevity on Monday. This Ensure/Boost is expensive. His insurance will cover anything but the Ensure or Boost. Keith got PEG because he was starting to lose too much weight after 12 rad treatments. He was afraid something else was wrong. I need to reassure him that it's probably part of what comes with the radiation. Thanks for your response; I feel better knowing that. How is Buzz doing?
Cat

Cat,
I lost over 60 lbs during my cancer adventure. I almost wish I could have had a diarrhea issue - mine was constipation and it was miserable. They did a poor job of managing that.

Diarrhea will cause a lot of fluid loss so you have to be careful there. Drink lots of fluids - dehydration is very common.

If he is getting Cisplatin, Milk of Magnesia may not be the best choice. Many doctors don't recommend anything with magnesium in it during chemo. Immodium was the most commonly suggested anti-diarrheal in my cancer reference book.

If he is taking long term opioids (or about too) then you will have the opposite problem.

Radiation is known to induce diarrhea so it is a normal side effect.

Milk of Magnesia is a laxative!!!In some doses it actually can cause explosive diarrhoea,In the case of constipation from medication and lack of nutrition ,a gentle emulsion such as lactulose is much more suitable,given via the peg daily,it should not cause such a violent reaction.
Robs flavoured tube feeds also had fibre in them which helped to keep his gut functioning.

liz

I'm not sure why your doctor has your husband on Ensure and Boost...I've had a PEG tube in since my surgery on Sept 11 and have been on a liquid diet ever since. My doctor put me on Nutren, made by Nestle and have rarely had anything other than an occasional loose bowel...also, our insurance pays for it and I've been able to keep my weight stablized...you might check into this with your doctor...everybody has different issues with this cancer thing, so your husband might have to use those products for some reason.

Cat: Tks for asking about Buzz. See "Update on Buzz" here on 'currently in treatment'...Katey: good to hear from you...an email is on its way to you!

Medicare pays for Buzz' Jevity, and also pays for Ensure with prescription from dr.

The otc Imodium worked well enough so that Buzz never had to get prescription filled.

We're back to Baptist tomorrow for f/u with Dr. Sullivan. Keep us in your prayers as we travel!

Lois & Buzz