#48156 05-17-2007 02:09 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Nearing end of my first week of rad\chemo, and I am frankly miserable. Abdominal cramps\nausea\runny nose\chills. I think much of this is due to constipation, which I can't seem to get a grip on, so to speak. Drinking lots of fluids, eating OK, just miserable.
Any tips would be appreciated.
Jeff
Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
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#48157 05-17-2007 02:40 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 493 |
Tim Stoj
60 yr old. Dx Jun 06 with BOT Stage IV. Neck dissesction on 19 Jun 06. Started Tx on 21 Aug 06/completed 33 IMRTs and 3 CT (2 Cisplat & 1 Carboplat) on 5 Oct 06.
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#48158 05-17-2007 02:45 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | Jeff
I feel for you, buddy. I remember those days all too well. What are you taking for the constipation? I found that large doses of lactulose worked, but I had to take a lot of it, and God forid should you miss a day.
I know a couple of folks had good luck with the new disolving fibre preparations ( benefibre comes to mind) that can be dissolved in water very easily and taken via PEG if needed.
The final solution....well, we don't wanna go there ( think the "E" word) but it does work. I had the same problem post surgery, and that was ultimately their answer to the problem.
Hang in. It does get better, even though it doesn't seem possible right now
Wayne
Water intake is critical, of course.
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
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#48159 05-17-2007 03:12 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Jeff,
Constipation can cause cramps and nausea and maybe you caught a cold. Do need to stay on top of the water and tell your docs about the big C right away. I remember keeping a large supply of over the counter "solutions" for my constipation and I didn't hesitate to use them according to the instructions on the box.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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#48160 05-17-2007 01:36 PM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 137 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 137 | Two drugs, the one for chemo induced nausea, dayum, I can't think of the name, but it's about $80 a pill and it works. Your onco will know. The other is called 'Reglan' and helps with both nausea and constipation
dx 2/13/06. modified radical neck dissection 3/9/06 multiple biopsies of upper airway and direct laryngoscopy. 1 of 47 lymph nodes positive for metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma (lymphoepithelioma). Unknown primary. Finished radiation 5/24/06.
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#48161 05-17-2007 04:02 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Hi, Jeff, Look your nurses and Docs straight in the eye and TELL them that you need things to help solve these issues! Make some noise! If you have a good Ins Co., anything the Doc writes a script for will be covered and you can try it to see if it works. As far as OTC stuff- Benefiber was good for John, as was prune juice and Correctol and lots of liquids. Stay strong and be vocal. Amy in the Ozarks
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#48162 05-18-2007 07:19 AM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 27 | My husband was really constipated during the 2nd week of radiation / chemo. He had to finally have a Fleets enema. Now, he takes 3 stool softeners everyday and this helps to keep him regular. He was so crampy and achy that he couldn't stand straight. Mind you, he didn't tell me until it got this bad.
Keep as much fiber in your diet as you can (or through your PEG if you aren't eating by mouth).
Good luck!
Pam
Caregiver of husband, age 57, non-smoker, DX: 4/07 w/undifferentiaed SCC, TX IMRT X37 @ 200, Chemo Cisplatin, 5FU X2. TREATMENTS COMPLETED ON 6/20/07!!
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