 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | 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.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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