I wanted to share this with people in case my experience can help others.
From the start of chemo, all the way through surgery, radiotherapy and now on tamoxifen, I’ve suffered from varying degrees of constipation. It’s been a constant background worry for nearly two years.
Three weeks ago, I suddenly had a brain-wave. Tamoxifen gives me constant hot flushes - about one every two hours - and it suddenly occurred to me that I’m probably losing quite a lot of fluid as a result. As an experiment, I tried drinking a couple of extra glasses of water each day. A miracle happened! No constipation. I’ve been drinking more ever since and the problem has completely disappeared.
So if you’re suffering from constipation, try drinking more fluids. It might just work!
Sorry
If your constipated drinking more fluids is one of the things
your bcn should have told you, its normal to do this
Hi,yes I agree with you yvoyvo I was told to drink 3 litres a day it was hard but did help
Hi all
Oh yes constipation. Mine started straight after surgery in September 2007. I tried everything, all the remedies, drinking loads of water until I thought I was going to drown. Someone told me to make sure that I had a good walk everyday, I ate fruit until it came out of my ears, stopped eating cheese,I even tried a yoga exercise which is supposed to ‘move things along’ but nothing worked.
Then a friend told me about Ortisan Fruit Cubes. They are a natural herbal remedy, which you chew, not bad tasting. I get mine from the local herbalist. They are a bit pricey but they work like magic. Half a cube is enough for me and I only take one now when I need it.
I sound a bit like a tele advert don’t I? But I just wanted to share this with you because constipation is usually regarded as a mild problem but it can make you feel so awful.
Love and {{{hugs}}} to you all
Jan xx
I had terrible constipation on Taxotere as I was taking Tramadol for the joint pains and it completely bunged me up. I was given Senokot and lactulose to take and told to drink plenty of water. I have a garden full of rhubarb at this time of the year and I also ate that after cooking it in the oven with soft brown sugar. It’s lovely with probiotic yoghurt.
I once got bunged up for 5 days and when I tried to go to the loo on the 6th I sat there for an hour convinced I was passing a giant cricket ball. Horrible, my OH kept shouting upstairs to ask if I was OK.
Yes, I had terrible constipation on Epi. And due to a lot of other meds I still suffer. However, recently it has eased somewhat. If I get very bunged up I use bisocodyl and plenty of fluid that usually shifts it. I sometimes use co co codamol and that is teriible for constipation. I finished treatment in October and only now are my bowels starting to be anything like normal. Also as I have felt stronger I have been able to do some exercise (not loads) and eat better. Pumpkin seeds are the worst ! Guaranteed to keep on the loo for hours.
Rachy