Half way through 2nd cycle of chemo on the TAC 2 Trial. Had severe constipation both cycles and now Thrush! other than that i have been fine though. Any ladies out there any good tips on diet or any specific medicines that have helped. Many Thanks.
Hi Gaynorp
I am also on that trial and having 2nd lot of epi tomorrow. I take it you have tried lactulose for the constipation? I was recommended to take that at the slightest symptom and have done so day and night from the start. I also thought I had thrush so am interested to hear that too. Don’t have much other advice as early days for me too.
Hi Gaynorp,
I am 2/3 of the way through the TACT 2 trial now, I am on arm 2 so have had accelerated Epi followed by standard CMF. I have thankfully never suffered with constipation so far, even though I was told I defo would!
Personally I drink loads and loads of water/sugar free squash, prob around 3 litres a day. Also, I start the day with a fruit smoothie which I make myself in a blender using banana, strawberries, blackberries and peaches. To this I add some milk and fruit juice. I also try to have a high fibre cereal in the first few days, such as ‘all bran’.
Hope that helps a little. All the best with the rest of your treatment,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
As well as all the above i.e. drinking loads of water, fresh juice etc I take dulcolax tablets which work for me - try just taking 1 tab at night and if that doestnt work take 2.
Fiona
x
Hi
I am 8 months post chemo but I used to make a huge pot of vegetable soup the night before chemo and lived on that for 3 or 4 days and this certainly helped with the constipation.
Margaret
Hi
I know how you feel, though thankfully I avoided Thrush! I finished my chemo over twelve months ago but although it wasn’t pleasant, I think the worst memories was the constipation - and piles!! Soo… painful. They prescribed lactolose but as I hated it so much I bought some maxi-strength senna which I took a couple of days before and through the treatment days until the anti-sickness steroids finished, then things improved again. As above drink lots of water and the obvious fruit and veg if you can manage it.
Forgive the pun, but hope it passes soon
TAY X
Hi! Gaynor
I had severe constipation first chemo doc. prescribed Movicol satchets, eventuallyy cleared. Now morning I go for chemo I take a satchet and I just make sure it is working, If not you can keep taking them until they work.
best of luck Jeanxx
Hi Gaynor
Like Jean I took Movicol - got prescrioption from onc. Went to GP for thrush and she gave me caneston.
On Movicol again because I’m aneamic and on the dreaded iron pills.
Take care
Marilyn x
thanks everyone i can take all your advice and work out a routine from the start of treatment including, movicol and vegetable soup! and the smoothies that you recommended. I think it is just getting into a routine and sticking to it so your body isn’t shocked by anything different that happens. Also i just wanted to say that this website is a godsend and i would be lost without all you lovely ladies and your sensible advice.
Thanks again.
Gaynor x
Hi Gaynor, when I had my chemo I couldn’t keep down the anti sickness pills so they gave them to me as suppositories and they had the added benefit of stopping the constipation ( I suppose from where I had to put them!!) - sorry but I can’t remember what they were called. It sounds horrible but it worked without having to take yet another tablet.
Good Luck
Sarah x
if you’re taking lactulose for the constipation ot may be an idea to take senna with it. the lactulose softens the faeces and the senna gives it a push. movicol does both at once.
regards
ruth
x
Hi I took one senacot tablet (a childs dose) every night for the four days after my epi - that prevented constipation with out turning my guts inside out. also drinking mugs of plain hot water.
Wiping down with a a solution of cider vinegar (1 tablespoon per pint water) really helped with the thrush. If you can cope with smelling a little like a chip shop a cupful in your bath can help. Live yogurt is also recommended (eat it) but some oncologists do not like people taking this whilst on chemo in case there are any bad bacteria in it.
Hope this helps - good luck with the treatement - I did the accelerated epi, it passed really quickly. Just finished my second cycle of standard CMF and have the opposite problem, also farting like a trooper which is a bit embarrassing!!!
Hope this helps all the best - love Swanie