I was diagnosed with HER 2 positive breast cancer in December and have undergone 6 months of chemotherapy followed by surgery (lumpectomy & full node clearance) 9 days ago. My question is I’m constantly getting diarrhoea after eating which is really pulling me down. I’m exhausted with it. I suffered it badly during chemo but thought it would have stopped by now (chemo finished 20th May). Anyone else experience this after surgery. I feel like I should buy shares in loperamide! I also keep worrying that the cancer may have spread to my bowel or stomach. I’m waiting on my histology so just getting myself wound up by it all.
Hi jols68
Thanks for posting. It sounds like you’ve been having a difficult time with diarrhoea and it’s understandable it’s pulling you down.
Diarrhoea is a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs and targeted therapies that may be used to treat breast cancer. It usually settles down once treatment has finished although for some people this may take weeks or even months. If you haven’t already done so, we would encourage you to get in touch you’re your treatment team so they can check if there is another cause for the diarrhoea and provide further advice on what might help. Our information about cancer related fatigue might be of interest to you.
Many people are worried that their cancer might have spread and waiting for results can lead to a lot of worry and anxiety. Our information about life after treatment along with this information about managing anxiety might be helpful to read.
You may be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses.
Through supportive, open conversations in a safe, confidential space, you’ll connect with people who understand. You’ll also find the tools you need to feel more empowered, confident and in control to begin to move forward with your life.
You can attend Moving Forward either at our face-to-face course or take part by joining online. Find a course near you or register for an online course via the links above or call us on 03457 077 1893.
Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can also often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0114 263 6490 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.
You are also welcome to call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. To do this complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturday.
Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes
Val
Breast Care Nurse
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