DJ007 - I’m not upset by it, of course a little envious of people who aren’t getting horrible SEs, can’t deny that. The thing for everyone to remember when reading these things is that people don’t tend to come on here and say “I’m fine”, so sometimes people may get a distorted view of what can happen.
I’ve been really unlucky the last few treatments and feel like I’ve had everything on the list.
Been up most of the night tonight because of cramping in my bowels, nothing coming out except water and blood. Really exhausted now and dog tired of being in pain. I’m taking codeine and paracetamol like clockwork and using a hot water bottle against my lower abdomen or back to help. Just can’t sleep right
This is the first time this has happened, I didn’t get this last Tax session. I *really* hope I don’t get it next, but at least that’ll be my last chemo so can remind myself of that.
Ninja - 2 or 3 times a week? You poor poor poor woman, you must be reeling. Big big big hugs xxxx
Thanks, Kat but no worries; some weeks it’s only one day and overall, Tax has been much kinder than EC ever was, no more 9 days of feeling sick.
Having fun with Yorkshire Water. They’re replacing pipes in our road and I got the postcard yesterday, saying “please note that your water will be turned off on <2 days mentioned> between 9.00 and 19.00”.
I rang the helpline. Foreman rang me back and said, “Don’t worry, folk panic when they see 9.00 - 19.00; we usually get it back on by 15.30”.
I explained that I needed the water on as I’m a chemo patient. 'For special people, we can deliver you a few bottles of water".
I explained that problem was (I’m beyond embarrassment now) dreadful diarrhoea and that a few bottles of water weren’t going to cut it. He suggested filling the bath with water and using a bucket. Then I told him that I have squits every 5 minutes for several hours and that a few buckets wouldn’t cut it either. And I can’t always make it up to the upstairs loo where the bath is…never mind having the energy to haul buckets around.
He’s going to come and see me today and said that they can arrange a piped supply from a neighbouring pipe for me but it would be a H&S hazard with a trailing pipe on the pavement/road. I’m gonna tell him that it would be a H&S hazard if I have several hours’ worth of sh*t backing up in my bogs!
OH GOD Ninja. Sorry - it is a TINY bit funny as we do have to laugh in these situations! My husband and I went to Marrakech for my 30th and ended up with some horrific stomach bug, taking it in turns to sit on the toilet while the other was sick in the sink and we had the same thing! Water turned off for a day. We had to go and use a friend’s house. I can’t think of more unpleasant houseguests…!! Hope they sort it out for you! x
Foreman has just been (OMG I typed foreskin first off!!).
He said the “it would be a H&S hazard with a trailing pipe on the pavement” line so then I really DID say, “it would be a worse H&S hazard if I have several hours’ worth of sh*t backing up in my toilet”.
He kinda coughed an “ahem”. Hee hee.
SO, he is going to keep my disruption to the single day and connect me to a neighbour’s supply so I’ll only be off for 10 minutes at the start and end of activities. We’ll need to boil water for 48 hours so he’s going to arrange a delivery of bottled water.
Ninja - Good for you! I’m loving your no nonense approach, very like my own, just say it like it is. Ha ha. It’d have been cheaper for them to have put you up in a hotel for the night though surely?
DJ007 - YEah me too, it’s not as bad as it was but it’s soooooo sore, I feel bruised internally and if I bend it’s awful.
I dread this happening next chemo, I sincerely hope it’s a one off.
Having just read all these posts i just think u poor things! To have to go through that horrendous cramping etc. I couldn’t actually believe what i was reading,i know everything has side effects but in this day & age u’d think they’d be able to do something more for this. I do hope it doesn’t last too long.
Ninja - i’m so sorry but ur post did make me laugh. I love ur sense of humour. I can only imagine his face when u said that to him but at least u got a result
x
Well I’ve since read that some people (few) get slow or fast moving bowels as a result of being poisoned as it affects the cells in the bowel and it’s ability to move faecal matter around (nice) and in the case of diahorrea it moves too fast in the tract and doesn’t have time to form properly, causing the body to expel it quickly via contraction like cramping, some people have likened this to childbirth type contractions which explains the agony.
Could be that I’ve been suffering with as this can also cause blood.
However, I’ve since thought that surely I could have been given anti-spasmodics or something to actually stop or lessen the cramps?
If I get this again I’ll be more informed and pushy perhaps. A&E was heaving busy that monday morning and wonder if they just gave me codeine and paracetamol and told me to come back if it gets worse to close it off. Perhaps I’m being unfair. I hate feeling helpless and vulnerable.
Kat I have had this every cycle they don’t seem to be able to sort it even with pain killers I spoke to my bcn today who sd she have a word with docs she does think I’m on to many steroids because of first lot with bad se I’ve 2 more to go and I don’t think they will sort it unf I reckon we have to just put up with it I’ve had dif pain killers and none seem to do a lot hope next one might be dif Laura
6 days post 1st Tax,and beginning to feel human again.
Leg pains - check
Muscle pain - check
Stiff shoulders - check
Stiff neck - check
Mx scar hurting - check
Portacath scar hurting - check
Constipation - check
and now, finally, the diahorrea (thanks, El Katraono for the spelling of that!), and the cramping - although nowhere near as bad as El Katrano and some others of you. I really feel for you. Each time I have to go, I feel like someone has dipped my backside in acid. No blood, though, thank goodness. HOW long is this supposed to last? Does anybody know? Yes, I know, everyone is different (thank heaven, or we might all have ended up like poor El Katrano!).
Hope everyone feels better soon. I hope to be back at work tomorrow.
Ninja - I’m glad Tax is less stressful for you than EC (?).
Eltiks - you really made me laugh there (which hurt btw!)
This isn’t as bad now, i had an accident last night though which was gross and I had to deal with it all and have a shower when all i wanted to do was crawl into bed.
I’ve now got to comedic noises stage trumping and spraying all over the loo and there is stil some cramping but it’s not agonising like before, i just still feel bruised internally and very very sore.
And I felt totally wiped beyond belief. Can’t even empty dishwasher, been looking at it for past few hours but can’t face it.
Had a banging headache too despite drinking loads of water.
Forcing myself to eat though I have no appetite was pushing pasta with carbonara sauce around my plate last night with a look of disgust. Just don’t want anything but feel so weak. Doesn’t help that I still have chemo mouth so everything tastes horrible.
I’m going to be very stern about this next chemo, for some reason they seem to not like to give out pre-emptive meds unless they are anti sickness or steroids. But when I’m ill I dont want to be back and forth, also I can’t afford to keep going over there in taxis in the daytime.
I don’t know if theres anything they can give me to stop it happening but if I can get meds ahead I dont have to go through that again. Perhaps anti spasmodics.
Kat - had Tax today at 12.00 and Tax Trots started (with awful cramping and River Nile shooting through a narrow inlet) at 15.00. Thank goodness I was at home by then.
It usually takes about 3-4 days for them to start.
I feel sore and a bit sick with the pain - was supposed to be going out for an annual end-of-year meal tonight - not sure if I can make it now, feel really frail
I spoke to Oncy nurse about it - I told her that I give in after a few hours and take immodium.
She said that I must take immodium STRAIGHT AWAY. I asked about letting the poisons out and she said no, it is more important to stop the flow otherwise you lose electrolytes and get very weak.
Ninja that’s quick!!! Flippin’ 'eck! I had chemo last tues and it started Sun night.
It’s all unpredictable isn’t it, what a pain you can’t go out for your meal tonight When you have to miss out on things it’s really depressing.
Can you use Immodium? Ah I’ll ask my BCN about what to do. Electrolytes in Lucozade but thought fizz and bubbles not a good idea when I’m all gassy as it is!
Thanks for passing that on, I’ll talk to my BCN.
And huge sympathies for your trots - hope it calms down quick xxxx
Thank you ladies for all the information you have presented over the last 3 pages - It makes me feel not so alone with the cramping and trots. I had my first Tax last Thursday and the trots started on Sunday night - with a vengeance. They seem to come late at night for around 2 hours, about 10 minutes apart. *Touch wood* the pain isn’t here today, so am hoping that it will pass…
As there are loads of different ways in which you have all been dealing with it, I am confused. Should I just let it happen and let the toxins out as they see fit, or get Immodium to help? My Tax is 3 weekly, so I’ve got a couple of weeks before it all starts again. Other side effects I’ve got are the achey legs (Have boney mets anyway so that’s constant) and I seem to get hot sweats at around this time every day… odd. I’ve also got the Moonface from steroids and I look a little like an american footballer will my swollen trunk LOL
Positive thoughts and vibes to everyone going through this horrible disease xxxxxx
I’m much better today. Still had to use the loo in a hurry today, but nothing like what i’ve had.
I’m full to the brim with anti squit meds, like immodium and feel quite bruised, but have been to chinese buffet today, and have eaten like someone who’s getting over oral thrush, squits and all the tax rubbish i’ve had. I was blooming starving!
I’m post tax by about 10 ten day now, so fingers crossed its up and on and waiting for surgery now.
Poannie - we just have to “get it out there” so to speak. No shame left now It helps to see you’re not the only one and how others are dealing with it.
Eltiks - I’m glad to hear it, you made me chuckle again with the chinese buffet and eating like someone whos got over oral thrush - I had that last time and when my mouth was better I ATE EVERYTHING IN SIGHT
Got chemo mouth now so everything takes horrible, but when it gets better I’m going to have everything I can - ha ha.
El Kat - thanks LOL - will stock up on magazines by the loo hahaha…
My hubby and I went to Nandos yesterday for my birthday, because I wanted some nice food in me before the tastebuds fail!! I ate so much chicken and halloumi cheese!!
It helps to see you’re not the only one and how others are dealing with it.