Having a really tough time at min, suffering severe constipation - I mean nothing will work, hence why I am still up at 3.40am 8 days since chemo and last toilet stop(feel very embarresed sharing that) but my god am I in agony - oh and have to be at work in 3 and a half hours so know I wont be on top form!!!
Two things - I shaved my head number 3 on Monday( a few days after 2nd EC) but its slowing down on the shedding, ok I look like a guy who has a high forehead as its shedding down the sides but I was wondering will it stay pretty much like this or will it shed after EC number 3 agaian?
Last thing - what the hell do I take for this constipation? have tried senekot alongside eating more fibre and fruit but in agony now - what the hell do i do?
Sorry for the embarassing probs - god Im gonna flag at work in a few hours!!
Sorry you are having such a rotten time. I am at a similar stage to you, last chemo 10 days ago hair still shedding!!! shaved just over a week ago!!! Unfortunately made redundant last week, another blow to deal with!!!
For the constipation I find Dulco-lax 5mg works for me. I take 2 if constipation is severe, but I wouldn’t recommend taking 2 if you are going to work the next day, maybe try over the weekend.
Again sorry to hear your having a tough time. I like Kim use Dulcolax - 2 of the 5 mg ones and of course loads to drink (water, fresh oj, smoothies etc etc!!) I just tend to get constipated (despite the dulclax) for a couple of days post chemo but it works after that. As long as you can go to the loo quickly at work you should be ok.
As for the shedding - I am on AC chemo - had 3rd dose on Tuesday - shaved my head day before my second dose, and am still shedding - but less hair by the day. The good thing is its obviously just little wee bits.
Hope you get on ok at work today. I am away to a meeting to see about working in between treatments later on today - it was my idea but feeling less like going back but it might give me something else to think about.
Hi Lynne,
Yeah, that constipation is the pits isn’t it- while I was on epirubicin I had the same, The oncologist told me it was probably caused by the very strong antisickness meds I had. It also brought back my piles (I know it’s OK to talk about this as we are all past feeling squeamish about such things!) Oh the agony!I hadn’t had them since being pregnant. I found drinking lots of water and eating porridge and prunes every day plus loads of fibre, fresh fruit and veg etc. I tried drinking prune juice and that did help the first week but I couldn’t stand the taste (horrible taste in my mouth on epi, probably you have the same) But if that’s not working, tell the medics- there is a whole range of stuff out there, I’m sure you can find something that works.
As regards hair- on epi I lost the lot- I don’t know if the EC combination is the same, but to be honest I shaved it all off in the end anyway- I was much happier with a smooth clean scalp than the little itty bits tthat stuck out as I was losing it. Now I have finished epirubicin and started capecitabine tablets my hair is growing back and I quite like the clean smooth boy soldier type cut I have at the moment. It’s about 2mm long!
Well done for carrying on working- I couldn’t manage it, nowhere near enough energy to manage a class of young children. I know some people have difficulty not working due to finances and I don’t know your situation, but we do need to put our health first and if you do need rest and time off work, I hope you feel able to take it.
Take care and all the best
Jane
best of luck with sorting out the constipation
Sorry to hear about your constipation, i have stuffed a bit from it to very painful days last sun and Mon which was 7 days after my Chemo. I have been taking Fibro-gel you can get it from the Pharmacy. It may not work for your immediate problem but would recommend taking it next time or from now on to prevent it happening again. I have to take it sometimes anyway as i have coeliac disease which cause very similar side effects for me.
I still have my hair but i am only on day 11 after my 1st epi. Scared about ti going as know it will be soon. I have to returned to work but on reduced hours of 20 hours a week. Hoping i can manage this but keeping it flexible.
Good luck with it and would definitely say phone to GP or nurses as i need more anti-sickness meds last week as others weren’t working and found everyone so helpful
Hi
Sorry about the constipation - I know how you feel, it took me 12 days to go. I used the senokot but found they only worked when I took them morning and night! Not sure if you will manage this if working but I am sure that having to go to the loo at work will be better than the way you feel when you don’t go!
It is 16 days since my first EC and today my hair is falling out big time and my head is so sore! I guess I am on the road to losing it all! Not looking forward to that.
Sorry u r having poo problems… girl I am just the opposite… I was told I had breast cancer on the 9 August and have been in the loo ever since!!! Do u like spinach or greens of some sort? that might help. hope u get feeling well soon. I have felt yuk myself! *big hug*
I had constipation after my first chemo and when I mentioned to the chemo nurse at my second they gave me Senna, and told me to take 2 at bedtime which I did, and it worked for me, although had to go to toilet quite a lot on that day, but didn’t have diarohhea, so was ok. You should speak to your chemo nurses and they will prescribe you with something, or try one of the remedies the other ladies have suggested.
What a journey! Phew! II spoke to my chemo nurse yesterday and they give me senna which i told her i had been taken so she advised double up senna and buy lactulose - il keep you informed… ;-O
Thanks for all you posts though - i dont know how i got thru work that day but something did coz i did a 9am - 7.30pm day!!!
JewJew - I am in sympathy with you about the hair - not pleasant…
LeeUK - thanks for the big hug,sending one right back at ya.