Prune Juice to allievate chemo's side effects

[Nat2]

I have not had a BM since my chemo on Friday and am usually very regular.  I stocked up on prune juice as per all your advice and tried my first glass this morning - it is revolting!!!  I simply cannot drink an entire glass of the stuff.  How much do you suggest to get things moving?  I have resorted to drinking prune juice 'shots' every hour - hysterical!  Do you think this will work?

[Nat2]

Yay!  I was just at the supermarket and picked up kiwis!  I also went to the Dr and picked up something a lot stronger - loosing my patience with fruit!!!

[Pommie]

Hi Nat2, the best BM remedy is Kiwifruit.  Works wonders.  Not sure where you are but I'm sure you can get it wherever.  Works wonders.  Carol

[Tybear]

If your looking for a junk food alternative to relieve constipation - Black Licorice. I swear, my home care nurse actually suggested it to me and it works! (I recommend licorice allsorts - yum!) Otherwise, might I suggest an over the counter laxative called Senna Cot. Usually one was enough to get things rolling. I would also take colace the day before chemo and twice after chemo - it's not a laxative, but it adds moisture to your BM to help it move along. Hope this helps! Good luck - I remember saying on numerous occasions that I would never take normal functioning bowels for granted ever again! Constipation is the worst!

[Careylyn]

I know it sounds terrible, but I found that if I warm my prune juice up in a mug, in the microwave, I can get down easier.  I just sip on it.  One of the chemo nurses gave me that advice last fall.  It does work for me.....sometimes a few mugs a day.  Carelyn

[milashka]

Try to soak half a glass of prunes in one glass of warm water overnight. In the morning, drink the water and eat the prunes. If you can put up with the texture and the roachlike look of the prunes it might work. The water will only have a very slight prune taste.

[Nat2]

Thanks for the advice - I've just popped to the shop for apples and got some organic carrots in the fridge - going to make apple and carrot juice tomorrow - must say that root ginger in food is great but don't think I could stomach it in my juice! Hopefully the carrots and apples will have the desired effect.  Anti-oxidants here I come ...

[sueg]

No Nat I couldn't stand it either- but it DID work.I used it all last year when I was on Carbo/Taxol.I used to have a glass in the morning before breakfast,and then sometimes one before lunch if nothing had happened by then.THis year I'm on Caelyx and I find juicing up carrots,an apple and adding some root ginger is 'moving things along nicely' but the constipation isn't as bad with this chemo as last years.Hold your nose and gulp it down,then have a piece of strong sweet chocolate or a peppermint after to take the taste away.
Good luck blossom.
Sue x