gas pain or tumor pain?

[Christine72]

I don't even know if anyone can really answer my question, but it's worth a try.  My mom's been very constipated, and is finally going to the bathroom.  She took two laxitives under the recommendation of her chemo nurse, I think. (I haven't been home much this week, and haven't been up to date on things)  She's been in and out of the bathroom CONSTANTLY today.  But what's concerning me is that whenever she walks, she gets a bad pain right in the middle of her stomach.  I know she told me one of her tumors is there, off to the side.  Could this be gas pressure from going to the bathroom, or pain from the cancer?  My mom says it's never been this bad before.  I asked her what kind of a pain she had, and she said, "Just a pain."  But the pain is mainly when she walks, so I wonder if it's gas or not.

Yesterday, she also received two more units of blood, and Thursday, she got drained again.  Not that you could tell.  She filled up again fast.  The technician couldn't get to all of the fluid anyway.  I'm just really worried about her.  Sometimes I wonder if my mom isn't right, and the doctors are just "buying her time."  Sometimes I wonder also.  Even my aunt, who tries to remain optimistic in front of my mom, asked me in private, the same thing - are they just buying her time?  I guess one way to find out is by the CAT scan she's getting in another week.

[CindiSue]

So sorry your Mom is having such trouble. She is lucky to have you taking care of her.

I usually think of gas pain as moving...doesn't hit the same spots or more likely is releaved by bowel or gas movement. Am I right gals??? I would think if it is always in the same spot and doesn't get better by voiding of any kind it may not be gas. But that also is not neccessarily a bad thing. Maybe tumors hurt when they are being attacked or shrinking. Has she been on chemo? Sorry to not be up on your situation. I have been off here for surgery.

Not really helping here, just been dealing with a "back up" of my own today. If I don't keep a water bottle with me, do the stool softener 2xday and take the metamucil I shut right down. Then EVRYTHING starts to hurt. I hope things straighten out and I know someone who has more info will be along soon.  Cindi

[finkaz]

has your mum been on chemo? My mum was taken into hospital last week again due to pain, apparently because her tumour is shrinking it has been pulling down on the bowel wall and caused it to twist.

[Christine72]

Yes, my mom's been on chemo.  In fact, she's going back for another round tomorrow.  She's going to see what the nurse has to say about this, if anything.  She's doesn't see her oncologist until 4/24.  I was hoping maybe it was the tumor shrinking, but I don't know.  If the chemo is working, then I wonder why she's still blowing up.   Last month when they drained her, it took three weeks to really blow up.  Last Thursday...it took less than 24 hours to blow up again.  I don't know what to think anymore.

[vixen28]

I think you are probably right Christine, in that you may have to wait until the CT scan to find out exactly what is causing the pain (or of course if it's gas, it may well resolve on its own in the next day or so). Can you make a phone call to the dr or maybe one of the nurses and ask their opinion? Wishing you and your mum well.