opioid consitpation

[alanpvegas]

Does anyone have any methods or things they did to treat their opioid constipation?  Also anything they used to help with any type of 'raw' or 'irritated' gut from chemo.  Thanks!
Alan

[lucymullis]

Just wanted to let you know that I hope your mom will be feeling better soon.

[alanpvegas]

Thanks Helen!  When she feels better I'll talk to her about that as well, she does like bananas!  I bought some of that fiber that you can mix in with anything but never used it (yet) because her last clinical trial chemo caused 'the runs' so we were on the opposite end trying to stop that from happening.  Now with Hexalen, it causes constipation.  Jeesh you just can't win!

I hope there is no blockage...she was throwing up so much at urgent care they couldn't do the ct-scan, but the x-ray looked 'good' to them.  Her last CT about a month ago showed something they thought could be metastic disease on the bowel but they weren't sure (and it was stable from the last last ct).  But then she could even have it in her bone/spine now.  We're waiting to go in for a bone scan...I sure hope that is not the case.

[freshair]

Alan,

I make sure I have my fiber everyday but I know of course that those opiods can cause terrible constipation. And these chemo drugs destroy the intestines. And then the cancer can cause many problems with obstructions. It's scarry.

Almost everyday I eat oatmeal

[abrite]

I think I tried everything imaginable to fight the chemo and opioid induced constipation. What finally worked for me were the Fiber Cakes made by Zen Bakery. They have 13 grams of fiber and are really quite tasty. I find that they last longer if I refrigerate or freeze them as they tend to develop mold. I prefer the Apple Cranberry over the Blueberry. Be sure to get the Fiber CAKE and not the muffin as they are not the same. I eat one each morning and if needed I will eat 1

[alanpvegas]

have any of you, during treatment, did a 'colon cleanse' or take fiber (or extra fiber)?

[alanpvegas]

Brilliant thank you :)

[Conquerer]

Alan when i went through my chemo  cisplatin IP and taxeter IV my natualpath recommended L-Gluitmin in powder 2 x day when not on chemo and 3x day day before day of and day after.  It really helped because when i didn't follow it my stomach got upset.  You are the one that said it helped with PN and when I started again i am getting relief.

Also i used Phenol glycol which was a prescription but now over the counter.  I had a resection of my intestine so it was important I did not get constipated. I kept the dose small but consitant around chemo time.  Senokot-S was also good when a couple weeks out and only needed a gently push.

Hoope this helps

God Bless

[thedoglady]

Hello....I would highly recommend a herbal product called LBS II - the brand I use (and many other women in the ovarian support group) is called Nature's Sunshine but I know other companies make it too. What is unique about this product is that it is not only a stool softener but also a laxative. Take 2 caps at bedtime. For the irritation to the stomach (I have known many people who have used this successfully including me) is a combination of licorice root, slippery elm and marshmallow root - these are powdered herbs that you can buy at your healthfood store. Mix them together and cap them yourself - the gel caps are also bought at the healthfood store. It works by putting a mucous coating down your esophagus and stomach lining. I have been studying and using homeopathic/herbal remedies for 30 years and am quite knowledgeable about the biochemistry of the products and how they work on a cellular level. I was also working in clinical trials in oncology and heard many success stories too. So give it a try because it will not conflict with the chemo and will only help your body do what is natural. Let me know if you decide to try and what you think? Personally, I'm seeing an oncologist in traditional chinese medicine and drink a special tea that I brew 2/day as well as chemo (Carboplatin and Taxol are nasty to the digestive/intestinal system).