Stomach Cramps and Diarrhea

I have had serious ussues with my AC Chemo and saw dietitian in the hospital who reccomended soups with alot of protein and veg in days immediately pre Chemo and post chemo and move to a low carb diet the moment tummy goes sensitive...

She has alsonstrongly advised agains plain strict runny tummy diet like bread rice type thing as she recons sensitive tummy is not traditional food poisoning and she still wanted me.to have bananas, peeled apples (core is an issue) sweet potatoes, lettuce and other foods that are low irritant to the gut but help guve us nutrition

It has helped a great deal with my gut (My initial problem was that bad I had bloody runs and Onoclogist was going to cancel me Chemo altogether)...

I will scan the list of foods whe had orepared for both 'high' and 'low' fibre periods and add them here as I have found them very helpfull dealing with this probkem (also removed blandness of just white rice potatoes and helped my energy levels heaps).  

Jel

Hi Karen - I started to have abdo pain and diarrhoea after week 4 of taxol about 48-72hours after the infusion. I was prescribed nexium and maxalon(if nauseated) which helped . Had a very bland carbohydrate diet, bread, potatoes, rice  etc which really helped . Eating normally again now after finishing taxol  6 weeks ago. Also occasionally took gastro stop. Panadine (with codine) also helped. The pain settled but still had the diarrhoea - some weeks worst than others. Good luck!

Even after all your treatment your stomach and bowels will need to be nursed along. I still get loud noises inside and out and I have to be careful what I eat and how much. I thought the other night a whole heap of boiled vegies would do me good. Wrong, I had pains all night with it. I'm ok if I just eat smaller amounts.

Sounds like me - was the same until round 6 where the cramping and diarrhea got worse and lasted longer and now just had round 7 and it started same day! It is also really affecting my skin- my face goes really red and I have a rash on my hands - some of my nails are hurting and have discoloured- just hanging in there and doing the countdown.

Thanks for sharing- I am sorry you are also feeling this discomfort and hope it improves for you ??

Thanks for responding - yep nearly there- 5 to go - we can beat this thing ??

I too have been on same regime. Torrid  time on AC with severe constipation ..eventually sorted with movichol and terrible wind and bloating. Taxol caused no issues until 4 and 5 round then have noted some cramping and loose bowels several times a day. Thus far not needing any buscopan or gastro stop but if worsens I will. Mine starts day 3 normally...but then symptoms vary each cycle and different days for different things...so no predicting really. Kath x

Hi Karen,  Have also had 4 AC and now 8/12 paclitaxel.  Have had issues with intestines one way or the other right from the start but follows no pattern.  Spoke to chemo nurse last week who explained that cells in the intestines are also affected by chemo as well as hair, mouth and skin so should improve once finished.  Almost there :).