Constipation and how to deal with it

There really isnt anything that eases the passage of ac completely...or at least thats what i found. But i did find things a bit better making sure i had plenty of fluids prior to chemo and having some psyllium husk. I did 4 x AC prior to surgery and another 2 dd AC after and the constipation was one of the worst side effects. hugs xox

I started with movicol but all it did was give me a squirrelly guts so for about 4 days couldn't shit so switched to coloxyl and senna (they recommended at chemo , didn't they...and yes they were right), worked a treat, two before bed at night...nice and soft and just falls out...the one thing i used to take before i started having chemo was, juice of 1 lemon with a tbsn of olive oil and that kept me regular and soft......

Hiya, I am having my lumpectomy on Friday and just getting used to the idea. Maybe I shouldn't be looking at chemo posts yet! The drugs seem very harsh on the body.  Diarrhoea for 12 weeks sounds awful.  I had very bad IBS last year and had to start buying Depends - not very glamorous! Was getting no warning. So I might mention that  to the chemo ppl further down the line if I ever intend to leave the house! This year I got over the IBS using first vitamins A,D,E and K, and then after I started taken a turmeric mixture had no problems at all. Rejoiced and decided 52 was going to be a good year after last year...what do they say about us making plans, and then God laughs!  Hope you are getting there xx

Hi viking1, constipation can be an issue for some. Anti nausea meds cause it also. I had taxol first and had diarrhoea all twelve weeks on it ,but this ac chemo sets the bowels like concrete. Everyone is different so see what works for you. How are you doing ?. 

I haven't had my surgery yet but am looking at posts. In the past I've had IBS - so bouts of constipation. One thing that helped is psyllium husks.  You can buy this very fine but bran like powder in health food shops, the chemist and grocery stores. You can sprinkle it on your cereal or put it in a smoothie. Alternatively, I get it in capsule form from Pharmacy 777. You need to drink a lot of water with it as it uses the water to swell up and move things along. My naturopath suggested it as an alternative. Is constipation a side effect of chemo?

Hi @Mrs_H, I didn't have chemo but have suffered horrific constipation on and off throughout my life. Best thing I have found for me is Normocol Plus. Its in a granular form and I take one teaspoonful and wash it down with water. You can take more than 1 teaspoon at a time,  its natural and doesn't cause any cramping. Works wonders. Xx Cath

I would start on high fibre foods, prunes/ kiwi fruit the day before chemo and keep them up for the week after.  When I really needed help I used ducolax drops at night. Start with 5 drops and work your way up if need be. it's been 6 years and still remember the horrible constipation,
Hugs
Paula xxx

Zoffiel, I love your humor, made me laugh. I actually fear going to the toilet knowing what pain is to come. The sooner this shit is over with the better.

I took a homemade pot and coconut oil mix to help with both nausea and constipation. It kept my bowels moving but did nothing for the pain due to the damage the  taxotere did to my small intestine. Good quality coconut oil, a teaspoon twice a day, will do you no harm.
In the end I learned that having a shit was a protracted process that couldn't be rushed. Freaking because I hadn't pooed in two days didn't do me any good; bowel movements were painful and literally made me feel sick, but I was still functioning. Slowly. 
It's horrible, but it will pass (pardon the pun)

I'm  hearing you mrs h, ac is so constipating. I take 1 or 2 coloxyl before  bed. I can't tolerate the taste of movicol as i start gagging. You can have up to eight sachets of movicol i think but maybe start with one or two. I've ended up with fissures from this disgusting ac, not bloody fun at all. Get some butt wipes to soothe irritation. Not sure what else to suggest, some of the other ladies might have better alternatives. It's literally like shitting bricks lol.