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Suzi_S61's avatar
Suzi_S61
Member
7 years ago

Constipation!!

Hello, I am asking anyone how they have managed constipation. I have always had a very slow moving digestive system, probably agravated by an underactive thyroid but I thought the chances of me having some trouble with going to the toilet might arise. I had my first chemo FEC last Wednesday  ( of which I am doing very well ) but haven't used my bowels in over a week. Can anyone tell me if it's safe to take Laxatives?. I am feeling quite uncomfortable. TIA. 

18 Replies

  • Movical worked for me. Then after a few days I got dirrahea and needed something for that.  Then back to normal until next FEC.  I passed on my left over sachets of movical to a friend who uses them regularly because of an illness she has.  
  • I just had my second fec treatment today and am hoping to avoid a recurrence of some of the side affects. One being a problem bowel. On day 6 I ended up on a drip in emergency, dehydrated, and having a non functional bowel didn’t help. They gave me a liquid and a couple of hours later I thought I was peeing, turned out it was both. There were no stomach pains which sometimes occur with laxatives. This time around the oncologist has recommended Movical, just purchased today. I think it might have been what I took in emergency as the ED recommended Movical too. I haven’t had any yet, so I can tell you what to expect.
    Make sure you take something that is gentle, with senna in it. I’d steer clear of strong laxatives especially if your like me and your bowels are irregular anyway. I bought the movical today at Chemist Ware house. On special for 13.95, 30 sachets. And it comes in different flavours. I’m trying the plain. Good luck xxx
  • All of the above work. Movicol & Osmolax work on the same principle. Hopefully you managed to get something. Be prepared for it to take a few days to feel "normal" (whatever that is) again
  • Thank you. I am grateful for the comments. I will see what I can get tomorrow. I did manage a bit of movement thankfully but don't think I could bare being uncomfortable for too long. 
  • I used dulcolax for a few days after chemo and that worked well for me. 
  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    I found that prunes helped. 
  • You absolutely have to Suzi. We either lock up or can't stop.

    Apart from a brief episode in my first cycle of chemo (TC) when I was explosively liquid, my bowels set like concrete. After trying Sennakot, then Coloxyl With Senna with limited success, I achieved some semblance of regularity with Osmolax. My GP put me onto it. It's a very neutral tasting powder that forces liquid into your stool to make it easier to go. It's good because you can vary the amount and it didn't make me gag. On the shelf at the pharmacy.

    Many here swear by Movicol. It's trial and error what works for you, but absolutely, you are allowed to take laxatives. You don't want to end up in hospital with an impacted bowel! K xox