One of our readers e-mailed us this excellent primer about constipation and chemotherapy last week:
Constipation is the bane of everyone on chemo. Though Revlimid and
Velcade both can bind you up quickly. The reason this happens is that
the chemo we take targets highly active cells. The stomach and gut is
rife with active cells and so the digestive tract suffers a lot from
chemotherapy.
If you take pain killers, they have a tebdency to dry the body out,
making constipation worse. Ergo, it is a wise precaution to take 2 Senna
laxative tablets and a docusate stool softener a couple times a day
(morn and nite). That should keep you regular without causing diarhea.
If you get really plugged, Lactulose is a gentle but very powerful
laxative and works in very few hours.
Constipation straining can damage any hemorrhoids you have and create
new ones, so for a number of reasons, it's wise to address constipation
immediately. Of course, speak to your doctor before trying my ideas.
Actually, they are my oncologists ideas but they work great. Since I
started following the regimen constipation has not been an issue for me
anymore. All these drugs are OK for use while on chemo and do not cause
the issues other remedies and home medicines often cause.
For MEN, if you sufer urination issues which began after chemo, speak
with your doctor about finasteride, it can help a lot. Also, its other
name is Propecia and it really does help prevent hair loss from chemo.
Nothing is sure, but I kept 80% of my hair and the docs all said it was
because of the finasteride. But it causes shrinking of the prostate
which is often irritated during chemo in many guys, giving a lot of relief.
I use all the things I speak of and have not had any bad effects and the
drugs did their job. But as I said, always speak with your doctor.
Bob Kirkpatrick
2 year multiple myeloma survivor so far, dx: 02/08 full non-secretor
Thank you, Bob! Very helpful. Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie
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