Bowel Habits After Colorectal Cancer!!

View all Colon Cancer Discussions Post A New Discussion

5 Posts | Page(s): 1

Hi my name is steve, I'm a 37 yr old who had colorectal cancer. I went through 4 months of chemo, Avastin and Oxcalyplatin(dont get me lying on spelling) wonderful drugs. During chemo I had 30 treatments of radiation. I undergone 2 surgeries to remove the cancer and give me and remove a ileo. bag. Now I am cancer free dealing with the stuff they don't tell you about. Life after has been unique, my bowel habits have never been the same. Has anyone been going through the same, I would love to exchange stories of failure and successes. I've tried imodium, lomotil, questran, fiber and diet. Things are ok but they could be better. How long does this go on or do I have to now live with what I have. My last treatment was a year ago. What now?

Quote | Reply

Marijo

Hi Steve,This subject is not often discussed on the forum and sometimes I wonder if we are the only ones going through this ordeal. When I mean we,I mean my husband (56) who had a colon resection (colorectal) exactly one year ago. Since then he has always been extremely dependent on the toilettes and he doesn't go out much anymore. He finds it very difficult to get up during the night and as a result is always tired. We keep hoping things will get better but after some improvement the problem doesn't seem to be going away. So we have to put up with it. Of course in your case it may only be transitory especially since you are much younger. I wish you all the best. Marijo

Quote | Reply

Kareny

Hi Steve My husband had surgery for colon cancer in June 2001...Stage 3...... He was put on 5FU....... His bowels have been somewhat watery since then.... And he worries when it does get a little firmer..... The cancer came back in March 2005 in his liver { 2 spots & near the pancreas }....Stage 4...... He was put on 5FU & Irinotecan...... It didn't stop the cancer from growing.... Then he started Oxaliplatin...... It was holding the cancer, but he had a very serious reaction.... { see page two on the message board colon cancer stage 4 }.... You mite try yams { sweet potatoes } they absorb excess fluid in the stools...... Plus they taste good & are full of vitamins ....... Also try bananas, oatmeal & applesause..... Hope this helps Karen

Quote | Reply

Steve61667

I remeber 5FU. I got to carry a portable pump around 24/7 for 9 weeks. Not to bad though. I'll give yams a try because I actually like them. Right now I've been doing Questran and fiber once a day. Works great but I'm going to try to go once every two days to see if my body has done some recovery. My GI told me that my body would start to adapt and to give it time. Its been a year now, so I'm going to try. You say your husbands stool has been watery for sometime now, give Questran a try. Its actually for cholesterol lowering but the side effect is constipation, mixed with fiber together its wonderful and my cholesteral has gone from 256 to 154 not bad!! Also I remember chemo nothing helps during that. My stools were real bad even with 8 to 12 immodium a day I still went around 15 to 20 times,Real annoying... Good luck steve.

Quote | Reply

Steve61667

It is really good to hear someone else going through some of the things I've dealing with. Have you guys tried Questran. Its a man made resin that is for cholesteral lowering but the main side effect is constipation. I've been using it since April, with fiber it gave me more freedom. I go less offen and the stool is more solid. Talk to your doc to see if it will do the same for you.. let me know. steve.

Quote | Reply

5 Posts | Page(s): 1