Anyone Know Any Diarrhea Relief

On 2/9/2007 Linb1414 wrote:

My mom has rectal ca. Stopped treatments due to her health two weeks ago. She had 25 radiation treatments with 4 low dose chemo treatments (folfox). Then had two high dose Folfox-6 treatments. She is on a med to slow down the peristolisis of her bowel and takes immodium like candy. Still every day has to wear a depends. Does anyone have any secrets? Are there better prescription meds out there. How long will this last or is it forever? Thanks

I also have rectal cancer and it's been a year since my last chemo treatment and 8 months since my illiostomy reversal.  Diahhrea used to be a way of life for me and I too toke immodium like candy; but the last few months I have seen a great improvement.  I still have nights where I spend more time in the bath room than in bed, but those are gettting fewer and fewer.  Every month improvement is made.  I believe my diet and my emotional state affects this very much.  If I avoid fried foods and items which gave me problems before my surgery, I do much better.  Also, avoiding stress.  Easier said than done, I know.  Tell your mom to just hang in there.  Relief is on the way. 

Hi,

    I had good results with Lomotil and Nu-Lev.  These are stronger than Immodium.  That did not work for me.  I am 3 years NED and used to have 20 or so bowel movements per day.  Now I have 6 give or take.  Tell your mom, have patience.  It will get better.  I didn't believe that either, but it did.  Ask her doctor about the Lomotil!  Good Luck.

I have  had the same problem.  Metamucil made things worse because it caused gas and the gas set off the movements.  I tried Citrocil 3 time per day and it made a big difference.  When I go to work I found that immodium didn't help too much.  I take Hydromet which is used for other things, but it does usually stop the bowel movements until I get home at 5.

 Diet helps too. I avoid food that produce gas and it seems to work. 

All in all though, I still have periods of excessive bowel movements and hope someone else may have an idea.

HI,

I had almost no bowel control after surgery to remove my rectum, a year of chemo & 6 weeks of radiation. I had 2 children under the age of 4 and a husband that worked - still does- 12 hours a day.

Lomotil didn't work. Immodium, Pepto Bismol. Nothing. I haven't tried Hydromet.

But what absolutely stopped the bowel was a small dose of codiene. It gave me 4 and a half hours that I knew I could take my kids to the park, go to Burger King - even have some fries and a soda and be a regular mom for a few hours. Something my kids really needed.

 When it wears off the stool is more formed. You have to be VERY careful not to take too much. YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET CONSTIPATED!! (from one who's been there) Then when it wears off it is still back to bathroom many times. Most nights I don't get more than 2 or 3 hours sleep at a time. But do get in 8 hours of sleep - just waking up to use the bathroom and back to bed.

Codiene is a narcotic. It is difficult to find a doctor who will prescribe it. My surgeon did for 6 years and then I went to Sloan Kettering and they prescribed it for 8. If you can find a doctor who will do it, codiene stops all bowel movement in about 30 minutes and lasts between 4 to 6 hours.

 If you have any other questions I'd be happy to help. Hang in there!!

It is a difficult road