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I have an embarrassing health question.........

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Posted 12/1/2004 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Ever since I started Tamoxifen I also started to get constipated. Well, I had a bout lastweek for about 5 days and it finally *gave in* but not without me really straining. It caused pain/blood in my stool. That was Sunday or Saturday night. Well, I am still having blood in my stool, but also it looks like little, tiny blood clots too. It's bright red. I know black and tarry isn't good, but I don't think bright red and tiny clots are good either. Has anyone had this happen before? I have stopped the Aromasin and Tamoxifen and started Faslodex shots once a month. Should I mention this to my nurse? Give it a few more days? Of course it freaks me out b/c I assume it's cancer of the colon or something. My tm's did rise and I had that stupid 2nd primary BC hit. Am I just being paranoid? I have never dealt with this before. No meds made me this way and I have always been a *regular* person. UGH.......makes me mad that I even have to post about it! It's so gross! eyes   But I needed to see if anyone else has ever had this problem before.

 

I am going to go to bed now. I have to make a trip to Indianapolis tomorrow. I am going to be going to build-a-bear and make Kalia a personalized stuffed animal just from me. You can record your voice now and have it put in there! I hope I don't cry when I try to talk into it. It will take a few times, I guess. It's a X-mas gift. I am trying to get all that done within the next week. Wish me luck! LOL

 

L&H, Shelley

Posted 12/1/2004 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Shells,

Sounds miserable. I think I would call the doctor and touch base with them on this. It is possible that they will give you something so you will have less straining.

Geez, what next for you sweetie?

Hope this is better real soon for you.

Love ya,
Debbie
^j^ ^j^
Posted 12/1/2004 11:04 AM (GMT 0)
Shells, I have this problem for years. I, until chemo, have never been regular. I am the opposite of everyone. Chemo got me regular. I find if the stoll gets too hard or I strain, I bleed. Have had colonoscopies and exams. Once it was an internal hemmorrhoid (sp). I had to take metamucil everyday to stay regular (I should be still doing this). There was a suppository the doc (gastro doc) gave me. From then, I have tried to not let myself get constipated. He told me that bright red means it is near the surface and most times not to worry about. But have it checked first. With my navelbine, I get a bit constipated the first two or so days. I try to eat dries apricots and make sure I drink plenty of water. Eat prunes, or whatever makes ya go. I know this one snuck up on you, but if you see yourself getting "behind", just increase the fluids and fruits and see if it helps.
Posted 12/1/2004 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shells, Geez if its not one thing its another. I am so excited about the bear. I think that is a wonderful idea. I saw the ad last night and was going to ask you if you had made one for the baby. I had to have a colonoscopy because of issues also. Seems my problem was just an agged. diverti. My onc told me to eat an apple everyday. I laughed and said sure that will fix me right up and keep all my doctors away. He laughed and said well maybe it will keep Dr. @@@@ away. The dr. I had seen about my colon. Having been put that way I tried it and it sure did work for me. Please tell your doctor what is going on and here is hoping all you need is an apple too. Love and hugs, Joyce
Posted 12/1/2004 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
Shells, just remember that these drugs can wreak havoc on the body in unknown ways....are you having any stomach irritation? I would definitely talk to a doc or RN right away...no reason you should have to suffer or be uncomfortable. During chemo, the pre-meds made me constipated. I ate dried apricots and took a stool softener every other day. My RN advised Senakot, which is natural. You may also want to read the package inserts to see if there is anything about blood or constipation related to your meds. Regardless, I'd call the doc.

But have tons of fun with the Build-a-bear! This will be very special for her and you, and I hope you have a great time making it.

L&H,
Lori
Posted 12/1/2004 12:47 PM (GMT 0)

shell-

yep, been there too... correctol or other stool softner was my friend.

good luck

stef

Posted 12/1/2004 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Another suggestion which is used in hospitals after surgery is glycerin suppositories. That way you are not taking any oral laxatives that might cause problems with other Rx. After having Kalia it is very possible you have hemorrhoids and this is not helping any. They flare up and go down. Lots of Prep H stuff on the market to help there, too. Hope you find the answer. Definitely think you need to discuss with your doctor, but I would doubt that it is much more than the big H problem. No problem is embarrassing anymore. LOL Hugs MK
Posted 12/1/2004 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I naturally have a problem with constipation and finally found a wonderful herbal product that works wonders for me.  It's called Intestinal Formula #1 by American Botanical Pharmacy.  I take one a day and am more than regular.  I tried all the other things mentioned above and none of them worked for me.  I think it's hereditary, from my mother.  If those don't work, you might consider this, but check with your docs first.  I am going to hold off on taking them now that I started chemo to see if I get diarrhea.  If not, I'll start again, because it's awful when I don't take them.

 

Good luck!

Posted 12/1/2004 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Shell, you've gotten lots of good suggestions. I would check with your doc to be on the safe side. My suggestion is a couple of Fibercon tablets every day. Keeps everything moving along just fine. Take care. Hugs, Lauri
PS The bear sound like a wonderful gift. Have fun making it.
Posted 12/1/2004 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Shell, I would definately mention it to the doctor. Pain meds can also cause constipation. Navelbine has been causing it to me. I take a stool softener and senna(generic) vegetable laxative. It is preety mild. They had me get some red fizzy drink for when it gets too bad because they sid you want to stay on top of it. Good luck and I think the build a bear is a wonderful idea. One of my daughters and I made one when she went off to college and we put angel wings on it. Hugs, Cyndy
Posted 12/1/2004 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Shell, you got lots of advice, I had that problem also when I was taking chemo. So I think we have all been there! I love the bear idea, what a wonderful gift. Have fun with that.

L&H
Sara
Posted 12/2/2004 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
I have this problem often. Before, during and since chemo. A lot of mine is internal hemrroids (sp), but my surgeon told me hemrroid surgery is worse, so beings my colonoscopy is clear, I will put up with it and take stool softeners when necessary.

Good luck!

Kitty
Posted 12/4/2004 1:27 AM (GMT 0)

Shelley,

Yeah, you should most certainly tell your nurse.  After all, you don't want to develop an infection from an open cut down/inside there.

Also, I sincerely hope it is not anal fistulas.  I got a few of those when I was on lots of different meds for treatment and they take forever to heal.  (You'll know you've got 'em cause it hurts like heck when you try to BM!) Have the nurse take a look.  After all, that's what they make the big bucks for, for doing things most of us wouldn't!)

Hope you find relief soon!

Love,

Erin

Posted 12/4/2004 5:37 PM (GMT 0)

Shells,

I had the same problem with chemo, pain meds, and boost actually causes the problem ,too, I was recently told.

Here's the formula my friend gave me that really helped:

You want to take the pills with the food you are trying to soften up and move out:

2 fibercon or citrucel tablets with breakfast, and a glass of water

2 fibercon or citrucel tablets with dinner, and a glass of water

Stool softener at night if no movement for 1 day

nono  (not laxative or stimulant laxative)

This worked really well for me, I was having bleeding and pain and lots of tears for the 10 days after chemo until I started with the citrucel.

Hope this helps!

-Jen

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