Chemo and Crohn's

We did have a member, Mike, who was on chemo for lymphoma, and had a very hard time with his Crohn's because of it.

I think, though, it might depend on the type of chemo. There are some types of chemotherapy that are thought to be useful in treating autoimmune conditions, though, of course, the doses and regimens might be different for cancer vs Crohn's.

All the best to you,

Ivy.

I think that certain types of cancer treatment can be hard. May not cause crohn's to flare up, but the issues are pretty much like crohn's. I don't think it is chemo, but radiation therapy can cause radiation colitis. I also remember a person from work who had a horrible time with a bacterial intestinal infection (which I later learned was c-diff) while he was going through chemo.

A friend's grandmother is doing maintenance chemo (for a tumor that will block her intestines if it is not shrunk with chemo periodically) and she suffers greatly with nausea after the chemo. I think in general chemo is very very rough to go through, and the side effects can feel like crohn's, even if it isn't a crohn's flare up.

I hope you are not asking because you have to get chemo, and that this is more a curiosity question. If that is not the case, I am so sorry you are having to face chemo, and I hope things will go as smoothly as possible for you. We're here if we can help answer your questions and keep your spirits up.

(((Hugs)))
PV

I was on chemo from Dec 08 to May 09. It was brutal on my bowels. It was FOLFOX, used for colon cancer. I had 11 treatments. I had small bowel cancer likely caused by 20+ years of chronic inflammation and scarring due to Crohn's. Surgery in the Fall of 08 removed the tumor but the chemo was needed to make sure the cancer wouldn't return. Prior chemo and post surgery, I had never felt better. But since chemo, I have not felt as good as I did prior chemo athough late last summer I felt pretty good minus rebuilding stamina. But I didn't feel quite right. This past fall was touch and go, and now I am off work with active Crohn's in my duodenum and a fistula there as well. In the 20+ years with CD, I never had to take sick leave due to Crohn's. What I feel now and have felt the past few months has been similar, very similar, to what I felt while on chemo. I suspect now I may have had a flareup during chemo making matters worse. But I'll never know.

I know that chemo can damage the bowel lining. How that plays into someone with Crohn's I am not sure.

It really sucks that I, as of now, am winning the battle with cancer as currently I am cancer-free. It was a rough go. But then Crohn's comes along and kicks me in the ass.

Thanks for the replies all

prof said...
I know the feeling..... I keep asking for the big red bulls eye to be taken off my back! Good luck...

What cancer did you have if you don't mind me asking.

prof said...
I had breast cancer. My GI and oncologist were very concerned about me going thru chemo or a big surgery. i am very anemic and don't have iron storage. I had lost alot of weight during the process due to the crohns. I am sorry you had to go thru chemo. In that regard i was very lucky. But... as you know,. cancer sucks no matter what the situation is. As of today, I am still cancer free. Bu each test creates worry and anxiety.. again.. just what a chorhnnie needs!

Good to hear you are winning the battle too. I was lucky as well, it could have been much worse and I don't understand how it wasn't!

I am currently undergoing chemo and have had Crohns since 1977 or so. I am experiencing watery stools (I normally have loose bowel movements) and my hemorrhoids have gotten worse. I also think I have a fissure and it seems like internal sphincter spasms after BMs. Can't sit lay or sleep without pain (mostly burning).

I am so sorry for what all of you are going through. I really admire you. Cancer and CD are horrible enough on their own; I can't imagine what it would be like to suffer with both. My prayers are with all of you, and I sincerely hope that you are better soon. (((hugs)))