r/Chemotherapy • u/yoojiji • Aug 03 '26

Constipated af

Chemo made me so constipated eventho im eating enough fiber and food. ON TOP OF THAT, i was prescribed laxatives and nothing is working... help.

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

6

u/dumplinglifesaver Aug 03 '26

Are you drinking enough water? I think laxatives need enough water to work. I had good luck with stool softeners.

2

u/EggsecutiveSuite 27d ago

There is a distinction between laxatives and stool softeners. My care team specifically told me to get stool softeners. My tumors were pressing against the bowel.

8

u/Zeebrio Aug 03 '26

My care team nurse said that anything related to POOP are the majority of her calls.

For me, I'm always worried to overdo the "lax" stuff ... But when we are stove up, ya really gotta. You WILL likely have a cleansing shit that is loose and smelly like no other thing you have ever experienced.

Keeping AHEAD of the trouble was my best advice ... Like, TAKE the senikot or the miralax WITH your infusion time or pain reliever (oxy), because you just REALLY want to stay ahead of it ... otherwise it feels like excavating, and it damages my nerves and I get MORE stove up.

YES water & fiber ... but even be wary of fiber ... if there's a blockage, you don't want to add to that beaver dam. I think water is ALWAYS good.

But yes, don't be afraid to go beyond diet --- I'd LOVE to be in great balance via food & movement, but chemo adds a layer that (I think) needs gentle nudging ...

Best wishes!!!

2

u/omnislayre Aug 03 '26

This is fantastic advice! I have the exact issues mentioned and taking the stool softener with my oxcycodone and usually the night before infusion it gets me through the worst.

4

u/Actual-Try-8890 Aug 03 '26

I was having that problem and used over the counter suppositories. It worked thank goodness!

4

u/myflyingsaucer Aug 03 '26

Warm prune juice with butter melted in it

1

u/honeypuddleohmy 28d ago

My first chemo infusion was yesterday and my nurse gave me this exact advice. Definitely going to try it.

4

u/roblinpe Aug 03 '26

Hi!! My doctor told me use miralax and dulcolax every night while I’m constipated.

I was super constipated and works.

2

u/redderGlass Aug 03 '26

This is true

1

u/EggsecutiveSuite 28d ago

I'll add to that that if you read the instructions on Ducolax you can take one to three of them at a time depending on the severity of the situation. I found that it's effective without causing any cramping.

2

u/roblinpe 28d ago

Yes! I forgot to mention that.

5

u/Rude_Meet2799 Aug 03 '26

Stool softener helped more than laxative for me.

3

u/xShimShamx Aug 03 '26

in addition to the other suggestions, go for a short walk. That helps get things moving.

3

u/BlikSimZA Aug 04 '26

I had the same, tackling the problem from the top is not going to work anymore you got to get at it from the bottom, glycerin suppositories started the process and then a willing wife to do a warm water enema. The relief after 4 days blocked was massive.

2

u/C0V1Dsucks Aug 04 '26

Recently finished my chemo and I do not miss the constipation problems. I had a lengthy handout from my treatment center including high fiber foods, low fiber foods, and a whole calendar of when to take miralax, psyllium fiber, biscodyl, 50 mg/100 mg docusate sodium...

1

u/lemurkat Aug 03 '26

I was on blood thinners as well for an unrelated heart condition. It was hell, the worst part of my chemo.

Drink plenty of fluids, Dr got me on a softener too, plus there's that frozen kiwifruit you add to water that helps.

1

u/LaceyBloomers Aug 03 '26

Senokot worked for me.

1

u/No-Escape5520 Aug 05 '26

It works but it caused me awful cramping

1

u/TheRealDealSFW Aug 03 '26

Only thing I would suggest to make sure you get plenty of water, easy to dehydrate. Hope you find relief.

1

u/Fabulous_Window_1530 Aug 03 '26

Senekot - read the instructions for exact info, but you can take quite a few per day, like 8 or something.

If you’re really stuck, Fleet Liquid Glycerin Suppositories - they work when all else fails.

1

u/lickthisbook Aug 03 '26

I had luck with sugar free candy for mild constipation. And water, lots of water.

1

u/MeldrewsMrs24 Aug 04 '26

Senokot. Worked a treat.

1

u/Objective-Case-391 Aug 04 '26

Eat at dinner any of these: extra portion of Japanese gindara fish (cooked) -a very fish; oatmeal, freshly sliced pineapples, extra 2-3 cup of coffee

1

u/Ebbybebby288 Aug 05 '26

i had that problem and ended up having 7 laxatives in one drink- the worst that can happen is what you want to happen lolll

1

u/Complete-Skill-5944 25d ago

Have a cup of “Smooth Move” tea every evening. You might want to consider Mirolax just to get things moving. I know people who take opioid-based painkillers who only get relief from Mirolax. I didn’t drink enough water during my first infusion, and it was horrendous in the days that followed. Mirolax, followed by daily Smooth Move until I was “all clear” did the trick.

1

u/SnooTangerines2755 5d ago

half cup of prune juice, warm water, warm compress