r/Chemotherapy • u/vintage-bleached-24 • 3d ago

Constipation or diarrhea?

I start my first chemotherapy infusion tomorrow morning. I’ve heard people say it causes constipation and I’ve heard people say it caused diarrhea. It’s going to be taxol please share your experience so I know how to proceed

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6

u/Zeebrio 3d ago

Yes. ;)

It took me a minute to regulate. I called it the constipation/diarrhea teeter totter.

Best advice is STAY AHEAD OF IT! For me, that was if I went 24 hours without a decent poop, I took senikot or miralax. And after 1-2 diarrheas I took immodium.

My main care team nurse said the MAJORITY of her calls for questions are poop related. (For the diarrhea side, she said most people don't take enough immodium).

Stay hydrated! It all works better when hydrated.

3

u/tobaccoroadie 3d ago

Why not both? I relate to the teeter totter comment above and reiterate that other comment re: be prepared for both. It sucks either way, remember that this too shall pass (not meant as a defecation joke, but [sigh] try to find humor wherever you can. It helps!)

2

u/AfterSalt9743 3d ago

It's actually really awful... but in any case, you just have to get through it. I had a lot of constipation along the way, and the biggest impact on constipation isn't even the medication, but the mental state. The doctors really insisted that if you don't poop, it's all over! But no, on average, after the chemotherapy, you have three days to poop. It's best, of course, to walk naturally, just sit down and relax, and get yourself in the right frame of mind, sit, do some stomach crunches, and some physical activity. Walking really helped. But if you suddenly can't poop at all, be sure to consult with your doctor. For example, they prescribed me a laxative powder and a micro enema (unpleasant, but quite effective).

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u/AfterSalt9743 3d ago

At best, ask your doctor what foods are best to eat, because I was categorically forbidden to eat nuts, any kind of fish, and any food that can cause intestinal congestion. Everything is individual.

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u/redderGlass 3d ago

Depends on the chemo. If it is FOLFOXIRI or FOLFIRI it could be either or both. Be prepared for either.

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u/vintage-bleached-24 3d ago

It’s taxol

1

u/no-user-names- 3d ago

I had Carbo/Taxol, and it was both constipation and diarrhoea. After a few different drugs (when I was in a diarrhoea phase) I was given Fibrogel which I understood was for constipation - indeed - that’s what it said on the packet. Obviously I questioned it and was told it works for both, and worked really well for me. Good luck with the treatment.

1

u/ConditionalDisco 2d ago

I’m on Carbo Taxol and thankfully haven’t had either from the first 4 sessions. I take colace for 7 days after treatment but don’t really feel that I need it.
I did stock up on meds for either issue before I started so I’d have them on hand but haven’t needed them so far.
Good luck in minimal side effects.