My first chemo emergency

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crs003
crs003 Member Posts: 73
edited May 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

So, I just spent the last 4 hours in the ER for impacted constipation. I am visiting family in a small town and resting from having my port surgery yesterday, and thought some soreness would be the worst of my problems, but no. The emergency room doctor was not very familiar with chemo induced constipation and seemed a bit confused. He prescribed Mirilax, Dolcolax, and Magnesium Citrate. I can't see my Oncologist until Monday, so I am not able to confer with her, and the doctor's knowledge of my problem does not make me too confident in his treatment. Has anyone tried using these? Is it too late? I don't want to make it worse.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited May 2015

    I have had HORRIBLE constipation for months starting first with surgery then long term use of opioids. It's amazing how few docs get it. They usually prescribe one but not the other. ridiculous.

    You need two things. - stool softener AND something to move it. Both over the counter.

    I am sure there are other methods that work but I have kept this under control as follows:

    2-3 Colace gel tabs OTC (softener)

    2 Senekot ( but you can take up to 4) also OTC. (The mover)

    I get both at Safeway.

    Lots of fluids. Try it take these in an empty stomach. It will resolve within48-72 hours at the most.

    This is a very dangerous and painful situation. It cannot be taken too seriously.

    Good luck. Been there, not nice at all

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2015

    A serving of dried plums (prunes) every day helps a lot.....a big cup or two of strong coffee does the trick for some people.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    Call the Facility you are going to - tbey should have a Chemo Dr on call. It may not be your Dr but will be one who knows about chemo and SEs

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited May 2015

    as the other ladies said prunes prunes prunes and yes! There is always an onc on call. Also did they give you a fast track card? I took probiotics and ate probiotic oatmeal starting infusion day. That alleviated my constipation and other funky tummy feelings.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2015

    I echo the stool softener, laxative, magnesium, lots of fluidsand prunes. One thing to add...walk, walk, walk. Moving helps to keep things moving. My MO was very upfront about how bad the constipation ca be and was clear Nd direct with what I needed t do...he wasn't kidding.

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  • crs003
    crs003 Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2015


    Thank you ladies, I'm glad to hear that there are things that work. I was able to see my Oncologist's nurse this morning and she ok'd the Miralax for daily, but I am afraid to take another stimulant. Before I went to the ER I got desperate and took an ex-lax, which was a very very bad idea and I had the most excruciating cramps that came and went all though the night. It did work, but I am even thinking a getting an x-ray to make sure there is no damage. Is Mirilax anything like ex-lax? Will it give me the same terrible abdominal pain? I have been drinking more water, prune juice, and eating prunes and GI friendly foods and have been walking more, and things were back to normal this morning, so I don't want to throw off my system again with a stimulant.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    I've found coconut oil to be helpful.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2015

    crs003, I can totally relate!! I also ended up in the ER with impacted bowels. It was so bad it was poking up through my hernia. I tried all of the things mentioned above before going in to the ER. They ended up prescribing GoLYTELY which worked very well for me. You may want to ask about it if the other suggestions don't work. Good luck!!

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