How bad was your stomach affected after chemo?

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lizqueen
lizqueen Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Hi, ladies; just out of curiosity, how did your stomach behave a few months after chemo? Mom finished in October, but she just had a follow-up with the doctor and he advised her to eat whatever "she could tolerate", when my mom asked what did that mean he told her that her stomach was most likely severely damaged after chemo and we wonder if that is the reason for which she has felt nauseous and dizzy, not necessarily after eating anything in particular, just in general but we thought it could be the Tamoxifen. Any input is appreciated!

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited August 2007
    I developed something called gastroparesis, or slow stomach emptying, some time after chemo and it lasted a year. I threw up a lot and the specialist i went to thought it was a delayed reaction to chemo. But I didn't have dizziness. And this is a very rare side effect.

    I think your mom needs a full workup. Whatever the cause of her symptoms, it isn't normal and she should find out why. Nausea and dizziness could be a neurological issue as well. She could start with a gastroenterologist but I don't think she should stop until she finds out why.
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  • lizqueen
    lizqueen Member Posts: 11
    edited August 2007

    Thanks! I just found it strange the way the doctor said it, more assuming than anything, as if from now on she can blame anything she feels on chemo, so knowing it isn't so helps a lot to look for other alternatives. Thanks again

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  • sns
    sns Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2007

    Oddly enough, once I was done with chemo, my stomach seemed to be in better shape than before it. Used to have a lot of IBS like symptoms before diagnosis and those seem have vanished post chemo. I agree that she should look for other causes. To me, at least, it doesn't sound like a chemo caused problem.

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  • tawyna1
    tawyna1 Member Posts: 273
    edited August 2007
    hi,
    mom had chemo 3 yrs ago. since then she keeps diarrhea . she had colonoscopy had some polyps removed. now has more diarrhea. she does not absorb b12. and now has diabetes. i thought hers could be IBS.
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  • 2up
    2up Member Posts: 1,358
    edited August 2007
    i have 'chronic' bowel irritability .......... i either 'go constantly' or suffer from constipation ....... i have no 'happy medium' whatsoever!

    i also have brutal heartburn and reflux ....... and i can no longer enjoy 'rich' foods like crab legs or lobster or anything creamy or spicy!

    it just friggin sucks .......... oh, and me and any type of fiber do NOT get along at all lol!!!!!!

    most days i'm mortified at my stomach rolling and gurgling and drawing attention to my existance, and the looks from people are embarrasing!

    i now enjoy an existence of 3-5 pound weight fluctuation on any given day depending on what i've eaten!

    ......... plus the zoladex isn't working so i menstruate heavily, yet endure all of the menopause side effects!

    cancer just f'n bites!!!!!!!
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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited August 2007

    I had problems too..it took them a long time to diagnose it ..it turned out to be my gall bladder..

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