Distended stomach

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tracey2424
tracey2424 Member Posts: 77
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Distended stomach
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  • tracey2424
    tracey2424 Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2008

    Hi Ladies

    Do any of you ladies get a distended stomach after your chemo? its now been ten days since my chemo and i still feel and look about 4 month pregnant, chemo does cause me to get constipated so i have finally taken a stool softner which has eased a bit but my stomach and upper abdo has been rock hard for days.

    Any Advise....

    Tracey. 

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  • carolynf
    carolynf Member Posts: 262
    edited April 2008

    Hi Tracey,

    I do get a bloated stomach which has gotten more so as the chemo goes on (2 more taxol's left).  I had also gotten constipated the first time round on chemo which I started eating prunes, apricots and taking citrucel.  That worked until recently I had another bout and my nurse gave me some Senokot.  WORKS GREAT.  I take them a couple of days before chemo and a couple of days after.  I can tell it makes a difference because the lower part of my gut is not bound like it was before when i got c.  I still eat my prunes here and there.

    Hope this helps. 

    Carolyn

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2008

    Don't mean to alarm you, but a distended stomach can sometimes be a symptom of other problems. Have you had a gyn appt recently? If not, you may want to call and ask your gyn about this. Best wishes.

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  • lwimsmorris
    lwimsmorris Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2008

    Hi Tracey,



    I had the EXACT same experience. I found that having acupuncture treatment about three days after chemo made a big difference. About an hour after treatment, my system would start to clear out (Thank God!). Activa Yogurt also helped.



    I finished chemo about two months ago and the good news is that my stomach is no longer distended - just flabby. Thankfully, I've started to lose the weight I gained.



    - Leslie

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  • sherric
    sherric Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2008

    Ditto on the distended stomache.  I assume it is the decrease in peristalsis and lengthened digestive time with chemo.  I just feel fat which along with hair loss, wigs etc isn't fun.  I agree with the acupuncture.  It has helped me with the constipation and the nausea.  My nausea is very bad on a/c and it has taken the edge off a little.  Anyone have lots of nausea on a/c and find relief when they begin taxol?

    sherri

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  • rickeydoes
    rickeydoes Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2008

    Hi Girls, So Leslie, what do I have to do to get rid of my chemo belly. Please be specific because I just finished radiation and I have to be on Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. And my understanding one of the s/e is weight gain. So I would really like to get my chemo belly under control. Any advice would be welcomed Thank You in advance. Sue

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  • lamb6303
    lamb6303 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2008

    I have the same problem.  That bloated feeling is miserable.  I would also be grateful for any advice on how to deal with it.

    Thanks! 

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited May 2008
    I seem to always have a distended stomach which is caused by lymphedema after my Diep surgery. However, I have noticed it gets worse after my chemo; I'm on navelbine and herceptin - for most women that combination causes constipation - for me, it causes diarrhea. So I'm not sure why my stomach gets more distended afterwards - perhaps it's just fluid retention?? Frown
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  • EyesOTex
    EyesOTex Member Posts: 194
    edited May 2008

    I think Phazyme helps me some.  I agree that it's a very uncomfortable problem, and I had it with ACT and now with Gemzar/Cisplatin

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  • petelzmom
    petelzmom Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2008

    Hi all

    I am one year out from chemo but my belly is stil pretty big, as is the rest of me:(

    I guess the onlt thing to do is excersise. I've had a hardf time getting a routine going with my bilateral masc and then a hysterectomy. Time to get on board though.

    I tolerated taxol much better than a/c. No upset stomach much clearer head. I did have bone pain though and it got intense. Narcotics didn't work, someone told me to take 2000mg of tylenol 2x a day starting the day before and it really made a difference.

    Good luck and stay strong!

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  • petelzmom
    petelzmom Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2008

    Hi all

    I am one year out from chemo but my belly is stil pretty big, as is the rest of me:(

    I guess the onlt thing to do is excersise. I've had a hardf time getting a routine going with my bilateral masc and then a hysterectomy. Time to get on board though.

    I tolerated taxol much better than a/c. No upset stomach much clearer head. I did have bone pain though and it got intense. Narcotics didn't work, someone told me to take 2000mg of tylenol 2x a day starting the day before and it really made a difference.

    Good luck and stay strong!

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  • petelzmom
    petelzmom Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2008

    Hi all

    I am one year out from chemo but my belly is stil pretty big, as is the rest of me:(

    I guess the onlt thing to do is excersise. I've had a hardf time getting a routine going with my bilateral masc and then a hysterectomy. Time to get on board though.

    I tolerated taxol much better than a/c. No upset stomach much clearer head. I did have bone pain though and it got intense. Narcotics didn't work, someone told me to take 2000mg of tylenol 2x a day starting the day before and it really made a difference.

    Good luck and stay strong!

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