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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / March 2006Colon cancer chemo == gas and cramping with FOLFOX. Remedies?
My Mom has had chemo regularly for stage 4 colon cancer since Dec 2002. Mostly FOLFIRI and since Sep 2005 FOLFOX. When we switched to FOLFOX she took Zyloda the pill form of.5FU [maybe that is not strictly FOLFOX, but taking the pill was the only deviation). Thls caused her great discomfort. including cramps gas, bloating, and a general malaise. It was much more severe than with the FOLFIRI. Two cycles ago we stopped the Zyloda and went back to 5Fu via the Baxter pump. Although she feels much better, she still is bothered by almost constant gas and cramping. Her oncologist has prescribed lots of medications but none has yet solved the problem of the gas and cramping. Nor have OTC remedies like beano, maalox, and gas-x. He has great faith in Bentyl, and has suggested she take it regularly, rather than "as-needed". She is going to try that this cycle. Meanwhile, we would like to know whether anyone has had a similar problem and whether he or she has found a solution. We are not doctors, but we feel almost that her stomach flora could have been completely eradicated due to all the chemo over the yeats and a recent spate of tests (colonocopy, barium enema and along with the usual catscan with die and contrast. ) We will, of course, post any solution we find. TIA > Two cycles ago we stopped the Zyloda and went back to 5Fu via the > Baxter pump. Although she feels much better, she still is bothered by > almost constant gas and cramping. If she's eating, there's a list of foods that contribute to gas here http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs12.htm (and others tips /causes there) If you're running with the flora theory, eating some plain live bacteria yogurt (in health food stores), daily might help. If dentures don't fit properly, that can contribute to chewing wrong and swallowing air = gassy. Some people think some people are gassier than others. If that's the case, you'll have to look for medicine advice and I don't know, so watch for other replies. Good luck. J Franzi, also, had gas. We had to be careful as to what foods he ate. Beans, cabbage (sauerkraut) and family. No "fizzy" drinks. We did not think the Xeloda had anything to do with it. Yogurt is good. Read the labels and be sure it contians the word "active"...Also good.Acidopholus tablets (Walmart) Exercise, walking. Everyone has gas. It is just so much more apparent when you don't feel all that well. Blessings Thanks J and Turtletrot. We're going to try your recs. > My Mom has had chemo regularly for stage 4 colon cancer since Dec > 2002. Mostly FOLFIRI and since Sep 2005 FOLFOX. When we switched to [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > TIA Hi: I have Rectal cancer and have a colostemy. Durring my chemo I was using Polyethylene glycol 3350 powder. It's a perscription laxitive. Adds water to the stool. It reduced my gas and cramping a whole lot. One issue is it will make your stool soft of totally wet. If you're like me with a bag attached to your side no problems. If your stil using what God gave you it might not be the best. You may be running to the Bathroom more than you'de like. Diagnosed with rectal cancer 10/1/05 colstemy surgery 10/18/05 Whole rectum and 3' intestine removed 2/6/06 will be starting florfox in a few weeks. They have found cancer in my fat cells in my rear end God be with you, may he alllways watch over you. Frank Sharkey Mesa az > Diagnosed with rectal cancer 10/1/05 > colstemy surgery 10/18/05 > Whole rectum and 3' intestine removed 2/6/06 > will be starting florfox in a few weeks. They have found cancer in my fat > cells in my rear end Chemo for fat cells ? I wonder where Steph is, when I need him...<rhetorical, unless he sees this post> J > My Mom has had chemo regularly for stage 4 colon cancer since Dec > 2002. Goodness me. 3 years of chemo? (or a typo?) > almost constant gas and cramping. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > suggested she take it regularly, rather than "as-needed". She is going > to try that this cycle. I saw someone mention simethicone, on another newsgroup, and when I looked that up, some of the meds were maalox. So maalox (gas formula) liquid didn't help? How's it going? J >> My Mom has had chemo regularly for stage 4 colon cancer since Dec >> 2002. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > How's it going? > J Sinethicone = gas x. Ditto with Maalox anti gas - which I only see in a pill format. Good luck with the Bentyl. Four years at stage IV is impressive. Alex > "J" <analyse@invalid> wrote in message > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Sinethicone = gas x. Ditto with Maalox anti gas - which I only see in a > pill format. http://www.novartisconsumerhealth.ca/en/products/maalox.shtml Liquid Maalox Extra Strength with Anti-Gas Supermarkets and drugstores have it or similar. Maalox with Anti-Gas Extra Strength 770 ml Liquid. Maybe it's only in Canada... J >> "J" <analyse@invalid> wrote in message >> > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Maybe it's only in Canada... > J The Maalox anti gas also had Sinethicone , and often maalox can cause diarrhea. It is only available in pill format in the US. Alex |
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