Chemo and constipation

[theriseandfall]

My DH is currently on a course of chemotherapy, it's tablets he takes at home for 5 days, on a 4 week cycle. Not sure how many rounds he will need, he's on round 2 and has been told 6-12 months.
The biggest problem aside from the tiredness is constipation. Apart from the obvious, it just makes him feel so sick and miserable, and he doesn't have much appetite. We have mentioned it to the doctor, he has been given some medication which is supposed to help, he drinks loads of fluids and is eating lots of fibre and fruit. He is also taking one senokot tablet at night with the doctors approval.
Any suggestions or advice to help him? I feel so sorry for him, he's been through so much and is so courageous, but this is getting him down.

Try eating kiwi fruit, he needs to eat the skin as well. if you can get the Haywards variety even better.

That's interesting! Thank you I will tell him

I would second the kiwi ( with skin).
Also, plums, apricots, flaxseed and lemon in hot water.

There's also a fig and rhubarb cube which you can buy from Amazon ( Ortis cubes they are called) You take one at night with a big glass of water. They taste a bit " earthy" so not for everyone. However, they are pretty effective!

I take daily targeted and hormone therapy for cancer and have to incorporate most of the above to keep things moving!

Good luck to your DH 🌺

Fluid, fibre and movement are the three keys I'm afraid.
If he's full of fluid and focussing on fibre then the final target is movement. Walking on the spot is perfect, even holding on to a tabletop or walker if necessary.
Also (based on my personal experience) fresh orange juice helps (other juices may work for other folk: there's no way I'd have eaten kiwi fur (shiver) 😂.

@ODFOx if you get the Golden kiwi, the skin are smooth! 😊

Prunes. And maybe soluble fibre supplements like psyllium husk to keep it all soft.

This is all really helpful, thanks so much everyone I will pass all this on to him and hopefully get things 'moving'! It's the thing that's making him feel most miserable so fingers crossed your tips will help.

I have had chemo. It caused constipation closely followed by diarrhoea. The chemo nurses are the best source of help and advice and if the laxatives he's been given aren't working they will arrange an alternative.
All the above tips are useful but drug induced constipation needs more than kiwis and prunes ime.

Thanks @Poffy I have suggested he call the cancer nurse too, was just looking for advice in the meantime.

Movicol. From GP. Mixed into a water bottle of his favourite squash so he can't taste it. Drink two sachets over the course of a day. Only thing that works for me.

Are you prescribed Laxido? If that doesn’t work for your partner then ask for a different prescription.

He was prescribed movicol previously (also had chemo a few years back) but just couldn't face it. He has been prescribed something different this time but I can't remember the name (so many tablets!)

Has he got those special toilet steps for when he’s sat on the toilet. I’ve been eyeing done up. Also get the constipation but then severe runs. It’s so debilitating I really feel for him.

Toilet steps you say! I shall do some research! Thank you

And so sorry you are going through this

https://www.squattypotty.com You can get cheaper versions on Amazon

Thank you!

You can mix Movicol in with flavoured squash. Makes it far more palatable.

He could try docusate - 1 or 2 twice a day - available from supermarkets off the shelf. This can be used in combination with senna. One a night is a low dose, usually 2 are recommended. Definitely chat to the oncology nurses/pharmacist though as they can definitely help.