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What Causes Severe Diarrhea While Treating Colorectal Cancer?
Question: I have had colorectal cancer 16 years ago, resection, radiation and chemo. Right sided colon cancer 4 years ago, resection and chemo. Colonoscopy in February, 2015, (clear), CEA in July, 2015 (0.9) and CT Scan in September, 2015 with no obvious changes. Was prescribed Lomotil and Colestid together for bouts of diarrhea. Took occasionally, but had a bad bout about 3 weeks ago. Took these drugs for two weeks straight. Became very constipated. Stopped taking them last Thursday. Took Amitiza once and had one normal bowel movement followed by diarrhea. Have not taken anything since then. I have begun to have bowel movements yesterday. Soft, small in length and somewhat in width with some mucus. Also have gas after eating. Is this normal to begin slowly having movements after taking these medications. Will it take some time to have the motility return to the colon. Am somewhat concerned of cancer returning. Is there something else I should be doing to try to get back to normal.
Brief Answer:
short gut syndrome, coffee, probiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Congratulations for fighting and being a cancer survivor. Keep regular check ups with CEA, C.T.Scan and Colorectal surgeon consultation. This will take care of your anxiety of the cancer coming back.
For loose stools, you have what is called a 'short gut syndrome' as you now have less colon to process the stools and the small intestinal contents are coming out. Use of coffee can reduce your diarrhoea.
Use a Probiotic for 10 days once every month to get rid of your gas problems.
Use high fibre diet and also nonveg foods to help you reduce diarrhoea burden.
Take care.
Wish you good health
short gut syndrome, coffee, probiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Congratulations for fighting and being a cancer survivor. Keep regular check ups with CEA, C.T.Scan and Colorectal surgeon consultation. This will take care of your anxiety of the cancer coming back.
For loose stools, you have what is called a 'short gut syndrome' as you now have less colon to process the stools and the small intestinal contents are coming out. Use of coffee can reduce your diarrhoea.
Use a Probiotic for 10 days once every month to get rid of your gas problems.
Use high fibre diet and also nonveg foods to help you reduce diarrhoea burden.
Take care.
Wish you good health
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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