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stomach pain

Cally-B
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My mum has bile cancer and secondary liver cancer. Her bowel is quite blocked and its causing her a lot of pain and discomfort. The symptoms of her cancer are being managed with steroids so it's a shame she's in so much pain and ironically it's not bowel cancer (which because of the pain and blockage in her bowel was suspected originally.) 

Unfortunatley this is making her house bound and even moving around at home is quite difficult for her. She's taking movicol and over the past few weeks the blockage is subsiding a little and sometimes massaging helps a little but I was wondering if anyone had any experience of this and how to relieve the discomfort? Her stomach is very large (she's a very slim lady) and it's easy to see just how much the bloating is causing discomfort. It's so hard to see such a previuosly healthy and active lady go through this. She's only 64. Thanks

 

 

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    Hi Cally ...... I so sympathise with your Mum as I have secondary disease of the liver and have all the difficulties your Mum is having with my digestive system.  I have been going through this for several months now - going from diarrhoea to constipation, stomach cramps, bloating etc etc.

    I too was prescribed a daily drug similar to Movicol and actually found it made the pain worse - and this was then verified by the medical team.  Also be very aware that pain relief meds are renowned for causing constipation and paracetamol seems the only 'safe' drug to use that doesnt bring these symptoms.

    When in your Mum's situation I have found that it seems better to take a one off laxative at bedtime and have a good clear out - I use Dulcolax which seems pretty gentle on the tum.  I only ever take paracetamol for pain relief but it is better to take it regularly, 3 or 4 times a day, than leave it until you get pain. My team also suggested Buscopan to me last week which helps with stomach cramping and I must say they have really helped - but likewise, take them regularly rather than when in pain.  The trick is using the drugs regularly to control the pain and trying to drink plenty of water, having short walks (even around the garden) to keep things working, and eating foods/drinking juices which are known to help with relieving constipation.  If Mum is eating well and hasnt been to the loo for 2 days, I would suggest she nips it in the bud quickly by taking a mild laxative before it becomes a problem.

    Mainly I suffer with the opposite to constipation, so have plenty of tips about that one should Mum need it haha!

    I hope this helps a little - like most people I hadnt realised how dehabilitating this problem is until it happened to me.  Just to also mention - I invested in a heat pad that I hold over my tummy at night (guess a hotwater bottle would do the same job) and cant believe what a help with the pain it has been. Best £30 I have ever spent.

    Keep in touch and let us know how Mum is doing x

  • Offline in reply to max56

    Thank you Max56! Sorry to hear what you have been going through, I really appreciate the reply. Anything we can do to make her feel better! We did suggest a hot water bottle and that has helped, but will look into the heat pad. Before she was diagnised she suffered more with your issue and she admittd she had constipation for months. That's what the blockage is so I suppose it will take time either way. Luckilly she is eating now, thanks to the steroids. That's the trouble, that any drugs you take have a side effect and usually ones on the digestive system. You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't :o( 

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