I finished my IP and IV chemo in March and my stomach is still bloated especially my lower stomach. My stomach gets really bloated each time I eat. I weigh a few pounds less than I did before I got cancer but all my pants are tight. I recently had clear scans and negative biopsies from a second look surgery and a normal ca125 so I'm not worried about a reoccurrance right now. Has anyone out there had IP? Please let me know about any side effects.
After my IP treatments I often experienced pain in my sides when I turned, twisted or ate too much. The same place I felt the most stretched at the end of a treatment. My stomach has always been bloated since I finished that first year of treatment but I attributed it to the surgery. Now having gone through multiple surgeries its as far out as my bust. I must admit I never tried sit ups or anything to reduce it though and at this point thats not an option.
I feel I have stayed bloated since my dx in 2006. I was never thin, but the upper part of my abdomen is as big as the lower part .. and that never was. I know I don't have any active disease as of this date .. I'm wondering if all of the muscles just never went back like before. Judy C
Hi,
I finished the IP treatment in 11/06 and I hate the way my abdomen looks, but I have attributed it more to the surgery and lack of muscle strength than the IP treatment. While I walk a great deal I do not do any other exercises and I just joined a gym and signed up with a personal trainer which I hope strengths my muscles and improves my abdomen.
Katie
I finished 6 rounds of IV/P chemo back in June06 with some kind of neuropathy of my colon. With a vegan diet (which I learned how to do from vegetarian magazines and a few how to vegan books plus gly-colax powder (also called miralax) it's under control. When it's not bloating is an issue. Perhaps you have a similar problem?
I am a believer in fitness -especially your core. Mid core area muscle strength is very important; crunches on a fitness ball is a great way to go.The balls are great: they work your entire core area and are easy on your back. Do you belong to a gym? Perhaps you could join one or ymca & take some toning classes? Most fitness group or personal instructors will emphasize core strenghtening.
Cardio/Aerobic training is important (like walking, swimming or biking) but strength-training is also as important. Doesn't have to be heavy weights; light weights done consistently is awesome......
susan
I finished chemo (2 IV and 4 IP) just a few months ago (May 20th). I still look like I'm pregnant - but a little less that I did when I first finished. I have been scared to do any excerise other than walking because my IP port was still in. I just got that removed yesterday, so hopefully I can begin some additional excerises to help out my belly.
I also just finished treatment on July 1, still feel the bloating and I contribute to my diet sometimes (even though I am trying toeat better). I have been working out with the WII Fit system and that seems to help with some of the areas, but i still feel discomfort. I have my port removed on Monday so we will go back to the drawing board and see how that works. Best of luck to you.
TH ONLY BLOATING I HAVE HAD HAS ALWAYS RESULTED IN HAVING TO HAVE FLUID DRAINED FROM MY ABDOMEN-5 TIMES SINCE THE END OF FEBRUARY-BUT THE LAST TIME WAS 8 WEEKS AND 4 DAYS BETWEEN DRAININGS, AND THE FIRST DARINING TO THE SECOND WAS 3 WEEKS. SO AT LEAST THAT IS GOOD, AND THE FLUID IS GETTING LESS. I DID HAVE THE PERITENEOL CHMO INTO MY ABDOMEN IN 2006, AND AFTE EACH TREATMENT, MY ABDOMEN SEEMED TO BE MORE DISTENDED THAN IT WAS THE TIME BEFORE. I BELIEVE IT IS JUST A SIDE EFFECT OF WHAT CHEMO DOES TO THE MUSCLES IN THE ABDOMINAL AREA, WHEN IT IS PUT DIRECTLY INTO THE ABDOMEN. I HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF OVER 54 CHEMOTHERAPY TREAMENTS SINCE JULY OF 2006, 6 OF THEM WERE ABDOMINAL. IF YOUR SCANS DO NOT SHOW ANY FLUID ACCUMULATION, WHICH IS A SIDE EFFECT OF OVARIAN CANCER EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO OTHER EVIDENCE PRESENT, THEN IT IS PROBABLY JUST FROM YOUR CHEMO. GOOD LUCK, GOD BLESS. SHERRY
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