IT'S A MONSTER!

Ok...I just need to blow off some steam. Maybe I'm whining and want sympathy...I don't know? Anyhow, MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM IS DRIVING ME NUTS! I've had a good couple of weeks, but last night and this morning have been crazy. I have had more burping, heartburn and diarrhea than I have had since I finished radiation treatments 6 months ago. I honestly only slept about 3 hours. It's not a bug, it's not something I ate. I know this feeling all too well...this is what I did during treatments. I know it takes time, but gosh I want to sleep a full night just once. If it's not diarrhea, it's my bladder. If it's not my bladder, it's hot flashes and heart palpitations. If it's not the menopausal symptoms it chronic pain in my hips and legs. I've tried sleep aids..they help me fall asleep, but don't keep me asleep because my body demands my attention. Dr. says no to HRT. And yes, I've ask a few docs about it and all say no.

If it was just one, or even two, problems I am dealing with it wouldn't be such a big deal. Or maybe it would. I don't know. I haven't had enough sleep to determine if I'm a big baby or experiencing true frustration with my body and the side effects of radiation therapy. Don't get me wrong, as I am very thankful for the treatments. I am now 6 months out, no cancer and extremely happy about it. I just want to see progress in getting better now.

From your expert experiences...how long did it take till you saw major improvements?

Do you have any tips on sleep?

Did any of you experience not only problems with your bowels, but increased digestive disturbances like heartburn, burping etc?

Do you have any experiences with natural remedies for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that work?

Ok...time to hit the toilet, take some Prilosec and Imodium and stick my head in the freezer!

By flowershoplady
Posted November 9, 2008 at 3:03 pm
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tavy, i'm really sorry you're having such a difficult time. i don't know if i have any words of wisdom, but i wanted you to know you're in my thoughts!!!

i just started a discussion thread about probiotics for helping one's digestive system. have you tried that?

as for sleep issues, i've never been a good sleeper, but to make things 'better', i follow all (well, most!) of the suggested good sleep habits.....i go to bed and wake up at nearly the same time every day so that there's a very set routine and i don't do anything in bed except sleep and sex (ok...not really true for me.....i haven't had sex in years, and i do read in bed before i go to sleep....but there's no tv, no other activities...really!).

without taking hrt, the hot flashes didn't let me sleep through the night, and, in fact, were waking me several times each night. i could deal with the hot flashes during the day, but it was significantly impacting my sleep. so, i take hrt, and i take enough so that i don't get hot flashes. my doctors, including gyn/onc, all thought it was ok for me to take, so i take them. sounds like that's not an option for you, but just sharing what worked for me.

some women take black cohosh and other homeopathic type remedies for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms......i take those too (they're in my multipurpose vitamin plus regime), but, for me, they're not enough to stop the hot flashes.

have you tried doing yoga/meditation before you go to bed? there are some things you can do that are designed to calm you, your body and your mind, which may be helpful. i don't do this regularly in the evening, but i have when i feel most unsettled. i think finding other ways to calm yourself (again, body and mind) can be helpful too, whether it's a warm shower/bath, writing in a journal, etc., particularly when you make it part of a routine.

i don't know if anything i've written has helped. i would encourage you to continue to seek out options to get yourself feeling better, and hopefully you will get there....sooner rather than later!

By strength
Posted November 11, 2008 at 6:24 pm
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Hi Tavy

I had a reoccurence of those GI syptoms around the 6mos mark past last radiation too. I have had continual GI problems, bladder problems and menopause symptoms. Have tried many remedies, meds and had colonoscopy and cystoscopy. I am 1 1/2 yr past last radiation treatment. Am fairly stable on HRT (estrogen only) and have changed my diet alot. I eat only cooked veg, limit fruit, no legumes or high fibre foods, no soy products or tofu. Salad causes cramping as does anything high fibre. It is really hard to eat well now that I have been radiated as most healthy foods create difficulty in digestion which can keep me up all night. So weight gain has been a problem and the estrogen I think has contributed to that as well. I am still hoping to stabilize. Bladder has settled down nicely but I avoid drinking anything with bubbles, no spicy foods or citrus foods. Limit tea, coffee and alcohol. Hope this is helpful. Recovery from the treatment has been the biggest challenge for me. Fatigue is relentless but not as bad as during treatment. I wish the best for you in continued clear results on PAPs.

By willtosurvive
Posted November 12, 2008 at 9:45 am
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I had major issues with my bowels. They kept telling me it was from fibre in the diet but cutting back fibre didn't really make a difference. I did some researching and ended up cutting out wheat and dairy and things are much better. All symptoms flare up again if I cheat and consume either wheat or dairy.

Bladder issues and hip pain but haven't found any successful way of treating them!

By 4myboys
Posted November 12, 2008 at 7:46 pm
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Hi Tavy-
The timing of your post is kind of funny - today I am 5-1/2 mos out and just had my first post treatment bout with unexpected bowel issues since completing treatments! I guess I should 'expect' more.... I am curious as to why your docs have said 'no' to HRT? I know that is the choice by many here, but thought that was only something the docs discouraged if you are high risk for breast cancer? Or, is that the case? I am on estradiol... so my menopause symptoms are nothing much - and with a baby...i am able to take sleep where I can get it.... but I am wondering about the docs thoughts on natural/homeopathic remedies for menopausal symptoms. I know my cousin is taking something she is very, very happy with....it's all natural - Enzmatic 24hour menopausal relief AM/PM formula. You might ask your dr. She says they are about $20/mo and gets them at Super Supplements - here is a link:
http://www.enzymatictherapy.com/Better-Living/Health-Concerns/Category-Spec ific.aspx?cat=267
Thought it might be worth a look - I'd like to ask my gyn/onc about it myself and why they think I should be on HRT vs something natural...
Good luck to you - I sure hope it gets better in time! I'll keep you in my prayers....

By Tavy
Posted November 14, 2008 at 9:00 am
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Thanks for your reply FSL! I have been taking Black Cohosh for about 3 months now. It has done absolutely nothing for the hot flashes. I'm waking up about 5 or 6 times a night right now. It's becoming unbearable. A local hospital is going to be having a clinic on herbal remedies for those who are experiencing surgical and/or chemical induced menopause. Believe me I'm going to be the first in line. The clinic will run several weeks and we will basically be guinea pigs...but I'm willing if it will help us who aren't candidates for HRT.

I haven't done yoga or meditation, but I am starting to listen to audio books before I go to sleep on my ipod. I find that having the story read to me vs reading it myself is very relaxing. I've been doing this for the past few nights and it has really helped. I'm still waking up, but I put my headphones right back on a fall back to sleep much quicker (5 or 10 minutes vs an hour or more).

Tavy

By Tavy
Posted November 14, 2008 at 9:02 am
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Hi Strength,

I was just wondering if your docs have told you that the radiation treatments should affect the upper GI tract? My docs say it's not likely, but I had never had problems like this before treatment. Both lower and upper are going crazy.

Tavy

By sidney
Posted November 15, 2008 at 9:35 am
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Hi Tavy, I have never had Upper GI tract problems. Maybe you should see a Gastroenterologist. I am 11/2 years post radiation and chemo. I still have bladder and bowel issues along with right leg and pelvic pain. I have nerve damage also. I am taking biodentical hormones progesterone and testosterone, I can not take estrogen because of the high breast cancer rate in my family. Progesterone and testosterone help me deal with menopause. With each passing month I feel stronger and have less problems. Try to exercise and eat right, I feel better when I do. I hope you feel better. Sydney

By steph1974
Posted January 29, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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I signed up for an account on here because I saw a post of yours. My heart goes out to you. How are you now? You havent responded since November?

By mp327
Posted January 30, 2009 at 9:12 am
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Tavy--

I'm sorry to hear that you are having so many problems at this time. About the bowel and bladder issues--I had 6 weeks of pelvic radiation with chemo, which ended 4 1/2 months ago. I still make many trips to the bathroom during the day, but it is SO much better these days. Diet adjustments are key for me--dairy, high-fiber foods, raw fruits & vegs and nuts are all trouble makers, although I am tolerating these now in small doses. On my last visit to the radiation onc., I brought up this issue. He suggested I take one Imodium routinely every day. I began doing that and it helped, to the point where I have quit taking it unless I have a flare-up. If you don't already, you might try making it as part of your daily meds, instead of just as needed. As for frequent urination, he told me that my bladder had shrunk due to the treatment, but that it would gradually gain more capacity.

This is also true for the bowels. The rectum holds the stool until elimination is necessary. Radiation can cause the rectum to shrink, thus holding less, and causing urgency and the need for more frequent bowel movements. My doctor assured me that this also gets better with time.

Sleep, or a lack there of, is a real problem for me also. I believe it's due to the menopausal symptoms. I was taking Tylenol PM every night just to sleep, but finally quit that due to the hangover I had every morning. I really don't have any suggestions on that for you, but you have gotten some good suggestions from others that you might try.

I know all these things are difficult to deal with, especially when they happen all at once. But please try to stay positive. Whenever I have a "bad" day, I make myself look back to where I was 6 months ago--then suddenly it's not such a bad day after all. I wish you better days ahead!

Martha

By strength
Posted February 21, 2009 at 3:37 pm
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Hey Tavi

Haven't been on line for awhile. Was wondering how you are doing with late effects of radiation. Lately I have been taking testim (testosterone .5cc gel rubbed into leg) and 25 estriodot. Helps a bit with sleep and energy by reducing hot flashes and sweats. But I wanted you know that I have been reducing the estrogen with success. I'm 20 mos post last tx and the menopause symptoms are getting less severe finally! Also, my GI tract has improved with diet changes, same as recommended by others here, low fibre, low dairy, low citrus. My bladder has recovered now. I suffer from constipation rather than diarhea now. That could be from lack of exercise as I have energy for either work or exercise in a day, not both. Have you been monitoring your blood work. My WBC has remained low and I have severe leukopenia. Do you or others have this issue?

Strength

By kyhunny
Posted May 7, 2009 at 8:57 pm
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I'm 4 years out of post treatment and I have more diarrhea now than I did during radiation. It's like anytime I eat anything, 30 minutes later I'm in the bathroom. Sometimes it is accompanied by bleeding. I also still have pelvic pain, back pain and hip pain. As for the hot flashed, I sleep with a fan at night. I make sure that it is positioned to where it blows directly on me. This really helps a lot. I also have vaginal dryness. I don't take oral HRT, but I do use Premarin creme vaginally. It does help. I have noticed that if I don't use the Premarin creme like I should (3x week), my vagina gets dry and irritated and bleeds. I also have trouble sleeping at night, so my doctor gave my a prescription for a sleep aid. Hope this helps.

By informed
Posted May 8, 2009 at 12:47 pm
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You might also try an antidepressant for menopausal symptoms. I'm almost four years post menopause. I tried to tough out the night sweats (thankfully never had flashes during the day) but the sleep disruption was making me a zombie. So I did some research and proposed Effexor to my MD. He was willing to have me try it, and after some dosage adjustments, it did the trick. I understand it can be very difficult to stop Effexor. I'll have to go down as slowly as I can once it's time to quit, but for now, my docs want me to stay on it. It's been a great alternative to HRT for me.

Welcome to Inspire!

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