dehydration and constipation

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exaussie
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dehydration and constipation

Postby exaussie » Wed Jul 09, 2014 10:33 am

Ok we have been battling both of these..Are you dehydrated because you are constipated or are you constipated because you are dehydrated? Which front do we battle first? trying to get in enough liquids but in Oregon right now it is ssooo hot. My son has his engagement party Saturday and we do not want to be in ER again getting iv fluids.
DS 26 yrs old diagnosed 6/13 T3N2aM1b
Resection 6/13
6 rounds chemo folfax
12/13 Fissure
hernia surgery 12/13
5 months break
Maintenance chemo 3/14
Crazy growth. Liver failing. Folfox and vectibex 7-29-14
Chemo failure Hospice 8/26
Left us 8/28

CM35
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Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:16 pm

Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby CM35 » Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:06 am

I may be wrong, but I always thought dehydration leads to constipation. From my understanding, the colon absorbs a lot of water/fluid and that is what makes transit easier... I have found that a combo of lots of fluids, lots of fiber, stool softeners and a daily dose of miralax keeps things moving fairly efficiently for me. I think everyone has to find what their poison is, though. Good luck, I hope you are able to find what gets your son "going" soon...
stg IV 4/2013 @34 - liver, ovary/peritoneum
Lots of chemo, surgery and good luck - still doing well 03/2016...

BrianMc7
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Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:00 pm

Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby BrianMc7 » Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:13 am

Is he getting iv-fluids on his disconnect day? They will do that for you if you ask. You can start Miralax a day or 2 before treatment and continue until he is disconnected. Fluids are important.

Brian
54 M
4/30/12 Colon Ressection (0/21 lymph nodes)
6/18/12 Biopsy mets to liver
7/24/12 Started modified FOLFOX/with SIRT (SIRT on 7/26) CEA 59
5/13 Went on Chemo break
7/13 Theraspheres to combat small spot in liver
8/13 CEA 2.9
12/13 CEA 2.0
1/14 CEA 1.9

sadysue
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Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby sadysue » Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:11 pm

From what I have learned, dehydration leads to constipation. That was certainly the case with me plus headaches. Drink, drink, drink (water!) until you can't drink any more. Good luck!
Rectal dx 4/2011 (Stage 3B - T3N1M0)
5FU/Rad - daily/6 wks ending 6/2011
Surgery 8/19/2011
Finished 8 rounds Folfox 2/2012
Ileo reverse and port out 3/2012
NED

Stevet
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Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby Stevet » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:49 pm

Loose stools = dehydrated
Firm stools = hydrated.
The colon absorbs fluids from the stool to help keep the body hydrated. Once the colon is gone part of the absorption process is gone.
Lomotil, and Imodium will help a little simply because it slows the bowel down.
The other reason we get dehydrated is because of our digestive system is much shorter w/o all or most of the colon being removed making the bowel a lot more active.
Hope this helps a little

justin case
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Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby justin case » Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:23 pm

The outside heat has little to do with it. It is a good idea to drink at least a gallon of liquid a day, and more if there is an ileostomy. Where I live it will be between 95 and 100 degrees for the next month or 2. If Imodium is in your daily regimen, perhaps it's time to take a break. I like beer but have to curtail while I'm outdoors working, as it does not promote hydration. If dehydration persists, there could be a visit to the hospital for renal failure, (yes it happened to me) and that is not a pleasant nor cheap alternative. Please make sure liquid intake is a priority, and you should probably check with your doctor for recommendations!
Michael
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

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Bev G
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Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby Bev G » Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:56 pm

I was forever getting putting in the hospital for dehydration (constant diarrhea and persistent nausea didn't help, nor did my type 1 diabetes) It never got resolved until my home health nurse gave me a liter or two of fluid twice a week. Dehydration can definitely cause constipation. Best wishes for your son's engagement party---I think some spare fluid tomorrow would be the best idea.
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo

9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now

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exaussie
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Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby exaussie » Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:00 am

Ok he got 2 bags yesterday afternoon. We are telling him to stay in ac cooled house today. Weather will be 95-97 with about 40% humidity sat. Hopefully he can be comfortable cause he really wants to do this for his fiance
DS 26 yrs old diagnosed 6/13 T3N2aM1b
Resection 6/13
6 rounds chemo folfax
12/13 Fissure
hernia surgery 12/13
5 months break
Maintenance chemo 3/14
Crazy growth. Liver failing. Folfox and vectibex 7-29-14
Chemo failure Hospice 8/26
Left us 8/28

SkiFletch
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Location: Buffalo, NY

Re: dehydration and constipation

Postby SkiFletch » Fri Jul 11, 2014 1:32 pm

Dehydration can cause constipation yes. However you can still be constipated even when well hydrated. The two are associated but not directly linked. Realistically you should be fighting the war on both fronts. Hydration along with fiber/softeners/laxatives.
11/13/09 5cm Stage IV 9/25 lymph nodes w/2cm peritoneal met at 29 YoA
12/15/09 LA right hemi-colectomy
6/16/10 Folfox FINISHED
8/10/10 Prophylactic HIPEC
10/9/10 got Married :D
Still NED and living life to the fullest

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life."


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