The Colon Club

My husband started Xeloda two weeks ago. Two weeks on then one week off. Toward the end of the first two weeks, he started getting diarrhea 3-4 times a day. It really exhausted him. The pharmacist told him to take Imodium.

Has anyone successfully treated Xeloda-induced diarrhea with anything natural such as supplements, enzymes, etc? He'd rather not take Imodium.

Thank you.

Immodium is the only med that worked for my mama. I would listen to what the dr and nurses tell you to take. You don't want to get dehydrated. Best of luck

Faithandpeace wrote:My husband started Xeloda two weeks ago. Two weeks on then one week off. Toward the end of the first two weeks, he started getting diarrhea 3-4 times a day. It really exhausted him. The pharmacist told him to take Imodium.

Has anyone successfully treated Xeloda-induced diarrhea with anything natural such as supplements, enzymes, etc? He'd rather not take Imodium.

Thank you.

Oh yea...that's me! was on Xeloda for 6 months. The last 2 days of the 2 weeks, I had diarrhea. Immodium worked. By the end of the 2 treatments, I would go to the bathroom up to 10 times a day. Just to let you know, as the treatment progresses...the cumulative effects will make him have more diarrhea.

My husband is on Xeloda (and Oxi-). He has diarrhea from it that is occasionally worse than normal. His bowel movements have only been solid a few times since his colon surgeries this past spring and summer. His doctors recommended Metamucil to bulk up when he was having issues. I was surprised because I had always associated it as a remedy for constipation, but apparently it has other purposes:

Metamucil is a brand name of psyllium fiber used to treat constipation and diarrhea. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract and swells, adding more bulk to your stool. Diarrhea consists of frequent, watery stools that lack bulk.

He bought a sugar free brand, and it's essentially a natural remedy. It has worked well for him.

If the diarrhea is associated with damaged villi and mucosa then it might be partly a toxicity question and a question of supplements for GI healing. Although dosage is the easy blame, some drugs or folic acid can magnify 5FU or Xeloda's toxicity. We used supplements like glutamine, vitamin C, zinc carnosine, glucosamine and niacinamide for folic acid - 5FU GI damage. Historically, large mounts of cabbage juice was used by Prof Lester Morrison for GI damage too.

For failures of digestion (loss of PE or HCl, infection related?), some CRC patients cleared their diarrhea with pancreatic enzymes(PE).

Beckster wrote:
Oh yea...that's me! was on Xeloda for 6 months. The last 2 days of the 2 weeks, I had diarrhea. Immodium worked. By the end of the 2 treatments, I would go to the bathroom up to 10 times a day. Just to let you know, as the treatment progresses...the cumulative effects will make him have more diarrhea.

Beckster, it's good to know my husband's experience isn't unique, but even with Imodium you still had bouts of diarrhea 10 times a day?! Yikes! Hubby needs to work and these bouts exhaust him!

mpbser wrote:My husband is on Xeloda (and Oxi-). He has diarrhea from it that is occasionally worse than normal. His bowel movements have only been solid a few times since his colon surgeries this past spring and summer. His doctors recommended Metamucil to bulk up when he was having issues. I was surprised because I had always associated it as a remedy for constipation, but apparently it has other purposes:

Metamucil is a brand name of psyllium fiber used to treat constipation and diarrhea. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract and swells, adding more bulk to your stool. Diarrhea consists of frequent, watery stools that lack bulk.

He bought a sugar free brand, and it's essentially a natural remedy. It has worked well for him.

Thank you, we will check into psyllium husk fiber. But, you are right, sounds so counterintuitive!

Diarrhea is a common side effect of Xeloda. It's annoying and can really lead to being dehydrated. You could try Kaopectate, It's active ingredient is Bismuth subsalicylate.

If diarrhea is severe, your physician may prescribe a tincture of opium. I had diarrhea during treatment, and used Imodium and Kaopectate. I also made sure to drink lots (2-3 liters) of water daily to flush the crud out my system.

It's possible that you will be unable to end the diarrhea using natural products alone. Keep your physician updated.

Best Wishes,
peanut

I had diarrhea during chemo as well. My ileostomy was reversed early due to a blockage after my LAR. Doctor had to remove scar tissue so he reversed my ileostomy just five weeks after resection. Made it worse during chemo, but my oncologist also prescribed Questran. It's a powder you can mix with water or juice. It is originally used for cholesterol but it helps with diarrhea also. It worked pretty well for me. I also took lomotil and immodium. You may want to ask your oncologist. If diarrhea gets too bad he may need to go in for hydration and have potassium checked as well. Make sure he eats bananas and potatoes they are good for potassium. He may want to follow a brat diet. (bananas, white rice, applesauce, and dry toast). These foods help for diarrhea. That was helpful as well.

I'm not on Xeloda but I've had issues with diarrhea from a trashed gastrointestinal system. Imodium worked well but it ended up over-correcting for me, and then I had constipation, and it went downhill from there. After trying about everything suggested, rice congee did the trick for me. It was suggested by the dietician at the cancer center. You can find directions online but the simple version is: 1 cup long-cooking white rice (no Minute Rice) and 6-7 parts fluid (water, chicken broth, vegetable broth), then cook on the stovetop for 40-45 minutes. I would eat it plain or add some to vegetable soup. Another thing, no raw veggies or fruits, only cooked. I also take psyllium everyday and have for years. It all helps but the rice congee was my turning point.

rp1954 wrote:If the diarrhea is associated with damaged villi and mucosa then it might be partly a toxicity question and a question of supplements for GI healing. Although dosage is the easy blame, some drugs or folic acid can magnify 5FU or Xeloda's toxicity. We used supplements like glutamine, vitamin C, zinc carnosine, glucosamine and niacinamide for folic acid - 5FU GI damage. Historically, large mounts of cabbage juice was used by Prof Lester Morrison for GI damage too.

For failures of digestion (loss of PE or HCl, infection related?), some CRC patients cleared their diarrhea with pancreatic enzymes(PE).

Thank you, rp1954, I am still actively searching for an integrative physician to help us with all this. You sound as if you have a medical background...I certainly do not so it's a VERY steep learning curve for me. But, I won't give up until I find what we need. This forum is so very helpful!

zephyr wrote:I'm not on Xeloda but I've had issues with diarrhea from a trashed gastrointestinal system. Imodium worked well but it ended up over-correcting for me, and then I had constipation, and it went downhill from there. After trying about everything suggested, rice congee did the trick for me. It was suggested by the dietician at the cancer center. You can find directions online but the simple version is: 1 cup long-cooking white rice (no Minute Rice) and 6-7 parts fluid (water, chicken broth, vegetable broth), then cook on the stovetop for 40-45 minutes. I would eat it plain or add some to vegetable soup. Another thing, no raw veggies or fruits, only cooked. I also take psyllium everyday and have for years. It all helps but the rice congee was my turning point.

I'm going to try that rice congee. Did you eat it with meals or just at regular intervals or only after you had a bout of diarrhea?

Thank you peanut_8 and susie0915, these are all helpful suggestions.

Faithandpeace wrote:

zephyr wrote:I'm not on Xeloda but I've had issues with diarrhea from a trashed gastrointestinal system. Imodium worked well but it ended up over-correcting for me, and then I had constipation, and it went downhill from there. After trying about everything suggested, rice congee did the trick for me. It was suggested by the dietician at the cancer center. You can find directions online but the simple version is: 1 cup long-cooking white rice (no Minute Rice) and 6-7 parts fluid (water, chicken broth, vegetable broth), then cook on the stovetop for 40-45 minutes. I would eat it plain or add some to vegetable soup. Another thing, no raw veggies or fruits, only cooked. I also take psyllium everyday and have for years. It all helps but the rice congee was my turning point.

I'm going to try that rice congee. Did you eat it with meals or just at regular intervals or only after you had a bout of diarrhea?

I eat it as needed. You can leave it in the frig for a few days and heat it up in small batches. As the diarrhea starts, I eat a little rice congee here and there throughout the day. I'm often too exhausted to have much appetite so I graze on plain congee, bananas, unsweetened organic applesauce, toast (white breads only), and vegetable soups or broths with a good helping of rice congee tossed in. Rice congee is the main thing and I try to eat as much as I can because I know it will help. The diarrhea usually turns around for me within hours, and no more constipation, fissures, etc.

I also drink coconut water during bouts of diarrhea to keep from getting dehydrated. I personally don't like the sports drinks - they all seem too sweet to me, and the chemo nurses suggested coconut water as a good hydration solution without additives. I don't know if it's true but I've read that not all coconut waters are created equal and that those in the refrigerated section are more pure or something. I buy the Harmless Harvest brand at Costco. If you try it, make sure to check the expiration date because they only seem to be good for 1-2 weeks.

While you're at Costco, pick up a 2-pack of rubber gloves and the Desitin diaper cream. Both are over by the pharmacy.

If you want a good recipe for healing broth, don't hesitate to PM me.

Probably more that you wanted to know ... but I hope it helps.

Edited to add: I made this last night after a few hours of what was turning into a flare up. I've always been afraid to add anything for flavor because I didn't want to mess with a successful solution. Butt ... last night I just needed something more so I added a tiny amount of butter. It made the rice more inviting and it still worked like a charm.

Thank you, Zephyr, all good suggestions. After the diarrhea started, my husband also got blood blisters on his hand, extreme fatigue and, the icing on the cake, painful mouth sores. The onc told him to wait another week before starting back on Xeloda and then to reduce the dosage. We will see if it gets better.