Natural Remedies for Chemo-Related Constipation

Going through chemotherapy and having constipation is NOT fun.  I mean, it’s not bad enough that you’re going through chemotherapy, you’ve lost your hair, now you gotta have this problem too?  I can SO sympathize with you.

Just so we’re clear, you are considered to be constipated if you have fewer than three difficult bowel movements in a week.  Which is not much!

My oncologist gave me a couple of recommendations but I wasn’t crazy about them – they were all pharmaceuticals and I prefer to use the things that nature has provided us (which is why it took me four months to make my decision about doing chemotherapy!).

So I searched further afield (let’s face it, I was motivated!) and found some more natural things to help.  When I had my next office visit with him, he asked how I was doing with the constipation and I told him I had a good herbal formula that was working for me he exasperatedly said to me (laughing) “Do you listen to anything I tell you?”  I guess he wasn’t used to having patients do things their own way.

My List of Recommendations for Constipation

• Eat foods high in fiber like nuts, bran, vegetables, legumes, freshly ground flaxseed, whole wheat breads and pastas, and fruits
• Drink 2-3 liters of non-alcoholic fluids (water, juices) each day, unless you are told otherwise by your doctor
• Avoid sodas, coffee, alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks, which can have a diuretic effect and worsen constipation
• Exercise 20-30 minutes most days of the week, as tolerated, and if okay with your doctor.  A lot of patients find that walking for exercise is convenient and easy to do
• Take 2 tsp of freshly-ground flaxseed two-three times per day
• Try drinking a glass of lukewarm or hot water just after you wake up. The warmth helps stimulate your intestines so that they start moving
• Try my herbal formula (recipe below)
• If you hate the herbal (and some will), try the Prune, Fig & Raisin tea recipe below

My naturopath in Perth, Sue Bartoll, made a herbal formula for me and she’s been kind enough to share the recipe. You will still probably want or need a naturopath or herbalist to blend this for you.  You may have to convert milliliters to ounces but most measuring devices have both these days.

Constipation Herbal

40 ml Senna

30 ml Golden Seal

40 ml Fennel

50 ml Butternut

5 ml Ginger

40 ml Liquorice

Dosage 5mls 2 x day with water or juice. Start with 2.5mls twice a day and increase over the next 2 days to full dosage. Sue says: “Please note that everyone is individual and may require another prescription that is appropriate for the person’s symptoms.”

Prune, Fig & Raisin Tea

Cut up about 12 organic figs and place them in a saucepan together with about 12 organic prunes and 2 tbsp organic raisins.  Cover with 1 liter (4 cups) of filtered water and simmer for about 30 minutes.  If desired, lemon juice may be added to vary the flavor.  Drink the tea before breakfast and dinner time.  You can make this ahead the night before and refrigerate.

Why Constipation Occurs with Chemotherapy

Because anticancer drugs are made to kill rapidly growing cells, they also affect normal, fast-growing cells such as blood cells forming in the bone marrow and cells in the digestive tract (i.e., mouth, stomach, intestines, esophagus), reproductive system, and hair follicles. Some anticancer drugs may affect cells of vital organs, such as the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system.

The anti-nausea drugs and steroids used during chemotherapy can also cause constipation.  It may take a few days after your infusion before your bowels return to normal.  Diarrhea can also occur as the microflora in the bowel is destroyed by the chemo drugs.

I noticed that “things” just seemed to grind to a halt the day after my infusions, which was very uncomfortable.  Once I started taking the above herbal though, it helped me a lot.  I found it helped for me to take the herbal the day before an infusion and then to continue it until things normalized, usually 2-4 days later.

If These Occur, See Your Doctor Right Away

Sometimes, chemo-related constipation can get out of hand.  If you get any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away:

• Pain in your stomach
• Fever
• Unable to pass gas
• Nausea, and/or vomiting along with your constipation
• If you have not had a bowel movement in three days despite following the above recommendations
• If your stomach looks swollen and/or feels hard to the touch

References:

http://cancer.stanford.edu/information/cancerTreatment/methods/managing_effects/organs.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/359781-diet-for-constipation-chemotherapy/

“Better Health Through Natural Healing” by Ross Trattler, Harper Collins Publishers

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