Appetite and Chemo

[Ang80]

Hi

I have posted several times before regarding my mum.
OVCA March 2005 stage 3. She has had 2 courses of carbo and taxol.
Dec 2009 taken into hospital with a partial bowel obstruction CA125 300. Surgeon performed a bowel bypass. Her CA125 was then 80. Dr started her on caelyx also known as doxil. She has had 3 sessions of this chemo. After her op she developed pnuemonia, C diff infection and a big abdominal abcess.
Since her Jan she has lost 4 stone and has no appetite, she gets tummy cramps, alternates between diahorea (sorry about spelling) and constipation, she has piles and lost her taste.
One Dr says its her chemo, one Dr says its her operation and her bowels will never be the same again after that op, and another Dr says its the OVCA. She latest scan was clear.
Could you shead some light onto this and why she has lost the weight. She isn't loosing weight as much as she was its stabile now. Also, if it is the side effects of the chemo is there anything that can help?

Thanks

[Ang80]

Thank you for your reply. It was very helpful.

Could you advise the foods which would be ideal for short bowel rapid transit?

Thanks once again

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
thank you for the update on your mother.

I suspect that at least part of the reason for her weight loss is her bowel surgery. A bowel bypass means that a portion of the intestine that was obstructed is bypassed so the overall the bowel is shorter. Short bowel has less time to absorb and digest the food. The diuarrhea is a reflection of that.
It may be helpful to get a consultation with a gastroenterologist.

There may may medicines to take to slow the bowels down such as metamucil. Also a nutrition consult to see what foods would be appropriate  for short bowel and rapid trnasit of bowel contents.
best wishes