Translate
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Ronny Allan
In my neck of the woods, “did you hear the one about the ………” is normally a precursor to a witty comment, or a joke. However, constipation for NET patients is not actually funny – read on.
Certain types of Neuroendocrine Cancer are very heavily associated with diarrhea, either as a symptom of one of the NET Syndromes (yes there is more than one …..); or as a result of surgery or certain other treatments. Occasionally, these symptoms and side effects can all combine to make it quite a nasty and worrying side effect.
I must admit to being surprised to find myself with feelings of constipation from around 4-5 years after my treatment and I set about trying to find out why that might be. To understand why I got to this stage, I assessed the history of my treatment and what I changed in an attempt to improve my Quality of Life (QoL) – I feel there is a strong connection.
When I underwent my primary surgery (Nov 2010), my surgeon said it would take months for my ‘digestive system’ to return to some form of normality. I soon found out what he meant, I seemed to be permanently affixed to a toilet seat (plenty of reading opportunities though ….. every cloud!). I suddenly realised that I needed to start looking seriously at my diet. I did find some improvements by trying to eat things that would bulk up my stools vs trying to avoid things that might increase frequency (i.e. I wanted a reduction in frequency combined with a bulkier stool). This overlaps with the selection or balance of low and high residue foods. Eventually, I settled on a regime for the first couple of years, and to be honest, I didn’t need to change my diet in any radical sense. I was also determined not to take any medication (I was taking enough) and wanted this to work as naturally as possible.
Things were still not ideal and in 2013, I even remember saying to my Oncologist that although I was never misdiagnosed with IBS, I felt like I now had it. I decided to attack this issue following professional advice from one of the eminent experts in the NET specialist dietitian world – Tara Whyand. My regime was now based on science (although it isn’t really an exact type!), that is checking the ‘at risk’ nutrient levels were OK (particularly ADEK and B12), taking supplements where necessary to help with deficiencies, and tackling things such as malabsorption and diet.
The patient has a big part to play in any improvement strategy, so in 2013/14, I experimented more and completely changed my breakfast and lunch regime to oatmeal/porridge and toast which made a significant difference. I started to avoid eating large meals and I reduced fat consumption generally. I started taking probiotics to counter the effect of any bacterial imbalance as a result of my surgery (i.e. to combat SIBO). To keep track of everything, I set up and maintained a detailed diary to help identify things making it worse, tinkering as I went along. For those who are contemplating this sort of strategy, let me tell you – it takes time, effort and patience! And remember, what works for one may not work for another – there is no single diet which works for all patients.
I seemed to make excellent progress with ‘frequency’, which is down to once or twice per day – i.e. I felt like a normal bloke 🙂 Quality was not consistently good but I’m of the opinion, this may be something I need to live with. Stomach cramps are reduced, as is gas and bloating reduced (I’m fairly confident that is mainly down to probiotics). Happy days, my strategy has worked. I reduced my average daily ‘visits’ by 400% without any medicine.
However …. (have you noticed, there’s always a ‘however’ with Neuroendocrine Cancer?)……..
Although I’m generally well, I did start to think in 2016 that the balance was not quite right. My ‘visits’ were starting to last longer due to a consistent feeling of incomplete emptying – i.e. movement is OK but is followed by what seems like constipation. Additionally, I’ve had several episodes of constipation and pain with no ‘movement’ for 24-36 hours. This happened in May, September and December 2016. Had 3 more episodes in 2017 and 2 so far in 2018. My diary now has numerous ‘zero’ entries in the daily bowel movements column, something I never thought I would see again in my lifetime!
When you’ve had small intestinal surgery, as many midgut NET patients have, this sort of thing can be extremely worrying. A bowel obstruction can be dangerous, and I’d like to avoid additional surgery at this stage. The second occurrence was particularly severe, and the pain lasted for 1-2 weeks. Fortunately, the issues eventually settled and appear to have been a result of a sluggish system, although my regular scans check to see if any issues in that area might have been contributing. (Note – lactulose (oral) is awful, will never touch it again!). I seem to remember a few years ago thinking constipation would be a luxury. I can assure you it isn’t – things need to keep moving, the opposite is much worse!
So … am I a victim of my own changes to my dietary regime success? Possibly. The GP who assessed my constipation and pain in September 2016 told me to stop taking a Calcium supplement which was prescribed by the same practice at the beginning of that year – Calcium can slow your system down apparently (…..the calcium is a long story but it was a counter to an osteoporosis risk that I have due to long-term use of blood thinners). I already get enough calcium (and vitamin D) through the normal channels plus supplements, so it was a low risk action. I tinkered with my diet again, reducing my fibre intake and then built up again slowly. Additionally, I could probably do with more water! Perhaps my Lanreotide is having some effect too? In 2018, I changed my bread to one with less fibre as a test, nothing to report so far (edit – I flit between different types of bread but appear to be settled on oaty bread or granary).
Is it just me with constipation issues? No….. I carried out some covert searches on forums and found this issue has been mentioned numerous times.
I suspect we need science and some specialist NET research in this area, not sure the over the counter prescription is the optimum solution. I was therefore delighted to see a patient survey produced by NET Patient Foundation in conjunction with the Royal Free Hospital presented right in front of me in Barcelona at ENETS 2018. In this survey (which I remember completing), they found that the most self-reported side effect of somatostatin analogues was in actual fact constipation (shock horror!).
As you can see from the picture, the survey results came along with some pertinent advice which you will already find in some of my articles co-authored by Tara Whyand who was involved in the survey results analysis. Interestingly, Tara commented on the constipation figure pointing out that the constipated feeling may in fact be confused with ‘incomplete emptying’ as I indicated I was experiencing above. I think she’s right.
I’m always skeptical about patient surveys as they tend to be gathered from a very small percentage of the actual patient population and tend to be sourced from those with the worst issues (something I call ‘situating the appreciation’). There’s a little skepticism in me about this particular survey, mainly because the results were not scientifically investigated i.e. were these self-reported side effects actually caused by somatostatin analogues or something else?
However, many of the things reported in this patient survey are issues that I know patients tend to talk about anecdotally in patient forums. Some of them are already listed on patient information leaflets (often without patients knowing I might add) so this is further confirmation of the official trial results. Wide variances or new unlisted issues probably need looking at though.
Despite some of these side effects being listed, I believe doctors need to provide more support for patients who experience these issues. So, even if constipation (or incomplete emptying) is not totally caused by somatostatin analogues, at least this survey should start up a dialogue.
Slow slow quick quick slow
Some foods transit through the gastrointestinal tract quicker or slower than other foods. Although it’s also bulking up the stool or keeping is softer. Those who have had bowel surgery sometimes need to be careful and try to find a balance. Using low or high residue might be one way of speeding things up or slowing things down – but please take advice. Read more here or click on the picture.
Disclaimer
I am not a doctor or any form of medical professional, practitioner or counsellor. None of the information on my website, or linked to my website(s), or conveyed by me on any social media or presentation, should be interpreted as medical advice given or advised by me.
Neither should any post or comment made by a follower or member of my private group be assumed to be medical advice, even if that person is a healthcare professional.
Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the counter drugs and supplements such as vitamins and minerals.
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Top 10 Posts & Pages in the last 48 hours (auto updates) (Click the titles to read them)
Thanks for reading.
Personal Facebook. Like this page please.
Blog Facebook. Like this page please.
Awareness Facebook Like this page please.
Sign up for my newsletters – Click Here
My Diagnosis and Treatment History
Check out my online presentations
Check out my WEGO Health Awards
Check out my Glossary of Terms – click here
Please Share this post for Neuroendocrine Cancer awareness and to help another patient
Things are not always how they seem
Graphic courtesy of SoBadAss.me (Sam Cleasby) In 2014, Chris and I walked 84 miles along Hadrian’s Wall on the English/Scottish border. It was a fantastic
Neuroendocrine Cancer Online Forums: frighteningly good or good at frightening?
OPINION When I was diagnosed, I was happy with my own research and kept away from forums on the advice of a fellow patient who
Colonoscopy Comedy
Last year I wrote a series of articles on the ‘coping’ side of cancer, one of which was about still being able to have a
Surgery – the gift that keeps on giving
I first wrote this article in December 2014. My thoughts went back to my first surgery in 2010 when I was discharged 4 weeks before
Piss off cancer, it’s 13 years since my liver surgery!
I’m still here I was 54 years and 9 months old at diagnosis on 26th July 2010. For the first few months, I had no
Chocolate – the NET effect
I’ve always had a ‘sweet tooth’ and the softer the sweet the better – toffee, marshmallows, chocolate, jelly babies, jelly beans, fruit pastilles, fudge, liquorice
A Phase 2 Open Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of 212Pb-DOTAMTATE (alpha-emitter) in Subjects With Somatostatin Receptor Positive NETs
Update 12th January 2024 FDA Grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to AlphaMedix for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Lung and other Non-GEPNETs – see author’s comments below)
A Review of March 2024 on RonnyAllan.NET
I’m thankful to the loyal supporters on my blog site and the other social media sites day and night (and I do note some doing
From Whipple to Waikiki by Jerry Chezick. Surf’s up!
An essay by Jerry CrezickJerry is a Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) patient recovering after a Whipple operation carreid out early 2022. He soon realised he
Please Share this post for Neuroendocrine Cancer awareness and to help another patient
Discover more from Ronny Allan - Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
I had severe cramping and nausea of the abdomen four years ago. I did the nettest three times and had a score of 87. All my scans and mri s have been clean. Despite a high fiber diet and exercise I have started having constipation. Is that a sign of neuroendocrine cancer. Thank you. Panicked because I have a young teenage son who needs me…..
Too much fibre might be playing a part https://ronnyallan.net/2022/06/07/low-and-high-residue-foods/
First let me thank you for this valuable source of unformation and support and wish you all the best!
Constipation could actually be a syptom of a NET. That is why many people are not diagnosed early. Doctors are looking for diarrhea and flushing; none of which I had had for 22 months before somebody bothered to check my HIAA5 levels.
My symptoms were (and remain): abdominal distention (it’s not always due to gas or fluids), dull pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen that radiates towards right (it’s like it starts in the part where the pancreas, gallbladder and the liver “meet” and then just “follows the liver”), sluggish movement in the GI tract (food stays too long everywhere), bowel movements that are incomplete and hard (not reacting to ANY types of laxatives, with slight improvement when using certain kind pf probiotics and during short periods).
I was diagnosed two days ago and since all of my results (PET scan, IRM, utra-sound, various blood tests…) are OK, they need to do more serious ones to find the primary tumor and see if it has metastasized.
So glad to read a NETs post addressing this issue. When I was diagnosed with a midgut NET they insisted I must have severe diarrhea and would not believe me when I said I was constipated. Two years on and all the experts I see still don’t acknowledge constipation as a symptom of NETs. Why?
Probably because it’s never reported in any great numbers. I think it’s more of a complication of treatment (side effect/consequence)
I’m now a year in from having largely sorted this problem out, and I recommend anyone to try this. Quite simply, I base almost my entire diet on fruit (fresh or dried), nuts, veg, and salad, and increased motility is almost inevitable. I’ve also reduced carb intake and dairy radically, which I think help. I have not had to use stool-softening Lactulose throughout the whole time I’ve made this change, which I’m really pleased about.
As well as all these benefits, I’m on at least double (sometime treble) the recommended 5 portions of fruit/veg per day, and this cannot be a bad thing in general health terms.
I’d be interested whether anyone else finds this beneficial
Alan – as you said in an earlier comment “Everyone’s different” and I think this is very true with NET patients. Personally, I like to make sure I have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fat (yes you do need some although I have cut down ….. there’s fat in vegetables apparently!).
Ronny, and all others dealing with constipation, I had really bad constipation issues for more than 20 years. Doctors recommended all kinds of things from bulking agents to Senna to prescriptions. I blamed in on being hypothyroid, and that probably had something to do with it. Changing to a natural thyroid product helped a little bit, but not much. The biggest help for me was to take a healthy dose of magnesium citrate every single day, mid-afternoon. I take one called Calm Magnesium, a powder that is mixed in a glass of water. It has turned my life around and I hardly ever have an episode of constipation. That brand may not be available in the UK, but surely your pharmacy has something similar. You might give it a try and see if it helps. Good luck!
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.js
In spite of maintaining a high fibre diet, I have had to resort to using a stool softener on a regular basis. Though my calcium supplement may contribute to constipation, it’s likely that the main cause is my blood pressure medication and/or my monthly Sandostatin injection. Since those are not things that I can go without, the mild stool softener prescribed by my doctor was added to my regimen. Fortunately, it has been quite effective and hasn’t had any ill effects.
Good post Ronny.
After major debulking two years ago, I started to experience constipation to the extent where it was sometimes a real problem to live with..There seemed little I could do to increase motility, including increased walking. I have always been fond of a high-fibre diet, so there was no easy solution via change there.
When I mentioned it to my NET specialists their first reaction was to specify camera scans of the gut to check for blockages that might not show up in contrasted CT scans designed to highlight NET-related problems. Happily, nothing could be found, so I fell back on my original thought that the problem is related to my Lanreotide dose.
To explain…..I have been on a high dose (120Mg @ 4 weeks) for a long period, both prior to and after the debulking surgery. While at one this dose would have been needed to combat the diarrhea symptoms caused by a large tumour load, my logic is that a reduced diarrhea impulse post-debulking means I am taking more Lanreotide than I need. I discussed my idea of reducing the dose, but apparently tests have proven that 120 Mg is the optimum does for deterring tumour growth, so it is recommended I continue at that level (and it seems to be having some good effects).
However, to deal with ‘where we are now’, I’ve consulted my GP and been prescribed Lactulose, which everyone on here is probably familiar with…. it’s the sweet-tasting liquid laxative that you’re given in hospital if constipation sets in (e.g. due to taking lots of painkillers). This at least makes it feasible to live with constipation, by loosening things up
Thanks Alan, interesting. I’m actually on 90 mg, always have been. 120mg is in reserve. I will never take Lactulose again, weird side effects! Hope you have better luck than me 😐
Everyone’s different, so side effects tend to be unpredictable I guess!
Yes, not too many blog posts on this. I find that I don’t know why it’s happening so, I am unable to post. When I see the doctors…..I get nothing except medication. No answers. Maybe they don’t have them either? Thanks for the post Ronny. Here’s what helps me. I eat a diet that leans toward a large helping of veggies and take a stool softener and laxative every day. I adjust dosages based on my symptoms. It’s hard to make good adjustments without swinging completely the other way. Either way, I end up stuck in the house. It’s frustrating.
Thanks for the post.
Nice to see a discussion of this! I’m with you on this and am following to see your conclusions. One thing I’ve figured out…a little loose is better than not!
totally!
Yip that’s me. I have to be careful not to run out of bran, and salads.
Yip Ronnie constipation is no joke. I am a phaeo patient with constipation. It was at its worst following surgery, it was called post op illius or huffy bowels. I can have bran for breakfast, salad for lunch and dinner, drink gallons of water and still have issues. It is kind of under control now.
Im currently hospitalized for fifth time this summer do to adhesions from abdominal adhesions, extremely painful!!! Decoded to operate but found out I’m malnourished, low pre albumin numbers and can’t operate til those get better. It’s a vicious circle. And, they can cover back again once removed
Get well soon. I too have adhesions but so far (fingers crossed) they are not up to any mischief. My next scan will be interesting though given this year’s issues. Good luck with your treatment
Good honest blog Ronny, these issues need to be talked about. Haven’t had a problem with it myself for a good few years, but according to Zoe Harcombe vitc is good to get things moving.
I think the issue is a bit more than just to get things moving. Things are mostly moving, its the feeling that things are still left to move (incomplete emptying) that I’m assessing. Depending on the gap between BMs or what I’ve eaten, it’s like and D and C in the same BM!! This is actually an IBS symptom.
I know the feeling of the not emptying its very frustrating, still constantly on the toilet but for very little relief. Had it a lot before the D kicked in big time, and then you’re wondering where it all comes from. A hard one to solve, especially when it’s combined, and I haven’t had surgery. Fingers crossed that you can get a this resolved quickly.