Cancer

[sherbearmama]

Hi. I just had a bilateral mastectomy a few days ago and am in a great deal of pain. Having trouble eating as everything seems to make me very gassy and bloated. Would flagyl be a good option? Any mild food suggestions? All seems to trigger severe gas.

[goodkel]

No, no , no. Flagyl is an antibiotic and should be used sparingly and only for bacterial issues.

You don't want to build up a resistance to it. Especially now with your immune system compromised.

Stay away from carbs. Try scrambled eggs, dark meat chicken, and broth. Full fat yogurt might help. Look on the Recipe board for Val's Ricotta Fluff.

Remember that this is temporary. I am sure that you are on some type of rx pain reliever. Morphine and its derivatives (oxy-whatever) as well as the anesthesia you had in the hospital can mess up our digestive systems. Many people report constipation which can also cause your symptoms.

If you are not taking Prilosec/Omeprazole twice daily, start now. Also be sure to take 500mg of Magnesium Oxide a day to keep things moving out.

It won't always be like this. Promise.

[sherbearmama]

Thank you for the helpful response! I ended up going another week with extreme flatulence every time I ate anything. I was living on eggs only and still experienced it. I had used flagyl in the past when I'd go a few weeks with similar symptoms (including painful and regular soft serve stool) and it always worked. So I asked my doctor and he put me on a low dose of flagy--cleared it right up. I haven't had any issues since (that was weeks ago) and am eating normally including the few carbs I include in my diet.

I'm doing well now--healing and trying to build up my stamina. My weight is very low--I'm 5 foot 4 and weigh about 107 pounds. I don't tolerate most protein shakes but found one by Organics (I think that's the brand) that is plant based. I LOVE it and it causes no intestinal issues. So I'm loading up on protein shakes plus lots of protein (I eat cottage cheese whenever I get a free moment) and hopefully will start gaining weight soon. I never thought I'd have an issue with me needing to GAIN weight. My appetite is very low so it feels like a chore to eat. But I'm getting there. Also taking all of the recommended vitamins. I had two hospital stays after my initial surgery because of infection but I'm doing great now! I take nothing for granted so I play it day by day but I feel very thankful for my life, my health, and for your great advice.

If I don't gain weight (or continue to lose it) I'll have to see a specialist. At the present time the doctors aren't focused on that part of my health (it's a real trouble for me as I'm concerned about the impact and about going lower). I'm the same weight now that I was the day I walked into surgery. We'll see. Again, any advice you have to offer will be appreciated.

Again,

Thank you so much!

Sheri

[Melinda]

Sheri,

How are you today?? Are you all healed up? How is your weight?