Last year I had surgery for testicular cancer. I didn't have to do radiation or chemo. At my cancer screening this week they found a new mass. I have a biopsy tomorrow and my doc called this morning and said the tumor markers were elevated and that it's most likely cancer. So I most likely will be starting chemo next week. Can anyone share their experience with chemo and how it affects our pouch and digestive system? If anyone could even share via private message I would be grateful. I gone through hell before with illness so I know I can handle whatever this brings with it. I'm just really nervous about how it's going to affect my pouch and how things work. Any information is much appreciated!
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I had rituxan chemo for follicullar lymphoma a year ago and it was not a problem for the pouch.
I dont believe chemo is typically much of a problem for the pouch itself. The side effects of chemo can often (both C. and D. depending on the drug and individual) affect the consistency of the stool and that is why most people, if they have to undergo chemo, after colon/rectal surgery that involves having temp loop ileo wait to be reconnected until the chemo is completed. It is simply often easier to manage a loop ileo than the effects of the chemo on the bowels. That was what I did. A bigger concern would be if you have to undergo radiation or chemo-radiation. This would depend on if the mass is located in an area that would irradiate the pouch. The small bowel is much more sensitive to radiation than is the large. I would hope that is not needed. Good luck.
Justin,
I had chemo 3 months after my J-Pouch surgery and it caused severe cramping and diarrhea for only one day. There was a delayed effect and the symptoms didn't start until about 3 or 4 days after the treatment. It lasted only one day and the rest of the time I was fine. I was working full time after awhile and had no other problems. Keep in mind however, that you most likely will be getting a different type of chemo but I just wanted to tell you about my experience.
I don't think the chemo would cause any permanent damage on your pouch and I may not have had the trouble I did have if my pouch was not in its first year of its existence.
I hope all goes well with you and you hang in there. You didn't need this but it seems so many of us have to deal with other issues after our pouch formation. We are all here to offer support.
Donna
I had chemo 3 months after my J-Pouch surgery and it caused severe cramping and diarrhea for only one day. There was a delayed effect and the symptoms didn't start until about 3 or 4 days after the treatment. It lasted only one day and the rest of the time I was fine. I was working full time after awhile and had no other problems. Keep in mind however, that you most likely will be getting a different type of chemo but I just wanted to tell you about my experience.
I don't think the chemo would cause any permanent damage on your pouch and I may not have had the trouble I did have if my pouch was not in its first year of its existence.
I hope all goes well with you and you hang in there. You didn't need this but it seems so many of us have to deal with other issues after our pouch formation. We are all here to offer support.
Donna
Thank you all for the feedback. Very helpful!
Chemo shouldn't bother you, maybe side effects of diarrhea that people with a colon can even get.
Radiation is what can possibly be bad since it can damage the sphincter. When I was considering a jpouch when I was first diagnosed they wanted me to do the chemo and possible radiation first if I was beyond stage 1 rectal cancer after doing the ileostomy surgery. To hopefully prevent that from happening.
Radiation is what can possibly be bad since it can damage the sphincter. When I was considering a jpouch when I was first diagnosed they wanted me to do the chemo and possible radiation first if I was beyond stage 1 rectal cancer after doing the ileostomy surgery. To hopefully prevent that from happening.