Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) Support Group
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), also known as acute myeloid leukemia, is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells. Patients with AML usually present with symptoms such as fatigue, bleeding, infection, prompting medical attention. An abnormal blood test reading will then result in further testing in a hospital with a hematologist to determine AML.
Recommendation for those suffering severe diarrhea while in treatment.
Well, this is a sensitive topic and I can't think of any super polite way to address it, so excuse my blunt and frank discussion. I was overcome with bouts of diarrhea during my treatment. The biggest problem, even aside from the fact that I was in full-time diapers for a while, was the breakdown of the skin from the diarrhea. When the skin had to be cleansed (from the ever occurring diarrhea), it was excruciatingly painful. I couldnt find any alternative way to get around this.
This went on through the first induction and subsequent consolidation treatments, then the second induction and consolidation treatment before transplant, so it is something that I dealt with repeatedly, and I dreaded this pain associated with the diarrhea with each treatment. I was given special creams to protect the skin but that didnt solve the washing of the skin problem or the pain involved.
When I went to another hospital for transplant (with more chemo and more diarrhea), I was given a cleansing foam that was, to me, a miracle product. The nurse told me to put some of the foam on a tissue before wiping. No pain and soothing to the skin. Dissolves fecal matter instantly.
For anyone having this sensitive problem during treatment, here is the product information. It can be purchased online if your hospital does not have it. The 8oz size is more than enough. I was also given a cream by the same company that I thought was the best cream.
Product Details from company:
Aloe Vesta 3-N-1 Cleansing Foam, 8 Oz (this bottle has a #1 on it)
One product for total body cleansing that is gentle and ready to use. A no-rinse cleanser for all-over body, hair and perineum.
Its no-rinse formula is pH balanced and enriched with aloe and emollients designed to leave skin feeling clean and fresh.
Aloe Vesta 2-n-1 Protective Ointment (this tube has a #3 on it)
Soothes red, sore or irritated skin from urine burns, diaper rash, feces and other irritants
Provides protection as a moisture barrier
Conditions the skin while repelling moisture
Most useful in areas of the body that are frequently exposed to moisture
Suitable for common sites of maceration, including perineal skin, breast/skin folds, skin surrounding wound sites, skin surrounding tube or drain sites, and between the toes
2- oz. tube
Well, this is a sensitive topic and I can't think of any super polite way to address it, so excuse my blunt and frank discussion. I was overcome with bouts of diarrhea during my treatment. The biggest problem, even aside from the fact that I was in full-time diapers for a while, was the breakdown of the skin from the diarrhea. When the skin had to be cleansed (from the ever occurring diarrhea), it was excruciatingly painful. I couldnt find any alternative way to get around this.
This went on through the first induction and subsequent consolidation treatments, then the second induction and consolidation treatment before transplant, so it is something that I dealt with repeatedly, and I dreaded this pain associated with the diarrhea with each treatment. I was given special creams to protect the skin but that didnt solve the washing of the skin problem or the pain involved.
When I went to another hospital for transplant (with more chemo and more diarrhea), I was given a cleansing foam that was, to me, a miracle product. The nurse told me to put some of the foam on a tissue before wiping. No pain and soothing to the skin. Dissolves fecal matter instantly.
For anyone having this sensitive problem during treatment, here is the product information. It can be purchased online if your hospital does not have it. The 8oz size is more than enough. I was also given a cream by the same company that I thought was the best cream.
Product Details from company:
Aloe Vesta 3-N-1 Cleansing Foam, 8 Oz (this bottle has a #1 on it)
One product for total body cleansing that is gentle and ready to use. A no-rinse cleanser for all-over body, hair and perineum.
Its no-rinse formula is pH balanced and enriched with aloe and emollients designed to leave skin feeling clean and fresh.
Aloe Vesta 2-n-1 Protective Ointment (this tube has a #3 on it)
Soothes red, sore or irritated skin from urine burns, diaper rash, feces and other irritants
Provides protection as a moisture barrier
Conditions the skin while repelling moisture
Most useful in areas of the body that are frequently exposed to moisture
Suitable for common sites of maceration, including perineal skin, breast/skin folds, skin surrounding wound sites, skin surrounding tube or drain sites, and between the toes
2- oz. tube
Great suggestion Therese. The diarrhea is a serious problem for all of us who get chemo and was especially bad after I got the radiation. My skin never broke down, but the diarrhea was beyond belief. I think that everyone who goes into the hospital for induction or preparation for transplant should come with a pack of Depends. It makes life so much easier. Nothing to be embarrassed about. It comes with the territory. Had I known, I could have prepared. I don't know what's worse....knowing or not knowing what to expect. I favor the former, but most of us never have that option. It just happens.
Cliff
Not a pleasant subject but it may help others in the future.
Nicole
Anyone going through this annoying diarrheal phase of treatment (and I have yet to find one that has avoided this) should also get some baby powder. After drying the area in question (ugh) with a cool setting of a hairdryer (no joke, it helps) some light powdering will help keep the area dry. Yeast infections just love to set in in moist areas and this will help keep them at bay. The drier, the better. That doesn't mean that you cannot use a soothing lotion. Lotions are water soluble and the water will evaporate from the lotion, leaving a protective and soothing coating. The powder can be applied right on top of that.
Cliff
Thanks for mentioning this product. I was fortunate that the nurses gave it to me before I left the hospital (2bottles). They also gave me the pads to use, which were a Godsend! I ordered depends and chuck pads before I left the hospital because I was so afraid of ruining my own bed.
I am actually a recovering hemorrhoidectomy patient , so I had another major issue as well, the dreaded return. I routinely use a sitz bath after going to the bathroom. It makes me feel completely cleansed and then I dry myself completely, use only cotton undergarments and it seems to do the trick. My soreness has been significantly reduced. Thanks again for the product info. I will look it up, so I have a supply on hand.
Andrea Bozzi
Thanks for the advice. I also went through the diarrhea with induction, and the second time had the diapers also with very sore butt. Though now I don't have diarrhea I still get a sore butt on occasion if I don't do a good washing afterwards. Will try out this product.
Oh yah, I don't believe there is any subject that is too sensitive for this group as I bet someone else would have experienced it.
Side bar - Dr. E. Donnall Thomas died at 92, a doctor I didn't know as I bet most of us didn't but to whom some of us owe our lives. In the 50's his work showed that Bone Marrow Transplant worked and could be a cure for some forms of blood cancer, for which he got a Nobel Prize.
Ollie
Hey if we can't talk about diarrhea here, then we can't talk about it anywhere. I had lots of diarrhea, especially with my acute GvHd. I would have loved that cleanser. My skin breaks down a lot. Every dressing I had caused skin tears. I wonder if the cream would protect the skin from adhesive. They put all the extra sensitive bandages on me and still had tons of skin break down. Not so much fun. Oh, you know what's not fun at all and really painful, have diahhrea and then be given an enema for a colonoscopy. Yuck!
Abby