Alternatives to peppermint? Post lap tips.

[Erin-Mum]

My 14 year old has her first lap tomorrow (I am pleased and worried at the same time) and I've been reading all the post lap posts, many suggesting peppermint to help relieve gas - she hates mint! Anyone got any good alternatives, actually any other useful tips gratefully received - off to the shops later to ensure supplies in place!

[nayjay]

The only other thing I know of that really helps is moving around! Helps to get it all moving, even though it's sore! I Wish her all the best xxx

[Impatient]

I didn't have either, I don't drink tea.

sorry to be graphic but so long as she farts and burps that gas out at every opportunity it won't take long to shift the gas.

Windeze tablets may help, but it isn't essential.

The biggest hurdle is actually shyness, not wanting to parp in public, when in fact it really is the quickest way to clear that gas out and be rid of the gas pains.

it's exactly the same gas as in fizzy pop drinks, and being the polite ladies that we are, we tend to hold on to gas till we have a private moment to release it, but in all honestly having had a number of ops, there is nothing better for your daughter than just letting it out at every hint of needing to.

If your daughter is sent home the same day, then she's in the privacy of home and it matters not at about being shy and she can pass wind which ever direction it gets to, but even if she is in the ward and kept in overnight, getting that gas shifted is the No.1 priority and she must overcome the polite urge to hold it in for fear of farting or burping audibly. She will feel so much better pain wise once the gas is out of her body.

it should be looked at as part of the operation process, and an essential thing to do.

The next essential aspects are keeping active - taking regular short walks, in the ward, at home, down the garden and back. Every hour or two. Yes it will hurt at 1st but it does get easier and is a huge boost to recovery and wellbeing and circulation.

And wound care: keeping wounds free of infections is a very high priority, and in the event any one of the wounds shows a hint of infection - straight to the GP for antibiotics. Don't use a wait and see approach because once these infections have a chance to take hold it can take months to shift them...and it doesn't take long for an infection to become a problem. Best avoid that if at all possible.

I wish her the best of luck for tomorrow and a speedy recovery afterwards.

[Erin-Mum]

Thanks for the tips. Impatient, at least it brought a smile to her face knowing that she's to 'let go' at every opportunity!

[daffodil]

Fennel and aniseed and also chamomile teas are all helpful.Gripe water( used for babies colic ) is also very helpful,but as Impatient says the only sure way is to get it all out !!

Wishing your daughter all the very best for tomorrow.Sending you both a big hug.

[Erin-Mum]

Big thanks Daffodil - first on the list tomorrow morning and tensions running a bit high here this evening!

[magnetta]

I don't know if there is a medical reason to avoid caffeine but I find green tea helpful for tummy problems in general!

[Miwa]

The best thing I use is slippery elm tablets which you can get from health food stores it's completely natural from the bark if a tree and is safe for children to take. My god daughter had dreadful IBS and taking the slippery elm got rid of her symptoms. The other thing to do is a couple of exercises. Laying on her back with her knees bent up feet on the bed roll her knees together to one side then the other within her pain limits up 10 ten times each side. Also lying on her back rubbing her tummy in a clockwise direction in large circles moves the wind round her down her bowel (I'm a women's health Physio) hope this helps xxx

[curlyjo]

I had some gas pain the first night after my lap and raising your hips a bit higher seems to relieve the pain in your shoulders. Also I swung my arms in large circles clockwise and anti-clockwise which really helped. Buscopan is another alternative to peppermint and good for helping get the wind out. Could she take peppermint capsules and just swallow them whole?

My gas pain went really quickly so hopefully it'll be the same for your daughter.

[LeyaC]

I tried all of these and they didn't work, I also couldn't move for 3 days after my lap and only started walking around (more than just to the loo) around 4-5 days later. I found that whilst I was laid up, I would drink flat coca cola. You could go and get a share size bottle, not too big but not too small and just leave the cap loose, nearly off and ut lets the fizz out or keep shaking it up and letting the fizz out. I know it sounds strange because you need the wind out but the flatness of it helps a lit more. A nurse told me that and said something about the coke helps the stomach lining ti absorb the gasses. Different things work but definitely try everything you can and want to.

Good luck to your daughter, she's very young ti be having a lap (I was 16) so she may be scared about what they're going to find. I hope they can help her and that she recovers well and fast.

Leya xxx

Ps. If ever either of you want to message someone to have a chat, I answer almost straight away and love to talk so don't hesitate to message any of us because we all like to be there for everyone.

[Impatient]

Hi Erin Mum..... how did it go? Hope your daughter is home and on the mend by now.

[Erin-Mum]

Thank you, yes, home and already happier. Was in surgery for 1 1/2 hrs and he found widespread superficial Endo which he removed. He seemed happy with it and already Erin says that her pain feels different - in that the constant gnawing pain is replaced by the pain from the op. He says that hopefully this should help for a few years - hopefully long enough to get through her education (having missed virtually all of this academic year)

So, apart from the obvious pain from the op and the gas, we are optimistic tonight. Btw the hospital staff, without exception, were so kind and helpful to a very scared 14 yr old, allowing an iPad in the anesthetic room, holding hands and rubbing knees (and bringing a concerned mummy tea and digestives!). Thank goodness that we spotted the symptoms and asked the questions when we did - although the last 7 months have been really traumatic, it has only been 7 months to get this far, which I truly believe is so much luckier than many other ladies on this site. Now, when and if it returns we will be so much better prepared and informed.

Here's hoping for a swift recovery and thanks to everyone (even the other qustion posters) for all the help and advice

Hugs Lu & Erin x

[Impatient]

Lovely to hear the news. Speedy recovery to Lu.

So pleased she got a diagnosis so young. what a difference that can make to her life ahead knowing what is going on inside and what she can do to battle endo.

not nice at all to face a surgery so young, but certainly much better than suffering for years and years till someone does something about it. Get Well Soon.

[Brownlow]

Great to hear that she already feels better albeit perhaps with some surgery pain. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. You're a great Mum! xx