Dearest contributors , I can’t thank you enough for all your earlier help and advice. I thought I would do an update. I came through op (TAH, BSO) and bowl dissection (not sure of the difference between dissection and resection). May have to have Blood transfusion because haemoglobin levels low. Seriously worried about constipation going forward - not just in the hospital (have not passed a motion yet) . Tips/advice most welcome. Histology results maybe back by Friday this week or early next week.
I also want to say a heartfelt thanks - to all the ladies who made me feel less alone and whose courage and all round resilience, I salute. Please know that your posts and replies made a real difference. 😊😊😊👍
Hiya. Well done for making it out the other side of the big surgery. The first few days can be uncomfortable, what with the million tubes and tethers and IVs, but most annoying to me was the inactive bowel.
My surgeon warned me about it though.. said the bowel doesn't like being handled. Took a week after my first op to get it going again, and a colonic irrigation. You might not get much to eat either right now, so it may just take a few days to get a motion again.
Check if you can have peppermint tea, to help with wind if that's a concern. Otherwise I'd say move, drink and eat as much as you are allowed, and ask whether a stool softener (e. g. Movicol) or laxative is available.
Going forward, after the hospital, I found movicol to be my new best friend in the bowel/constipation department. One to two satchets to get a light constipation moving.. more if things are fairly dire. Might be different for everyone / you though.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Xx. Maus.
Thanks for this and the speedy response. I think I am going to be prescribed sodium docusate for the constipation. Do you know if you are allowed to use glycerin much suppositories if things get really bad? Thanks for all the good wishes. The advice really helps- it is a scary time😊😊😊
Hm I guess that depends on the state of your bowels (thinking of the operation impact). Without resection/dissection I was offered pretty much the full range... stool softeners/Movicol, laxatives and suppositories/enemas as needed. I'd check with the doctors. It will start working again, promise.
xx. Maus
😀😀😀thanks - appreciate the info
Hi,
I was given suppositories before I left hospital - they wouldn’t let me leave without a bowel movement so I was happy to use them. As with all things though, check with medical folk before self medicating.
I’m back on chemo now and use Movicol just before and for a week after. I also take a couple of sodium docusate most days, I had a night in hospital after the first lot of this chemo with constipation/suspected bowel blockage so will do anything to avoid that!
It will resolve itself soon, best wishes, Ali x