Guts won't restart properly after op

[XDjames]

I just had a minor op (Wednesday) when they numbed my bum (and around there, interesting).

Now possibly due to painkillers that I tried to avoid I can't get things going -one nurse gave me tramadol assuring me it's fine for constipation (not, I trusted).

They gave me a load of dulcolax tablets in the hospital, been mixing with pico liquid (strong) and senna.

I needed an enema on Friday (like firing a barrage of pellets) then yesterday tried again, fired some lumps through.

Now it doesn't work and it's excruciating, partly from the trauma but I suspect still stuck as very little coming through.

IBS-C could be even worse than IBS-D!

How do you deal with it? Looking for suggestions from IBS sufferers as it's particularly bad for us.

Bit desperate here as it's painful and hard/impossible to rest.

Walks -check. Lying in all poses -check. Knees above hips on loo -check.

[Jackie1612]

sorry to hear this XDjames

My IBS is “mixed” and the C is just as troublesome. Sorry, no real solutions other than drinking lots and lots and lots of water throughout the day.

A friend recommended Movicol but as you know, laxatives can be tricky for IBS sufferers.

it will get better, I hope very soon

[xjrs]

Sorry to hear that. As a short term measure you can try magnesium oxide which acts as an osmostic laxative. I used to take MyVitamins Magnesium Oxide:

myvitamins.com/vitamins/mag...

for a regular bowel movement when having to be low fibre. Unfortunately these are out of stock at the moment. Each tablet contains 100mg of magnesium oxide, which is useful in finding your tolerance level. I used to start around 800mg at bed time on an empty stomach, then increment by 100mg (1 pill) each night until I got a response the next morning or the morning after. Most of it goes straight to your bowels where it draws in water to bulk out stools.

I've just done a google search for alternative products that have a lower doses to be able to titrate:

100mg

dolphinfitness.co.uk/en/hea...

166mg:

mobu.co.uk/products/magnesi...

100mg

ukhealthhouse.com/products/...

100mg

herbworks-uk.com/products/m...

I haven't tried any of the above, but can recommend dolphin fitness as a supplier. The oxide is better and any magnesium citrate may not work since it is more absorbable.

VERY IMPORTANT: Magnesium oxide can reduce absorbaility of some medications including antibiotics, so best to take hours away from any of these or may not be possible to take if you need to take some medications at bed time.

[XDjames in reply to xjrs]

hanks for the advice!

[MyStar86]

you can also use milk of magnesia available in most pharmacies and it tells you on the bottle what dosage to use as a laxative I used to take one cap full at bed time then I would go like a rocket the next day as it’s always needed after surgery so it’s definitely worth a try and it’s easy to get hold of but the only laxative that’s ever worked for me without any added side effects just make sure you drink lots of fluids. Good luck

[Scampmummy]

hi, have you tried Lactulose 3.1-3.7g/5ml oral solution

Take one-three 5ml spoonfuls once or twice a day to keep stools soft as directed. ‐ 500 ml

This is what my GP prescribed for me. It’s a syrup and easy to take.

Wishing you well