a "poo" question

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leesag
leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Ok, this is day 3 for solid foods, lots of gas, no poo. Have taken two colace each day, and two percocet each day. Hubby wants me to go to the Milkof Magnesia, but I seem to remember the doctor saying give the colace three days. Also, I stopped the percocet today. There was a small spot on my bowel that was removed, but it was oversewn (whatever that means). Also, still have catheter in. Any advice, suggestions, encouragement?

Thanks ladies! I know this is kind of a crappy question to be asking in the grand scheme of things! ;)

Leesa

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
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    YUK, A CATHETER!
    You poor thing. Sounds like you're dealing with a lot. And NO question is without merit.

    Anyway, that's the thing with these oral meds - they take a long time to get through your system and sometimes you need immediate relief. Once you start the solids, it does take a while. But just so you don't get backed up, you might want to ask your doctor if you can try PhosphaSoda. It's yucky, but a very small bottle and works within 6 hours. Still need to drink lots of water with it, but it does work.

    Hope you find some relief. And I hope you recover quickly so you can get this catheter out.

    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
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    Hi, Leesa! Walgreens brand
    Hi, Leesa! Walgreens brand Magnesium citrate oral solution did work for me back in february,2007. Wish you best, love Zina.

    P.S. But always "OK" by your doc.
  • froggy1
    froggy1 Member Posts: 205
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    Poo
    Hi Leesa,
    This poo thing is very tricky! I think you have to be very careful with after surgery poo. If you get too aggressive, you will find yourself in a lot of pain from the gas created.
    The percocet binds you up, so if you have stopped that, you may see progress.
    My gyn group is a big believer in Senocot-S, which is a natural vegatable laxative. If you are going to start chemo, you will be dealing with constipation regularly. I use a lot of Miralax. I find that it works the best without creating pain.
    I would consult my doctor or nurse, as everybody's situation is different, especially after major surgery. What is appropriate for daily living is not always right for after surgery.
    We can all give you tips, but this bowel issue is different for all. It is such a trial and error process. I had bowel obstruction surgery and still have not figured out the right diet that works for me!
    Best of luck to you. You seem to be progessing really well! Luv, Froggy
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
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    poo
    Hi Leesa, I wouldn't eat any more solid foods, if it were me, until the poo comes out, just speaking from experience. I was very hungry and solids tasted so good, I kept eating solids even though I was not having a BM, and got impacted, after my first surgery. Doc had to go in with his hand and remove the poo. Almost had to go to OR to do it. I never want to do that again, so could be my "trauma" button and so I am super careful.


    Even with chemo, I deal with bowel issues and watch the poo exits to determine my food intake for the next day. LOL:)
    Going off the percocet will help with the bowels moving too.
    My two cents,
    kathleen:)
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
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    Stopping the percocet will
    Stopping the percocet will help 'cuz they slow down the digestive process. I remember being in pain from the gas and feeling constipated at this point in the recovery. Day 3 after solids was the magic "poo" day for me. It wasn't big but was a relief. Also for me: the gas continued after the first poo...it took a over a week to get back to a somewhat normal cycle. You should call the doctor if nothing happens after the third day. I hated the catheter but when they take it out you will be going potty a lot and the walk to the bathroom made me appreciate the cath!:) How are you feeling? Do you have a half circle around your belly button? Do you have a pain med to take besides the percocets?
    MK
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
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    Mineral Oil
    When I had really bad constipation over Thanksgiving after taking percoset for a while, I followed a nurse's suggestion to use mineral oil, and it did the trick. I also purchased Miralax and Senna and used them, and I routinely take Senna with percocet when I use it.

    Sue
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
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    MK_4Dani said:

    Stopping the percocet will
    Stopping the percocet will help 'cuz they slow down the digestive process. I remember being in pain from the gas and feeling constipated at this point in the recovery. Day 3 after solids was the magic "poo" day for me. It wasn't big but was a relief. Also for me: the gas continued after the first poo...it took a over a week to get back to a somewhat normal cycle. You should call the doctor if nothing happens after the third day. I hated the catheter but when they take it out you will be going potty a lot and the walk to the bathroom made me appreciate the cath!:) How are you feeling? Do you have a half circle around your belly button? Do you have a pain med to take besides the percocets?
    MK

    update after talking to doctor's nurse
    If there is still no "poo" by tomorrow, she recommends a double dose of milk of magnesia. We'll be doing that in the am so I'm awake when it kicks in.

    I've stopped the percocets and am now only taking motrin. My husband says that there is kind of a half circle around my belly button, but I still have one. I really only started eating full solid meals yesterday and today.

    So I guess I won't worry until it's time to worry!

    Thanks!

    Leesa
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
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    leesag said:

    update after talking to doctor's nurse
    If there is still no "poo" by tomorrow, she recommends a double dose of milk of magnesia. We'll be doing that in the am so I'm awake when it kicks in.

    I've stopped the percocets and am now only taking motrin. My husband says that there is kind of a half circle around my belly button, but I still have one. I really only started eating full solid meals yesterday and today.

    So I guess I won't worry until it's time to worry!

    Thanks!

    Leesa

    that old poo thing
    Hi Leesa,

    I hope that your poo issue resolves itself quickly. I have been having a terrible time with each carbo/taxol infusion and it can become so very painful.
    (((HUGS)))) Maria

    PS... poo or no poo, I'm so glad you're surgery is over and you are home!
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
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    Prune Juice and Warm Water
    I realize it's been a few days, but prune juice and warm water is what worked! Within an hour! ;)
  • NancyC
    NancyC Member Posts: 10
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    leesag said:

    Prune Juice and Warm Water
    I realize it's been a few days, but prune juice and warm water is what worked! Within an hour! ;)

    poo
    I take Miralax daily beginning 2 days before chemo and continue. The Miralax takes me a couple days to work through my system. If this doesn't work, I will do a Dulcolax laxative suppository which does the trick within an hour. I do not do both Miralax and Ducolax on the same day. Dulcolax also has a stool softener, but that two takes a day or two to work through your system.
  • laflor18
    laflor18 Member Posts: 9
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    Catherer question please.
    Hi,my second time around with ovarian cancer,trouble unrinating,flow is slow,etc. Why the catherer? If you don't mine me asking. I'm so glad you brought up the Poo question. I would not have been able to ask it. I am very new to this program. Ladies so glad you are out there to help. Some doctors... know not how to handle us women! I usually try some V8 juice, more vegetables and less solid foods like meats. I was also told to take stool softeners. 4 in the morning 3 in lunch time, than 4 or 5 at bedtime, daily. Helps alot
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
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    laflor18 said:

    Catherer question please.
    Hi,my second time around with ovarian cancer,trouble unrinating,flow is slow,etc. Why the catherer? If you don't mine me asking. I'm so glad you brought up the Poo question. I would not have been able to ask it. I am very new to this program. Ladies so glad you are out there to help. Some doctors... know not how to handle us women! I usually try some V8 juice, more vegetables and less solid foods like meats. I was also told to take stool softeners. 4 in the morning 3 in lunch time, than 4 or 5 at bedtime, daily. Helps alot

    Catheter
    I had my debulking surgery February 10th and they removed a small piece of my bladder, which is why I had a catheter. The doctor didn't want me to put any stress on the bladder while the surgery healed.

    I ask all kinds of questions! As a teacher, I believe that the only silly question is the one you don't ask!

    Leesa