Constipation - I'm suffering

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well I've quit doing the herbal tea for regularity (smooth move - senna) and I'm suffering now from constipation. It's been three days since taking the tea. I've done fennel tea daily, drink 84 ozs water, one tablespoon of flax seed, two teaspoons of metamucil, 4 ozs of prune juice, one prune and still can't go, walk 30 minutes, eat salad every day along with fruits now (which I'm not fond of), have two tomatoes, one cucumber and one bunch of green onions daily, eat very little red meat - heck can't eat nothing because my stomach is so full of poop I've got not place to put it. I'm suffering so bad, my tummy hurts and back aches. Can't sleep good because my tummy feels so bloated and uncomfortable. Some of you have told me to continue with the tea and some of you have told me to stop it. Now I'm not sure where to turn. I'm going to see if my doctor (surgeon) has an e-mail address to tell him exactly how I've handled things since surgery. He'd probably be very mad at me :( But I'm looking for relief and looking for it soon. I'm my own worst enemy right now and I'm really paying the price. My stomach is like a balloon. Yikes. Any suggestions would be fine, besides what I've tried. I've got gas so bad because of the backup of poop that even being around myself isn't pleasant let alone someone else. If you have any immediate remedies, I'll be open to flying off a bridge if it helps :(

Hugs! Kim
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Comments

  • biz
    biz Member Posts: 60 Member
    #2
    pear juice
    Someone suggested it to me, and it did work. It comes in a bottle like prune juice. Good luck.
  • christinecarl
    christinecarl Member Posts: 544 Member
    #3
    After surgery I used a stool
    After surgery I used a stool softener and Miralax, good idea to talk to your Dr. I hope you feel better
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #4
    christinecarl said:

    After surgery I used a stool
    After surgery I used a stool softener and Miralax, good idea to talk to your Dr. I hope you feel better

    Surgery
    My reversal was in November, 2009 and I'm still suffering. Willing to try anything :)

    Kim
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #5
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Surgery
    My reversal was in November, 2009 and I'm still suffering. Willing to try anything :)

    Kim

    How about the ER and tell them your issues.........
    then tell them you want to be emptied ASAP. They can do a fleet enema and you will poop through a screen door.........you hold it as long as possible then be sure to be on the throne before you loosen up anything....buzz
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #6
    Buzzard said:

    How about the ER and tell them your issues.........
    then tell them you want to be emptied ASAP. They can do a fleet enema and you will poop through a screen door.........you hold it as long as possible then be sure to be on the throne before you loosen up anything....buzz

    sorry Kim
    for your situation.i had my reversal in 2009 and for the most part i stay constipated(except for now since being on chemo again)it seems that is the norm for me, i am either constipated or have loose stools which i cant handle that either.if it gets to loose i cant control it because of the radiation damage.so for the most part i live with the constipation.maybe your doc can get some relief with something...Godbless.....johnnybegood
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #7
    possibilities
    I discovered the prescription strength stool softener is five times as strong as the over the counter version. Taking one before bed and milk of magnesia does the trick. My poor 11 yr old has this as a constant problem. None of the senna supplements or other laxatives seemed to do the job, but the milk of magnesia did the trick. Magnesium is the key ingredient there. Interestingly, when she had testing done recently, her magnesium level was found to be low.

    Try the milk of magnesia if you haven't already tried it.
    Make sure you DON't eat bananas, rice, or applesauce while you're constipated, as they make up the BRAT diet (I forgot what the T stands for) which is to help the opposite problem.

    Best wishes-
    Lisa
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #8
    I'm With Buzz...
    Enema. There are preps at the drug store that can get it going, or as Buzz suggested the ER can loosen it up.

    Always a drag to be sure...but you will feel better.

    -C:)
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #9
    Bless your heart Kim, that
    Bless your heart Kim, that can be so miserable. I have been told welches grape juice is the best but if the other juices are not working then maybe not. My husband will be having a reversal in December and I really thought we would be facing severe diarrhea. Do you have a j-pouch? I sure hope you get some relief soon!!!!
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #10
    keystone said:

    Bless your heart Kim, that
    Bless your heart Kim, that can be so miserable. I have been told welches grape juice is the best but if the other juices are not working then maybe not. My husband will be having a reversal in December and I really thought we would be facing severe diarrhea. Do you have a j-pouch? I sure hope you get some relief soon!!!!

    Lisa42......
    I think the "T" is toast........BRAT diet.....

    How you feeling Kim ? Hopefully a lot better today........Bless your heart......buzz
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #11
    Buzzard said:

    Lisa42......
    I think the "T" is toast........BRAT diet.....

    How you feeling Kim ? Hopefully a lot better today........Bless your heart......buzz

    Benefiber...
    Hi Kim,

    I, too have these problems. I have been trying Benefiber lately. I use the individual packets and pour one in a drink each evening. It seems to keep me better regulated although it is a little pricey - it is worth it. It sounds like you are eating everything you should, drinking water and doing the correct exercise, etc. Please let us know how you are.

    Hugs,
    Lizzy
  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145
    #12
    Mom's doc told her to call
    Mom's doc told her to call him if she did't poop after 2 days. I don't know if this helps, but that is what she told me.
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    #13
    ketziah35 said:

    Mom's doc told her to call
    Mom's doc told her to call him if she did't poop after 2 days. I don't know if this helps, but that is what she told me.

    Hi Kim...
    I've been using Cape Aloe for years - works wonders. Last year I had my colon dilated and the constipation problem gone......
  • SisterSledge
    SisterSledge Member Posts: 332 Member
    #14
    Yuch!
    Constipation is no fun a and neither is the stuff that works best for providing relief....milk of magnesia - it works for me when nothing else will, tis just hard for me to gag the nasty stuff down :(
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #15
    SisterSledge said:

    Yuch!
    Constipation is no fun a and neither is the stuff that works best for providing relief....milk of magnesia - it works for me when nothing else will, tis just hard for me to gag the nasty stuff down :(

    Kiwis worked wonderful to me !
    But in last case you always can use glycerin suppositories !
    And agree with sitter s. magnesia milk was so effective to my dad when he was seriously ill ( alzheimer ).
  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807
    #16
    pepebcn said:

    Kiwis worked wonderful to me !
    But in last case you always can use glycerin suppositories !
    And agree with sitter s. magnesia milk was so effective to my dad when he was seriously ill ( alzheimer ).

    enema, you can do this
    enema, you can do this yourself, I had to after my hernia surgery and it worked and quickly
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #17
    Thanks
    Thanks everyone for caring and sharing what to do. Actually I went today and feel so much better. I'm wanting to be regular without having to take something other than natural stuff. It used to be that I'd go at least two or three times a day like clockwork, now since diagnosis and reversal my whole system has changed and never could stand the feeling of anything in my bowels. Guess that is why the two to three times a day before. Thanks all of you - your the best :)

    Hugs! Kim
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #18
    oh my dear kim
    if you want to get it out, my surgeon advised micro enemas.

    they are little delivery devices like a really thin pencil with a blunt point.


    i'd insert it up the bum, quiet painful, then 30 minutes later approx woopie.
    gas, explosions , the works but it gets the poo out.

    now i hated using them, but i had them for emergencies. the pain of inserting them was so great i basically chickened out. but that was for me. they are a valid option for a jammed up arse.

    it was my surgeons advice that i tried then. keep it in the back of your mind and ask your surgeon. i'd give him or your gp a call asap and ask for help.

    i am just so glad my bm's settled down.

    hugs,

    pete
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #19
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    oh my dear kim
    if you want to get it out, my surgeon advised micro enemas.

    they are little delivery devices like a really thin pencil with a blunt point.


    i'd insert it up the bum, quiet painful, then 30 minutes later approx woopie.
    gas, explosions , the works but it gets the poo out.

    now i hated using them, but i had them for emergencies. the pain of inserting them was so great i basically chickened out. but that was for me. they are a valid option for a jammed up arse.

    it was my surgeons advice that i tried then. keep it in the back of your mind and ask your surgeon. i'd give him or your gp a call asap and ask for help.

    i am just so glad my bm's settled down.

    hugs,

    pete

    Enemas
    Never heard of micro enemas (we have regular ones) and I'm not sure we even have that. Since I don't have a normal rectum (j-pouch) I'm not sure if it would work, but thank you for the suggestion. I'll keep that in mind if it gets too bad. Appreciate your input.

    Hugs! Kim
  • Connie43
    Connie43 Member Posts: 44
    #20
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Thanks
    Thanks everyone for caring and sharing what to do. Actually I went today and feel so much better. I'm wanting to be regular without having to take something other than natural stuff. It used to be that I'd go at least two or three times a day like clockwork, now since diagnosis and reversal my whole system has changed and never could stand the feeling of anything in my bowels. Guess that is why the two to three times a day before. Thanks all of you - your the best :)

    Hugs! Kim

    constipation
    I am now on colace and Miralax every day. I take them every morning, the Miralax I mix with juice or gatorade. My husband had to give me 4 enemas in 8 weeks before I started taking those things, and the dr. doesn't want me having enemas. I had horrible pain so I am glad I found something that works. Ask your dr. if those items are ok for you.
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #21
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Enemas
    Never heard of micro enemas (we have regular ones) and I'm not sure we even have that. Since I don't have a normal rectum (j-pouch) I'm not sure if it would work, but thank you for the suggestion. I'll keep that in mind if it gets too bad. Appreciate your input.

    Hugs! Kim

    hey kim, who's got a normal rectum in this club
    not many here i fear.
    sorry but you made me chuckle.
    hugs,
    pete
    ps i don't have much rectum left, hence my addiction to immodium the wonder drug.

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