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6 months post rectocele repair. Problems emptying bowels again.

Posted , 8 users are following.

kp1407
kp1407

I’m really confused and frustrated at the moment. I’m 6, almost 7, months post posterior rectocele repair. Everything was ok and my surgeon discharged me. Although he said the door is always open. 

I’m struggling to empty my bowels again and have been for a good few weeks now. I feel as though everything gets stuck again. And I cannot push it out. No matter what my stool is like, it’s difficult. I’ve felt inside and the repair is still intact and I can’t feel any bulges, even when I know I need to empty. So I’m just really confused and concerned. 

It’s almost worse in a different sense because there is no bulge to push on so I can empty. If that makes sense.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • pamela1937
    pamela1937 kp1407

    Posted

    Hello KP, yes I am experiencing the same problem, I had my op last October and the last few weeks I have had problems emptying my bowels, they don't seem to work right, going to see how I am over the next few weeks and if no improvement will ask to see my surgeon again.

  • jaquetta_98543
    jaquetta_98543 kp1407

    Posted

    Are you taking any kind of a stool softener, or taking any magnesium to help you go?  
  • brenda69492
    brenda69492 kp1407

    Posted

    No, kp1407, I have not experienced what you described,  but I do feel your pain and frustration! I am only 2 1/2 months post surgery for anterior and posterior repair. I do remember my dr telling me that  I may need to take Miralax and stool softeners forever. I have been able to stop the Miralax but eat a lot of extra fruit and fiber . I still take the stool softener every night. Maybe you should try going back to a light laxative type med and stool softener. Your situation sounds a little or even a lot scary. I would call your dr before you let it go too long. Oh and another thing that helped me is using a product called the “Squatty Potty” and pretending like I am blowing bubble to make be go instead of straining. It sounds silly but when you do it you really feel it does help! 

    I wish I could be of help. I do pray that this gets all figured out for you very soon!

    Take care and let us know how you do.

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 kp1407

    Posted

    Try adding magnesium citrate 500 mg twice a day —- from Amazon. Stool softeners make it soft but also make it harder to push out. Magnesium you can take for life. Try for a few days, it’s so much easier. For some reason, after posterior prolapse it throws the bowel action out. You need to get into a new routine.
    • ED2018
      ED2018 Laura3333

      Posted

      Laura,

      do you take the Magnesium IN ADDITION to the softener?  Or, instead of?  Does it replace Miralax?  Right now I am doing the Miralax and Colace (softener)...and I will need to stay on a regimen for life...so just trying to see how the Magnesium would fit in.  I know it is NOT good to stay long term on laxatives unless recommended by doc...but sounds like this is ok?

    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 ED2018

      Posted

      I take one sachet of Laxido, same as movicol or miralax, and one magnesium citrate at around 5.0pm and then another magnesium citrate at bedtime.. They always work first thing in the morning for me, but I’m on some pretty strong meds that slow everything down, so might be too much for other people.

      When I had my rectocele repair done, I was prescribed lactulose. It mad everything soft but I still had to strain as my muscles weren’t working properly, I was told this is quite common. Changed to Laxido on the advice of the colorectal surgeon, and added Magnesium . Once I got into a routine, things were so much easier, I don’t have any problems now and will probably take this combination for life. One thing though, you do have to make sure you drink enough fluids, as Laxido draws fluid into the bowel.

    • ED2018
      ED2018 Laura3333

      Posted

      Thank you Laura!  I totally understand what you mean about being soft but still having to strain.  Will give this a go!
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