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Bowel Problems Almost 1 Year On

Posted , 5 users are following.

JoolsB
JoolsB

Hi. Had rectocele and vaginal vault repair last June, all went ok. However, my bowels have not retuned to normal - or at least, what I call normal. I still take a powder mix laxative every day as constipation bad and I still never seem to have a complete bowel emptying. There is no pain, blood or anything. It's just I only pass small poos many times a day but not a complete clear out.(sorry to be graphic!!) Anyone else suffering same? I also have developed piles since the operation - aagh. Thanks.

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Bunky
    Bunky JoolsB

    Posted

    Hi Jools,

    Firstly what are you actually taking as you don't particularly need a laxative you need a stool softener !

    I am coming up 5 months post op and my bowels are terrible. I don't have constipation as take movicol every morning and make sure I'm eating and drinking things I know keep my BMs very soft in consistency. I do however still have to use on occasions glycerin suppositories which are fantastic.

    I have been back to see my consultant and sadly my rectocele repair has failed slightly. On examination alone he actually said he did not detect the prolapse at all it was when he examined me from the back passage (great these conversations aren't they) that he could push forward into the vagina. I have always felt that I have struggled with my bowels since surgery because I have never gained back the muscle control in order to push poos out except in small amounts so I am starting some specialised Physio soon for 3 months to see if that helps.

    I don't know whether this helps at all but thought I would share my experiences on the whole yucky BM side of things xx

    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 Bunky

      Posted

      Hi Bunky,

      I've had almost no muscle control for years, and although I eat lots of fibre and drink lots, I just couldn't go normally. It was either several times a day-- which made me really sore, and my piles were horrendous or not at all unless I took laxatives.

      Movicol sachets are great for when I really can't go. But I wouldn't dare leave the house until they worked!

      I am on day twelve after a Rectocele repair and a laparoscopic ovary removal, and taking lactulose plus dulcalax and am afraid of straining too hard.

      What is too hard? I'm scared to even push and fell so uncomfortable.

      I hope I get some muscle strength back down there, it seems an insurmountable problem at the moment.

    • JoolsB
      JoolsB Bunky

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Yes, its Movicol that I take - have box loads of the sachets!! Lol. Perhaps this is what I shall have to put up with now but its very annoying. Saw my consultant last week for another problem, needed cauterisation as cells hadn't healed properly, and he didn't say that the rectocele hadn't worked. Although from past experience, as I didn't actually ask the question then he may just not he may just not have mentioned it!! Going to see practice nurse tomorrow to ask her. Goodness, doesn't it all get on your nerves? Remember when we had perfect insides and bowels?!? Good luck.

       

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 JoolsB

    Posted

    Hi Jools,

    I feel for you, I really do.

    Constant piles are awful, so sore.

    You need to eat lots of fibre and also drink lots. This will increase your bowel movements, and bulk them out.

    Years ago, I changed my diet to only whole meal bread, no white, and bran flakes every morning.

    Lofs of veg like cauliflower and cabbage- produce lots of wind, and almost give you the runs.

    I was told I have an overactive bowel, but for me, living with a Rectocele, a sudden rush to the loo was a good way to feel as though I was fully empty.

    I found things like pasta and white bread just seem to clog me up.

    Also adding a handful of sweet corn to food, salads also gave my motions some substance and seemed to push things through.

    i am 12 days post op, and am still not back to my normal self- toilet wise.

    My piles are sore and bleeding, and the wind is enough to drive everyone out of the house!

    Onwards and upwards, or downwards as the case may be ;-/

    • JoolsB
      JoolsB Laura3333

      Posted

      Hi.  Thanks for reply. I eat such a good and fibre filled diet that I cannot do much more! I think I am now slightly bowel obsessed! Hope all going well for you post op but just be prepared that nearly a year on you may still not be 'normal'!! On the bright side though, these things are annoying but not life threatening! 
    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 JoolsB

      Posted

      I just want to get through the next couple of months and totally heal up, then see how the surgery has left me.

      i have spinal degeneration and any form of straining makes the neuropathy in my legs much worse, this is one of the reasons I had the repair, so it's pretty important to me that it works.

      Bowel obsessed just about describes me too, for me it could be life changing.

      Well that's what I hope!

  • eve33308
    eve33308 JoolsB

    Posted

    I used to have normal bowel habits before my op although mine isnt rectocele,it was for a prolapse bladder but now I feel the same about going to the toilet. Its almost like my muscles have given up in the back passage and I am on bran,brown bread,veg and fruit...I had the most terrible wind after op and am still bloated!I go a bit and then its like its stuck there, the worse thing is when i dont go it is so uncomfortable,like a big lump in my bum! Once again,a lovely graphic picture but hey...we're all going through it arent we?   AAaaaargh lets get back to normal soon.
    • JoolsB
      JoolsB eve33308

      Posted

      I never thought I could discuss poo in such detail - just as well we can't all see each other!!  Good luck, hope all improves.
    • Bunky
      Bunky JoolsB

      Posted

      For those saying about the horrible pressure feeling when the BM just builds up in the rectum - try a glycerin suppository-they are cheap to buy and safe to use. They work between 5 and 60 mins depending on consistency of ya poo I guess !!! X
    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 eve33308

      Posted

      Drink loads Eve, soak up the bran!

      Onions in a big stir fry, with peppers,wholemeal rice, sweetcorn and peas, in fact just about any veg, may give you wind, but really works for me.

      It's like having an internal sand blast, you can't stop yourself going.

      I can't wait until I'm well enough to stand for a bit longer and cook things.

      How far post op are you?

    • eve33308
      eve33308 Bunky

      Posted

      will try the suppositorys.....thanks x

       

    • eve33308
      eve33308 Laura3333

      Posted

      I am 7 weeks now and just started moving around properly in the last week. Went to the dentist this morning and burped really loudly in waiting room1 had to apologise !!!!
  • DorryC
    DorryC JoolsB

    Posted

    Does splinting help you with incomplete evacuation?

    the incomplete evacuation is one of my big rectocele symptoms, but there are other causes. One that I know of is pelvic floor dysfunction.  Your pelvic floor muscles can be tight, like you are constantly making a fist, and it can cause lots of symptoms including bowel symptoms.  The right doctor can tell by an internal exam and You can have pelvic floor Physio to learn to relax the muscles.  Lots of massage, internal and external, and relaxation exercises.  I have read that some women get Pelvic floor dysfunction as a result of surgery so if your rectocele isn't back, it is possible that this is the issue.

    pelvic floor dysfunction is something I have, as well as a rectocele.  My GP could tell something was kind of weird on exam, but she didn't really know what it was.  My urogyn knew exactly what it was.  Kegels make it worse.  You can look up lists of symptoms and see if it seems like a fit.

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