Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi ladies
So we all know it's really important not to get bunged up during recovery... I am struggling to get the balance right. I am eating well - lots of fruit and veg - and taking one sachet of laxido at night. However, it is making me bloated and uncomfortable and I got caught short this morning, which was upsetting, and didn't quite get to the loo in time.
Are there gentler alternatives I can try?
Helen
Xx
0 likes, 32 replies
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DorryC helen03642
Posted
Are you still on opiates? If you aren't then you might be fine with something milder like fiber supplements.
It isn't as strong, but Benefiber is easy to take (dissolves in liquid, no taste or texture) and works as a mild stool softener. It's just like adding a little extra fiber to your diet. I buy a generic brand at costco (optifiber) and it works. I don't think it is strong enough to couteract opiates, but it is helpful for more normal constipation.
There are also things like psylium husk that work well, but that is harder to take. It does not disappear in liquid. It absorbs liquid to become gel-like and has a gritty texture. I make extra runny oatmeal and add psylium husk to it (1TBs sucks up about 1/4 cup of liquid) and it's tolerable. It's supposed to be very good for you. Heart health etc.
This is a good time of year for plums, too, and those are great especially if you don't care for prunes. Lots of other good high fiber food (beans, lettuce, brocolli, high fiber cereal, oatmeal, fruits&veg in general).
I used miralax, which is peg 3550, and that works well for me but I think that is one of the active ingredients in Laxido so that won't help you.
helen03642 DorryC
Posted
:-)
sue52969 helen03642
Posted
Helen,
?I'm surprised you're on codeine as that's known to cause constipation. If you can, I would stick to paracetomol & ibuprofen. I'm a midwife and we never give codeine to our ladies that have had any vaginal stitches. We also give them lactulose & fybogel, as previously discussed.
?Sue xx
Jan999 helen03642
Posted
Sometimes we just have to be careful with laxatives. They are often necessary following surgery but more so after a rectocele repair but some laxatives can make the stool "bulky" and difficult to pass. That's why drinking lots of water can help. Fibre in particular can cause bulky stools but with extra fluids it can definitely help.
Jan999 sue52969
Posted
Codeine is the analgesic of choice for post op pain and it's considered perfectly OK along with laxatives if it makes patients constipated. Pain hinders recovery and very often paracetamol alone isn't sufficient, I know I couldn't have coped with only paracetamol and I know the Urogynaecologists I've worked with always prescribe codeine or Tramadol on discharge from hospital. That with paracetamol is very effective.
helen03642 sue52969
Posted
I was taking ibuprofen and paracetamol but I don't get on with ibuprofen and it wasn't strong enough. I am now trying to reduce the codeine gradually and aware of the constipation risk. It's all a balancing act isn't it!!
Helen
Xx
sue52969 helen03642
Posted
Oh that's a shame about the ibuprofen. You mustnt be in pain hun. My biggest fear was not having a bm, mainly because my consultant said " you must not strain or you will split your stitches"!! Omg...put the fear of god into me! I also have IBS so I know exactly how much fruit etc I need to help with bm.
Sue x
Xx
Jan999 helen03642
Posted
Continue taking the codeine if you need it helen and don't be in pain. Ibuprofen is rarely sufficient to ease this sort of post op pain even with the paracetamol. Research has shown that pain hinders recovery so it's not something I've made up. It tenses the muscles around the wound and affects blood supply, it also makes you feel very unwell and stops restful sleep which is extremely important. Don't reduce your medication because you think it's the right thing to do, keep on top of the pain. I remember patients being hospitalised for more than a week following prolapse repair and you were regularly given codeine or something similar for pain and then discharged with a weeks supply. Just because you're at home doesn't mean you're recovering any better than 15 years ago x
helen03642 Jan999
Posted
Hi Matron,
That's an interesting perspective isn't it. Operating techniques may have changed but human beings haven't!! I do find the pros and cons of active recovery a confusing issue to navigate, but I guess it's not the mobilisation that does the damage but the 'doing it without adequate pain relief'. I also think we Brits don't help ourselves with our stoicism
either!
Helen
Jan999 helen03642
Posted
Just don't be a martyr, remember this operation is classed as major surgery so treat it as such. You'll benefit in the future I promise.
DorryC helen03642
Posted
If you are still on coedine something stronger may be needed. Maybe people react differently but I have always found coedine very constipating and a high fiber diet isn't enough. I hope you can find a way to stay keep things under control without the side effects that are bothering you.
Oh, glycerin suppositories can be helpful too. They make it much easier to go without straining. If things firm up a bit too much while you are trying to get the balance right they can be a real help.
Jan999 DorryC
Posted
Codeine is most effective when taken with paracetamol. Some patients don't get constipated when taking codeine, I don't and I know I'm not the only one. Some research has shown that there are a group of people who don't get any relief from it. We all react differently.
helen03642 Jan999
Posted
I don't think codeine does constipate me either, if anything my issues are in the other direction. The gas and discomfort I am getting is starting to get me down a bit and I am wondering if this is all the bruising and swelling affecting my bowel and causing the sensitivity.
Trying dulcoease now to see if that suits me better.
Jan999 helen03642
Posted
helen03642 Jan999
Posted
Helen
Jan999 helen03642
Posted
You can take it with your other medication because it isn't an analgesic so it won't interfere with that.