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So down after THR

Posted , 7 users are following.

sue72746
sue72746

Since the op my stomach had been rumbling and bloated. Although I was back and forth to the loo, I didnt always open my bowels and when I did my stools have been squiggles. Had a trip to Dr on Monday and she said it could be constipation or C diff but the latter was unlikely. I couldn't produce a stool specimen and stomach seemed to calm down on Tuesday with no urge for the loo. I thought it had cleared up so come Wednesday I didn't bother with specimen. Come Thursday I had bloated tummy and bad reflux so ended up at A&E. Dr said I was probably constipated or had fecal impaction. No tests done and didnt even feel my tummy! I was prescribed movicol: 8 sachets in 6 hrs. Anyone experienced this and can tell me how I will know when it's finished clearing my bowels and if I should eat while it's working.

My hip is doing fine; it's all the other stuff that has left me so down that I've been in floods of tears for nearly 2 weeks and feel so emotionally drained.

2 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest sue72746

    Posted

    I tend to get constipated, and for that I use Lactulose it easy to take and it's very gentle when it works. You can either get it from the doctors or buy it over the counter.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 sue72746

    Posted

    sweet Sue ... I am sorry you are going through this and are feeling so miserable because of it .... some medications might cause constipation - what are you taking and has anyone looked at it - I have read that people took stool softener, drink prune juice or pine apple juice .... if that doesn't give any relief than maybe a gentle laxative or gas-ex (not sure if this is available in Europe)  sometimes rubbing some tiger balm on tummy might help too ... 

    good luck and I hope you feel better soon .... hopefully more tips will be posted that might help you ....

    take care and don;t despair .... warm hug

     

    • sue72746
      sue72746 renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks for warm hug rennee. I was on dihydrocodeine for 3 days while in hospital but was given 3 lots of magnesia, 2 senna tablets and one dose of lactulose on post op days 1 & 2. I also had prune juice twice a day. Im only on paracetamol 4 times daily and 10mg rivoroxabane one per day.

      Not sure how I became constipated.

  • annedi
    annedi sue72746

    Posted

    I had codeine constipation after my op and I also have a hiatus hernia which has been playing up a bit. I bought movicol but in the end have survived on loads of prunes! I take motillium for my hernia which encorages the stomach to empty - I was initially prescribed this when I first got my hernia shortly after my first hip replacement 15 years ago.
    • sue72746
      sue72746 annedi

      Posted

      Thanks for suggestions. My partner is going shopping for prunes, porridge oats and pears.
    • Pansycat52
      Pansycat52 sue72746

      Posted

      Hi Sue

      When you think what our bodies have gone through - shock and trauma to the system of a big operation and all the drugs we are given, is it any wonder that our insides play up?

      I do not normally suffer with constipation, in fact, the other way round! Codeine and morphine are renowned for causing constipation. 2 senna at night and lactulose in a morning seem to have sorted me out and eating plenty of fruit and fibre rich foods helps too

      Be gentle on yourself - it's a wonder our poor bodies cope at all

      I have a small hiatus hernia and take 1 Omeprazole at night which again stops the reflux and protects the stomach from pain killers.

      Hope you are feeling better soon - all these things don't help when we are trying to get well

      Kind wishes Linda xx

    • Guest
      Guest sue72746

      Posted

      pineapple fresh or tinned in it's own juice or neat pineapple juice is also good. Another is liquorice  Hope all this helps and you don't need an eye of the needle wink lol xx
  • olive45318
    olive45318 sue72746

    Posted

    Hi Sue,

    I was anxious about this too pre op and took Lactulose twice a day whather I needed it or not.  It did the trick.  I asked for it in hospital, it's quite pleasant to take.

    There are a few reasons for your"problem".

    You may not be drinking enough water, tea and coffee are fine, but you need at least 1.5 litres of water a day.  Get a fruit squash if you don't like plain water.

    The medication may have interfered with your system, temporarily.

    Take any fruit and vegetables that have helped you in the past, or strong coffee for instance, also clears some people out.  Your diet may have changed a bit over the past days.  Eat pleanty of that atuff anyway.

    Continue doing this for a few weeks until the tenderness goes from your operation site.  Being aware of your hip can tense you up and you are not comfortable sitting on the loo.  You have got a raised toilet seat?.

    Remember the old rhyme?

    When I was a wee wee tot.

    My mother sat me on a wee wee pot,

    Whether I wanted to wee wee or not!

    Go figure!

     

    • sue72746
      sue72746 olive45318

      Posted

      Hi olive, I had laxatives post op and drink loads of water. My diet is no different to pre op....plenty of veg and fruit. Adding to that I'm on very few meds. So that's why I find it strange to end up constipated

  • Georgie11
    Georgie11 sue72746

    Posted

    Hi Sue, 

    I've had movicol and it was ok. I have now opted for coloxyl and senna tablets with more consistent success. Oh and I'm also a stoma nurse so look after people with bowel problems. To diagnose faecal Impaction the best test is an abdominal X-ray. Sitting on a raised loo seat unfortunately makes it harder for your bowel to empty. Yes you should eat as this helps gut function, plenty of fluids, fruit and veggies!

    Good news on the hip doing well. 

  • helen248
    helen248 sue72746

    Posted

    my little one is on movicol and its the best thing for possible impaction. Lactulose bulks up the feces which is not what you need if impacted. Senna can cause awful griping cramps so also not good for impaction. Use the movicol. its very gentle and effective. sounds like you have overflow which is a sign of impaction. the movicol may seem like its making matters worse for a short while but stick with it as it will work. eat normally but dont overdo the fibre. drink plenty and dont stray too far from home until things have shifted. 
    • sue72746
      sue72746 helen248

      Posted

      Thanks Helen, I've been on loo nearly all day and without sounding crude have produced mainly brown water with occasional small pellet. I've drank litres of water to maintain fluids. It's been 8 hrs since my first bowel movement and now I'm just passing wind. Does.that sound.like Ive cleared the. Impaction?
  • olive45318
    olive45318 sue72746

    Posted

    Hi Sue, so sorry you have had this on top of the operation. It sounds like you are doing everything right , but have had a reaction to something, somewhere along the line. Hope you feel better really soon.😜
  • Georgie11
    Georgie11 sue72746

    Posted

    There's more to come.........pellets and watery fluid is a good start. Remember to replace your electrolytes as both movicol and lactulose are osmotic laxatives and  work by drawing fluid into the gut so you can feel quite drained. Consider taking a regular smaller dose once this is passed (excuse the pun!) if your still taking painkillers. 

    Hope your spirits lift soon 🌈

    • sue72746
      sue72746 Georgie11

      Posted

      Hi George, how will I know when it's cleared? What are the signs?

      The Dr only gave me the 8 sachets to take over 6 hrs and said that would do.

    • Georgie11
      Georgie11 sue72746

      Posted

      Hi Sue,

      You'll have 'normal' soft stool. The 6 sachets should clear things but now you've had this problem its worth taking 1 or 2 a day to keep things moving !! You can always miss a day if you go too much.

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