So down after THR
Posted , 7 users are following.
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
Guest sue72746
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renee01952 sue72746
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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 renee01952
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Not sure how I became constipated.
annedi sue72746
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sue72746 annedi
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Pansycat52 sue72746
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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 sue72746
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olive45318 sue72746
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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 olive45318
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Georgie11 sue72746
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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 sue72746
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sue72746 helen248
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olive45318 sue72746
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Georgie11 sue72746
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Hope your spirits lift soon 🌈
sue72746 Georgie11
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The Dr only gave me the 8 sachets to take over 6 hrs and said that would do.
Georgie11 sue72746
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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.