HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Really bad day....

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/3/2008 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Yesterday I went to the bathroom all day long; I had taken some MOM tablets last Wednesday and they finally worked.  For some reason today I woke up bloated and as the day wore on I just got more and more bloated.  I am so miserable!  I haven't been able to eat dinner or any of my birthday cake.  I'm laying back in my recliner as far as I can and I feel like I can't breathe. 

My husband was going to take me to the fondue restaurant I've been wanting to go to, but we obviously couldn't go.  I'm hoping maybe another day this week will be better, but I don't have high hopes.  All I do anymore I swear is count down the weeks, days, and hours till my surgery.

I'm sorry for this, I just needed to complain to some people who understand.  My husband and family is extremely supportive, but sometimes I feel like a broken record.  I feel like all they hear is how bad my stomach hurts and how I can't breathe or am bloated and sick.  I try to keep it to myself, but I'm not very good at it.  Thanks for letting me complain....

Posted 9/3/2008 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
don't feelbad about complaining to us! we totally understand how you feel! i spent years complaing about being sick!
Sounds weird to be glad to have a body part out doesn't it? I always felt kind of odd about being glad to have something taken out. It is good that you are looking forward to your surgery, that will make it much eiasier for you to deal with it when you have it!
Just remeber after the surgery you can go to that resturant anytime you want! And eat all the b-day cake you want too!

I love your sig about painting your toenails red, i always have to have my toenails red, i have done that for probably 15 years, lol.

And Happy birthday!
Posted 9/3/2008 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
2 RIS k (cute name),
I feel your pain because I have been there. No one else but people on this site could truly understand what you are going through. It was like my whole life revolved around the potty room or doctor's office.

Your birthday present to yourself will be coming on September 22. Hang in there!!
Posted 9/3/2008 9:11 AM (GMT 0)
2 ris k,
I am sorry that you were sick and could not enjoy your birthday. I have been there too. Being soo constipated where I could not breathe. But do not worry, your surgery will be here before you know it. I know how it feels to not be able to eat, I was practically living on Jello for 2 weeks before my surgery because it was so bad, that I could not wait for the surgery either. But do not worry, after your surgery, you will feel soo much better. It will be the best Birthday, holiday and all of the presents put together for you. To me it felt like I was reborn, so you can say Sept. 22 will be your new birthday,lol. Well, I hope you feel better and Happy Birthday.
Posted 9/3/2008 10:38 AM (GMT 0)

yes dont worry about offloading thats what this is for.  I know how it feels - each day is the same - bloated/in pain/sick/nauseous etc etc.  it seems like there is no peace or let up.  there is no pleasure to be gotten from anything. 

hope this day finds you a bit of relief somehow.  i am scared to death of having a total colec but for people like us there seems no alternative does there?

by the way, what is MOM tablets???

take care.

karen x

Posted 9/3/2008 5:18 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you everyone for your support, you really made me feel better; even if I still couldn't eat or breathe! tongue I ended up going to bed without any dinner and this morning I wasn't any better.  For some reason usually when I wake up in the morning, it's like the bloating goes down somewhat - not today!  I ate two bites of a cinnamon roll for breakfast and that's all I could handle.  I'm at work today and I have a lunch appointment with a client.  I wonder how that's going to go since I can't eat? confused   I had to turn in my notice at work yesterday. I've only worked here since May and you have to work here for 12 months for the FMLA to take effect.  They also won't just let me take a leave of absence.  So, what I had to do was resign and then I can re-apply when I am ready to come back to work.  Technically they can't hold my job open, but they said they won't 'actively' pursue a replacement.  I've told them I will be in the hospital for 5 days and then home for two weeks.  I haven't told them it could be longer.  I figure this way they will wait at least that long before they start looking for someone else because that doesn't seem too long.  It would take longer to hire and train someone.  My last day here will be the 16th.  I wanted to be able to have a few nice days to myself before the surgery and then I want to spend the weekend with my family before going in on the 22nd.

Karen, MOM tablets are just the Phillips Milk of Magnesia (MOM) tablets.  I hate drinking laxative stuff so I take the pills. And as for an alternative, I just want it OUT!! yeah

Psygirl - I'll have to try some jello tonight.  I haven't thought of that, thanks! For my birthday I got a robot vacuum and a 50" plasma tv for my living room.  Just in time for my surgery!!

Nene -  thanks for understanding.  I feel like my whole life revolves around trying to figure out when I can "clean" myself out (and how?) and thinking of my surgery...oh, and reading this board!  Which I LOVE!  BTW - there is a story behind my screen name! blush

Summerstorm - I just love my red toenails! That is too funny that you have them too.  My sister-in-law paints hers blue. That's her signature color, but it looks weird to me.  Thanks for the birthday wish!  And yes, people think I'm weird for looking forward to my surgery.  Then I have to explain that it's the end result that I'm looking forward to, not the surgery!!

Posted 9/3/2008 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
2 ris k,
That is so cool about the 50 inch Plasma TV. you will probably utilize that baby alot. I hope you have a lot of cool channels. I am glad that you are doing your best before your surgery. it is good to take a few days off of work, especialy those days of prep. The prep the day before the surgery, you will probably have no energy to do anything, so that would be a good rest day. my last few days before my surgery, I cleaned and straighted out my apartment, so when I came back everything was nice and neat and it made me feel great to come back to a clean, nice house. i remember that last day of prep before surgery. I was sleeping until noon, and I kept my self occupied going on my computer. when the gatorade, bowel stuff comes though, I would be in a room next to the toilet. You will be there alot. Trust me, When I did my prep I was going probably up until it was time for me to go into the pre-surgery prep room. Well, good luck with everything and have lots of fun with that TV. It would be a great motivation for a quick recovery in the hospital. Before you know it, you would have had the operation and be at home. Well, I am glad to be hearing you are doing well. Happy Birthday again, a day later.
Posted 9/3/2008 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hey! I never thought of it like that...an incentive for a quick recovery in the hospital. That's exactly what it is!! I think I'm liking this tv more and more! If onlly I could see it from the bathroom when I do my prep...

I had my lunch appointment and I couldn't eat more than a couple bites. I had to explain to my client that I wasn't feeling well so she wouldn't think I didn't like the food. I work at a hotel and conference center and we were eating lunch on site in our restaurant. She understood and fortunately for me our food here is excellent and she loved hers.

Well, back to work for a while. I'll check back in a little while; I think this board is addicting! :)
Posted 9/4/2008 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
i dont know how anyone can work with this condition - i didnt go back to work after my last surgery as i just cant cope and concentrate on anything because of the discomfort and pain plus i can spend too long in the loo in the morning going to and fro forever. x
Posted 9/4/2008 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
It is extremely difficult for me to work, mainly because of the clothes.  Nothing fits!  And if it fits in the morning, it doesn't fit by afternoon, it's horrible!  As for my job, I have to quit when I have my surgery because they wouldn't hold my position open; I haven't been here long enough.  So, I guess that's good news because I can recover at my own pace and not worry about hurrying to get back.  But on the other hand, I want them to re-hire me so I want to get back before they find someone else.  It's like a catch-22.

Last night I ate just a few bites for dinner and then I threw up because I was so full.  I haven't eaten anything since.  It's strange to feel hungry and yet so full...

 

Posted 9/5/2008 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
yes thats exactly how i feel - hungry but full....i am now looking forward to when i might get surgery - i wish i went on the waiting list in march but was scared by what the surgeon said, but i dont care anymore cause my symptoms are getting much worse and the pain in the bum and the feeling of wanting to strain which is weird....its good to have folk who understand...

karen x

Posted 9/5/2008 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
2much2bear,
i am very happy to hear that you are going to do the surgery. You will feel much better. I had it done on aug. 7th and I am getting better each day. Well, good luck and I am very happy that you have decided to do the surgery. You have made a great decision.
Posted 9/5/2008 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Psygirl6 thanks so much for the encouragement.  i take it your surgery is successful???  by that i mean you are not incontinent and you are not constipated???  can you hold on to your bm and what is the feeling you get when you need the loo as i take it all your large bowel was removed - is it an urgent feeling??? did you have colonic inertia - i have probably read your posts but theres so many i read i cant remember who had what....

i didnt make the decision earlier because my surgeon said in march this year that it is 50/50 chance i coulb be permanently incontinent and would require a bag.  That is the outcome in his experience.  it is one of the best hospitals in london apparently.  i have had rectal surgery, but he didnt say tht would be the reason - he just said that was the chance that i would need a bag.

thanks xxkaren

Posted 9/5/2008 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
karen, like you I'm glad to have people to talk to who understand exactly how I feel. Last night I was so full I just cried and cried. I tried two enemas and got very little result. It seems the closer my surgery gets the worse I get. I keep thinking, gosh, what if I had ignored it a little longer and not gone to the doctor when I did? Imagine where I would be now?

I'm also happy you decided to have the surgery. When do you have it?

Does anyone else have problems with their bladder? I find that I have a hard time peeing. I have to strain to start it and I have to keep straining to empty my bladder all the way. I've had to do this for a long time, in fact, I think that's what caused my rectal prolapse last year. It did get better after surgery for that, but now it's back to the way it was. I'm afraid that if this surgery doesn't fix it somehow and if it's not related, then I'm going to have a problem with perforation or something because I can't pee without straining. Isn't straining what causes that? I haven't heard of anyone else on here talk about problems with this, so if anyone has had it, please let me know.

Thanks!
Posted 9/5/2008 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
2much2bear:
after my surgery I was bowel incontinent fully for a few weeks. As of this day, I only know when I have to go when I my rectum start feeling weird. The feeling I get in the rectum is when the poop is about to leave the rectum , causing my rectum muscles to throb and i get a stabbing feeling in the rectum. That unfortunately is the only way I know that I have to go, and because of this I must run to the bathroom, still because if I try to hold it for more that 30sec. the poop starts seeping out. I still wear diapers to bed and sometimes have to wear diapers to the store, just in case, but because I can at least feel the rectum part, i can still make it as long as I am close to where there is a bathroom. As for a bag, I did not require a bag. Instead the doctor hooked up my ilieum to my rectum and thats how I go. I got the surgery due to a severe slow-transit constipation. I also have had a rectal prolapse surgery back in Dec. of 2006. I had my surgery done lapriscopically, so I was only in the hospital for 4 days. with lapriscopic surgery, the recovery time is faster and the hospital stay is shorter. Well, I hope this helps answer some of the questions you may have. I am willing to answer any thing, so please feel free to ask.
2 Ris k,
When I had my constipation, my colon was so full, that it was pushing on my bladder so much, I was constantly peeing. But before my rectal prolapse surgery, I still had an overactive bladder, but was straining because of the rectum being messed up. My proplaspe was because of the poop straining, though. After my rectal prolapse surgery, though, because I still had my colon, I was peeing alot more and alot of times I could not hold it. I even had a bedwetting problem, until my total colectomy. Now, I have a bed "pooping" problem now instead, though. The iroinc part about all this is that when I had my colon, I was so constiapted that because it was pushing on my bladder I was always peeing and bedwtting. Now that my colon is out I no longer have to pee alot, but instead I have to poop alot, and instead of wetting the bed, I poop the bed. How wierd life is.
Posted 9/8/2008 4:01 PM (GMT 0)

thanks psygirl for letting me know - i guess you will get more continent as you only had surgery five weeks ago.  does it affect your social life? or are you able to know when you will need the loo, or is it all over the place???

2ris k i see my surgeon for followup on 19 sept to discuss my decision to have surgery and then he will put me on waiting list - could take as little as 8 weeks til i get surgery if i am lucky.  i also have a bit of peeing trouble - since i had pelvic floor surgery i have to 'shake' myself up and down and press on my bladder as i dont feel i have emptied properly- it is all due to the bowel problems i think - it is all connected after all... enemas have never helped me somehow - that is better than taking stimulant laxatives though...

karen xx

Posted 9/8/2008 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
2much2bear,
I am still in the loo alot. As for the incontinence, the only way I know I have to go is I get the feeling in my rectum that is going to let loose, so I have to go within a minute or less or it will just come out on its own. I try to hold it, but it will still seep out, just very slowly that's all. So When I go out i have to wear a pull up and even to bed I still do. As for my social life, I still hang out with family and friends, and because I looked up info on the internet about how the intestine works, and other information that I google about the surgery and incontinence and all, and pronted it out for them, They have an understanding so if anything happens they know why and can accept me for that. I still go to the store, but if I do go, i have to go when I have not eaten for at least a couple of hours, so that way I would not have much of problem going so much that I miss parts of things. I live in rhode Island,which is a very small state so everything is so close anyway, even though I have doctors in different cities. When I do go to the doctors I make apaointments especailly in the mornings, I get up super early like 6am to eat my breakfast, so that I would at least be mostly "cleaned out", so I would not have to worry about being interrupted. i wear the pull up though just in case because i never know what can happen with my unpredicatable bowels. Even though I try to make appointments for after 10 am, but doctors can be unpredicatable and because of the doctors I have it very hard to amke appointments a the times I want them, so i just compromise. If my appointment is in the afternoon, I just don't eat luch, but will eat right as soon as I come home from the doctors though. As for going out to eat, I still do not do that because I even though I would use the bathroom right after, I go alot for a while afterwards, and even though I do wear a pull-up, but it is very uncomforatble to have a lot pf poop, especially diareah in the pull up when sitting in it in the car. at least when i go out to other places like just the store, I am mostly cleaned out, and if I do have an accident, it would be less uncomfortable. As of now I am still not ready to go out to eat or have any take out because I am not able to handle the portions and the kind of food they may have yet. Even though I can tolerate baked plain chicken, and fish, I am not sure and very questionable about what kind of spices these places use that could make me react. Also, I am more concerned about the bathroom thing and that when I go out, rather spend time with my freinds and family, not the loo. But as far as going out, if I am ready for take out, I would probably have to bring it home, but even though I can not yet go out to eat, me and my friends and family find other cool things to do like ahng out at a mall, shop, go to each others houses. But overall, I say that I am enjoying life after the surgery than before because before i was so sick I could not get out of bed and had to take ton of meds that made me so tired. I still wear pull-ups and caution myself, but at least i can still have a great life and do all the things I love to do. it may take me a while befroe my stomach settles, but eventually hopefully in the next couple of months I can be able to go out to eat again, since I will be 30 in November and I would love to go out to eat for my birthday.
Posted 9/9/2008 9:36 AM (GMT 0)

psygirl thanks for that. 

I am glad life is better for you now, even with the inconvenience of pullups and erratic bowels.  that is how i am now - only when taking the senna which i take am and pm - 28 in total.  so i wonder if i will also be the same after surgery?  mines a long story really - i used to have obstructed defacation syndrome - until they found via MRI a twisted bit of sigmoid.  it was only after they removed the sigmoid part that my bowel totally packed up..... however, the obstruction was sorted. 

since then i have been increasing the senna to a point where i know how much i need.  anyway taking more has no effect.  so i have urgency when i need the loo and have to run up the stairs.  there are times about once a month or so i dont make it.  also it can work anywhere between 3 1/2 hours to 10 hours after taking, so going out for the day is not on, as i am scared there will be no loo around, plus i take around 30 mins or so in the loo as there is no point getting up if there is more to come which would catch me short again.  so the only way to go out all day and not worry is not to take any laxatives in the morning, but then i have to put up feeling sick and in pain - i usualy cant eat when i am like that either. 

i suppose one has to weigh up the pros and cons of life like this or life with incontinence - it is a hard decision for me as all i want is to enjoy life again.

karen x

Posted 9/9/2008 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like our lives are going to revolve around going to the bathroom after surgery too! At least we'll be going!! :) I can't wait. I am at work today and my stomach is killing me; I have these horrible gas pains that won't go away and won't come out either. I'm hoping that after the surgery at least I won't be in pain anymore either. I can handle going to the bathroom, heck, I go pee like every 10 minutes as it is! What's the difference if I'm in there a little longer?

I have to do my pre-op stuff on Friday at 1:30. Does anyone know what they do? I have to see the surgeon first and then go over to the hospital, which is right next door.
Posted 9/9/2008 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
2 ris k,
when I did my pre-op appointment they gave me an ekg and vital signs, like blood pressure. When I went they also had me do an interview where they asked about what meds I take, allergies, and other important information the hospital may need from you. They also have you sign some papers, permission to do surgery, and other medical papers. They also had the anesthesiologist, the one who is in charge of your anasthesia come talk to me about what their job was, and what and how the anasthesia will be administered. This is also the best time to ask any questions that you may have about anything like surgery, preparations, what will happen in the hospital and any other questions you may have. They will probably tell you how they will do the surgery as well. I hope this helps you alot. I wish you good luck with your appointments tomorrow, and ask,ask,ask away,at the interview because the more you ask the more comforatble you will be trust me, it works.
Posted 9/10/2008 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I think I will write down my questions and take them in with me. I always seem to forget once I get in there!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply