Bowel Movement

I have had problems with constipation from time-to-time. I think six is about my record. I know I felt MISERABLE by the 4th day!

Mel

Hello .......

   The unpredictable side effects!

   While I'm in quite a different stage of treatment for PC, so many of the treatments have side effects ... and they do vary by the person and by the circumstance.

   I'm believing that constipation is a fairly common side effect with many if not most of the PC treatments. I have been on one form of chemo or an oral chemo/HT - for the past two years ... and constipation has been a common denominator.

   Example - on Jevtana for the past 4-months - and most days, I am constipated - and 5 to 6-days is not unusual. Then comes the diarrea - often savage for one day to two days. Then the cycle starts again. Of course, that is on Jevtana. Taxotere was also very much the same for the 30-weeks I was on that chemo.

   I suspect surgery would have a similar side effect .... even though my original treatment 10-years ago was not the same as your surgery. I believe it often goes with the territory.

   My history below:

Peace and wellness

Rob & Gizmo

 

I dont think its uncommon to go several days after surgery without a bm. I went 9 days before any real solid movement but the result was a combination of pain and ultimate relief. Try a suppository to soften the stool because you dont want to have to "push".
I am 12 days post surgery and still needed a suppository yesterday. I was thankful for the softening effect.
I get the catheter out this week so I think it will be easier...

You should be on a Stool Softener because of the pain meds.
Start today.

I was on stool softener for a few weeks and prune juice, everything was quick and smooth and after having RALP that's how you want it.

Drink a lot, and follow the recommendations on softeners and fiber, walking also helps getting things going

I didn't have any problems post op as among other things I did not have to starve myself before surgery or take laxatives etc.
I do get a bit constipated once in a while though. I usually try to help things along by lubricating the "opening" with some Vaseline or Prep H, and I find that massaging my lower back also helps, also drink plenty and walk plenty (but not too much walking in one go, neither too far nor too fast)
BM with cath in is no big deal, as has been said, just have a bit of paper ready incase there is a tiny leak around the tube.

Hpe it's all okay soon.
Alf

Catheter was removed by nurse today. Not fun. Stomach cramps started at 9 am. Worst pain I have ever experienced. Been on stool softener since surgery. But I used every bit of pain meds possible in hospital. Plus lortab and Percocet while at home. Big Mistake. I ripped the incision at my belly button , at 1pm when I came out of bathroom it looked like I'd been shot. Needless to say my wife and parents nearly fainted. This has been tough. I have used 3 diapers today. I'm very weak. Today I'm just gonna focus on making sure I am passing urine. Feels irritated ,kinda burning at tip of penis. Tomorrow is a new day. We will see. Pathology report tomorrow I hope. Thank y'all David

I'm two and a half years out post surgery and I'm still on softeners...3 to 5 every night. The red/white Wal-Mart 4 bucks for a 100...The same pills and cost 30 buck in the hospital.


My sphincter could crush walnuts now I've had to pass so many titanium logs. :) lol...

ps...for a long time I took them and they didn't seem to help...then my wife mentions you're supposed to take them at night....oh now you tell me... day time doesn't work well...;)


They do work better at night.



good luck op... I couldn't eat solids until I passed some solids...Jello takes forever lol...

Mel, ....Yes they work better a decent amount...good luck when..well you know. I've pretty much been on them the whole time since July 2011 and took them in the mornings for about two years lol...She decided to read the bottle...;)

Post Edited (hawkgfr) : 2/4/2014 4:17:52 PM (GMT-7)