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Eight weeks after seeds - constipation?

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Posted 3/27/2011 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Just a follow-up. It's now eight weeks since the Palladium 103 implant.

Continuing the urinary problems (weak stream or just dripping) in the evening and during the night. Daytime better as long as I keep moving. Now need to figure out a way to keep moving while sleeping!

Big issue right now is what seems to be constipation. Two weeks ago I went from 2 or 3 soft bowel movements a day, to one compacted movement a day - and not very large. Very tight abdomen and stuffed feeling 24/7. Have been taking Metamucil (two wafers daily) with a cup of water for a week, but no improvement. Normal bland diet and plenty of liquids.

I feel stuffed, but don't really feel an urge to have a movement.

Anyone else remember going through this constipation situation? and how you dealt with it? Very uncomfortable here, but doctor says it's to be expected at this point.

Thanks.
Tom M.
Posted 3/27/2011 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I had the feeling of being constipated 1 day after the seed implants. However I think it was just a feeling. I think my brain signals were kind of mixed up with what was going on down there. My Dr. told me to take magnesium citrate which promptly cleared that problem up. Ever since my IMRT treatments I have had loose bowels. I guess I may have IBS now. How long it will last I don't know.
Posted 3/27/2011 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have had problems with constipation for many years. Sometimes, miralax works. Usually fibre does NOT work that well for me, although All-Bran has worked well at times. I have not found any one thing that works consistently. Sometimes I'm just fine for 6 months and then I'll have problems for a few months. I've never been able to relate it to anything specific (stress, etc.) even accounting for maybe a time delay.

I would suggest trying all-bran or maybe miralax. The latter is one of the safest laxatives to take. You may have to take it for 3 or so days before it works.

Of course, check with your doctor.

Mel

Posted 3/27/2011 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
My seeds were implanted exactly ten months ago at the same facility as fulltlt has his done. Stools had always been almost effortless and soft up to about two weeks ago when I had that extremely full feeling for about two days and had a difficult time (super grunting = BAD) in moving stuff along. After the big void, I took some stool softners that I got at (the Nations largest chain store) and once things settled down, have had no more problems with bowel issues. Maybe I caused it by eating a huge piece of swiss cheese along with a few beers which was great at the time but I guess I paid dearly for eating that much and drinking just an hour before going to bed. I'll learn.
Posted 3/27/2011 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Felt constipated for a day or two after the seeds were implanted. No problems ever since. Pretty regular with normal stools. We eat a lot of fiber every day...that might help if you are not doing so.
Posted 3/27/2011 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Fulltlt - I came home from the seed implant and felt "tight" in the abdomen too. But since I was "purged" to clean the bowel the night before, I knew there was nothing down there to be constipated with. I'm wondering if half my problems are now physical (urination and constipation), and half are due to anxiety brought on by the physical problems. A self-fulfilling prophecy.

Compiler - did you ever have an increase in constipation (and/or abdominal distress) related to seed implant (or surgery)?

Erbob - I envy you the swiss cheese. Love that stuff. But haven't had any for weeks. You mention stool softener helping. How often did you take it, and how many days before you noticed an improvement?

Joe - I could almost write the same signature info as you. I had 66 Palladium seeds, home same day, but kept catheter for another 24 hours. I hate catheters! Some burning, frequency, urgency ever since. No incontinence, and luckily no ED. Wanted to return to normal activities but the abdominal distress puts a damper on it. And I think my fatigue is due to lack of sleep and anxiety over the urinary and bowel problems.

Thanks.
Tom M.
Posted 3/27/2011 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Try Metamucil.
JT
Posted 3/27/2011 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks John. As I mentioned in my first post above, I've been using Metamucil for a week. No improvement.

Tom
Posted 3/27/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Nutmeg:

I had surgery and now SRT (Salvage Radiation Therapy).

No seeds, but plenty of constipation problems over the years

Mel

Posted 3/27/2011 11:47 PM (GMT 0)

Tom M, I took two stool softners twice a day for only two days. Drank a lot of water and that seemed to do the trick for me.  Have not had a problem since.  That first big bowel movement after that ultra consipation episode was a dang painful one.  Hope your problem clears up real quick.  Now I'm back to devouring swiss cheese and a brew or two but not so late in the evening. 

Posted 3/28/2011 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
I'm one of these strange people who actually like the taste of prunes and or rasins.  A couple of prunes will keep things moving along quite nice and they are healthy. 
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