Impacted Bowel One Week After Surgery? Clueless Newbie.

[JupiterinVirgo 846]

After being force fed insane amounts of Protein Shakes for three weeks, being medicated with opiates post op and being on bed rest for the last week I am not constipated. I'm impacted. There is no way I can pass this malabsorbed Protein plug concrete lying like a door mat over my rectal exit! It's very painful and I don't know whether I need medical intervention, colonic irrigation or a strong laxative. Been taking dulcalax and milk of magnesia so far to no avail. I'm a week post op and scared. I never had anything like this before. Normal? Serious? What works? Help!

[jane13 2,256]

@@JupiterinVirgo - suppository? Miralax is what I use. Can I ask why you haven't contacted your doctor before now? I was told to not wait more than about five to seven days of I hadn't had a BM.

[magtart 603]

Whoa. You might need to try an enema. The opiates can definitely do a number on you. My husband is a cancer patient and gets very blocked up when he is on pain meds and chemo. He once described it as trying to poop out a beer can.

I have been having some issues lately and found relief taking SennaS daily.

[jane13 2,256]

it has also been described <here> as passing a pineapple! been there. done that...not pretty

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Call the doctor or go to the ER. An enema or suppository may do the trick, but why risk those options not working? You can also discuss getting a prescription for a stool softner. My doctor puts all his pts. on one for the first 30 days post-op.

[BarrySue 602]

You need to call your doc ASAP, but all of those laxatives/stool softeners won't be effective UNLESS YOU GET TONS OF HYDRATION. Drink drink drink Water.< /p>

[JupiterinVirgo 846]

Thank you all for these great suggestions! My surgeons office said not to expect"normal" bm's the first week but this was getting out of hand. I don't feel that I was well educated nor that my comfort taken into account as a patient after. They know this is common they should inform us, give us a script to keep serious impact ions from happening, etc. As a newbie o feel truly under prepared and under supported, medically. Thankfully I have loving friends and family for emotional support. Thanks again, BP community.

Edited November 30, 2015 by JupiterinVirgo

[mynewlife15 10]

I've been taking 3 Colace tablets every night it seems to keep me going. You need to call the doctor first to get cleared out first. Sorry I know its painful.

[liannatx 897]

Miralax works wonders.

[turbomom22 21]

On day 6 post op I still had not had a bm; I took mirilax in the morning and I'm the evening I felt like I had a bowling ball stuck up my a**, it would come out! I took more mirilax that evening and slept with a lot of discomfort but in the am I pooped out my bowling ball lol!! Now I take a capful of mirilax every morning (I am ten days post op and haven't had any issues since. Good luck it sucks I know!

[ZoeyBear 64]

This happened to me and I ended up in the ER and had to have "help" getting rid of it! Very humiliating and painful! After that, I took a capful of Miralax every morning in some juice for about 3 months, and a stool softener every night. Still take the stool softener every night - I'm 8 months post op. No more problems for me. Sometimes I'll go 2-3 days without pooping, but it's not a big deal. I don't eat much!

[turbomom22 21]

This happened to me and I ended up in the ER and had to have "help" getting rid of it! Very humiliating and painful! After that, I took a capful of Miralax every morning in some juice for about 3 months, and a stool softener every night. Still take the stool softener every night - I'm 8 months post op. No more problems for me. Sometimes I'll go 2-3 days without pooping, but it's not a big deal. I don't eat much!

I take mirilax every morning, it does nothing; I'll try prune juice and a stool softener at night, I've gotta do something my lower abdomen is so uncomfortable!

Thank you for sharing!

[1SlimmerMe 122]

I have had this problem from day one. After Miralax, enemas, and stool softeners I am now on daily Linzess.

[cherri2000 6]

I had to have my colon removed due to pre-cancerous cells - without getting to graphic i go to the bathroom 8-10 times a day. I have forgotten what normal is. I take Miralax with hardly any Water to help my situation. Pls get some help. You dont want to damage "that area" believe me. Oh! My surgery date is 12/30! I am jumping for joy!!