Aa
Embarrassing Problem...Constipation
I was warned that I would have it while taking pain meds and took stool softeners those didn't help much. but still dealing with it. Is there something else I can do besides pop another pill in my mouth getting so sick of popping pills.. besides with this brain fog I have to write everything down while I am taking it or I forget what I have taken..This really sucks..the fog I mean well the other too..lol Can I make a change in my diet. I am eating lots of fruits and veggies. I gave up soda almost I have had two bottles in the last 13 days. Normally drank 6-8 bottles in one day. I am drinking water in place of that.. Help..Pepple butt here...Thanks.
PS. I don't want to take something that is going to make me explode. With my luck it would happen at work..LOL
Jean
PS. I don't want to take something that is going to make me explode. With my luck it would happen at work..LOL
Jean
Thank You.. I was I am saying I was wooo hooo. I was a 26 year smoker.. I am taking that new drug for smokers called Chantix. It is a wonderful and it's out of this world meaning it has taken almost I would say in my case 97 percent of the cravings away. The other part is an emotional trigger for a cig and changing my habits is working for me. The good thing is I can be on the drug for a full year if I choose. Is that great or what.. I had tryed many many times to quit and failed. I don't feel that way this time. Actually my Dr. says we (she was a smoker too) we have to have go one full month to say we are non-smokers. The thing I like the most about the drug is it not putting nicotine into my system but shrinking the nicotine cells in my body. Amazing.. Again Thank you very much.
Jean
Jean
Oh... most important reason I responded was to say CONGRATULATIONS for your lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking is a GREAT improvement in your health. SO happy for you and hope it sticks! :)
I'm eating tums too, so that compounds my usual "issue." I also used to go after drinking coffee (I normally get my morning caffeine from soda rather than coffe) but since this "issue" is worse after surgery, I figured I'd use coffee to jump start things.
Anyway... I've upped the Benefibre to twice a day and in just two days it's working well. I have never known what it's like to be regular... what an odd thing! ;)
Hope it works for you too!
Anyway... I've upped the Benefibre to twice a day and in just two days it's working well. I have never known what it's like to be regular... what an odd thing! ;)
Hope it works for you too!
I am eating quite alot of tums. Dr. put me on them after surgery. I went to the drug store and got the Benefiber and will also put in my coffee. Coffee actually used to make me go but since I have started wanting to have a better and more healthy lifestyle I cut back from a full pot to 2 or 3 cups. I have been making lots of changes since surgery. I have quit smoking day four.. Yippee. I am overweight by 30 pounds and I know that I will gain weight by being hypo and by not smoking so I am making the changes I can till I conquer that then I hope to find a good diet..Actually not looking for a diet but lifestlye long term type eating plan.. Any suggestions..
Thanks to All for helping with this constipation.
Jean
Thanks to All for helping with this constipation.
Jean
One thing that hit me this morning as I put my Benefibre in my coffee... CALCIUM is constipating... so if you're taking calcium, that could be a culprit too.
If you're taking Tums for calcium, this can cause bloating. I can't remember what it was, but when I was pregnant and had terrible heartburn, I was popping tums several times a day. I asked my OB if it was safe and she said it was fine, but that it was probably why my ankle swelling was worse than usual b/c something in the tums causes water retention.
Anyway... just remembered that this morning and thought I'd share.
If you're taking Tums for calcium, this can cause bloating. I can't remember what it was, but when I was pregnant and had terrible heartburn, I was popping tums several times a day. I asked my OB if it was safe and she said it was fine, but that it was probably why my ankle swelling was worse than usual b/c something in the tums causes water retention.
Anyway... just remembered that this morning and thought I'd share.
What helped me after surgery was eating one carton of yoghurt a day. If I even miss one day I can notice the difference. I avoid the low cal kind as the artificial sweetners bother me. It may not work for you, but it helps me avoid constipation and also adds needed calcium to my diet (I have trouble drinking milk, but yoghurt doesn't bother me.)
So... I have ALWAYS had an issue with this and since my TT, I FINALLY decided to do what my proctologist (yes, I actually went to the dr. for this right after my second pregnancy) suggested. She suggested changes to my diet (I already drink tons of water but I don't get enough fruits and I drink WAY too much soda) and that just wasn't immediate enough for me. She also suggested using a product called Benefibre. It's a powder that you add to your drinks or soft foods (like yogurt, cottage cheese) and it puts more fiber in your system. The average American gets about 2-3 g of fiber in their diet and is supposed to get like 11g of fiber. Or maybe it was that they need 20 and only get 11? Don't quote me on the numbers, but it was staggering how small of a portion of the needed fiber we get. ANYWHO... I tried Benefiber for the first time this weekend. I took it on Saturday and Sunday (3 times per day) and by Monday it was great. Nothing at all like a laxative that will send you running to the bathroom. Just made everything "easy" so to speak. Hope that's not TMI.
Anyway... since Monday I've been using it just once a day but I'm thinking maybe I need to go to twice a day. I put it in my glass of water this morning and you can NOT taste it or feel any texture difference.
Good luck and I'll let you know if 2x a day works.
Anyway... since Monday I've been using it just once a day but I'm thinking maybe I need to go to twice a day. I put it in my glass of water this morning and you can NOT taste it or feel any texture difference.
Good luck and I'll let you know if 2x a day works.
My 7-yr-old son has IBS and they gave him Milk of Magnesia to clean him out as it is very easy on you. Then to keep him regular they prescribed Miralax in prescription strength, but you can also buy it over the counter. Nothing else works on my son, not fruit or juice or just plain fiber.
I also found something new for gas called Charco Caps. I think they work amazingly well. They are an all natural remedy.
Good luck with whatever method you choose. Hope everything comes out all right in the end! ;-}
I also found something new for gas called Charco Caps. I think they work amazingly well. They are an all natural remedy.
Good luck with whatever method you choose. Hope everything comes out all right in the end! ;-}
Wow. Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I didn't make it to the drug store today. I am pushing myself to stay at work 8 hrs a day. I am so extremely exhausted when it's time to go home.. thats exactly what I do and do my few chores and the nap for two plus hours. I get up have supper feed the kitties and not long after go back to bed.. What kind of LIFE is that. I am only 41 years old. I can't wait to feel better. My job is stressfull and very fast paced. I wish I could stay home and have applied for short term disibility not sure if it will go threw but worth a try. Ok.. Done venting now.. I feel better.
It is a comfort to know others suffer from this constipation. I feel like I am being a baby sometimes but being plugged up sure causes alot of discomfort.
Jean
It is a comfort to know others suffer from this constipation. I feel like I am being a baby sometimes but being plugged up sure causes alot of discomfort.
Jean
Guess what .. it may be from your #'s going hypo after surgery .... don't discount that either. Happened to me ... I have been on a laxative for 2yrs bcz one day out the blue with no real reasons found I got severely constipated and after surgery it got even worse and now that my TSH is regulated better than ever in my life the constipation is 50% better than the past 2yrs!!!!!
MIRALAX is a product that just went over the counter. It is very safe, non habit forming and very very gentle. It works great but does take a few days to work. It draws the water somehow or retains it in the bowel so is very safe to use .. not like other products. GI's have been scripting it for yrs for old and young and people like us LOL!
Sorry you have this problem ... it is bad enough to be plagued with recovery and now this ...
Cheryl
MIRALAX is a product that just went over the counter. It is very safe, non habit forming and very very gentle. It works great but does take a few days to work. It draws the water somehow or retains it in the bowel so is very safe to use .. not like other products. GI's have been scripting it for yrs for old and young and people like us LOL!
Sorry you have this problem ... it is bad enough to be plagued with recovery and now this ...
Cheryl
For what it's worth, I've found that Metamucil capsules taken 2 or 3 times a day (and maybe one stoole softener capsule) are very helpful! For me it's easier to take Metamucil capsules than the powder which has to mixed into a liquid and has a gitty texture or taste.
Thank You. You guys are very helpful. I will be heading to the drug store after work tomorrow.
Jean
Jean
Hi Jean
Sorry for the predicament you find yourself in - it happened to me too after surgery. Really uncomfortable isn't it. Part of that pain and discomfort is trapped gas - it's a good sign if you are beginning to pass wind. Let it go!!!
You are doing the right thing by eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water (at least 1.5 to 2.5 litres per day) - you'll need to keep doing this for awhile after you get going again. Prunes are a great idea too.
Once you are going again if you want you could even add extra fibre to your diet by adding psyllium husk to your breakfast cereal. But don't do this until you are going again - it will help prevent it re-occuring.
You have a few more options to consider and may need to use more than one of the following methods at the same time as your current laxative ;
1. Lactulose Liquid (one brand name is Actilax - you can get it at the pharmacy) it is a syrup (sickly sweet tasting) that draws water into the bowel and helps to soften the stool at the same time. Start with 15-30ml as soon as you get home from work so it doesn't interrupt your work day. If still no result you can increase to 3 or 4 times a day.
*It is not very common to go from constipation to diarrhoea.
2. Glycerin Suppository - provides lubrication to stool for easier passing. You need to resist the urge to deficate for at least 15 minutes after insertion to allow time for the suppository to melt and do its job. You can insert this yourself if you lie down on your left side on a bed (use a glove) and a dollop of lubricant on the end of the suppository (about the size of a pearl).
Should be able to get these from a supermarket or pharmacy.
3. Micro Enema - (one brand is called Microlax Enema) It comes in a tube with a long neck on it for insertion up the butt. Again you can do this yourself if you lie on the bed on your left side. Put a dollop of lubricant on the end of the enema and insert as far as it will go then squeeze. Again you need to leave it at least 15 minutes before trying to go to the toilet.
With the last two options it is really important that you lie on your left hand side for insertion. Anatomically this is the direction your colon sits in. If you lie on your right side and push too hard you risk perforating the bowel - yuk! No risk of this as long as you lie on your left hand side okay.
If you want you could get someone else to do the insertion part for you - but most people like to do this themselves.
This is just a side note - try not to strain as you sit on the toilet - you don't want to give yourself haemorroids on top of your current problem.
By the way - just by giving up drinking that much soda you will start to lose weight!! Keep it up!!!
I hope things get moving soon!
~Jen
Sorry for the predicament you find yourself in - it happened to me too after surgery. Really uncomfortable isn't it. Part of that pain and discomfort is trapped gas - it's a good sign if you are beginning to pass wind. Let it go!!!
You are doing the right thing by eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water (at least 1.5 to 2.5 litres per day) - you'll need to keep doing this for awhile after you get going again. Prunes are a great idea too.
Once you are going again if you want you could even add extra fibre to your diet by adding psyllium husk to your breakfast cereal. But don't do this until you are going again - it will help prevent it re-occuring.
You have a few more options to consider and may need to use more than one of the following methods at the same time as your current laxative ;
1. Lactulose Liquid (one brand name is Actilax - you can get it at the pharmacy) it is a syrup (sickly sweet tasting) that draws water into the bowel and helps to soften the stool at the same time. Start with 15-30ml as soon as you get home from work so it doesn't interrupt your work day. If still no result you can increase to 3 or 4 times a day.
*It is not very common to go from constipation to diarrhoea.
2. Glycerin Suppository - provides lubrication to stool for easier passing. You need to resist the urge to deficate for at least 15 minutes after insertion to allow time for the suppository to melt and do its job. You can insert this yourself if you lie down on your left side on a bed (use a glove) and a dollop of lubricant on the end of the suppository (about the size of a pearl).
Should be able to get these from a supermarket or pharmacy.
3. Micro Enema - (one brand is called Microlax Enema) It comes in a tube with a long neck on it for insertion up the butt. Again you can do this yourself if you lie on the bed on your left side. Put a dollop of lubricant on the end of the enema and insert as far as it will go then squeeze. Again you need to leave it at least 15 minutes before trying to go to the toilet.
With the last two options it is really important that you lie on your left hand side for insertion. Anatomically this is the direction your colon sits in. If you lie on your right side and push too hard you risk perforating the bowel - yuk! No risk of this as long as you lie on your left hand side okay.
If you want you could get someone else to do the insertion part for you - but most people like to do this themselves.
This is just a side note - try not to strain as you sit on the toilet - you don't want to give yourself haemorroids on top of your current problem.
By the way - just by giving up drinking that much soda you will start to lose weight!! Keep it up!!!
I hope things get moving soon!
~Jen
I had the same problem after surgery- I bought flax seed in the health food section at the grocery store. I mix it in yogurt 2 times a day- it worked finally. Hope all "turns out" well :)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
