Possible, but usually there are other symptoms like bladder involvement and impaired sexual function (erectile dysfunction if you're a man). Depending on where the problem is, sometimes there is also associated pain. Talk to your neurosurgeon and consider seeing a neurologist for a formal examination. In the meantime, there is what's called the "rancho recipe" for constipation in neurological patients. It's a cup of bran, a cup of prune juice, and a cup of applesauce mixed together. Refrigerate and take 2 tbsp every morning. Keeps for 2 weeks. Good luck.
Constipation associated to a diskEctomy at L4/5. Can be neurological. However, many pain medications commonly used to trereat residual pain are opiat in base Codeine and Morphine base are in themselves seriously constipative.
I have had diskectomies L4/5 L5/S1. Recovered very well with some Seriously strenuous Physical exercise heavy weiht liftin and cycling. On;ly to destroy it all in a Fall where I Fractured L1,2,3,4,5 and ruptured T8/9 Disk. the use of opiate drus to control pain was devestatin and caused serious constipation.
Resolution came when I was treated for a serious headache that wont go away. I was put on Gabbapentin and given a maximum dose to work up to to control the headache of 3600 MGs a day Max. at 1200 Mgs a day I was recieveing relief of the headache and I was reducing my intake of Codiene From 400 mgs a day gradually down to 0 and now 1t 1600 Mgs a day of Gabbapentin. My back pain wasa reduced to an occaisional Tylenol 3 for that ONE BAD MOVE you make.
This WAS MY WAY out of CONSTIPATION AND PAIN.
VITAL::
SHOULD you discuss this with your Doctor I recomen d you give the Gabbapentin 30 days to work It is NOt a typicla pain reliever it is a PAIN BLOCKER or preventitive. It must be taken on schedule each day the same as antibiotic. IF you miss a dose you wil be in pain. and it wil take several days to return to control.
Taking Such pain treatments requires diligence and patience for it to begin to work. Many people Failt o realize the process by which this method of pain control works.
This is a thought and it may be the root cause and cure of your Constipation
Best of luck
http://brainchat.org for some fun
Peter.
Meanwhile...............you might want to try Lucy's Labueo Dieters Tea. One cup at night and you'll be ok by morning. My spelling if off but they sell it at the Health Food store and the clerk will know. I've been on it 15 years with no adverse effects and still only one tea bag is needed.