Icky BM question - after lumbar fusion

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vicki19

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Hi all.. I was just wondering if others are still needing to take stool softeners and stimulant laxitives to be able to have a BM. It's getting better for me but I still need help and I have alot of discomfort in my back if I push. Sorry for the yuckiness. I'm going back to work in a week and this has me a little concerned as well as other things.... :confused:
 
Vicki,
How long ago was your fusion? Are you still taking pain meRAB? That might be part of the problem if you are. Be careful about the use of laxatives, since you can develop a dependence on them if you take them steadily for too long. The stool softeners shouldn't cause that problem.
Back
 
Hey there Vicky...no ick taken!..BM's constipation and discomfort while going are still a problem with me nearly 6 weeks out. I believe that the pain meRAB and the fact that I am actually not moving physically as much as I would before recovery such as walking doing and such are part of the problem. I find that walking plus upping my fiber has helped me..I actually dont mind benefiber in my OJ in the morning..no taste or ick thick..plus eating whole prunes at lunch (I like them so much better than the juice) help considerably..Probably..my non medical opinion of course, is that that area frankly has had ALOT of disturbance with the fusion and is healing just behind the bowel..probably the same musculature that helps with the "going" is involved with putting pressure on the healing and frankly touchy back muscles..I can say it is less uncomfortable for me now and seems to get better as the days go forward..Im up to a 1/4 mile continuous walking on an indoor track a few times a week and walking round and round in the garage everyday. (ice and snow make it slip and fall time outside)..I think the movement of our bodies in general and the help of fiber and softeners is part and parcel with pain meRAB and just general healing....good luck to you.. and I know you will find it easier as time moves along.. I wish you the best
Lena
 
Thanks Back.... I am 4 weeks post op. I am still taking pain meRAB (much less than before of course) so I know that is part of it. I also am aware of the dependence on laxatives. I've been taking 1 every few days up until now but I think I will not take anymore. I guess I'll just take the stool softeners and hope for the best. thx!!~
 
Vicki....It is your pain meRAB! try taking prune juice...my doc had me taking senokot-s at every meal its a laxative and softener (just for two weeks)...I think its natural....it has helped but the prune juice is the best I think....having those problems will cause alot of pain and sence of wellness to be off....make that a priority!....drink more water then you ever have before.....oatmeal in the morning etc.....Im doing better without the meRAB too......I did a test and got off my meRAB for two days and everything seemed to get "normal" again...when I take any meRAB it acts up a bit....I guess in time we get back to the norm.

Devon
 
Devon, How much prune juice do you have to drink? I really don't like it, but, like you, many have said it works great so I may just have to suck it up and drink it. I am kicking up the water too. I guess I'll buy some next trip to the store. thx!
 
This is one of the hardest things to deal with after surgery in my opinion. The key is to keep things moving and if you are taking any pain killers it is very important as well to take something like a daily dose of miralax. This is made to take on a daily basis without causing any dependency or future problems.

I have also found eating at least one Fiber One Bar a day helpful. They are found in the granola bar section of your grocery store. I personally love the choc chip. It tastes like I am eating a candy bar and it is like 140 calories.
 
Thanks for all the great advise dietpepper and nlena. I was thinking about trying the miralax. I've read a little about it and I have a coupon too! In fact I think I'll pick some up tomorrow. I am picking up my water intake and walking also. Hopefully all this will keep things moving. And of course the pain in the back area when pushing even a little is way less then a couple of weeks ago. thanks again for all the advise...
 
I cant stand prunes....the prune juice is from wal-mart and sunbelt brand I think....its pretty good.....I take a 1/2 cup daily.....well I was and now Im just doing it at any sign of trouble.....the miralax was given to me at the hospital and was good as well.....walk,water,fiber(they have it in a capsule),ease up on the meRAB if possible just to help get going again.....its what I had to do and only if its possible to do of coarse.....The prune juice will be fairly quick....you shouldnt have to push so hard that you hurt at all.....I have eaten nothing but a good fiber cereal every morning since.

Like 123dietdrpepper said.....this is one of the hardest things to deal with....get on the correct side of it quickly...you will feel so much better.:dizzy:

Devon
 
If you can't handle the prune juice, they do have pitted prunes with cherry or orange essence now that aren't bad at all. Nothing like those nasty dried up things they used to sell.

I still take Colace with every pain pill. As long as you don't use the kind with the added laxative, you can take it indefinitely without any problems.

Hope you get things moving again. And no problem with ickyness. That's what we're here for! We do understand!

Been there, done that!
Emily :)
 
OOOOO Pepper-great minRAB think alike! I LOVE the Fiber One bars-they are my afternoon "candy". The "after" effects are only a plus!

I ate tons of bing cherries(fresh!) that kept me moving. I also take drug store brand colace stool softener twice daily along with Miralax every other day. I drink lots of water whenever possible. I also love the small to-go packs (like 3 to a pack) of Sunsweet prunes-I put them with lunch everyday. They are softer and sweeter than raisins.

It is the ickiest part of this-the first two BM's I had after the surgery were really painful-had to take a pain pill after and the whole thing starts again.....:dizzy:

Praying for all of us on this one!
Blessings,
Michelle :angel:
 
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