poop!

[jaimaroo]

I know this is a subject people don't like to talk about, but I figured...why the heck not.
I am having some major issues. Sometimes I don't use the loo for a week. When I finally do, it is super hard and painful to go. It makes me feel full, not hungry, bloated...and just cruddy.
Then there are other times that I have to run to the bathroom for fear of ruining my pants!

Is this normal? I don't have a gallbladder. Is there something I could take that you recommend?

Thanks team. Sorry if this is a strange topic.

[Nursesrock99]

Hi Im in washington too! I haven't had surgery yet I am still researching. I am an RN though and work with a population with the same problem you are describing. I would recommend a stool softener daily and miralax. Also a good probiotic could help.

[jaimaroo]

So I could take one daily, and it won't cause me to have to run from the room?

[MargeB]

My doctor recommended Milk of Magnesia. When it is really bad because of pain medication, I take a stool softener (can't do fiber with pain med induced constipation). Probiotics sometimes help, sometimes not.

Make sure you are hydrated enough, and that you're getting SOME form of fiber in your diet. Also, call your GP and rule out IBS.

[MargeB]

So I could take one daily, and it won't cause me to have to run from the room?

It might I take it directly after work.

[dxgolsen]

Culturelle is the probiotic to take. It helped me a lot. Miralax is a stool softener, i wouldn't take that and a tablet stool softener at the same time. you want to get things moving, but not flying!

Anyway, having the same difficulties early on . . . I started one capsule of Culturelle a day in the first week and also added miralax for a week or so (takes a few days for everything to remedy). So much improvement. Miralax goes in broth well, you can't taste or feel it in that.
Now (4 weeks out from surgery) my regimen consists of one culturelle with my morning meal plus a prune with each meal. That gets almost a full serving of prunes in each day. Lovely. ;-) I've started saving a bit of space for a spinach/cauliflower puree in my lunch and dinner meals as well.

[jojonavery]

I have same issue. My doctor recommended miralax (bc it is non habit forming), yogurt with active cultures (activia) or prune juice. Hope this helps.

[thesinger]

I am completely the opposite. I had my surgery 4 weeks ago today and two weeks ago I started eating pureed food. I have had diarrhea nearly every day for two and a half weeks. Everything I try to eat goes right through me.

[dxgolsen]

We had the same surgery date! I had it loose for about a week, which is why i started the culturelle. I figured anything to balance my gut was good. It sure helped.

[Tray9112]

I have the same thing I find if I haven't went I have some apple juice or grape juice I have even added some extra fiber to the juice it helps. If you are hurting when you go add some stool softener daily it's not going to hurt anything and could get you more regular.

[Love4mykids]

i think i have IBS i am the same way, stool softners make me really gassy and culturelle didnt work the first time for me but im willing to try it again i also tried papaya pills from GNC they help a little

[jaimaroo]

I just thought I would give a quick follow up.
I started eating 2 prunes a day and taking 2 gummy fibers. So far....so good. What a relief!! I have read that gummy doesn't digest well, but I am having luck with it. Is there a reason I should cut them out?

[Jmichelle]

I just thought I would give a quick follow up.
I started eating 2 prunes a day and taking 2 gummy fibers. So far....so good. What a relief!! I have read that gummy doesn't digest well, but I am having luck with it. Is there a reason I should cut them out?

I wouldn't cut the gummies out if they are working for you, and it sounds like they are. I take gummy vitamins daily and my nutrient levels are excellent, so I'll continue to take them if and until I'm forced to change.

[JanPit]

If things get too icky for me I use benefiber in any drink. Totally tasteless and it doesn't change the texture either. I had lots of running to do the first couple of months. I still have this issue. I don't know why, but iron supplement seems to make it worse. I take my iron supplement when I know it will be easy to get to the bathroom.