Topic: Before Surgery/Narcotics Stool Softeners ?
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- Posted on: May 6, 2008 11:41 am
Ok, Ughmmm. Heres a question...Maybe some of you might know.
I usually get diarrhea when I have a just a Drs Appt (nerves) And certainly had it before my Lumpectomy/SNB. I also became Constipated from the Pain meds after the Lumpectomy. Started Stool softeners I think on day 2 after surgery.
So Should I wait & start the stool softener in the Hospital after my Surgery...And not before my surgery?
Thanks,
Dx 3/7/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+
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sandyk Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 447 |
May 6, 2008 12:58 pm
sandyk wrote:
Based upon my ten day bout of constipation last summer that required a trip to the ER, I would recommend starting them a couple of days before. In addition to starting them in advance, I was given a dose of three Colace right after my last couple of surgeries, and haven't had the same problem again. The nurses had me drink a full cup of water with every pain pill. I don't normally have problems, but a long surgery combined with little activity and lots of narcotics caused my intestines to shut down and it was incredibly miserable until I had a soap suds enema in the ER. Dx 5/22/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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puppyholic Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 281 |
May 6, 2008 01:02 pm
puppyholic wrote:
I started my gas X and stool softeners right after my surgery. I wouldn't take anything before surgery without asking your drs first. It might have a reaction to the anesthesia or do something to your blood, like thin it. |
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determinedm… Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 247 |
May 6, 2008 05:50 pm
determinedmom wrote:
Definitely start stool softeners as soon as possible, may even want to have laxatives/suppositories on hand just in case. I started my softeners about 36 hrs. after surgery and ended up needing to use the suppos., don't wait too long to 'relieve' yourself.
Dx 5/26/2007, DCIS, , Stage 0, 0/4 nodes, ER-/PR- |
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sam408 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1094 |
May 6, 2008 09:58 pm, edited May 16, 2008 08:31 AM
by sam408
sam408 wrote:
I agree that you shouldn't take anything prior to surgery without clearing it with your drs. But do take the stool softeners as long as you're on the pain meds. I didn't heed this advice and paid for it last week when the constipation became pretty much unbearable. The fact that I'm recovering from a tram and couldn't push made matters even worse. Anyway, here's a tip I got off the internet in the middle of the night when I was trying to get through this. Put your feet on a small stool in front of the toilet so that your knees are higher than your waist. Then lean forward and this puts your body in a squatting position which lines everything up and was the way our bodies were designed to eliminate. It worked! Stay on top of this bowel movement thing. You will be miserable if you don't. I definitely won't let myself get in that shape again. Sheila . . .Never regret something that made you smile.
Dx 2/16/2007, DCIS, <1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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sam408 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1094 |
May 16, 2008 01:48 pm
sam408 wrote:
bumping for May surgery gals Sheila . . .Never regret something that made you smile.
Dx 2/16/2007, DCIS, <1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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wahine Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 350 |
May 16, 2008 02:32 pm
wahine wrote:
I agree with everyone here. Came close to going to the ER myself this week, cause of constipation/compaction. Extremely painful, and suppositories and enemas and pills did not work for several hours. DO take stool softeners!!!! I wouldn't wish this on anyone. |
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Dejaboo Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 893 |
May 16, 2008 03:50 pm
Dejaboo wrote:
Kind of like a Stool Softener! I couldnt resist. Pam <<<<Anyway, here's a tip I got off the internet in the middle of the night when I was trying to get through this. Put your feet on a small stool in front of the toilet so that your knees are higher than your waist. Then lean forward and this puts your body in a squatting position which lines everything up and was the way our bodies were designed to eliminate. It worked!>>> Dx 3/7/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ |
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sam408 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1094 |
May 16, 2008 04:03 pm
sam408 wrote:
LOL. . .glad to see you're keeping your sense of humor Pam. Now I'll be laughing the next time I drag my little stool into the bathroom. . .LOL! Sheila . . .Never regret something that made you smile.
Dx 2/16/2007, DCIS, <1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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tmac Joined: May 2008 Posts: 160 |
May 16, 2008 06:19 pm
tmac wrote:
I'm in agreement too, at least after surgery. I had a hysterectomy two years ago and learned my lesson re:narcotics/constipation, etc. In prep for my bi-mast 3 wks. ago, I started colace as soon as my dr. okayed it. I also drank a lot of water, increased my bran intake, well, you get the pix. I figured the natural stuff couldn't hurt. Walking I've heard is good, too, so I tried to take little walks around the neighborhood once my doc gave me the go ahead. And, no constipation, at least not the level I experienced two years ago. Good luck! |
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SLH Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 510 |
May 16, 2008 06:59 pm
SLH wrote:
The pain meds, muscle relaxants, and nausea meds ALL cause constipation, so it's a triple whammy on your bowels! And then there's the added fun of having hemorrhoids from the constipation! I take a Dulcolax or Colace (stool softener) every time I take a major pain pill. Yes, I learned the "hard" way! (pun intended) |
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ckr11100 Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 42 |
May 16, 2008 07:31 pm
ckr11100 wrote:
Oh I am so there with you all. I was even taking the stool softeners (dulcolax) as soon as I got home from the hospital. Last night I was miserable (1 week post bil mast). I seriously was ready to go to the ER. I decided to take milk of magnesia and had my hubby go get me prunes from the store. It worked! This am I finally got some relief. Im drinking prune juice now and hoping that it keeps me "going". Hope that wasnt TMI! Dx 4/21/2008, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 2 |
