CONSTIPATION--problem with so many of our drugs
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RE: Physical Therapy for rectocel. I have been going once per week for several weeks now. Sessions involve strategically placed (on my bare bottom) electrodes that are hooked up to a biofeedback machine. More embarrassing than ucky, but the PT is a very nice lady about my age and we get along well.
I am told to do exercises (basically Kegals or variations thereof). The biofeedback machine shows if I am doing these properly/using the right muscles. I'm finding this very helpful as I can see my progress and how well/if I'm controlling the muscles properly when hooked up to the machine and make corrections as needed. I also have "homework," sets of exercises to do at home daily, the Kegal type exercises plus use of a resistance band, all designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Vaginal weights have been mentioned but the PT doesn't think I will need them as I am making good progress, but has cautioned me that I will need to continue to do these exercises daily even after I am discharged from her care.
My insurance covers this, but I did need a referral from my gyno who diagnosed the rectocel. Because mine is not yet severe, she wanted me to try PT before doing any kind of surgery. As Sas mentioned, surgery for this condition is not always successful and my gyno said lots of her patients benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy and thus avoid surgical intervention. PT also encouraged me to get the "squatty potty" and both gyno and PT have told me I must avoid becoming constipated (easier said than done, right?) and avoid straining. The "GoPro" brand I bought seems to help with both by keeping BM from going into the rectocel where it gets dry and hard and because I find it really difficult and mostly unnecessary to strain when in position on it. Something about having my knees higher than my hips seems to make everything go where it belongs and really does discourage straining. This, along with the PT makes me hopeful that I will avoid surgery on, or more problems with, my rectocel in the future.
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Better than and funnier than pictures of my "squatty potty." LMAO funny, but it does explain the concept quite nicely.
https://www.squattypotty.com/unicorn-c/
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Hi Sas! This is for the thread.
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Thanks Seachain, sounds good
Hi Mari, I vary between 600 to a 1000ft Pool is 30 feet long. It's really nice. It was a duh moment when I realized something changed and then figured out what it was. Each stroke is done about a third of the time.
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Labelle LMAO........... Thank you. I'm going to put the link in the topic box. That advertisement is a hoot. Hard to imagine Howard Stern's glowing recommendation hahahaha. Thanks for the description of how you were dx'd and then how to get insurance, and the PT's work. All for a better go.
Please, talk with your PT about that swimming thing I posted on the pervious page?
If you want to see how childbirth used to be done try some variations on google. Wasn't till the Victorians that women were put on their backs to deliver.
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RE: Childbirth. I know. I delivered my two youngest at home with a midwife in attendance, in a standing/squatting position. Gravity and all that.
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Labelle, not a lot of folks know that was the normal mode of delivery. Queen Victoria was the first queen to be attended to by a male obstertrican. He put her on her back and they added drapes so he couldn't see her bottom. Changed history. To our disadvantage.
There also was a thing called a birthing stool. A stool with a hole in the middle. Kind of like the squat potty.
Docs here for years try to discredit Midwives for many decades. I thought about going into it right after nursing school. Should have.
70charger, Hi you are here, How are things going? Just thinking about you today and there you pop in
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Sas thanks for asking. Right stone has passed, left stone will be blasted some time in Oct. Just trying to get the system to work properly after all the morphine, T-3, Toradol etc..
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Charger, any analysis of the stone? I have had I think 6 bladder stones pass. I'm now reaching the phase of loss of count. All mine were NO question bladder through urethra. As you know the pain is horrific for what you are going through. But they need to get to an answer. We haven't talked since you were dx'd with the stones.
Just going to float with questions. Have they done diagnostic imaging of both kidneys? Have then analysed stones's passed? Have they analyzed history? Have they looked at your drugs? What is family history on kidney problems? Any history in the past? Any evidence of hydronephrosis? (important). Any clue why this may be occurring?
70, I remember you well, but I forget what drugs you are on...........drugs can create kidney problems.I was put into renal failure b/c a doc ordered the wrong fluid. Ironically, it may have been the dose dense thing that is being done for some cancers. For me it was a week from hell. Who knows, may be why I survived an "Unfavorable outcome"? Stupid nusrse said to me if "I lost my kidneys's and had to go on dialysis, wasn't it worth it to be alive?"
But repeated kidney stones says that it happening at the kidney level. NOT good. Put's the kidneys at risk. Nothing to risk kidney function. Shortened life span. Lived with my dad on dialysis. Not a nice life -----------sucks.\
So tell me what's up?
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First time for stones, don't know when it passed, maybe they can analyse when they blast. Have had CT scans, x-rays & ultrasounds. No family history that I know of. Only drug I'm on is Tamoxifen.
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Hi team, I've asked Rosieo to come so we can work on her problem. If she comes before I get back, please, watch out for her.
Rosie, first read the links in the topic box. In reading the topic box one item we need to find is the Constipation/poop plan. It's not linked, But if you find it in your reading, note the page. That's where we need to start first after you have read all the sections in the topic box.
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SAS - we'll be alert for Rosie.
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Oh, my blessed team member MT, I have been on since just after 9am. My legs are swelling, I'm now into the wine. I need a chef. AND I need to know where that damn poop plan is? Can't believe I didn't link it in the topic box. I know we have discussed it multiple times. Probably ON PAGE 12. hAHAHAHaaaaaa. whining I don't want to search TO FIND IT.
If any team member has the patience to look--shout out, so others aren't searching for it too. Maybe I'll get that second wind that enbriation gives. Shit versus chit, I haven't the gray matter cells left to search for the poop plan, but this is getting more fun as I write this.
IT is in the topic box that puns are welcomed. Haven't had fun all day, just seriousness.
Have stuff to add to the rectal issues thread, have avoided it b/c who wants to talk about the butt. It's like when I contacted a certain federal agency about RAI-131 treatment for thyroid cancer. I put me on the scope of likely several agencies.. But it ended up changing things, I hope world wide. I was invited to join there discussion at a .gov thingy. BUT decided I didn't want to be entered into the government record talk about vulva problems post thyroid treatment.
BUT WHAT WAS VERY COOL. I identified a worldwide mismanagement of thyroid patients receiving RAI 131. Considering that this has been the management since late 1940'[s and NO ONE SAID WAIT STOP this is WRONG. That's like particularly cool.
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PROBABALY THE BEST TIME TO POST ON THE RECTAL ISSUES THREAD IS IN A WINE STATE. B/C INHIBITIONS ARE LOWERED.AND I CAN TALK TO FRANK OR FRANKLY.
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SAS - I had a Gin & Tonic so I can tell you honestly (frankly?) I don't know Frank. But go for it. FYI - the juniper berries in the Gin keep me regular.
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Hi wonderful friend, I am still awake, Let me fill my glass a wee bit, to pretend a glass has something in it. Comfort during a hurricane. Hurricane isn't here, but the bands are vicious Frank is always nice. He allows for any excuse to have a toddy. No clue, where this caine is going now. Learned many years ago for self preservation of MIND, not to clue in on hurricaine' s. This is the "attitude", is it going to hit us ? Otherwise, ignore. used to do all kinds of prep. Then fixed the house, then laid out a plan. Then learned to buy stuff I'd really eat when opening a can, Lay in 3x's the dog supplies ." They don't get not being fed and hunger".as domesticated friends. I can eat a can of beansand go quit long without food. Hmmmm gone without food for greater than 24 hrs. Going to find some. Choclolate while be the first morsel
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SAS - glad you're OK. After going through several hurricanes in Houston I've learned never to keep too much meat in the freezer and to have lots of batteries. I was without power for 3 weeks after Ike. My only concession was to buy a battery operated fan to add to my lanterns, and a car charger for my cell phone. Hope everyone is safe.
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Hi Sas ... hope you are o.k. What poop plan ... the one posted on Feb. 12th - posts 331-360?
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Ah-hah---Yay Judi, don't know , but now have a post point. Not sure why Rosie hasn't shown up.
MT thanks for staying with me the other night--------love you for doing that. It was such an intense BCO day that once I got into the sauce, I just oh so needed a break in being straight. Then going to the rectal thread which is linked in the topic box. I have much to share. Regretfully, b/c of RAI 131. It's way much more than I could find on the net.
Bottom line(pun) talking about the vulva & butt issues is just a PITA. But the world is averse to the discussions that make our lives easier. I promised to post more there. I ran out of steam/energy and had to much wine. So must go back and complete. Oh vey.................
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SAS - you add so much knowledge to so many threads & we thank you. You are certainly allowed an evening off with some wine.
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MT, dear one, apparently heading there again. LOL. Shouldn't equate, but I'm amazed at some of my best posts under the influence. I so hope you are watching the science thread posts on "attitude" I so need folks weighing in, b/c the discussion caused it to get to the Medical Director of BCO. Changes were made. BUT we need more voices.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics/847566?page=2#idx_45
I think this is the link, but traveled many places since then
Checked and it's the right link. Please, read. Encourage the folks on your usual threads to review and post. This "attitude" study is going to be a severe problem for years. Analogous, to obesity and Health Life Styles, neither have been proved, yet are promulgated in so much cancer info.
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Sass
I am here just so over whelmed with this whole mess. I think the going to the bathroom is playing havoc with me
My radiologic oncologist said to keep taking the SS. I saw him today . He said to take 8 today and Miarlax. I have passed small turds so I guess I am not truly constipated. :-) If I do not have a good bm tomorrow I am taking my old and reliablek M of M which is the culprit that gave me the hemmroids to begin with. but I need a GOOD BM. Any other suggestions. Here's looking forward to tomorrow.
Rosieo
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Rosieo, Oh good, you finally made it here. We have several team members that will pop in with suggestions. They are all very helpful and supportive.
The Milk of magnesia isn't what gave you hemorrhoids. It was the hard stool that was trying to be passed. You were bearing down which put's great pressure on the rectal wall and anus. The area is very vascular. That increased pressure within the rectal/ anal area created the hemorrhoids.
The senna is a usual management, but it isn't working for you sufficiently. Hard small pellet like passings says the stool is very dry. It's as bad as having a big lump of stool and may even be worse.
Remember in your earlier question you asked what the definition of constipation was and I responded that most web sites will say three days without a stool. BUT I said that wasn't a real good definition b/c it doesn't look at what is happening. Important to keep this in mind.
You ARE constipated. Posting this and working on the rest of the response.
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Rosieo, Posts 331-360 on pg 12 are an absolute must read. But the entire page should be read as there are other posts there that are helpful. There is no sense repeating the posts here , since they are written there, I have many thoughts for you, this will take awhile.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/781867?page=12
You need a good clean out. I suggest go-litely, nu-litely , or tri- lytely.
You would do the clean out on Saturday coming up. You could start after rads if you have rads on sat. It's a gallon of fluid that is drunk over 3 hours(follow direction). Expect to start pooping between 1- 1 1/2 hours after you start drinking it.. Then pooping is generally done after. 6-8 hours. All my thoughts related to why I think this is a good approach in your scenario are on page 12..
The short story is if the gut bacterial flora is not healthy, that can be a cause for constipation. By doing this clean out, it helps to flush away as much as you can. After completing, start with a probiotic to restore normal flora. Continue with the probiotic daily. Make sure to ask your doc if it's okay to use a probiotic. In a reduced immune state, probiotics can cause trouble as much as bacteria can, and shouldn't be used.
I checked with my pharmacy to see how to write the script to get the cheapest product. When you present the script to your pharmacist ask that insurance be checked. With insurance it's cheaper, obviously It may cost between 35-50$ without insurance. If I were in your condition 50$ would be okay for me b/c I know what the outcome would be. But you may think this too much money.
If the RO is willing to give you a prescription have it written as follows
"Golitely MAY SUBSTITUTE LEAST EXPENSIVE GENERIC"
Over 23 years, I have found this clean out, then probiotic replacement the best to get back on track. If you choose not to do this, then I have other suggestions. The other suggestions will not get you back on track as much as this will.
I think this will be all for this post. I see MT has posted re: fluids. She's correct. I have a whole post on that somewhere. Probably page 12.
Being repetitive, but the clean out can make a major change for you. Please, seriously consider it. .
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Rosieo: Welcome. Sorry you have to be here but there's some great info. Since we don't know you, can you go to My Profile and post some of your diagnosis & treatment stats? Also, are you on pain meds - which usually cause constipation? Are you drinking LOTS of water (I hate water so this is a problem for me). SAS is the expert.
SAS - I've started typing long things in MS Word and then copying to post here to ensure I don't lose them. Be sure to get up & take a 'walk around' break every little while. Going out to lunch w/my SIL but I'll check in tonight.
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MT Hi, Thanks I know about the note and word perfect, but prefer to do it this way. I use preview too, but at times have lost posts with preview status b/c of connectivity problems. Had a lightning strike last year and thinks have been undependable since last year. I should just get them to replace the modem.
Have a fun lunch. I love going out to lunch........erh and dinner.....and breakfast.........Hahahaha, I love going out, but also love cooking too.
Thanks, for thinking of my forgetfulness about moving around and the leg edema. I get typing here on BCO or studying, and then look at the clock and rather than minutes passing, it's been hours.
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Rosie, Yup the lengthy reason related to why water/fluids are so important is on page 12.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/781867?page=12
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Rosie, once you are done with page 12 give us a holler
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OK - SAS, my very late lunch at 2:30pm (technically either dunch or linner) was excellent. I had a delicious omelette with fresh mushrooms, asparagus, spinach & havarti cheese - served with a small salad & blue cheese dressing. Salad greens always work to keep me regular.
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