THR Aussie's Posterior LTHR

[Josephine]

I was on stool softeners per my OS 2 x a day for 3 months due to the pain meds. Even with the stool softeners I still was very constipated... I then got diarrhea . Two weeks later I still have it.

Oh gosh, therein lies a cautionary tale regarding the use of stool softeners! They should never be taken on a regular basis for even a few days, never mind months! The gut can get used to the stimulus and then the faeces start backing up. Once the barriers are down, yes, the bowels, being over stimulated, can then go into overdrive which is where you find yourself now. The only remedy then is to take Immodium (loperamide) which is used to slow down the bowel activity. Varying how many of each you take at what intervals is the key to this problem. You may well find yourself taking a stool softener two days and then having to take Immodium 2-3 times a day for one or two days.

In between times, you need to make sure your diet has plenty of fibre - prunes/prune juice, fruit and vegetables, apples, etc. That's the natural way to combat constipation no matter what the cause. The other is to not actually expect opioids to cause constipation or, if t does, that it's not going to be a serious episode.

There is also the condition known as faecal impaction. The stool builds up to a point when begins to stretch the muscles of the rectum, weakening them. Watery stools can then leak around the stool, sometimes escaping from the anus causing bowel incontinence. This is called overflow incontinence and may need to dealt with by enema or suppositories.

My question is, has the doctor actually examined you, abdominally and by digital anal examination? Because it's possible that people who have been taking opioids for a while can have impacted faeces and not be aware of it. Never assume that you just have post-stool thinner diarrhoea!

 

[MyAussieGirl]

No Josphine no exams like that
Should I go to ER or wait for him to call me with the results on my tests in a week or so? @Josephine This is frustrating and I was doing high fiber then had a couple weeks of normal stool then this it's like every 2-3 days Thanks again

Oh and I only took the opiods for 3 months and not many after about s momth

 

[MyAussieGirl]

Everyone please say a prayer today/night that I get a diarrhea so I can get the samples to the hospital lab.... Thanks

I ate a Big Mac in hopes it does it

 

[Josephine]

No, no need to panic. Just cut out the fibre and take some Immodium for now.

 

[MyAussieGirl]

Ok thank you @Josephine last question should I mention this fecal impaction thing to my doctor's when they call with the results IF they are negative????? Please reply I promise I'll be quiet for a while lol... Bless you and thank you. He did tell me take the Imodium but not before I get a diarrhea sample for the lab work these have to be diarrhea not to be gross... You rock Josphine

 

[Josephine]

I certainly would mention it to him if only to get him to put a hand on your belly to exclude the fact!

But don't worry about being quiet - I love your questions!

 

[MyAussieGirl]

I don't know if it was liquid enough but I got the samples @Josephine lots of strongly mucus ..how bad is that?

 

[Layla]

Hi @MyAussieGirl,
Using these silly little peeps for my first time because I know you have a sense of humor.

All kidding aside...I'm praying you get an answer soon to all this awful
intestinal distress you are suffering. It has to be frustrating. I hope you get a reprieve tonight and some good sleep. Keep us posted, you have so many who care.
Sending a hug your way!

 

[MyAussieGirl]

LMAO with @Layla I had to lol then and definitely now seeing your pictures.... I almost put a warning up in case someone was eating Thanks for the prayers I stuffed to face for me again today to cause diarrhea so I can get the samples to the hospital tomorrow. One lol marked Biohazard is in my fridge....yum yum... I was told keep it in fridge the other ones joy they give you surgical gloves and a mask ... I just LOVE working with things toxic...Needless to say I besides the vial and bag I put it in a plastic container. I ran 2 of the tubes above the line due to the mucus strings let's pray it didn't screw up the those 2. Gross lol. Hubby said if I have to repeat them he will do it for me as I was like shakin

The biohazard besides the poop is the chemical in the 3 tubes not needing to be in the fridge.

 

[cpollock]

My goodness, that is quite the process @MyAussieGirl I'm glad you got then done sò the tests can get underway. I hope you get a good sleep tonight and wish you well. Cheryl

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[MyAussieGirl]

Thank you @cpollock it's um gross you have to go in this fake toilet ....grrr

I don't know what I would do without you and all my bone buds

 

[Layla]

Wow! All I can say....plus....your hubby is a saint! I doubt I could count on mine in that situation.
Hopefully you have collected what you need, can get it out of your fridge and off to the lab for some answers.
Now...after all that .....go take a

Sweet Dreams Aussie Girl

 

[MyAussieGirl]

Gonna go watch a movie with hubby then a shower. Lol hubby said he'd pass today @Layla but when he heard of my hard time he said yes if screwed up he would do it

 

[GrannyC]

Wow, MyAussieGirl, that was quite the process you had to go through! Hopefully that takes care of it and you can finally get some definitive answers to your problem. Ideally today you could drop it off at the hospital and then head to the beach for the day!

 

[Layla]

The post above got me thinking.....I'm starting to feel my OS is a cruel task master.....when I went for my first post op at 3 weeks, I was told no hot tub, swimming pool, lake or bath tub for 3 months post surgery. I will obey BUT it feels a bit much, anyone else get these marching orders?

 

[Irish Joe]

Hi @Layla.
Those restrictions were lifted for me ay 6Wks. Hot Tub, Swimming Pool, Lake and Sea, are not the best Idea 'till scars are fully healed just to avoid infection. The bath is just awkward to get in and out of.
@MyAussieGirl I hope your starting to feel better.
Joe.......

 

[cpollock]

Hi @Layla I also have the same restrictions.

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[Layla]

Hi @MyAussieGirl
I hope today finds you with less tummy woes. Likely you'll have an answer soon and begin to heal.
Off to my 2nd PT.....Yukaroo!
Let us know how you're feeling, when your up to it.......
Sending a hug.

 

[zauberflöte]

Hey @MyAussieGirl oh MAN! You are in, er, deep doodoo....thanks for posting over on my thread with the twirly flower, which made me giggle! I sure hope you are feeling better, and that all your totally gross gloves+mask procedures will tell the dr's, oh yeah, she's perfectly ok, this too shall pass... (I SWEAR that was NOT intentionally a pun!!!!!!)

@Layla , @Irish Joe and @cpollock I looked up what I was given for water precautions for the first hip. At two weeks I was told swim therapy ok, but no "open water" as in, nearby lakes and ocean, no jacuzzi etc. I'd also been given the go-ahead to remove my falling-off dressing some days before that. And! I was allowed to remove the compression hose. I hope the same thing happens this time around. OS has new PA, who when I met her was saying things that contradicted what I'd been told for my first hip. I had my 6-week followup in the 5th week, and water sports did not come up, but all precautions were lifted except "running for exercise will wear it out faster" and the lifetime positioning precaution of a particular yoga-like pose which I have no desire to even try anyway! OS does only anterior, and evidently has reason to be confident that if your xrays look good, you are good to go just about anywhere. His confidence inspires confidence in me, the patient, and I wasn't particularly worried about my several spectacular falls, etc!

 

[Donnarita]

Thinking of you @MyAussieGirl ....big big hugs and well wishes for relief real soon!! We all are here for you!! Hoping today is better than yesterday & tomorrow even better than today!! Keep us posted when you can!!!