constipation at 1 month post op

Though it's never been verified by a doc, I believe I have IBS as well. Totally irregular, and goes back and forth between diarreah, loose, to constipation beyond tolerance. I go days without having a bowel movement at all.

I had a hysterectomy on oct 13. A month ago yesterday. After yet another few days of not having a bowel movement, taking several doses of senna, I finally had the sensation to go to the bathroom. Once there, it was excruiciatingly painful. I pushed, I strained, I screamed and I prayed...


I onced looked up (before the hyst) the definition of constipated, and it said the obvious, but also added that people who suffer from constipation usually ends up using thier fingers to manipulate the skin around the area in order to pass it and get relief. Embarrassingly, I share with you that I was already doing that before I read the definition.

Yesterday I was in pain before I went to the bathroom because I could literally feel it from just sitting in a chair the pressure that was caused by what needed to come out. I was in a lot of pain just because I needed to go to the bathroom but could not get anything out.

So I thought to use an enema... yes, it helped some, but still had to do quite a bit of pushing and straining.

Same thing again today, but it has caused me so much inner pain afterwards (lasting all day now). I know that a pain pill will ease the pain but there again it can be the cause of more constipation.

My husband and I have horrible diets, we rarely eat veggies, and it is about to be come a necessity... but this pain has just been horrific...

I went back to work last week, only because we needed the money for rent for December... in the morning I take 2 aleve and by about 330 i have to take a pain pill. Once I have the painpill I am good to go the rest of the day and evening...

Should I go to my doc and talk about this?

Oh you poor dear. Ok so I have celiac and before being diagnosed had major problems back and forth between constipated and loose. I also have the added problem of hemmoroids from hell. I would definately discuss this with your doc. Can you take the stool softeners again? I really like miralax because I can mix it with anything and it helps a lot when I am backed up. You've gotta get that problem fixed, you could really do some damage with rectal fissures etc. (trust me been there and you don't want that too).

Yodie13,

Thank you for your reply, thoughts, and encouragement. My sister, a nurse and a momto a son who at age 10 still HATES to go poop, happen to call this afternoon. I talked to her about this issue. She's been telling me about Miralax for months, and while I did buy some already, I had preferred to continue my senna pills. Problem is that I didn't think taking the pills everyday was a good thing.

So I am now sipping as glass of water with the miralax disolved in it, and I took a pain pill. My sis said to take the miralax each and every day.

She didn't think it is anything to mention to my doc, but when I go in for my 6wk check up on the 24th, I am going to mention it to her.

If after I have healed completely from the hyst, I am still having problems, I will seek a referral to a doctor to help me get things working better.

Again, thank you for your reply. My husband and my sis couldnt believe that I would write on a message board about how bad it hurts right now and the suffering I am experiencing. Of course, neither of them have had a hysterectomy either.

Love and hugs to you!

Melissa