Horrible Gas and GI Pain post-op day 5

I had LH BSO 5 days ago. Have felt incredible and have had no need for pain meds. I was told to 'listen to my body' when it came to activities. No driving for a week or exercising. Could walk..so I did- and a lot! Days 3 and 4 I got up at 7 am- left home and didn't come back until night. I have done no lifting and I felt like I was only doing what would be good for recovery and that was walking and not staying in bed. Today, however, I awoke with the worst cramps due to gas and needing to have a BM. I thought I was going to fall off the toilett. I have kept these cramps all day. I can feel every little movement in my lower GI tract. I went to church this morning and other than that have rested. Is this pain normal and if so- how long should I expect to experience this buzz killer?! My post-op appt isn't until Tues. I just want to feel as good as I did the past couple of days...that was the best I've felt, physically and emotionally, in over 3 years.

I am post op day 3 and just came home from hospital yesterday. I have had loads of pain from gas and took lots of pain killers for it. Now I have been able to get rid of some of the gas and I feel so amazingly wonderful - so I would say every individual will experience gas in different amounts and at different times throughout their recovery. It is a big sigh of relief when you pass wind though! So maybe shorten the length of your walks and pace yourself a little and things will work them selves out. Speak to your doctor too! I hope you get relief soon!! Thinking of you!!

I took Gas-X and that helped me.

I am 5 days post op and am having gas pains but I am also have difficulty moving my bowels. I talked to my dr and they recommended a stool softener. I am going to try it tommorrow. I would ask your dr about the GI pain. good luck

Try some Benefiber (the powder, not the capsules) and fiber rich cereal. Between the gas pain and lack of a bm, I was so uncomfortable that every time I went to the bathroom with no progress, I wanted to cry. A friend brought me some Benefiber and my husband bought some Fiber One and Cheerios for me. The Benefiber is great. You can put it in your drink and not taste a difference. I put it in water, juice and tea as often as possible. I ate the fiber cereal for breakfast and lunch. I started that Thursday and by Saturday morning, it was starting to work some magic. I'm still not completely "regular" but it's getting better. I've also heard Activia will help too but I didn't try it because I was getting relief from the added fiber. I hope you find something that works for you!

*Forgot to mention that this is in addition to the stool softener my doctor gave me before I came home.

I had horrible gas pains also DH wanted to rub my tummy to help. I had a TVH so that was no problem. BUT.. after a few minutes I no longer wanted him to touch me!!.. So he gave me a very helpful tip.. so heres what worked for me.. IF you can. Lay flat on your back ( on your bed or couch of course) and raise knees up as far as you can. I could only place feet on bed and bend knees.. I stayed like that for a bit and it allowed for rectal muscles to "relax!" and I started to pass gas and the following morning the BM's were moving also..
good luck to you.. I know the joys we feel when we can finally pass the gas and have a BM you will feel like a new woman again.. Just dont over do it like I did. and now I have spent the last 3 days in bed!!!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by GingerMag I had LH BSO 5 days ago. Have felt incredible and have had no need for pain meds. I was told to 'listen to my body' when it came to activities. No driving for a week or exercising. Could walk..so I did- and a lot! Days 3 and 4 I got up at 7 am- left home and didn't come back until night. I have done no lifting and I felt like I was only doing what would be good for recovery and that was walking and not staying in bed. Today, however, I awoke with the worst cramps due to gas and needing to have a BM. I thought I was going to fall off the toilett. I have kept these cramps all day. I can feel every little movement in my lower GI tract. I went to church this morning and other than that have rested. Is this pain normal and if so- how long should I expect to experience this buzz killer?! My post-op appt isn't until Tues. I just want to feel as good as I did the past couple of days...that was the best I've felt, physically and emotionally, in over 3 years.

@ gingermag ~ Walking a lot is good if you are getting enough rest so your internal stitches can heal. At four weeks, gas and no movement, is my most frustrating pain. My doctor recommended fiber, and I agree with earlier posts that benefiber powder is the best...or citrucel (it will thicken tho) . . the other big brand, M******* makes a lot of gas! Secondly, when I was getting sharp gas pains, my doc okayed Maalox tablets...great gas relief. Finally, when the fiber and walking wasn't enough she recommended MiraLAX. Even though "lax" is in the name it is not a laxative but a stool softener. Now I am okay.

BTW, @number17~ most pain medications have a constipation effect, so pain meds for GI cramps may not be the best for everyone. :-)

Oh I want to thank all of y'all for the responses! I started taking MiraLAX and after 3 days my life has changed! Life is good again. I hope everyone's recovery goes smoothly! Thank you again.

Love and God Bless!