CHANGE IN BOWELS: 6 WKS OUT (Too Frequent)

Please advise:
I had my surgery 6 wks ago and after about 5 wks, I was totally painfree. No more pain pills. Since then (about 5 days ago), my bowels have gone from constipation to soft frequent stools after just about every meal. I also have stomach cramps, like your traditional upset stomach with some burning. I am wondering if it is some kinda infection from the anti-biotics that was put in my IV. Or some kinda side effect from coming off the pain pills. I have tried some tums, but nothing else. It is also itchy in the vaginal area and my bottom is sore from going. My rectum was itchy when I was constipated. Are my bowels still traumatized? Any advice is appreciated till I call my dr. on Monday

Well, your symptoms sound a lot like what I can experience during bouts of IBS. Your bowels are traumatized by surgery and it can take them awhile to recover. It is possible that pain medications were keeping your stools more solid as pain medications often cause caustipation so now that you are not on the pain meds, your stools have softened.

Are you eating enough fiber? Are your drinking more than usual? Have you added juices to your diet and/or more fruits to your diet?

The itching could be for a number of different reasons so you will want to talk to your doctor to find out which one it is for you and how to treat it.

I wish I had some concrete answers but I don't! You may want to call your doctor before Monday and/or check with your GP.

there and best wishes to you! Keep us posted!

Thanks, Weiser.
My gastro dr. told me in 03 that I could only have IBS because all other tests (many, many tests) came back negative. After going from him to my GYN, I was recommended to see a fertility expert that did adhesions. After the surgery, I was fine for 3.5 yrs. I was just wondering when people say your bowels go through changes, how long were they talking? I agree the pain pills helped in that aspect. My GYN is not available on the weekends and gonna ask for a anti-biotic on Monday. If it gets, to bad, I have a dr. across the street I can see. They are open 365 days a year.