Still same problems? :(

Hi everyone. I am 34 years old. This is my first post here, but have used this site for support since June 2009, when I found out that I was to have a hysterectomy. What a great site! Anyways, here's my (hopefully not too long) story. For the past 10+ years, I have struggled with bloating, gas, and severe constipation. I've tried fiber, laxatives, stool softeners, changing my diet, Miralax, drinking more water, more exercise, everything! I was diagnosed with mild endometriosis in 2000 and have been on the pill since then to try and control my severe periods also. Over the years, I've had numerous EGDs and colonoscopies, all normal. I was told I had IBS, without a real answer on how to get relief. Finally my GYN sent me to a specialist (GYN). After a laparoscopy/uterine biopsy in May 2009, he explained that I had a severely tilted uterus and also severe adenomyosis. He said this would explain the bloating and maybe also the constipation. He recommended a hysterectomy. Fast forward a few months...I had a TLH (kept ovaries) on July 30. I am feeling pretty good with mostly internal pain still lingering (like cramps). My problem/concern is: Bowel-wise, I still have the same problems as before! Im not taking narcotic pain relievers, so the constipation can't be from that! I'm going on post-op week 4 and I get very depressed thinking that I may have had the hysterectomy for nothing. Anybody have any words of encouragement or stories similar to mine that I can relate with? Thanks for listening (reading)!

slmf, Welcome to the site!! Before I had my LAVH in June of this year I would have a bowel movement several times a day. Now after 9 weeks post op I am still having to take Milk of Magnesia to keep things moving. Hopefully, this will just take some time to work itself out, if not, maybe you should consult your doctor again...I have had several surgeries prior to the LAVH & I never had the problem with constipation that I do now... I'm sure someone on this site will respond with some words of wisdom until then hang in there!

Hi slmf
The issues that brought me to the site are not much like yours, but I also have been diagnosed with IBS. For me finding out which foods I was intolerant of and sticking to the diet longterm made a huge difference to those symptoms.
4 weeks is still a short time post-op and many without any pre-op bowel issues are still getting BMs sorted at that stage.
J

Hi. I feel your pain. I was not having problems as severe as you, but I started having a lot of constipation. TMI alert. I was having to push down on the bottom of my vagina to go. I am still having the same problems (living in fear of an infection or ripping something). My doctor checked me before surgery and said he didn't detect a rectal prolapse. I am scared that it may come to that since I had a uterine prolapse though. I plan to go see a URO/Gyn if this doesn't sort out after a few months. I had my surgery a day after you and think right now some of it is just normal post op stuff. Keeping fingers crossed for both of us.

Thanks so much for your replies, textsurfer, Judna, and hystersisjess, I really am glad to hear from all of you. It's so nice to know that I'm not alone. I had my 4 week post op check up today. First, I lost 7 lbs. because I've not been eating well. I told my doctor the problems I was still having (constipation, mostly). And he said that I was still healing (I knew that but...). But he did refer me to a GI specialist, which made me think he thought the bowel problems should be mostly resolved by now. He suggested taking Benefiber 2Xs a day for the constipation. I hate the word FIBER. When I take it, I get so gassy and crampy, and it doesn't relieve my constipation. Aaaargh! Anyways I guess I've got to take the "wait and see" approach. If things don't change in a few weeks, I think I'll call the GI specialist. It's just that I've been through all the GI stuff before. I'm not sure I want to do all that again, only to get no where. Thanks again for listening!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by slmf Hi everyone. I am 34 years old. This is my first post here, but have used this site for support since June 2009, when I found out that I was to have a hysterectomy. What a great site! Anyways, here's my (hopefully not too long) story. For the past 10+ years, I have struggled with bloating, gas, and severe constipation. I've tried fiber, laxatives, stool softeners, changing my diet, Miralax, drinking more water, more exercise, everything! I was diagnosed with mild endometriosis in 2000 and have been on the pill since then to try and control my severe periods also. Over the years, I've had numerous EGDs and colonoscopies, all normal. I was told I had IBS, without a real answer on how to get relief. Finally my GYN sent me to a specialist (GYN). After a laparoscopy/uterine biopsy in May 2009, he explained that I had a severely tilted uterus and also severe adenomyosis. He said this would explain the bloating and maybe also the constipation. He recommended a hysterectomy. Fast forward a few months...I had a TLH (kept ovaries) on July 30. I am feeling pretty good with mostly internal pain still lingering (like cramps). My problem/concern is: Bowel-wise, I still have the same problems as before! Im not taking narcotic pain relievers, so the constipation can't be from that! I'm going on post-op week 4 and I get very depressed thinking that I may have had the hysterectomy for nothing. Anybody have any words of encouragement or stories similar to mine that I can relate with? Thanks for listening (reading)!

Maybe do reseach on gallbladder problems, sound like it to me, my DD suffers from that and a simple meal of pasta can set it off. Certain foods eaten together can cause issues, I read to eat fruit alone or it can cause bloating/gas issues. GOOD LUCK keep us posted!!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by slmf he said that I was still healing (I knew that but...). But he did refer me to a GI specialist, which made me think he thought the bowel problems should be mostly resolved by now. He suggested taking Benefiber 2Xs a day for the constipation. I hate the word FIBER. When I take it, I get so gassy and crampy, and it doesn't relieve my constipation. Aaaargh!

I'm glad he took you seriously enough to make the referral.
Benefiber also constipates me. Did he tell you that you must drink LOTS of water with it? My surgeon suggested I have Movicol, though I didn't need it as I tended to have diarrhea post-op.

Let us know how you go with the GI specialist.
J

I've been struggling with IBS for a while, to the point one day it was so bad I ended up in the ER, and then the CAT scan (where I also had my fibroids sized-I knew they wre there but not how massive they were growing).

Anyway, to make the long story short for a change...I had the most horrendous experience with post op intestines...pain, gas, diarrhea, constipation (about to do the Pepto song in a sec)....but now I am actually doing better than before. I have not needed the Bentyl and Lomotil for weeks. Still regular gas and such, but so much better, On the last day of 6 weeks I had an intestinal blowout. I couldn't even leave the bed or bathroom for 24 hours. After that, all has been relatively well. LOL

To be honest, I think a lot of my intestinal issues are due to stress and anxiety, so I would recommend yoga, meditation, lavender aromatherapy, stress relief/relaxation techniques. Stress increases hormones which directly act on your intestines regulating blood flow and peristalsis.

Thanks again everyone for your replies. I'm still thinking about going to the GI specialist. I've been researching this doctor, and the facility he practices at, which is UPMC (Pittsburgh) Magee Women's Hospital, which, if you're from PA, you may know is the "premiere" facility for women's health issues. I'm leaning right now towards calling for an appointment. I'm still taking the "wait-and-see" approach, I'll see how I feel once I get back to work and my "normal" routine next week (Sept. 1). Like I said before, I was given the diagnosis of IBS before, but I was never given meds or diets to help. This always made me think they gave me this diagnosis because they didn't know or try to find out if there was anything else wrong. I did have my gallbladder removed in May 2007, with minimal improvement. I have been doing the Benefiber, 2 tsp. 3X day, and drinking LOTS of water/Crystal Light. Hopefully that will help. Usually any fiber seems to make my symptoms worse, so I guess we'll see this time.