Confused: different kinds of constipation help

Ok, I know there are different "types" of constipation aids: bulkners, softners, etc. I had been taking Surfak (stool softner) one a day. It didn't help much. I had a couple of experiences that literally was comparable to childbirth. I had strong contractions pushing everything down, but it was too hard and big to come out, so it just got stuck. (I'm really sorry, I know this is really disgusting...) Monday night I was sweating, panting and crying--the pain was terrible. I used a Fleet glycerine suppository, but it still didn't help. DH had to go to Walmart and buy a big bottle of Fleet. By the time he got back home I had gone, but was bleeding.

I had my 4.5 wks. post op appt. on Thursday and the dr. said he didn't think the Surfak was helping, and he recommended Fiberlax (Walgreens' brand of Fibercon). I trust my doc with my life, but I'm confused. He said to switch off the Softner and onto the Fiberlax. He said his wife has just had recent major surgery and she suffered from this and it's what helped her. How does this "bulkner" (I believe that's what it is) work? Do you think I should stay on the softner? One think I haven't tried is taking more than 1 s.s./day. I see here that many women are taking up to 4 / day. It's not that I don't trust my doc, but I know if I can get it soft, I can go. I have had "success" since Monday night a couple of times, but I really never want to have to "deliver" another BM!!! Help!

Hi finallyready
Well when I was released, the Dr told me MOM and dulcolax suppositiory(sp). I have gone for the store brand of colace ss and I take in am and 1 pm. The first few times, I had to use the dulcolax and they were like tree trunks. That hurt alot but so did the not going. Anyway still takeing the SS twice a day, trying to eat more fiber and drinking plenty of fluids. Hope this helps

Well I've become an expert on this thanks to the adhesion problem.

The best one I've found is Milk of Magnesia. It does work and it painless but I hate the taste. ugh

I've also found this other one which is a mixture of colace and herbs called a stood softener/laxative (the herbs I guess). It seems to work pretty good (well better than the stool softener alone).

It is called Nature's Plus I believe and can be found [admin snip: our guidelines prohibit links to commercial websites] (search under laxative).

I just ordered 3 bottles of it the other day - 60 tablets per bottle at a cost of ~$5.00/bottle.

Also, try eating bran muffins. They seem to help keep things moving.

Its a horrible problem.

I hope you are feeling a lot better very soon!

SueF

Hi!

I have had some pretty bad BM experience since surgery too. My doc had me drink some mag citrate - that made me go, go, go! But as a preventitive she has me taking something called Equate Brand Laxative. It doesn't contain something that starts with a "c"...I can't remember the word she used, but she said it's what causes the cramping that laxatives cause and Equate is great for people that have had abdominal surgeries because of that missing ingredient.

Good luck - I know how you feel and it IS awful!

Obviously your Dr. knows you better than I but I will tell you what works for me.
I take 2 or 3 stool softners a day, drink a small glass of prune juice every 2 days , take 2 or 3 gas pills a day and use the suppositories if I can't get going without straining. I have done very well with the bowel dept,. I am 11 days post op.
A few months before surgery I had that hard as a rock stool you are talking about and not to be gross but had to dig it out myself. It was horrible. Stool softners helped me more than anything.
Fiber stuff has never worked at all for me.
Take care
Sharon

I had that I need to dig it out experience . my hemmoroids popped . I foudn that taking care of the hemmoroids helped . It was the stool softner that caused probloems for me in the first place because it became diarrhoea and My anus was raw ..

so when my stools returned to normal I had pain passing them

mei