bad constipation after rectocele/enterocele repair

Hi
I know alot of our sisters have had prolapse repairs lately, so I figure I may find some answers here. As you know, we aren't supposed to get constipated anymore or strain. I am having a real problem with bms. I drink fiber(METAMUCIL) twice a day and take 100mg colace every morning and every evening. I eat green vegetables and drink apple juice and other types. I was so miserable the other night I ended up using a glycerin suppository, thinking it would relieve me. After inserting it I ended up in bad pain in my hiney and down my right thigh. I am at my witts end with these bm issues. My gyn thinks the prolapse came from me straining the early weeks after my TAH (i had a bowel impaction). I am thinking now that something is messed up around my colon in that lower left abdominal area, which is where I get pains. I think whatever it is keeps me from being able to have regular bowel movements without doing alot of pushing.I think that caused my prolapses. I keep telling myself not to push hard. I don't want to mess up my repairs.
Are any of you experiencing anything like this? I am not sure if I should just live with it a while or if I should seek help somewhere. I am so tired of going to doctors.
Thanks and I hope you are all doing well with your recoveries.
Peggy

Hi ((((Peg)))) I'm so sorry you're still having such a hard time with constipation

My rectocele was repaired at the same time as my hyst and constipation was real concern for me, since I have IBS. Fortunately, I was able to avoid it

One thing I realized, very early after my surgery, was that I had to be very careful not to add too much fiber: too much would have the opposite effect and would result in constipation. Even my surgeon was conscious of this: he didn't order any stool softeners, just recommended that I add the right amount of fiber to my diet. So, keeping that in mind, I would add bran cereals, prune juice and, if need be, some stewed prune in the evening.

One thing that worked for me was to warm my prune juice and stewed prunes as well as to drink my water at room temperature. This made everything a whole lot more effective.

Finally, here's a sure fire recipe: to All Bran cereals, add stewed prunes and apple sauce. Again, it works even faster if you heat it all up. And, surprisingly enough, it's not as bad as it sounds.

Have you had your doctor check to ensure that you're not dealing with another blockage?

Sending tons of s your way. Please, do keep us posted.

Hi Peggy,
I know how you feel and it *****!!!!! I have the same problem when I take the stool softeners. They tend to dry me up, so I stopped taking them and just use my fiber and diet, so far-so good. If you need to, call the dr. and ask if it's O.K. to drink the magnesium citrate stuff. It will clean you out from the top to the bottom, and in a few hours. It ***** to drink, but only for a few min.s, try it cold.
Danny is so right about heating up the foods. I find it helps to. Please take care of yourself.

Hi
I finally get tired of the soreness and pains on my left side and the constipation issues. I called the colon rectal surgeon's office today. My Gyn had referred me there before I ever had my repairs. He thought maybe I had some rectal problems going on. I was ordered a colon transit test, which I took first of Dec. I then had the defecogram done, which showed my prolapses, so I thought that was my answer to the bowel problems, so I never went back for the EMG testing. I was also supposed to have had a treatment plan put in place then.I have no idea if the transit test showed anything. I had my repair surgery, but am now having the bowel issues again. I have had abdominal pain and that thumping sensation since my hyst. This is the reason I had the lapro by the adhesion dr. in Sept. My gyn and that surgeon thought I had adhesions holding my colon down.That was 6months ago. Even though the surgeon didn't see any my gyn still thinks that could very well be my problem.
On April 13th I will have the EMG test done. I was ordered Miralax to help me be able to go. Hopefully my constipation will get better. When I sit on the commode and try to push I have that same feeling I had in my vagina before my repairs, but from the top,so I know I can't do that anymore. I do have a small cystocele. They are going to get a surgery report from my gyn so they will know exactly what was done. This is the same place my gyn said he would send me if my repairs failed, because she can rebuild the entire pelvic floor. I think my posterior repairs are in good shape. I realize I needed to be checked out to see what is causing my problem, so I don't mess anything up.
I am so glad I put off the tvt surgery and am looking into what is causing me that soreness in the left side and the constipation. That is the first thing I need to take care of.
Thanks for all of the advice. Maybe the metamucil is bloating me up. I will try to increase my fiber.
s
Peggy