Hysterectomy, constipation, nausea

[Mary]

Hi everyone...until my hysterectomy last friday my Crohn's has been doing well. Since surgery I have been constipated from the med and stuff. So I took a Glycerin suppository an went but it was small pieces and hurt like HELL in my rectum. I am very nauseous...just wondering if u all think I might be getting an obstruction?

 

[partlycloudy]

I get nauseous over anything with my bowels, even taking Immodium that makes me have almost normal stools. I've had mild nausea to violent hours-long vomiting with no obstruction. Better to talk to your doc though. Better safe than sorry.

Back in the "good old days" prior to Crohn's my doc prescribed Colace for my bouts of constipation. It's a stool softener. Unlike fiber, it never gave me painful gas, which wouldn't be comfortable with your incision I assume. You can get it anywhere.

I hope you feel better soon. Given a choice between the two, I'll take the big D any day.

 

[Tacykakes]

You know...I always suggest talking to a doctor but maybe you can say the copay and see your pharmacist. They know most about those medicines from your surgery and can give you some simple alternatives. I only know this because thankfully my mom is a pharmacist and she gets me through this stuff.

I'm with the above post constipation sucks---I'd take the big D too....funny how we all are much better with what upsets people the most....GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Mountaingem]

Hmmm, you could be nausous from being constipated or from the anethesia-I once had anesthesia make me sick to my stomach for two weeks after the surgury. In my opinion it doesn't sound like an obstruction-search the forums and it seems with a blockage it's horrific vomitting and brutal pain that escalates...but I'm no doc, so listen to your body and if you're worried go to the ER.

I'd call your GI and see what he/she says, but to me personally it sounds like typical post-op anethesia related garbage that goes with surgury and Crohn's. That doesn't make it suck any less, I know. Maybe ask the pharmacist to recommend a laxative-I took Miralax, and it worked fine.

My GI me a pack of original blue Trident gum to chew after my hysterectomy-something about the artificial sweetner makes some people have diarrhea, and will alleviate the constipation. It worked like a charm for me, I also ate pureed pumpkin, it's a very gentle laxative, tastes great, add a little pumpkin pie spice, some whipped cream-YUM.

I really feel for you, I have this problem after every surgury, especially abdominal. The first two weeks after surgury always suck the most, so you're on your way to better days-sending you hugs and healing thoughts!:hug:

 

[poolside]

You should call your doctor, BM's are a big concern post hysterectomy.
That being said:
A hysterectomy can cause long term difficulty with bowels, as you are now missing an organ that previously lent "support" to your bowels. Mine were absolutely dead for a month afterward, I relied on colace and miralax to get things moving. My suggestion is to get off the pain meds as soon as possible and try and use ibuprofen if you can tolerate it. I found that things sped up a little and the burning constipated feeling was alleviated. For me, by day 6 I finally gave up and went off T-3's and switched to annaprox.
Are you home? I'm surprised they let you leave the hospital without having a BM first.

 

[Mary]

I am home and have stopped the pain relievers. I can pass gas but not much else. I dont want to keep using suppositories. I did have a BM at the hospital from suppositories. Thank you!!!

 

[Nancy Lee]

I think a call to your doctor is in order...
Since you are off the pain meds...you shouldn't be constipated.

Just check with the doctor to make sure there is nothing else going on.

Be sure and let us know how you make out.

Hugs

 

[tmgread]

Mary, I'm glad that you're surgery went well and you are home. When is your next doctor's appt?

 

[Astra]

Hiya Mary

so glad you're home and had a BM!!
bear in mind that during a hysterectomy the surgeon takes your bladder and bowels out of the pelvic cavity and puts them to one side! The reproductive stuff is behind them, and when he's finished, he just lobs them back in! Sometimes a kink can occur or a twist, so that's why the hospital needs to know when you have had a BM, then you're allowed home. If you've had a BM, then things are moving as normal. Don't forget the carbon gas that was pumped into you too, this hurts for a while too!
Take it easy now, you need to rest for at least 3 months.
xxxx