Here I Go Again: HELP!

Okay, friends, here I go again with a cry for help. I am so constipated, I don't know what to do! I am 15 days post-op; I take 4 oz. of prune juice almost every morning; this morning I took 2 Tbs. of Dulcolax (that's vile stuff) and am waiting for some relief. I am still on a total liquid diet -- basically 2 protein shakes a day (30 g. of protein each), with about 50 oz. of water, and a cup of tomato soup or clear broth in the middle of the day, and a SF popsicle later on. This has been my diet for the past 14 days. Any advice? Is anyone else having this problem??? Thanks much. Maureen

Try some Benefiber. I've heard that helps. Stay away from Metamucil though as it clumps in your tummy.

I don't have much advice except you don't have anything much to expel! If you are taking calcium, maybe you could quit for a day or two...I was told not to take calcium until I had had a BM. Well of course I came out of the gate with diarrhea! But now I am normal and no problems.

Hi Maureen, I've heard that some medicines can interfere with the colon working properly. Are you still on pain medication? I wouldn't wait too long to see the doctor about this. I remember from one of Carnie's books that she had a problem with constipation. She ended up pushing too much and had to have an additional surgery to heal the damage. Are you experiencing discomfort? Have you already moved your bowels after surgery and now you can't? Just be aware that because you're drinking lots of liquid, a BM might not even be entering into the situation at this point. I think it's odd that you'd be constipated when you're intaking that much liquid. Just give your doctor a call and have him call you back. He can probably clear it right up for you and it will ease your mind. Good luck! Eve

Walk, walk, walk. It helps your bowel to be active. I also think you should call your doctor. I'm not sure with so much liquid if you're really constipated or if it's just that things are so different. We don't go much when we're on liquid, that's for sure. Gano

Keep those "cries for help" comin', Maureen...this is how we're all learning and getting thru this together! I only had a near-miss with it...ate not-as-runny-as-they-should-be smooshed 'taters and cottage cheese, and they seemed to have fallen in love with each other inside me! I realized it, felt it, and didn't QUITE know what to do, and I started POURING fluids in to me, and walked and walked and walked...and then I drank and walked. Then I followed with drinking and walking. It worked: broke it up and they got the HECK out of me (as I was thinking "GET OUT OF ME NOOOOOOOOWW!!"). My surgeon calls me every so often, and he called the day after this happened. I told him what happened, what I did, and he said "good head...best way to go...", so I guess I dun okey-dokey without knowing it. MAYbe that may help? Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles

Maureen, 50 ounces of water is really not alot. The broths, soups and protein shakes don't really act to flush through your colon. Just my humble opinion, but it sounds like you may need to double up on the water. Secondly, are you taking an iron supplement? Iron can really constipate you. Good luck. Connie