Bad Experience this Past Weekend

Ok, I don't know if any of you have gone through this, but it is DEFINATELY something I NNNNNEEEEVVVERRRR want to go through again. Maybe some of you can give me some suggestions on how to avoid this in the future. Sorry if I gross anyone out, but if I can help anyone avoid this or anyone can help me to avoid this again....It is worth it. Here goes... As many of you know, I was in Maryland this past weekend for my sisters wedding. So, of course, when you're staying at a hotel or are away from home, you are not as diligent about yourself. I've been wracking my brains trying to figure out what I ate (or didn't eat) that screwed up my system . I did have a normal bowel movement on Thursday so I really didn't have any indication that Saturday night would be HELL in this area. We got back to our hotel room around 10:30 pm. About 11:30 I felt like I had to go. OH MY GOD... I pushed for 2 hours and it would not come out. It was right there too. I think it was the size of a tennis ball. After total exhaustion & pushing like I was trying to deliver a baby, I put on a sanitary napkin (in fear that it would come out in my sleep) & went to bed at almost 2 am. The pressure never went away....because it never moved back up. Sunday morning at 6:30 am, I was back in the bathroom pushing...ONCE AGAIN..... for an hour and a half. I tried every position I could to get it out. It was soooo hard that it didn't want to budge. The opening was open about the size of a quarter & I could feel it right there, but there was no way it was coming out. I was right on the verge of going to the ER. I ended up breaking off a piece of my hair pick (real sterile I know, but I was desperate) and I used that to slowly break it up.... Sorry if I'm being too detailed... FINALLY 2 came out & my legs shook uncontrolably. Just like they did after I deliivered my babies. HORRIBLE...HORRIBLE....HORRIBLE experience. Not too mention the hemorhoids that popped out. I felt soooo sick for about 3 hours afterwards. Once I drank a protein drink and got some fresh air I was sooooo much better. At any rate...... I am really trying hard to get more fiber into my diet. Yesterday I went & it was about a foot long... and much easier to come out. I just pray this doesn't happen again or happen to any of you. I didn't push that long when I had my girls. I feel sorry for woman that do. Take care everyone.... I'm so glad I can share this with you. Tammy

My goodness, Tammy. That sounds horrible. I have not had a movement that was that severe. However, I have problems at times with constipation and the pressure. Do you know if it is healthy for us to take fiber supplements or stool softeners? Sherry

I am not sure, but I will be sure to talk to my Dr. about it at my next appointment... I'm glad you haven't had to go through that. It was horrible. Thanks for your concern Tammy

Hey Tammy, Actually, this has happened to me more than once. I started taking iron tablets about 3 months ago (just because I wanted to make sure I was getting enough, not told to by my doc) and that was when I noticed I was using the bathroom less and less frequently. I was getting really bad lower back pain and felt bloated ALL the time. I have never been one to have this type of problem, I've always been very regular, even after WLS. Anyway, I was having to take 2 Correctol pills every week or so just to make sure I would go and when I did, BOY HOWDY!! I was getting in my protein and not eating a bunch of junk so the only thing I could think to do was to stop taking my iron pills and I started drinking a Boost protein drink first thing in the am. I've only been doing this about a week or so, but it has definitely helped. I don't see my doctor as frequently as most of the girls onthe board, only saw him at my 3 month and 6 month, not again til my 12 month, but I would be very interested to hear what your nutritionist has to say! Hang in there, you are NOT alone with this particular problem!! Debbi

Tammy- I love ya, because this mostly happened to me before WLS..and I can tell you- since WLS- and I take iron pills- so I watch for constipation - it was lack of WATER. Not enough WATER. We really do need 40-64oz a day. I notice somethings make me pass something right away- like milk or skim milk- as Im lactose intolerant and when Im on top of water- even with taking 2 strong iron pills daily- it makes all the difference. Here is something I do recommend- should it ever happen again- drink some warm water with lemon juice in it- whole lemon if you can- and that will keep you moving along. I also have something the P.A. recommended me to take for constipation and they are generic pills from the drugstore- I've used them 1/2x and they worked- I'll send you that information when I get home. Do not feel like you did anything wrong, it was a family event and you were focused on other important things. Hugs, Donna

It has happened to me lots so for about a month or two I started taking stool softners with my vitamins everyday. Doctor said it was ok. I became regular but if I get a little constipated I take the stool softners for a couple days. On Friday night Ihad a real bad stomach ache then it went away. I went out and bought tickets to a concert and then all of a sudden I had the most horrible pains in my upper stomach. I remember I think Donna said she got real bad gas so I took 5 GasX and still it was bad. Doubled over my boyfriend drove me home while I moaned and then got the shivers and my 12 year old daughter had me breath slower and I took the Codine I got from surgery relaxed maybe for an hour I think I kinda slept. Woke up and have been fine ever since. I was almost ready to go to the hospital but didn't want to go to find out it was gas. Diana 263/165/135 Someday I will lose those 2 lbs to get me in the century club. I am hungery more now.......

** hijack** Hi Diana! I just wanted to comment, and maybe you didnt realize- that when your body is shivering or begins shaking like that- it can be slight dumping..your body begins to go into shock and then vomiting usually occurs..your heart may not be racing at the time- but it sure can be elevated, and the other thing to watch out for is the high blood pressure that accompanies all this.. I learned all this from 2 episodes of dumping- the last being the worst.. and I couldn't believe my BP shot up to 160/80. I never have that.. but the first two signs is your stomach moving through your gastro track so fast- your BM keeps dumping- you then can begin shaking, your heart elevates..it can almost feel like a virus going through your gastro tract... I'm not an expert, and Im sure that some people dont have naseau, but you do have to watch out for dehydration.. If it happens again, go to the ER because- what if it is NOT dumping? My son the EMT pointed that out to me, and that's why I went to the ER. So keep that in mind- and stay well! hugs, Donna

YES! I have had the exact same experience Tammy. It was NOT fun at all. I felt like I was trying to pass a Presto Log! And I tell you what, it looked like 2 of them when I finally got it to pass. Of course I was at work, everyone else was at lunch, and I was on phone and the front desk duty. I had that terrible urge to go NOW! I was in there trying hard to get it out and here comes someone through the bathroom door, "Lori, are you in here???" I was so pissed that someone had the gall to actually come in and ask me if I was in the bathroom. Well DUH! If I am not at my desk, or anywhere else to be found in the office, where the hell do you think I am??? TRYING TO POOP IN PEACE!!!! I think my problem is too much caffeine and not enough water. I am trying hard to limit myself to one coffee a day and then decaf herbal tea or water the rest of the day. I have bought some Colace but haven't used it yet. I keep forgetting that I have it. I am going to start tomorrow since I am still having issues. And now I think I have a hernia!!! I am going to call my surgeon's office today and see what they say. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive to the office so I hope they will send me to my PCP to be checked. Anyway, just wanted to let ya know that you are NOT alone! And thanks for your kind words about my post. I feel better today. And I am going to "STEP AWAY FROM THE SCALE!" Love ya babe! Lori

How awful. I've never had it that bad, but traveling is havock on my system. I usually travel with a fleet enema for when things get stuck. Sometimes it gets to a point where nothing feels like it's every going to come out. Here's to keep regular. Torrey (281/199/145)

Hi Tammy. I have had similar experiences, then I became a milk of magnesia addict for about a month. Now I make sure to get in more fluids and I take Fiber Choice chewable fiber supplements (they don't taste bad either). The directions say 2 a day, but I take between 2 and 4 and have been fine ever since. I strongly suggest it it anyone who is having that problem. Hope you don't have to go through that again!