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The SECRETS to bowel control post surgery
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My youngest was having some problems a while ago and the doctor gave her these two, almost identical, lists in addition to the pills prescribed. (He told me the daily fruits I had been serving most often were not high in sorbitol.) We also added a smoothie snack every afternoon. He said the list is presented in decreasing amount of sorbitol order so if she chose items at the bottom of the list to give more frequent or larger servings. There was one other fruit on the list, but I can’t even guess begin to decipher what he wrote. Good luck!
A Mom
JUICES:
Prune juice
Plum S?
Pear nectar
Apricot nectar
Cherry juice
Apple juice
FRUITS:
Prunes
Plums
Peaches
Pears
Apricots
Cherries
Pluots
Red grapes
Blueberries
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I know this is a serious issue!
I know that attempting to get regular is by no means a laughing matter and apologize, Susan, if you misinterpreted my post. It was by far my biggest and most painful challenge during recovery and I didn't mean to imply that it was not serious. To have a bowel movement or not put me on a daily rollercoaster of emotions. I'd either come out of the bathroom ready to do a cheer or with my head hanging that I had no success. When I said you made me laugh, I was referring to some of the stories people told science projects, etc. My abdomen pain and failure to have regular bowel movements had me emotionally distraught so I know how serious this is. My back pains were minor compared to abdomen pain. I bounced back and forth from taking too many laxatives and stool softeners and eating high fiber foods to not doing enough. I even managed to get hemorrhoids, which was definitely not pleasant. When I got off the strongest pain meds, everything improved. I took stool softeners for a long time afterwards, but was able to drop the laxatives. I drank hot plum juice, which I enjoyed more than prune juice, and did so for many months. I know I got the suggestion on the forum. Be encouraged to know that eventually, this will be behind you (well, you know what I mean)Karen
Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
Rib Hump-GONE!
Age-60 at the time of surgery
Now 66
Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
Retired Kdgn. Teacher
See photobucket link for:
Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/
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Originally posted by golfnut View PostI know that attempting to get regular is by no means a laughing matter and apologize, Susan, if you misinterpreted my post. It was by far my biggest and most painful challenge during recovery and I didn't mean to imply that it was not serious. To have a bowel movement or not put me on a daily rollercoaster of emotions. I'd either come out of the bathroom ready to do a cheer or with my head hanging that I had no success. When I said you made me laugh, I was referring to some of the stories people told science projects, etc. My abdomen pain and failure to have regular bowel movements had me emotionally distraught so I know how serious this is. My back pains were minor compared to abdomen pain. I bounced back and forth from taking too many laxatives and stool softeners and eating high fiber foods to not doing enough. I even managed to get hemorrhoids, which was definitely not pleasant. When I got off the strongest pain meds, everything improved. I took stool softeners for a long time afterwards, but was able to drop the laxatives. I drank hot plum juice, which I enjoyed more than prune juice, and did so for many months. I know I got the suggestion on the forum. Be encouraged to know that eventually, this will be behind you (well, you know what I mean)
Laugh on Karen, and we will get through this! Thanks for your help. It is a group project.
SusanAdult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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Originally posted by AMom View PostMy youngest was having some problems a while ago and the doctor gave her these two, almost identical, lists in addition to the pills prescribed. (He told me the daily fruits I had been serving most often were not high in sorbitol.) We also added a smoothie snack every afternoon. He said the list is presented in decreasing amount of sorbitol order so if she chose items at the bottom of the list to give more frequent or larger servings. There was one other fruit on the list, but I can’t even guess begin to decipher what he wrote. Good luck!
A Mom
JUICES:
Prune juice
Plum S?
Pear nectar
Apricot nectar
Cherry juice
Apple juice
FRUITS:
Prunes
Plums
Peaches
Pears
Apricots
Cherries
Pluots
Red grapes
Blueberries
SusanAdult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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I too am having problems with constipation. I had a good laugh reading all your comments and will also try some of your suggestions. I am now at almost nine weeks post op and am wondering how long this problem last.44 years old, right thoracic curve 63 degrees, thoracolumbar major curve 75 degrees, thoracic kyphosis 39 degrees.
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Originally posted by LindaRacine View PostI stayed on colace and Senokot for the entire time I took narcotics. I went home with a prescription for lactulose, which I used to supplement the other medications whenever things started building up.Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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the use of the bidet hose
Twisting to wipe is a hard thing to do.
Those extra long thongs they gave us at hospital does not clean clean.
disposable wipes are good but you still twist and reach to wipe.
The hose + a wipe might be best if you flush - we have a septic tank here in the desert so I am careful what goes in.
After hosing, it gives you the cleanest feeling ever or have a glass of water next to you for same purpose.
gardeniaGardenia
Baja California, Mexico & El Centro, Ca
pre-surgery 75° and 89° - post ?
Dr. Bridwell Nov 27, 2012 @Barnes Jewish @62yrs
T11 to Sacrum Dural leak at L2 & L3 ccmail4g@gmail.com
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Originally posted by gardenia View PostTwisting to wipe is a hard thing to do.
Those extra long thongs they gave us at hospital does not clean clean.
disposable wipes are good but you still twist and reach to wipe.
The hose + a wipe might be best if you flush - we have a septic tank here in the desert so I am careful what goes in.
After hosing, it gives you the cleanest feeling ever or have a glass of water next to you for same purpose.
gardenia
When I was using the Miralax, my poos were soft and sticky, so I used multiple wet wipes multiple times to clean up. Stopped the Miralax, can't remember who suggested the correlation of poo consistency and Miralax but I thank you very much, so am using much fewer wet wipes. My son lives in an old house in Oakland, and I was unsure how the plumbing would handle wet wipes even flush able ones. We have septic tank at Washington home, no flushing wet wipes there either.
I will try the hose when we get back home....maybe even purchase the deluxe seat warmer and butt
Air blower.
It is interesting to me that they have phenomenal research studies on the complexities of spinal surgery, yet little to no research on postop bowel problems.
What do you do when you are away from home and needed to do your daily poo and did not bring your extender stick? I planned on using a bathroom that had single toilet so my husband could help me if I needed to do my daily poo (I can reach the urine wipe with very minimal bending)...but where we were was just a busy female bathroom with 4 stalls. I managed to hold it until we got home, but it was difficult. Suggestions?
Susan, you advocate for better excretion hygiene ;+}Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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Cleanup on aisle 5
I went grocery shopping with my daughter at one of those fancy stores. I was at checkout and suddenly had horrible lower abdominal pain and knew that I needed to get to a toilet quickly! Of course, the cashier was taking his sweet time going through the few items that we had while I was tightening every butt muscle that I had. My granddaughter asked me what was wrong as I was making some horrible faces. I paid quickly and left the cart with my granddaughter, but didn't have my reacher for butt hygiene which was in the car. Fortunately, my daughter assisted with the hygiene, but I worry about being alone in such a situation. Should I carry a roll around suitcase with all of my supplies just in case?
I am beginning to hate asking for help. I am impatient. I drop a pill on the floor and cannot pick it up. It's the little things that are bugging me. I want my new life immediately! I worry about running out of pain pills since the NP did not mail me a new prescription. Now I need to stretch out my pills, take sleeping pills, pray for less pain.....
Whine, whine, whine....
SusanAdult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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Originally posted by susancook View PostI went grocery shopping with my daughter at one of those fancy stores. I was at checkout and suddenly had horrible lower abdominal pain and knew that I needed to get to a toilet quickly! Of course, the cashier was taking his sweet time going through the few items that we had while I was tightening every butt muscle that I had. My granddaughter asked me what was wrong as I was making some horrible faces. I paid quickly and left the cart with my granddaughter, but didn't have my reacher for butt hygiene which was in the car. Fortunately, my daughter assisted with the hygiene, but I worry about being alone in such a situation. Should I carry a roll around suitcase with all of my supplies just in case?
I am beginning to hate asking for help. I am impatient. I drop a pill on the floor and cannot pick it up. It's the little things that are bugging me. I want my new life immediately! I worry about running out of pain pills since the NP did not mail me a new prescription. Now I need to stretch out my pills, take sleeping pills, pray for less pain.....
Whine, whine, whine....
SusanMelissa
Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011
April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery
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Originally posted by susancook View PostI went grocery shopping with my daughter at one of those fancy stores. I was at checkout and suddenly had horrible lower abdominal pain and knew that I needed to get to a toilet quickly! Of course, the cashier was taking his sweet time going through the few items that we had while I was tightening every butt muscle that I had. My granddaughter asked me what was wrong as I was making some horrible faces. I paid quickly and left the cart with my granddaughter, but didn't have my reacher for butt hygiene which was in the car. Fortunately, my daughter assisted with the hygiene, but I worry about being alone in such a situation. Should I carry a roll around suitcase with all of my supplies just in case?
I am beginning to hate asking for help. I am impatient. I drop a pill on the floor and cannot pick it up. It's the little things that are bugging me. I want my new life immediately! I worry about running out of pain pills since the NP did not mail me a new prescription. Now I need to stretch out my pills, take sleeping pills, pray for less pain.....
Whine, whine, whine....
Susan
I also recommend this version of the grabber:
http://www.amazon.com/Carex-Inch-Gra...ywords=grabber
It is very good for picking up round shape items and paper. I keep it in the kitchen and use it to pick potatoes and cans from the bottom of my pantry. You can also use it pick up cans from the top shelves. The type that we've got at UCSF is good for dressing up, but this reacher above is very useful in the kitchen.Last edited by Irina; 05-03-2013, 05:13 PM.I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF
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You can also get grabbers that actually fold down to about 12 inches. Carry them in a large (light obviously) purse when you got out. Along with the tongs (in a ziplock bag). Before you know it you will be able too squat to get something you dropped (but I think that's restricted for at least 4 months).age 48
80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.
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Most people are constipated
Are you taking too much laxative or stool softener? It got to a point that I had to stop taking the stool soft because it made a product in a consistency of heavy sticky glue. Hard to clean.
Husband has been on a diet and feeding much more vegetables so I am regular for the first time in my life.
However, he lost 25 pounds and I am at the same. The baby fat is not moving anywhere. (wish it would be directly up or directly back so when sitting long my bones are not so hurting)
Wear a Depend on days that you might think something will happen...Gardenia
Baja California, Mexico & El Centro, Ca
pre-surgery 75° and 89° - post ?
Dr. Bridwell Nov 27, 2012 @Barnes Jewish @62yrs
T11 to Sacrum Dural leak at L2 & L3 ccmail4g@gmail.com
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I'm thinking back-- first, I never used tongs--just the very tips of my fingers and it was quite a stretch. Some things I found/find very annoying when having to use handicap stalls are: some toilets are not elevated, some have the toilet paper so that you can't reach it without twisting (I learned to check it out first and get it before hand if needed), and I figured whoever designed them had no idea about what real problems people have-- that all you need to do is install a grab bar. Back to your basic question, though. I found for myself that it was easier (after wiping the "wet") to step away from the toilet seat and squat "just a little" without the toilet being in the way, and then wipe. That may not work with you but it helped me. And I had to forego all the rules we were brought up on about which direction to wipe from... no twisting allowed, so no wiping f to b. One of the things that always worried me was what if I dropped the TP on the floor! Fortunately I didn't.
I'm sorry you are having these difficulties! Hopefully you will outgrow them soon.71 and plugging along... but having some problems
2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago
Corrected to 15°
CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring
Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me
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