Re: gulating Bowels after surgery? Gina
From: D.N. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 21 Oct 1999 11:22:07 -0500 (CDT)
Hi Gina,
The stool softener only helps draw water into the large intestine. It
does not take away nutrients or good bacteria from the body.
The acidophilis tabs are probably only needed if you have problems with
diarrhea or if you are taking antibiotics.
If you are not lactose intolerant, try the yogurt, you get the good
bacteria, plus other nutrients to help in healing.
The decaf tea sounds like a good idea before bed. Alcohol can interfer
with sleep as you already know.
I know I keep stressing the walking, but even if it just around the
block, it will help.
Are you on any other medications? I was wondering if you were taking
something that might be slowing down the movement of your intestines.
--
D.N.
At Thu, 21 Oct 1999, Gina wrote:
>
>Hi,
>I am doing all of those things, except the daily walk and the stool
>softener. One question, does the stool softener strip the body of
>nutrients as a laxative does? Does it also kill the good bacteria?
>I have been taking acidophlus (sp) supplements when I remember, almost
>daily though, since my 2nd surgery. I got them at a health food store.
>I have found that 2 (wine) drinks at night seems to activate my bowels
>as well! But for some reason it makes the insomnia worse :( The last 2
>nights I drank 2 glasses of wine, then couldn't sleep all night! So
>that's not going to work!
>Maybe a nice decaf tea before bed?
>Gina
>
>At Wed, 20 Oct 1999, D.N. wrote:
>>
>>Hi Gina,
>>
>>I guess your doctor has you on industrial strength laxatives. The
>>reason I mentioned decaf beverages is because caffeine acts like a
>>diuretic and so the liquid comes out in urine and does not go to the
>>bowel to help keep it soft.
>>
>>To help keep you regular, I would try to stay on the Colace or stool
>>softener, perhaps two per day. Check with your doctor to make sure that
>>is ok with him/her. Try adding all bran cereal to your diet. You don't
>>have to eat that straight, try mixing it with your regular cereal, if
>>you eat it. Or try making bran muffins, add raisins too. There is
>>always the good old favorite standby, prune and prune juice. Dried
>>fruit is good too. You can also add All bran to yogurt. If this does
>>not help try the metamucil again. If you do not have a lot of fiber in
>>your diet now, increase intake slowly. Otherwise you can get bloating
>>and gas. This is going to be the most natural way to keep you regular.
>>
>>To help replenish the good bacteria in your bowel, eat yogurt with
>>active cultures. Not the dessert types.
>>
>>A multivitamin would probably be a good idea too.
>>
>>Walking should help - you have heard of people taking their evening
>>constitutional, well it was not just for watching the sunset. LOL After
>>surgery, the docs want you to get up and walk.
>>
>>Keep up the water consumption, especially when trying to increase the
>>fiber in your diet.
>>
>>I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions let me know.
>>
>>Take care,
>>
>>--
>>D.N.
>>At Wed, 20 Oct 1999, Gina wrote:
>>>
>>>Hi,
>>>I have always been a big water drinker, at least a gallon a day. I
>>>don't drink soda, but do drink 2-3 cups of coffee in the morning. I
>>>drink Green (iced) Tea in place of soda, or water when I am out and
>>>about. So I don't think it's a question of H20.
>>>My Dr. has me taking laxtulose liquid lax, plus suppositories
>>>(dulcolax), plus metamucil, and now enemas also. I do have to report
>>>that as of last night, things started "moving" again. Now I am crossing
>>>my fingers hoping things don't go overboard from all the laxtives.
>>>I am eating alot of fresh veggies, as I always do. I have always been
>>>sedentary and recently feel motivated to try some exercise but have to
>>>wait to heal from last surgery. Walking is something I can do now
>>>though.
>>>What I'd like is to find something that will keep me regular without
>>>stripping my body of good bacteria, and nutrients, as laxatives tend to
>>>do. Something natural would be preferred, like an herb or tea?
>>>Thanks,
>>>Gina
>>>
>>>At Tue, 19 Oct 1999, D.N. wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Hi Gina,
>>>>
>>>>Are you drinking enough H2O? If you aren't metamucil will block you up.
>>>>Drink between 8-10 (now closer to 10) glasses of
>>>>fluid/day-non-caffinated. Try drinking a warm beverage like decaf tea.
>>>>Sometimes a warm beverage will get things going. If one does not do the
>>>>trick, try a couple.
>>>>
>>>>What kind of laxative does your doctor have you take?
>>>>
>>>>Try using the stool softener with the metamucil. That will help bring
>>>>more water into the large intestine. If you were just taking 1
>>>>colace/stool softener per day you can take two per day. I do on a
>>>>regular basis.
>>>>
>>>>Can you do any walking? Walking helps get things moving.
>>>>
>>>>Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Watch
>>>>out for things that normally stop you up. Some people have problems
>>>>with cheese.
>>>>
>>>>Doing all these things should help. Be careful with using laxatives.
>>>>The bowel can get used to them and then it won't work without them.
>>>>Stool softeners can be used daily as well as metamucil. Since you have
>>>>not gone yet, you might want to hold off on the metamucil until you do
>>>>go. Now, try increasing your fluid intake (remember the warm beverage),
>>>>take the stool softener, walk if possible, increase consumption of
>>>>fruits and vegetables and whole grains. If these don't help, check with
>>>>your doctor.
>>>>
>>>>Best wishes,
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>D.N.
>>
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