Laxitives

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are still having a few problems with BMs, but I found I spent quite a lot of time messing around trying to get my bottom settled quickly, and really what I should have done was stick with what worked and allow my body to heal.

Don’t worry about taking stool softeners for any longer than you need to — they are fairly benign and I think you might find it helpful to continue with what worked for you, and allow your bottom to sort itself out for a bit longer before you keep changing your meds.

As far as diet goes, I found fruit — especially grapes and dried fruits — helped a lot. You might also like to have a look at the FODMAP way of eating; I know several people on this forum eat this way and find it helpful.

All the very best

Thank you this is probably the reassurance I needed. I’m guessing I am willing myself to be better but the reality is I need to be more patient. 

Hi there

I'm 6 years post treatment and still have episodes of juggling laxatives, imodium etc!

It's quite a fine balancing act and I find that I have to eat well and drink lots of water to keep bowel movements just the right level to pass easily. If I don't, I can get constipation easily which results in painful bowel movements and a bit of discomfort. Leakage still happens now and again as well.

I was taking half a laxido everyday for 2 or so years after treatment so I wouldn't worry to much at all. Just get the balance that works for you, you'll get there. 

Deb x 

Hello Vicwil

Some great advice already but wanted to add a couple of foods you might not have tried to keep your bowl movements soft and gut happy.

A kiwi before bed, lemon ginger and tumeric shot first thing in the morning with a shot of apple cider vinegar. Chia seeds soaked in water.

I saw my rectum and anus during my colonoscopy and it's very inflamed and trying to heal and I have a stoma. You guy's are trying to go to the toilet every day. So it's going to take a little time to calm.

All the very best with your ongoing recovery.

Ally xx

Hello Vicwil 

My first stoma nurse wasn't particularly helpful when I told her I still had to take Laxido every day, and this is with a stoma.  She told me to eat an apple and my stools should just 'fall into the bag'.  They didn't.

I was so concerned about her advice I made an appointment with my wonderful GP and told her what happened.  She tutted, and said she has patients on long-term Laxido, don't buy them, she would prescribe them monthly for me.  I also saw the colorectal consultant recently and he said the same thing, some people need Laxido to help function after any sort of bowel treatment.

So, based on the advice I have been given, wholeheartedly, by two different sources, I don't think you need to worry.  And my experience is if my stools become too loose I skip a Laxido, the firming up doesn't happen the next day, but the day after that.

I hope you manage to strike the balance!

Irene xx

Hi Vicwil , like you I didn’t get any diarrhoea during or after treatment, I actually suffered with constipation throughout treatment & afterwards although I’ve mentioned before I think some of this was probably due to internal inflammation rather than true constipation.

I wouldn’t worry too much about being on the stool softeners for too long, I was taking them for 3 years following my treatment due to anal stenosis, this has improved considerably & I’ve not had the need for Laxido for 4 years now apart from a spell a few weeks ago because the GP prescribed codeine for my hip & back pain. I think there’s more of a concern surrounding long term use of laxatives but stool softeners work completely differently. I did exactly as your GP has advised & juggled the Laxido until I found what worked best for me, I found taking one sachet first thing in the morning worked best for me & when I decided to try coming off them I began taking them alternate days & kept it at that for a while then dropped down to one every 3 days & so on until I was confident I no longer needed them. 

I hope this has managed to reassure you a little. 

Nicola 

I had a total pelvic exenteration in May, and a stoma fitted. At first, my stoma was not very productive, but over the past few months, I’ve tweaked my diet - I no longer eat meat, but eat a lot more vegetables, and fibre based foods. Together with 2 x daily dioctyl, this has gone a long way to regulating “output”, although I’m suffering with IBS which has worsened since my surgery ( apparently that’s not abnormal) . I think it’s taken a good six months for my stoma to settle, but I think eating a lot of fibre rich foods has really helped- I also try not to eat processed food ( or only a little) . I’d definitely try tweaking your diet with less carb and more fibre if possible. I’m happy to share a more detailed “diet plan” if that would help ?. Best, Vee

Thanks Nikki. That’s helpful advice.

Hi,

I experienced the exact same thing. I lowered the docusate meds with lead to horrendous constipation. I have found that, for me, branflakes and a glass of prune juice every day for breakfast, one docusate tablet per day and a handful of pistachio nuts works really well. 
As long as I stick to this, the BMs are manageable. I hope you find some relief as I know how painful this can be. 
Good luck, 

take care 

Sarah

Thank you for your response. Just out of interest were you on laxido too? Or just the docusate? Wondering if I could phase one out.