WIND ISSUES

Dear Mar09,

I do empathise. I have occasional wind and regular constipation issues too, though the last time I had actual cramps I was suffering from food poisoning and needed hospital treatment. Given the heat I would consider that if I were you  - I was overseas and had eaten something off. In fact it messed up my digestion big time.

On how I deal with it generally - ie prevention: at least 2 litres of water through the day (I always fill an exercise bottle from the tap and measure it that way.) More water is needed if hot like now.

Lots of fruit and vegetable  during the day eg I'll have an orange, apple, grapes, a plum, cherries, (summer fruits are great) plus wholemeal bread, cheddar or feta cheese on it for breakfast. Lunch yoghurt and crispbread, dinner: small amount of protein, meat, fish, rice and vegetable or salad. Potatoes are OK but not a lot of fat or cream and chips are a rare treat. Pasta is OK if with little meat and more vegetables in the sauce. And I love a roghan gosh on boiled rice.

Broccoli is good for constipation - I lived on broccoli soup during chemo. Salads provide lots of roughage. Very little fried food or fatty stuff though a small cream cake once in a while is always nice.

I also have a strong coffee (latte) in the morning before my walk around the park. They say caffeine helps digestion and it perks me up for the walk. Then perhaps a decaff later if out and about. Black tea no sugar with breakfast. Alcohol - a couple of small glasses of wine with dinner perhaps once a week. Nothing with gas in it like beer or mixers. I'm a cheap date.

And I walk a lot. Aiming for 10k steps daily  though not always managing it. Gravity helps get the food through the system so always helpful. A rare swig of dulcolax at night can help if uncomfortable.

I hope you can shift things soon. I know people who swear that a drink like 7 up gone flat can help, others swear by plain yoghurt though that's probably better if the constipation  goes to the other extreme.

Hope something here helps.

Good luck with relieving today's symptoms.

Latestart 

Hi latestart and thanks for your detailed reply its very kind.

Just after I sent the post the movicol got to work. From one extreme to another . Iam glad it went that way, a good clear out is what's required sometimes. It's not the nicest subject to talk about but then again it's related to the cancer and the RC and to be expected. 

Thanks again 

Best wishes

Mark

You're welcome, I hope things continue OK. After cancer I find I can discuss anything and we're all trying to avoid hernias so this is v relevant!

Hi Mark,I’m glad the movicol has worked.I massage gently around the abdominal area in circles if I get trapped wind.A cup of hot water can get the bowels moving sometimes.Jane x

I found bowels to be pretty erratic for a while post op - mine tended towards urgency and looseness. I'm also convinced I have a lot more flatulence now - at least that's better than trapped wind! 

You may find that monitoring intake and gut reaction will help you identify what helps & what doesn't. I'm very cautious when eating out, anything rich and creamy/fatty is likely to send me rushing to the loo soon afterwards. 

Thanks Jane

I just plan to drink plenty today and replace the fluids being lost and no doubt the body salts

Best wishes 

Mark 

Thanks Teasswill 

It's never been as painful before. Iam trying to remember what I ate over the past few days and hopefully find the culprit 

Best wishes 

Mark