New member and Questions

Hi Scruffyhightops I’m afraid I have the opposite problem so I’m not much help but I’ve attached a link to a booklet from the bowel cancer uk page. My friend swears by warm prune juice first thing for a good clear out. I’ve also read recently that kiwi fruits are good for constipation so you could try having a couple of those a day too?

bcuk.adidocdn.dev/.../Bowel_Cancer_UK_Regaining_Bowel_Control.pdf

Thanks very much. I am into week 4 of recovery, so everything is still making me paranoid. 

How far into recovery are you? 

Hi Scruffyhightops 

I’m 9 years into recovery! If you click on my name (and other peoples too) then my profile page shows my journey to date. Yes it’s easy to worry about everything after your op but hopefully things will settle down over the next few weeks and you’ll get used to what your new ‘normal’ is. Give your colorectal support nurse a ring for advice and they might be able to recommend an over the counter remedy 

I remember that tricky period some time after a right large bowel hemi. The worry about possible constipation, which I experienced badly once or twice. Advice from the support nurse to reduce the risk is essential. Personally I would advocate small meals, chewed well and eaten slowly, as well as several small glasses of water over the course of the day and with meals. Moving about and walks. Prune juice / dried prunes chewed well. Soft fruit and vegetables. Best to peel apples in my experience. A chunk or two of pineapple (pre-cut from supermarkets) seem to work well for me. Also find one or two cups max of coffee seem to help. From over the counter, I found when I needed a little extra help - Dulcolax (capsules) and Movicol (sachets dissolve in lukewarm water). There are also spouted capsules which can be pushed gently and contents squirted up the rectum when the appears to be too much compaction. Read leaflets. Do consult support nurse first and foremost, and try not distract the mind from constipation as much as possible. Things will get better and settle down to be easier naturally in due course. Good luck. 

Correction !!  'try to distract the mind'  (instead of try not to distract the mind)