The scoop on the poop

Sorry for hijacking your post there Keith. haha

I haven't tried Magnesium Oxide. Hubby did mention that clear fizzy liquid, but I'm kind of scared of it to be honest. I just took the 4 TBSP of milk of magnesia to try and get this out. It's bad, though. Hubby even suggested going to the ER to be deplugged. lol Damn I shouldn't be laughing about it.

Has it really been 3 weeks?

I, unfortunately, know WAY too much about constipation and impaction and anal fissures. It's gross to talk about, but I can try to help if you'd like.

Yes! Unfortunately. :( I get the urge to go, but I sit there for a while, damn near crying and popping a blood vessel. After praying for an epidural that I know won't come, I finally give up and go about my daily activities.

Oh boy. Have you went to any of your doctors?

Here's the thing. I'd bet my left thumb that you are impacted. I'm going to get graphic and apologize. I don't mind sharing if it will help someone, but it's kind of gross...

When you push, do you feel like a softball mass? If so, truly, no amount of grunting and pushing or laxative is going to help. That's an impaction. You would probably need to head to the ER to have them remove it (digitally). I never could stomach going so I always did it myself with a glove and a LOT of lube. I've had to do that twice since my WLS. Note, you should NEVER do it yourself. I read up a lot and called my nurse friend. She told me not to, but I don't listen very well. You have to break up that mass to get it out. It's really gross and the most heinous thing I've ever done. I'd rather give birth to the 9 pound baby again.

If you decide to do it yourself, use Google to find out how to do it (basically, a glove, lube, breaking it up while pushing slightly) but you should NOT. The ER nurses are used to seeing it all. Having said that, I couldn't bring myself to go the ER route. You will see a little blood either way.

Don't let yourself not go at least once or twice per week.

So... before my WLS, I had problems with constipation. I've even had anal fissure surgery (the least fun surgery in the world, FTR). At that point, I was taking a half cap of Miralax per day. After surgery, they had me taking a full cap. I still do that today. I also take a dose of FiberSure (Metamucil clear powder) in my cottage cheese (I use the Live Active Breakstone kind because it seems to keep my tummy happy too).

Now... if I'm having problems - like now because I'm on hydrocodone again for my back issue - then I add a Colace or two.

All of these things (except the Fibersure) are stool softeners. They will have soften things up and keep it moving. Right now, you might want to avoid fiber. Fiber causes your stool to bulk up and you don't want that right now.

Be careful with using too much Milk of Magnesia, that is a laxative and your body can become dependent on them. After you get things moving again, you might want to take another dose if you need it after 24 hours. As big of a dose as you took, I'm actually worried that you're going to push that mass out but tear yourself. Trust me, you do not want that.

As I said, you should call your doctor at this point, but that has been my own personal experience. I'm not a doctor, I don't play one on message boards, just sharing my experiences.

Thank you so much! I actually needed the details. Yes, it is like a softball mass. When I was in there earlier, I could actually feel it. I hate hate hate going into the ER for anything. I have an appointment on the 30th, though, so I will be bringing it up. Thank you again, I really appreciate it.

I'm a little worried about you waiting that long... that's a month without a bowel movement. I'm glad I could help though. Just be careful, you don't want it to impact into your bowels too.

Hopefully others will chime in with any experiences they may have had so you can see other sides. I'm not an expert by any stretch.

Hubby just gave me a swift kick in the butt and told me if I haven't gone by bedtime, he's locking me out of the house until I can waddle back up here with a hospital bracelet as proof.

Lol! Agree w/sleevegirl... U can't wait that long!!!! A fleets enema may help soften the mass so it can be broken up. Go to ur local pharmacy.... Buy gloves, lube (ky type) and an enema. Maybe put some sort of pad under u. If not, go to the ER

I told ya sleevegirl could hook you up. I remember this story.

Just for future reference, go to the drug store after you get the plumbing fixed and get a canister of colon cleanse (make sure it is 100% psyllium husk and take a table spoon or two of that every day in your protein shake or crystal lite (it has no flavor so it will be sort of like pulpy juice) and you will go every other day or so, plus it is a very cleansing fiber. It looks like a lot of carbs but it is pure unsoluable fiber so you won't digest any of it.

Sigh. Great. I'm now PoopGirl.

LOL... seriously, I don't mind. It's slightly embarrassing, but it's a real problem for folks. And you know me... Overshare is what I do ;)