Chronic Constipation

[smillerlite2]

Hello all,

I am posting for my brother, Glenn, who is 2 1/2 weeks post-op. He had a ependymoma removed from his C1-C2. Dr. George Jallo is his surgeon; I can't speak highly enough about him (my bother & I live in Orlando, FL, and I got Dr. Jallo's name from this wonderful website).

My brother had a problem in the hospital with his bowels. Now that he is home, he is having a difficult time again. He said that he has tried everyingthing from prune juice to ex-lax.

Joel, (Happy Birthday!) You stated that your most difficult challenge has been "pooping". Any suggestions?

My brother is also down in the dumps; he seems to think he is not going to get any better than he is now. How can I/his family help him?

Thanks so much,
~Sabrina Miller~

[stevieray]

Drink lots of water and I take Metamucil daily.

[stevieray]

I also take medication for depression. I was still using a walker at 3 weeks, didn't walk normally for a year and a half, but I'm doing very well now. Lots of PT and patience.

Steve

[garyw]

I take a couple of big spoonfuls of rhubarb daily. It's a natural laxative. I have a big patch of rhubarb in my back garden (easy to grow in northern areas, not sure about warmer ones), Of course, you have to like the tangy taste of it. But it works for me and no side effects I have ever seen.

Gary

[peilynne]

he could try sennokot, available over the counter, natural overnight relief, as well as colace twice a day, stool softener, don't let this go too long as it can cause problems

[valerieb]

Unfortunately this is a by product of the spinal cord injury we receive from the tumors. I would venture to say the greatest majority of us have this same problem and it is obviously troublesome.

I have had the problem for all of my life that I can recall but didn't realize the source of the problem until I was diagnosed. I have tried over the counter everything from laxatives (ex lax, swiss kriss, smooth move tea), fiber additives, ultra doses of magnesium, milk of magnesia, triphala, stool softeners, prune juice, and the liquid magnesium citrate. They have all worked to some degree; in the hospital they had to give me 4 different treatments in a single day and they couldn't believe none of it was working (all their fail safe therapies were child play on me). Ultimately it was on to the enema.

Now I try to stick to a very simple freshly prepared meal with carbs limited to high fiber carbs and limit/eliminate dairy. At least 2x a week I have to take something to help but it is still very difficult.

On to the good news, given that in most situations our constipation is chronic we are not prohibited from more frequent use of these therapies because ultimately it is better for us to get rid of the waste. My doctors have all told me that though they prefer alot of water, exercise, high fiber route they do not have a problem with me using the products as often as is necessary.

Our motor functions are not normal because of the damage done to our nervous system; most of us have some amount of neurogenic bowel dysfunction. In my case I have upper motor neurogenic bowel.

Bottom line is this is a very frustrating problem for me and many of us. It takes effort and awareness to keep things moving along and just when I think I am having some success it changes and I feel back to square one.

As for his recovery in every other way, tell him to keep his spirits up!!! The recovery is slow but it continues.............I am almost 3 years post op and still finding some improvement in my abilities. It takes determination, skilled medical staff (which he clearly had) and great support. I am confidant that Glenn will do really well. The first few weeks and possibly months are a very challenging period to keep moving forward but it is completely worth it.

Send Glenn my best and tell him to check in here periodically for more people who understand what he is experiencing in a very personal way. I am so happy he has such a good brother........what a blessing!!!
Valerie

[smillerlite2]

I knew that I could find the support I needed here. Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions; I will share them with my brother. I hope that someday he too will post his "story" & be willing to share some words of encouragement & advise.

Valerie, thank you for your post - it really touched me.

I'll keep checking in.... God bless.

~Sabrina~

[Joel]

Sabrina:
Can you get your brother to post on here himself? Maybe that would help. There are a number of threads on this site about poopy-problems. One of them has been pulled back up on this first page by our fearless leader. There are also a number of threads regarding depression and how to deal with it. We all face this from time to time.
My best to you.
Joel

[shannan]

2 and a half weeks and he's home, things seem to be progressing well for your brother. Let him know things do improve...often times very slowly but still progressively. I was in the hospital for a total of 7 months with my surgery (almost 6 was in a rehab hospital). I agree with Joel that your brother should check out this site himself, the support and encouragement provided has been instrumental in my recovery and state of mind with this crazy situation. Let him know he doesn't have to do this alone.

[qhcrazy]

Hugs and prayers to your brother. At just 2.5 weeks post op. , there is SO MUCH MORE RECOVERY to come in the months, years ahead. I am almost a year post op., and I cannot even tell you the leaps and bounds that I have come since those initial days/weeks following surgery. Tell your brother to look forward to the rest of his life and improved recovery! This type of surgery takes so long to recover from, and it is something you just have to surrender to and just go with. I speak from total experience, as I was really, really depressed with dealing with all of this, and from time to time, still get that way. But, Joel's quote, "adapt, persevere", is so true! I pray a lot. I have found that, no joke, after I pray, I always feel better and seem to improve. I probably am a miracle surgery, as I had tons of post op. blood clotting and nobody could figure out why, with such large clots in both my lungs and behind my legs, why I didn't have a heart attack or stroke. I will keep your brother in my prayers and just give him all the support and love you can. Even if you don't understand his explanations of what he's physically feeling, just be there for him. You sound like the kind of person that would be there for him. We are all here for you!!!!!!!! ;D