Opioid-induced constipation after BMX?

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mellielu
mellielu Member Posts: 15
edited July 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I’m having an unexpected complication that is trumping all the other significant discomfort of my double mastectomy!

I had surgery last Thursday. Stayed in hospital until Saturday. In hospital and at home was given Percocet around the clock. So now I’m nauseated and no appetite and realize I haven’t had a bowel movement since before my surgery.

I’ve been taking docusate/colace. And psyllium capsules which I now realize aren’t helpful.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What did you do? I just took a senna tablet. My husband went out and got a fleet enema but I’m so limited in mobility because of my drains and stitches that I don’t know how I’ll manage that!

I can call the surgeon tomorrow I guess. Please tell me this will get better

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited July 2020

    A very common and very expected post-surgery problem. I'm just surprised that no one at your hospital or surgeon's office warned you beforehand.

    Use the search bar on the left side of this page. Put in "constipation" as the keyword, and select the "Surgery" forum and you'll find over a 1000 posts with lots of suggestions.

    Hope it resolves soon!

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  • mellielu
    mellielu Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2020

    Thanks. I can't figure out search on mobile... will try on my laptop later. Nobody mentioned it to me at the hospital and I've been prone to constipation before but this is severe!

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited July 2020

    Try miralax. Only thing that worked well for me.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited July 2020

    Honestly I'd do the enema. Do it on the bathroom floor, your dh will have to help. Try to stay in position on the floor as long as you can, then get him to help you on the toilet. Secure all the drains and dressings first. Wrap with non sticky bandages, put on a snug t-shirt on top. Have towels and paper towels ready. Keep room warm.

    At the very least I'd suggest glycerin suppositories in addition to the oral meds you've taken, so you're not straining and hurting stitches. Esp since you've had it before, I'd be concerned about a hardened volume sitting there.

    If your dh can't do it, if you have any nurse friends, now is the time to call them.

    Feel better soon!

    (Oh and is consider weaning off the lax gradually. It can take time for the system to work properly again and sometimes it happens another time a few days lafer...)

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  • mellielu
    mellielu Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2020

    thank you. I took the senna and I hear gurgling but nothing happening except a little bowel cramping.

    I have miralax and can do that in the morning!

    its like my bowels just stopped working since the surgery.

    i can also do the enema. I’m just afraid oftoo many things stimulating my bowels!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2020

    Mel: This is a great thread with lot of ideas.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/...

    I agree - do the enema. One enema to get it started won't hurt. Then stick to the Senna on a regular basis until several days after you quit the pain meds. Don't skip just because you have one BM. It will keep your stools softer.

    And yes - I still keep glycerin suppositories on hand. The benefit of those is you can easily "install" one yourself lying on the bed. Just be ready to move to the bathroom ( pun intended)

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  • mellielu
    mellielu Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2020

    thank you I am reading that thread. DH doesn't want to participate in the enema-administration and I don't want him too either! I drank a mug of warm prune juice with a capful of Miralax stirred in. I took another Senna tablet. Now it's either the Dulcolax suppository or the enema! I just don't have that much range of motion in my arms yet....

    now I got a text that visitors are on the way... and my husband is working at home in same room as my recliner... takes the opportunities away for enemas and suppositories! But as soon as visitors leave maybe I can get some privacy!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2020

    No, I wouldn't have been able to have my DH help with an enema either. (edited to say - or even a good friend for that matter). An enema will work faster than a suppository, but you'll have to determine if you can manage that.

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited July 2020

    prunes and water

    And for any future surgeries, start eating a couple of prunes with every meal in the few days prior and then continue. Only thing that ever works for me.

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited July 2020

    I ate raisins......lots of raisins which helps too. I did not do enema. Did the oral meds. There are now gummy laxives that do not taste as bad it sounds like. Make sure to drink a LOT of water too so you are hydrated well no matter what. It will help as well.

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  • mellielu
    mellielu Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2020

    thank you all. I’ve been reading the constipation thread. Yes a lot of info. I think I took too much senna. The cramping and nausea is intense. This is far worse than post BMX

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  • Gamb
    Gamb Member Posts: 599
    edited July 2020

    Cook rhubard for 5 minutes cool and then eat, the best bowel mover I ever taken...lol oh Epsom salts work wonders for moving bowels also, read on package for directions

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