Questions about meds, constipation etc

Ok so I'm on a lot of medications already due to IBS and chronic back pain (which I still have no firm diagnosis for!). I've run it past James already at the consultation and he said that although I'm on some NSAIDS they can give me something to help counter act the risk of bleeding due to the NSAIDS.

I currently take Tramadol, Paracetamol and Diclofenac for my back pain, Omeprazole to protect my stomach as Diclofenac can give you stomach ulcers, and Mebeverine and Hyoscine Butylbromide (Buscopan) for my IBS.

My IBS usually presents as diarrhoea and have only been constipated a couple of times in the last 10 years or so thanks to it (usually when I don't drink enough).

So my main wondering is - I know that constipation is a side effect of the GA so should I just stop taking my IBS meds so that it swings the other way towards diarrhoea therefore hopefully cancelling the constipation out and making me go normally? Or should I keep taking my IBS meds but get something in to help me go just in case I get constipated???

Senna doesn't work for me so that's out of the question, but if I go for that route then what is stronger than Senna that would work?!?!?!

hiya,
ahh sorry to hear about that!
i was constipated for about 5 days and stopped taking the painkillers they gave me cause they were way too strong and i switched to normal paracetamol and i took senna as well and seemed to work for me! not sure if there is a stronger version of it though! x

Its a tricky one hun, I would say still take your meds cos obviously you need them. Have you seen your GP, cos I would suggest making an appointment with them. x

I haven't, but I kinda didn't want to tell them cos I'm trying to lose weight to get a tummy tuck on the NHS. If they know about my boobs being done privately they'll wonder why I can't pay for tummy tuck too.

I'll message James later and ask him his opinion!!

Thanks girls xx

If your consultant is aware of ALL of your medication and is happy for you to stay on it, then maybe stick with it. It sounds like IBS is a big part of your life but being constipated should only be temporary if it happens at all to you and may be the least of your worries post-op. If you are reluctant to speak to your GP maybe you could also have a chat with your anesthetist?

I take ongoing medication and my surgeon was happy for me to stay on all of it apart from day of surgery. I started again straight afterwards. Had to stop vitaminins and he wanted me to stop HRT in the few weeks prior but I was able to stay on HRT in the end. I did get constipated but only for a day or so. Pethedine in the hospital didn't help but I ate lots of dried apricots and all bran at home and that helped me as senna doesn't do it for me either. I also drank lots of ginger and lemongrass tea but I have no idea if that helped. A friend told me that that does have a good effect on the digestive system. I don't have much gut motility generally due to medication but when I discovered eating a few apricots each day it was like going on a detox!!!!!!

They should have you on a drip for a long time in the hospital so that should keep you hydrated if you are not able to drink for a while.

x

Thanks Babster.

I think I'll get some All-Bran cos that sets me right off!!!!

Yes IBS is a big part of my life. They say that it usually lasts up to 2 years, but I've had mine constantly for the last 10 years, although only been diagnosed for 3 years.

The only thing I worry about with constipation is that I had a very traumatic colonoscopy just over 18 months ago (it was done too quick and left me screaming in pain the entire way through) and since that - excuse graphic details - my bum doesn't seem to be able to relax properly and if I have what would class as a normal motion it splits me causing a huge amount of pain and I bleed for up to an hour, it even happens when I have diarrhoea sometimes. So I'm terrified that if I get constipated I won't be able to go at all cos the pain and bleeding will stop me from going and then the problem will only get worse!!

PRUNES !!!! swear by them .... totally natural bag of them and as they say ....jobs done