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Kathy A
I am 7 weeks post take-down surgery. Recently I was having 10-15 BMs per day with Imodium tabs 2 X 4/day as well as Psyllium with meals. Suddenly I was not going at all. This started yesterday. I had BM at 6:00am and then nothing for the rest of the day. When I didn't go again by noon, I stopped taking both the Imodium and the Psyllium. As a result, by 11:00pm I had diarrhea. After 3 bouts of that within 2 hours and the beginning of significant butt burn, I took 2 Imodium and 1 tsp of Psyllium. I had one episode of diarrhea shortly after that and then nothing the rest of the night. I had normal {for me) BM at 8:00am this morning so I took my regular dose of Imodium but not the Psyllium. However I have had no BMs. That was 8 hours ago. I am passing plenty of gas no problem.

Does this sound like a problem? I fear a partial blockage of some kind but I have no pain, bloating or nausea. Is there anything that I can or should be doing?

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Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
Seems OK to me. The main thing to keep in mind is that if you feel well, you probably are well!

Expect change. As your pouch adapts, you will find the daily dose of whatever that seems to keep you functioning well. But, do not be alarmed by fluctuations. Of course, if you have no movement (yes, gas counts too and is actually more important) for 12-24 hours and are feeling bloated or in pain, then you can become concerned.

Jan Smiler
Jan Dollar
Kathy AKathy AMember
Thank you Jan - You always have such great information and advice.

I did have movement - a few in fact - last evening and overnight. But ... (Unfortunately there is a "but"), it is very difficult to empty pouch. It feels like straining when constipated but stool soft and formed in very small narrow strips. I also have some seepage which I never had before. Still plenty of gas though.

Do you think this could be a stricture? It is Friday so I don't have an ice cream change in hell of getting in touch with my surgeon. Do you think I am safe to go until Monday?
Kathy A
Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
Could be a stricture, but strictures are not intermittent. Still, it could be in early stages with spasms of the sphincters that restrict emptying. Imodium can be difficult to regulate. Some are more sensitive to it than others. This is why you are better off finding the dose that
keeps you comfortable, and sticking with it as a daily dose. I focus more on frequency than stool consistency. I am loose most of the time, but no leaking. If I try to have stool that is too formed, it can be difficult to pass.

It does not sound like your symptoms require an urgent appointment. You can try to get something in the next week, and cancel if it resolves on its own. In the meantime, continue as you were, backing off the meds as needed. Stay away from major roughage too.

Jan Smiler
Jan Dollar
Kathy AKathy AMember
Thanks again. Today I have had no BM's at all (it is now 9:30 pm local time) except a very tiny amount. Some gas but very little. I feel a little pressure in my abdomen but very mild. If I don't do anything over night or in the am, I think I will contact the Surgeon on-call and see if they think I can wait to see my surgeon next week. If I get pain in the meantime, I will go to ER. (I hate to do that because it will be a 6-8 hours waiting to be seen - one of the biggest problems with the "free" Canadian health care system).

Kathy
Kathy A
Kathy AKathy AMember
Well here's the scoop, or should I say poop? lol

It might have been just a rut in the rocky road to recovery, or a partial blockage that resolved independently but either way, it appears that things are getting back to normal. Now I need to re-adjust the Imodium dose and find what's right for now.

I am so glad that I had this forum to go to before running off to the "system", especially on a weekend.

Thanks again Jan.
Kathy A

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