35 year old female, 2 kids. I was only recently diagnosed with hemorrhoids and the surgeon said they were too bad to be resolved through gentler methods and recommended surgery. I agreed because they were uncomfortable and ugly. No fissures and only occasional bleeding with bathroom issues.. occasional pain for no reason, and of course pain with constipation or diarrhea, which both are fairly common for me due to medications I take. I expected some pain and discomfort, but surely it couldn’t be worse than childbirth…
-
I was put to sleep for the surgery (3/29/2021) and woke up feeling just fine. I napped that day, was able to go pee, etc. I was encouraged. This is Day 0. I took oxycodone, acetaminophen, 2 Colace/day, and 1 MiraLax/day. the oxycodone kept me up that night. I took one or 2 baths this day.
-
Day 1 was much the same. A little more tired, but no real pain. No BM yet, and I was starting to feel more pressure from that. I had some discharge and gas (with more discharge). the gas came from deep in my stomach and there was no way to stop it. I had no control. I discontinued the oxycodone and began an ibuprofen/Tylenol rotation instead. baths this day, too, provided comfort and relief.
-
Day 2, still minimal pain, but the pressure from the no BM was becoming bothersome. I was drinking lots of water and trying to eat regularly to bring on a poop. it was getting harder to pee because of the pressure, anxiety and pain when I would sit on the toilet. I had a large lunch and suddenly felt the urge to go. I sat on the toilet and realized that I was very constipated. I couldn’t go. This is when things got bad. I called the hospital that evening and they suggested increasing my Miralax to twice daily. baths, again, were my solace.
-
Day 3. misery. Pain and pressure from the constipation made me downright terrified to go pee, and when I would go pee, I couldn’t empty my bladder (pressure and anxiety). I slept almost the whole day. I cried every time I went to the bathroom. Doctor said to give the Miralax time to work. I wasn’t passing gas anymore. baths were comfort.
-
Day 4. I honestly thought I would have to get admitted to the hospital. the constipation was just terrible. still no BM. I called again and the doctor on call suggested a glycerin suppository. it’s took nearly 3 hours to work, but I finally went to the bathroom. as many have said, it is comparable to childbirth. I was weak, shaking and scared. showered/bathed and went to sleep. However, after the BM, I began struggling with fecal incontinence. I had to send a friend to the store for adult diapers. I had ZERO control of my bowels. Pain, energy, and hopefulness were at an all time low. Had another sizeable, but slightly easier to pass, BM Later that day and hoped I was turning the corner.
-
Day 5. I woke up disappointed that I wasn’t better, as I’d hoped. My diaper was embarrassing, humbling, and just gross. Anytime I had to pee, I knew that meant I’d have a painful poop and need to shower/bathe. It was painful and exhausting. I reduced back to only one Miralax per day (and 2 Colace). I’m terrified of becoming constipated again. I am doing some kegels to try to help with the fecal incontinence.
-
Day 6. Still bad. Pain and major anxiety with using the bathroom. Still need a diaper. Will be calling the doctor tomorrow (today is Easter Sunday). I did add Metamucil to bulk up my stool. I have slightly less pain, more energy, etc. I still can not work, drive or care for my children (thank goodness my ex husband is able to keep them!). it takes me an hour to get up the courage and strength to go pee, because I know along with it will come the pain and pressure of another poop. My stool is soft, but still formed, so I don’t want to come off laxatives entirely, knowing I will get constipated if I do.
-
Day 7. A glimmer of hope, but still in misery. fecal incontinence continues, as does a soft, painful bowel movement each time I pee. The doctor told me to discontinued all laxatives until the incontinence stops, then slowly add them back as needed. my bottom hurts very badly after each visit to the bathroom, and I have enormous anxiety, even to the point of avoiding drinking water so I don’t have to go as often. I miss my children, but wouldn’t be capable of caring for them yet. I wish I’d never had this surgery.
-
Day 8. Better. Still anxious to use the bathroom and have a BM each time I go to pee. still need diapers, but less stool in the diaper. taking pain meds regularly, no laxatives.
-
Day 9. Better again but still a long road ahead. Woke up constipated, so did a half Miralax and that loosened me up. still having a painful BM with every bathroom visit. gassy and it’s a bit painful. moved around the house some today. it still hurts enormously, but I have less anxiety about using the bathroom and it does hurt a bit less. feeling encouraged today.
-
Day 10-13. better! still need a diaper. pain is less, but still dealing with constipation, drainage, loose stools, having a BM each time I go to the bathroom. not ready to go out in public yet. in fact, had to cancel important plans. used a suppository once in here, but hope to avoid that in the future, because then I had a full 24 hours of lots of BMs. gas and bloating have been an issue.
-
Day 14. today marks 2 weeks. I am constipated. drank a Miralax and am planning to continue with 1 Colace daily as well. pain is manageable, except when using the restroom. once I can finally get my tummy regulated, I feel hopeful that I can resume most regular activities. I still need a diaper (or just a pad, but the diaper is more comfortable) bc of drainage and/or incontinence. hoping that resolves this week, too.