ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: ppearl214 on April 09, 2006, 06:46:17 pm
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Ok, I'm going to try to start this discussion as delicately as I can... and know this folks... since I start the subject and if it gets out of line, I can delete the thread, ok? You know who you are and I'm REALLY hoping this stays on track and in line for those that are new to the site and may need this info.
Ok... here goes.
Potty patrol.ÂÂ
I know, I know, but needs to be discussed, as I found out this past week during my treatment.
All of us here have a common denominator... a thingy in our head that we need to (at some point) have treated. Now, regardless of the treatment method, whether micro-surgery or radio-surgery/FSR, whatever...... meds, diet, mother nature's lack of humor will get our GI tracts in a state of temp disarray.
Those of you that have had any kind of surgeries know that laying flat in a hospital bed does not help gravity and the process. Meds, stresses, etc also interfere.
As I have spoken to many of you this week, as well as my treatment team, there is one other common denominator that we have to keep in mind. Cerebral pressure when trying to do our "business". Can't have that pressure so when mother nature turns on our systems and we have to minimalize the cerebral pressure, it can make life's "activities" very difficult.
So, keep this sincere folks, as one that can relate to this issue all too well, what we can share with others to keep this in mind? I know lots of fluid intake helps. Fiber rich diets help, avoiding food that "bind" helps.... my primary care physcian gave me a remedy of prune juice with a teaspoon of honey, heated slightly (I did 20 secs in microwave) certainly helped. Some of you all have had to deal with this and there are many here that are prepping for treatments that this issue may not have crossed their minds. So....
if you have any remedies, please share... and folks, I'm watching this thread like a hawk! Trust me..... It'll go *poof* in a heartbeat if you all get outta line... you hear me? :)
Anyway, any and all remedies are welcomed. Brain edema, during any of the treatment choices, is a very serious condition that we all have to be monitored... and the less "pressure" we can put on our brains during post-treatment, the better....
Phyl
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Interesting topic, it doesn't bother me to talk about poop. :D Vicodin was the killer for me, bound me up like cement. The only thing that worked was a tall glass of prune juice daily. The stool softners and high fiber foods didn't seem to do anything. After my first week at home, I switched from vicodin to tylenol and no more issues.
Hopefully my response was appropriate. ;)
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Interesting topic, it doesn't bother me to talk about poop. :D Vicodin was the killer for me, bound me up like cement. The only thing that worked was a tall glass of prune juice daily. The stool softners and high fiber foods didn't seem to do anything. After my first week at home, I switched from vicodin to tylenol and no more issues.ÂÂ
Hopefully my response was appropriate. ;)
Thanks hun for sharing this.. and keeping it clean... :)
Phyl
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This is an issue for surgical patients too since straining is a head pressure issue. We were told to use a OTC stool softener found in many drug store and supermarkets. Softeners just make things a little easier and are not laxatives.
Did i pass the clean test? <g>
Best to all
raydean
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Activia yogurt reallly does what it says! It will keep you regular and it doesn't taste as bad as prunes! :P
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Raydean, I knew I could count on you for an insightful reply.. thank you so much! :)
Batty, I heard about the yogurt and didn't know if it really worked or not (lactose issues here, can't eat yoghurt)... have also heard that Acidolphullus works to help keep GI bacteria in check as well... have used in the past via conversations with my GI doc... seems to help a bit but not sure if it would help in this kind of scenario.
Thanks all for keeping this in line. :)
Phyl
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Oh yeah the activia is suppose to keep you regulated...lets just say ONE small cup did the trick. Not sure if the acidolhullus works to help that or not. Warm water with lemon will though..that is why they tell you to drink hot tea or warm water with lemon in the morning. Helps get things moving. I know there are some natural stimulants sold at the health food store one of them being tea that a friend of mine swears by.
How are you feeling Phyllis?
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thanks hun! Was actually talking to CB this am about teas and such and never really made the correllation between hot water and lemon to help the cause either. I know there are OTC stuff (Senekot was recommended by the local pharmacist who is not related as in Papa Pearl) as a natural agent, as well as Colace, but in speaking with my primary about holistic approaches, I found the prune/honey combo very interesting. Have spoken to a few folks here (post treatment and pretreatment) about this issue and I've heard about migraines occurring, those that don't know what to anticipate, etc... so... here's the thread.
I'm doing ok hun... day by day.. some issues, none major and need a slight readjust to my meds (having some reactions) but all in all, doing the best I can and taking it day by day. Taking tomorrow off so hoping one more day (in light of recent treatments and losses) will help my energy levels.... you are, as always, a dear to think of me. :)
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Thanks for the thread, Phyl, since we talked so much on the phone about it yesterday!  ;) It had been something that I had been planning on discussing with my Doc when I had the chance as I know that pressure would be bad....I'm sure we've all heard of patients dying on the toilet from blowing a clot straining too much. I know my mom had a lot of trouble getting her GI track back up and running after surgery for uterine cancer, and was in pain for many days....so that made me think about what trouble that might be for someone who has more to worry about than blowing out a couple of abdominal stitches....especially since I know that sneezing, coughing, and the like isn't good...especially for translab patients (like I will be) trying to get that abdominal fat settled in the eustachian tube. I think this is as good a subject to talk about as any other to help future patients out. I think it's great stuff to know so we're not suffering alone!!!ÂÂ
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Ya know, Kathleen, was trying to help you as well... and yeah, we've discussed (unfortunately) too much, but a very real situation. Like you noted, I've been letting my seasonal allergy sneezes rip this week and coughing at a minimal (head pressure is definately talking to me this week).... and as for my "system".... oy. *plunks head on keyboard* Ow. :'(
Has anyone tried Green Tea for this kind of situation? I can't drink it due to my GI issues but I know my Japanese folks in the office live on it and it's suppose to help as well... any teas better than others (Green vs ?). Will also wait for CB to chime in on that one since he may have the UK tea remedy as well.
Thanks all for keeping this in line... oh, more than you know! :)
Phyl
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apple juice.
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apple juice.
Ya know, wanderer, I was thinking the same thing.. the adage of "an apple a day..."... know it's rich in fiber and helpful... apple juice never helped me as such but the more I think about it....
thank you! :)
Phyl
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Glad you're back on lone, Phyl. Thinking of you all week. Know each day you'll feel better and better. I am jealous you got this method, have been wishing I chose it instead!
Prunes/prune juice would be my first choice. I ended up straining too much and had swelling/fluid buildup behind the ear. I tried an enema with no success, just a gruesome experience.
Anything natural would be the way to go, first! Colace did nothing for me.
Nan
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Everyone is all different. My mother who is 78 swears on an orange every morning will do it for her.
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Orange? Hmm...interesting seeing how I'm from the sunshine state I don't think I've ever heard that. I do know they are now selling and orange juice high in fiber which my son absolutely refuses to drink before school lol
Senekot is all natural and now that I think about it they did prescribe that when I left the hospital and I remember being mad because I kept telling the PA who discharged me I was not having a problem with that. Mom bought it not knowing what it is...so who need some? Unopened never used..think I can ebay it? lol ;D
Phyl, I don't know about green tea specifically for that just warm drinks in general. Green Tea is an antioxidant so i can see how it could help. Besides it's good for losing weight :) I do know an elderly friend of mine was having an obstuction and she used a tea from the health food store that did the trick. I know she showed me the box but can't remember the name but I want to say it was an apple based tea and specifically stated on the box that it was a natural laxative. She said it tasted good...I don't like funky tasting things.
See I'm behaving!
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Laci Lebeau Tea--available at health food stores--a cup before bed every night! It has senna in it which helps relax you and your innards!
Capt Deb 8)
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I thought flax was supposed to be a good remedy for constipation. Flax seeds contain 12% mucilage, which makes it a gentle, natural laxative. Saw that on-line. Make sure you drink lots of water however.
Also, I've heard that if you have a handful of sugerless candy, the artificial sweetner is a laxative and can help (or hinder, if you don't need any extra help!) with that problem also. My aunt had some of the sugarfree ice cream that we buy, the Dryers Triple Chocolate with Splenda. Well! She won't be having any of that again as she is the sensitive type and it about did her in. I don't have that extreme reaction as the ice cream doesn't bother me. I have dried prunes on hand. I like the taste of the dried prunes, so that's not an issue. I also use Fiber One cereal and really good whole grain bread. As a diabetic I've learned to add a lot of fiber to my diet. I forget to keep drinking the water, however. I need to just keep a glass of water around, with a little lemon. Auntie uses a natural fiber laxative - one of those powder things. As human beings, we all, at some point in time and for various reasons, will have trouble "evacuating our bowels", otherwise we wouldn't have all those products on the pharmacy shelves! A natrual approach is the best way, unless you have a really severe blockage. I think this is a great subject to have on here and for people to be mindful of this before they get to treatment. I never even thought of this in regards to AN treatments, until I saw it on here. This is just as important as any other health question. And if a person is in the throes of a major constipation issue, this will be the MOST IMPORTANT issue until it is resolved. Hey, if Oprah can have a show about poop, we should be able to also!
I worked in a small pharmacy/gift store on the Oregon Coast once, and I wondered one time what Aliens from another planet would think of Humans if they just had a drug store to study our species. Wonder what they would come up with.  :D
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Sue you're right with the sugar free thing..I know on the sugar free licorace it tells you what it can/may do to your system. I do ok with splenda it's the maltose I think that does me in...leave the room immediately do not pass go you might want to pick up your gas mask on the way out! TMI TMI :-[ :-[ ;D ;D
I thought flax was good for your brain and nerves to? Do you know? I know I read that it's advisable to take after brain surgery just didn't know why. I know it's a good supplement if you have diabetes. So is cinnamon too!
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Sue you're right with the sugar free thing..I know on the sugar free licorace it tells you what it can/may do to your system. I do ok with splenda it's the maltose I think that does me in...leave the room immediately do not pass go you might want to pick up your gas mask on the way out! TMI TMI :-[ :-[ ;D ;D
I thought flax was good for your brain and nerves to? Do you know? I know I read that it's advisable to take after brain surgery just didn't know why. I know it's a good supplement if you have diabetes. So is cinnamon too!
Yeah, I thought about that after I posted that. Splenda doesn't do it, it's the Sorbitol, at least in the ice cream. I thought about getting flax seed oil, but keep forgetting to pick it up. I think it's good for arthritis too. I just heard that cinnamon is effective for blood sugar control if taken in tablet form. I didn't even know that they had cinnamon tablets, but I googled that and found that, yes, there are cinnamon tablets. Guess I'll look for that next time I'm at the store. I'll go and put it on the list!
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Yes, Maltitol bad, very bad :P I've stopped eating it. If I have people caring for me post surgery, I will not be using that....I think I'll stick to the prunes. I do fine on Splenda...it's good.
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I love splenda...have a killer cheesecake recipe for them!
Sue I have cinnamon in tablets which I got from wal mart. They are very inexpensive and in studies are suppose to lower your blood sugar levels by 26%. I started taking them and my sugars lowered and so did my mom's. I am no longer diabetic since surgery!
So no malitol or sorbitol for kathleen...we either send you splenda choccies or for even more fun post surgery a basketful of prunes :-*
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We need to make a decorative gift basket for post-surgery ANers! With loverly prunes and oranges and metamucil and multi-colored stool softeners and stuff in a pretty basket with Easter grass and tied with a big bow!
Decorative, definitely functional, and quite entertaining!
Captain Deb 8)
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I've missed you guys, been kinda busy and had to get another root canal. Make sure you do all the dental stuff you need to do, don't put it off of you will be in the root canal club with me!
Anyway, I've found a product at the Vitamin Shoppe (they also have an online store if you don't have one near you) called "Colon Clenz". It works really well, overnight and unless you take too much, unlike other similar products, you don't spend your day constantly visiting the throne! It contains..........
Cascara Sagrada (bark), Senna (leaf), Chinese Rhubarb (root), Black Walnut (hull, leaf), Aloe Vera (leaf), Oregon Grape (root), Yellow Dock (root), Valerian (root), Slippery Elm (bark). It cost $18.35 per 120 capsules and is all herbal (or so it says), and can be taken every day if necessary. Kinda expensive but well worth it, and not as expensive as some other things I've seen out there.
With being on pain meds now because of the dental work, I depend on this stuff. Also, like batty said, that activia stuff helps too!
Hope this helps get things "going" for ya!
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Slippery Elm..now that says it all! ;D
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Deb, don't forget the Johnson's no tears!!!!!!! And Phyl's dad seemed quite enthralled with the chocolate bandaids that were in the care package I sent. I'm sure from a purely professional, pharmacist view. ;D
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couple of them band-aids left but PapaPearl due here tomorrow night... I may have to hide the remainder from him!
Flax oil works! I cook with it! BTW, been doing the prune/honey routine nightly and yep, working like a charm! aren't you all thrilled for me?
..and thanks folk for the suggestions and such. A "care" package post-AN surgery sounds like a winning plan! Will buy stock in SunSweet Prunes! :)
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Jeez Phyll, I'm so glad that I don't hafta fly up there and throw a snake in yer house!!!! (See for the girls thread, I think!) :o
Capt Deb 8)
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I heard about the snake, don't want the snake, forgetabout da snake, ain't doing the snake! :D
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Phyl, if Deb throws a snake in your apt...CB has to jet across the pond to rescue you and you'll then live happily ever after! :-*
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OK, here's a question...what if you're like me, pre-surgery, less than small AN....the thought occurred to me today as I was sitting somewhere...should I be concerned as well? It's been nestled in there for a while, but?? I'm thinking I'm fine, but wondering if I should make sure I don't get bound up and introuble in my head. How in the heck am I going to keep a straight face in front of my mom and boyfriend if I ask the doctor...albeit serious, this could be an interesting conversation.
****shakes her head in disbelief********
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ya know Mom.... it's all part of nature.. and I have learned that I am perfectly comfortable about asking these kinds of questions to my dr... heck, they do "business" as well... and really, truly, my reason for starting this thread, as you know.... it's a reality check. Nothing to be afraid or overly concerned but IMO, always cross checking with our physicians any questions we have (just member, no question is ever stoopid).
Heck, ask away! I'd like to know their thoughts on it! :)
xoox
Phyl
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***I remember now*** I read your posts the other day and I knew of something but I just could'nt put my finger on it. {brain tumor thing} Its called thin tea. I used to go to Thin and Healthy. Its a weight loss organization. You could get this tea witch they want you to take once a week to flush out your system. I've never had anything like it. Its very mild but worked for me.{and alot of things don't work for me}Best thing I ever used.
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Genny just do what my son does...ask them to leave the room and ask the doctor what you want to ask him...it leaves everyone wondering what they missed ;D
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Oh, no worries, I'll ask, I'm not shy!!! Heck, this thread started from a conversation Phyl and I had. I just brought the pre-treatment question up as a ponderance...I'm just thinking that I'll bust out laughing because my other half is the king of potty jokes. Just a funny mental picture. I know the reality will be seriously asked, but you know how my mind works.
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Got the flax seed oil. Tastes rather good! Actually, I have realized that something is "different" with me and I asked Dr. Bader yesterday at my consultation if Vytorin is constipating and he said yes. So, I'm glad I am trying the oil. Haven't gotten the cinnamon pills yet. I went in to talk to the Spa lady about an appointment for a facial because I have a gift certificate and I told her I was going in for a procedure next week and wasn't sure when I would be feeling like going in, so maybe I should wait awhile and I ended up telling her I had an Accoustic Neuroma thingie, and she said, "Oh my gosh, my friend just had one removed a few weeks ago at OHSU!". I guess her's was quite large and pressing on her brain stem! I searched the site here, because she said she knew about it, and I think I found some references about her from a friend of hers. We were both sort of amazed, since it's not such a common thing and we both had a connection to AN's.