Can we talk embarrassing and TMI problem?

Cassian

I don't know what to do.

God, this is embarrassing.

So, after I had Maya, with the morphine/pain meds, c-section, and breastfeeding, it kind of slowed things down, intestinally speaking, for a little while. I never got constipated at all throughout pregnancy, the opposite actually, so this was new.

All these things resulted in some pretty difficult and painful BM's which caused bleeding and small tears.

They won't heal. They start too, and then the problem persists and it happens all over again. I drink a ton of water and try to eat a lot of fiber, but it still doesn't really help, and I end up seeing blood almost every time. And it is very painful sometimes.

I am afraid to go to the doctor because I guess I am afraid of what they will say or recommend, but it has been almost 7 months of this and I am tired of it.

Has anyone had this problem? Are things slowing down a normal side effect of breastfeeding due to the fluid leaching? What  do I do?

firsttogo

You could have internal hemis. They can be alleviated by a change in diet as best as possible which it sounds like you are trying to do. IF that is what you are dealing with, there is also a surgical option, which  I am STILL healing from (4 weeks later), so I would caution you to REALLY think about all of your options ect. I would start with your GP, and go from there. Try taking metamucil every day, and if things keep up, you need to get in with a surgeon to make sure all is ok. 

Blood in your stool is never ok even if you are pretty certain you know the source.

My issue is caused from a bad episiotomy, bad second repair, pelvic organ prolapse, and IBS, so there are many reasons you could be having issues and not all are huge scary ones, but you do need to get it checked out. It will be a bit invasive (the exam) but you have to do it!

wille2b

mine isnt the exact same but sort of! mine happened as a result of getting mono. a doctor wrongly prescribed me antibiotics and RUINED my intestines. i had diarrhea(sorry for the tmi) for like 2.5-3 months... and as a result got the same little tears. i thought it was hemorhoids(spelling) i went to the doc and they said they are just fissures...and only time heals them! but it isnt! it has been since september.. i try to use wipes with bm and i also apply a&d ointment right after to keep it moist because if it gets dry they tear more i feel like.. so that is my only advice.. sorry it isnt better!

p.s. sometimes i use witch hazel to clean it up and shrink the blood vessels...

feel better!

DavezWife

they're typically called "fissures" and are internal anal tissue tears. (if they don't stick out like hemi's)  (it happens in the last few inches of the colon/poop tract, lol)

Often they can be "healed" by a diet that would have nothing that would irritate them, but the easier (and quicker) way would be for a proctologist to cauderize them.  I have no idea if it affects BF'ing, and don't suspect you could get a straight answer from docs. Maybe a bit, but not much?

I'm no expert on this, but do tend to be a nurse fixated on my patient's bowels. I have NO idea why, lol. but it tends to be something I worry about. lol.

DavezWife

ps - revisit your "high fiber" diet. it could actually be causing the issues!

kittylove

I had that issue. I took stool softeners for a few weeks (per Dr recomindation) and they healed. I still ocasionally get it but it heals now and i know to take the pill when it does. I would talk to your Dr. You can always decline treatment if it isn't something you want.

Cassian

DavezWife:

ps - revisit your "high fiber" diet. it could actually be causing the issues!

Well, I eat nothing but frosted miniwheats for breakfast. I started staying up later after DD was born and I would get hungry and have another bowl at night before bed. This morning and night regiment of that cereal helped soften things a little, but now since I have been working out at night, I cut that second bowl out, which was when things started getting exacerbated again. That's why I thought I wasnt getting enough fiber.

charmcitygirl

I had a similar problems several years ago - before having Jacob. It was quite cyclical and quite painful. It felt like I was passing knives! I went to the doc and he recommended taking Colace (a stool softener) to help things get softer so that I could pass it more easily. Less straining made it easier for the poo to pass and then heal. It took a couple of days to feel better and a couple of weeks to heal completely. Hope this helps!

dana316

My guess is that you need to get a little more drastic with your anti-constipation measures...and hemorrhoids are entirely possible.  Does it itch/burn/hurt when you aren't having a BM?

Maybe add some flax seed meal to your diet?  It works wonders for Caroline...that girl is a pooping machine.  It's also great for breastmilk supply.

Also, I would start taking Colace.  It is gentle, and works like a charm.  One or two before bed and you'll be a new woman.

Of course, if this persists, you need to see your MD..

good luck!

 

DavezWife

I second adding colace (just generic OTC colace, withOUT the stimulant) and flax, either sprinkle on stuff, or oil in smoothie or pills.

I thought every woman ate colace like candy. no? lol.

Cassian

Thanks for all the replies, ladies. Gonna try some Colace first.