Surgery, Hydrocodone and constipation

[RebeccaA]

Hi Forum,

 

I am on day 25 of my whole 30 and have been 100% compliant. On day 22 I had knee surgery to correct a kneecap dislocation. I have kept my Whole30 on track though everything.  The worst part though is because of the heavy pain meds I am on I am really backed up. Before surgery, I had no problems on the porcelain throne in my W30. My doctor recommended I take a laxative but I don't want to flush out and ruin all the work I've done to correct my gut flora. (Although I know doctors orders come first but in this case I think there is wiggle room)  

 

So, what would you do? Take the laxative, eat prunes that are technically compliant but high in sugar or just wait it out until things start moving again? I have also considered psyllium husk but read on the forums it isn't ideal. I have also considered Kombucha. 

 

Here is a sample meal plan from yesterday 

 

Meal 1: Whole30 Shepard's pie with a cauliflower top instead of potatoes. Inside, GFGB, carrots, celery, onions and compliant tomato paste and 8oz cup of coffee (black) 

Meal 2: Chopped salad with chicken, spinach, onions, strawberries, broccoli, celery, raw sunflower seeds and olive oil/ACV dressing. 

Meal 3: GFGB burgers (no bun) and roasted garlic potatoes. 

Drinks though out the day: La Criox (1 or 2 cans a day), Water 

[Karen_Suep]

I don't see a lot of fat in your diet. That will help some. Also maybe a magnesium supplement?

[Tom Denham]

We recommend 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Drinking that much water makes being constipated unusual. 

 

As Karen said, upping fat in your meals can help. I also am a fan of baked sweet potatoes to facilitate going. 

 

I might just take the laxative and add probiotics on a daily basis. I take probiotics daily anyway because I found it helped. 

[Laurie]

Take the laxative.  I am currently in the hospital due to impaction.  I did not even feel constipated.  I  had excruciating back pain and a stomach ache.  Thought there was something wrong with my back and the stomach ache was due to IBS.  Today is Sunday and I have been in the hospital since Tuesday.  I understand that you want to be as compliant as possible (as you know, you are still being compliant since doctor's orders come first)  but you also don't want to create other problems.  Believe me this is not fun.

[BigMomma]

I also have had to take pain meds this past week and I noticed that starting with me so I backed off the pain meds.  While everyone's situation is different and I am not a doctor, it might help if you try to take half.  I asked my doctor about this because I have had issues with this before, so take what you need to tolerate, you can always take more if you need.

[missmary]

one more option: supplementing with magnesium can really help with constipation issues. Most people are deficient in magnesium anyway, so this is a win win.

 

Be careful and take a small amount at first, working up to more slowly so you don't end up with the opposite problem.

 

good luck, and don't worry about "flushing out the good bacteria" there is no benefit to keeping stool in your bowel. Antibiotics that kill the good bacteria are another story, but waste in your system is just that.