Update: Day 11 - So I changed my Movicol time to after an evening meal last night.
Waited around after my morning Movicol, avoided going out in case I needed the loo. The about 3pm after being quite gassy, I thought I'd just go and sit on the toilet, the BM did not just fall out as previous ones had, this was different, I felt really full and sluggish, took a little bit of pushing (not too much though) and finally got a Bristol Stool 1 out. That's all?! Where the hell was my new favourite Bristol 6?

I guess I can't really moan about this as there wasn't really any pain during or after. A bit of tenderness where my perineum has decided to pucker (apparently because that's where maybe Botox fluid built up and has receded, leaving it a bit sensitive - thanks momof7) Still felt really full down there. I ate waaay more than what came out.
Hmm... Was it the changing of my Movicol time that has caused this?
... Maybe it was introducing Gluten free wholewheat bread into my diet yesterday. Or the wholewheat pasta that I had. I drank plenty of fluids and chewed vigorously to which I found was time consuming and so my food was cold quickly and I was full a lot quicker.
The surgery has also caused me to start my period early too (damn you) it's been going 'on/off' for 11 days now so I came off my pill to give it a proper 5 days like normal. That might explain the horrible full and sluggish feeling, do you think it could have an impact on my BM? It's a possibility.

Then about 9pm I had exactly the same BM again. No pain during but I'm slightly more tender down there again, less of a booted feeling, more of an ache.
I ate loads of fruit today to try to get it moving. No luck, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Please god don't let it be too big tomorrow. I'm petrified of tearing after 11 days of bliss (by bliss I mean not the horrid razor blade and blood feeling - more of The poop falling into poop heaven gently feeling)

Just ordered some Organic Extra virgin raw Coconut Oil from Amazon, I've heard some great things about it on here and would like to try. I'm still using Diltiazam about half hour before I need the loo.
Onwards & Upwards
Welsh
x

Update: day 12 - after 2 movicols this morning I finally had a BM at lunch time. First time I felt the fissure since  my first BM 7 days ago. Now it wasnt as painful as then or even before I had the surgery, but I was incredibly uncomfortable. Was a Bristol Stool 4 but very thin. Had to push a little to help it out. There was also a little blood on one of the last stools. But none when I wiped. (That's the first time that's happened).
Still on my sitz right now as I find them boring so to at least make me stay on there for 10 mins I always check the forum because you guys are awesome.

Before I had a BM my perineum was also painless which I think was a good sign. Fingers crossed this was all just down to the "time of the month" screwing with me. Hopefully I'll be back on track. Back to work next week and I don't want to be sat in some sink somewhere.

Update: 5pm and I'm still in a bit of pain. Kind of a throbbing feeling since my BM. That's 5 hours. Not enjoying today as much.

Update: day 13 - after yeasterdays BM, I had a dull throbbing feeling for about 6 hours. And the same today. The past 2 BMs, I've been able to feel the fissure as they've not been super soft. Stupid period. Possibly taking all the extra water I'm consuming and storing it somewhere. Damn you ovaries, damn you both the hell! Give me a frickin break!
So I was in slight pain after this mornings BM, kinda feels like what's inside is pushing out.
Still waiting for my Botox to kick in.

Hi Welsh,
Sorry to hear your not doing as well ive been having the same problem bm not soft enough and throbbing feeling all day yesterday was worse. I don't have a period because im on the continues pill but i wonder if this is my problem too.
Your botox should start to kick in the next few days hopefully. Do you feel like you have to keep wiping after a bm?

Hi Edel, I was taking my pill all the way through to skip my period so that I could deal with this on its own, but whilst taking the new pack, my body was forcing me to come on, so I just decided to come off it and let it run its course.
No real issue wiping. I use Andrew flushable wipes (which take away the sting) and then get on the sitz. I just kinda feel like my sphincter is continually pushing down without me doing anything after a BM and I have to "tense it back in" if that makes sense?
With my perineum puckered, I kinda feel like its turning into a skin tag. It's a bit irritable.
I've upped my Movicol to 3 a day. One after each meal. And I'm always so damn hungry now! Doesn't help that my boyfriend keeps chowing down on cookies and chicken sensations in front of me all the time.
I'm peeing all the time too because I'm drinking so much. It's just running through me.
What's your diet & stool softeners like Edel?
Welsh x

Hi Welsh,
I've been feeling a bit like that too but its just wind thats coming out but when i tense it hurts like hell. Are you passing wind maybe its trapped??
My perineum is very puckered too from child birth but no pain from it, maybe you are developing skin tag it can happen.
Oh my we should lock up those lads of ours my hubby can eat what he likes & poor me cant so not fair.
My diet is weetabix for breakfast, wholemeal pitta with salad for lunch, dinner is the tricky one i just eat veggies,chicken & fish. I eat lots fruit & drink about 3ltrs water spending most of my time on the loo LOL & coffee i cant give it up.
I take 2 movicol & lactulose dr's orders to add in lactulose last 2 days.

Our diet is exactly the same. It's going I get very tedious very quickly. I'd love a curry soon. :-(
I'm passing gas fine so it's not an issue. I'd say my pain has gone now from this mornings BM.
Hopefully tomorrows will be better.

Welsh, I now what you mean....drinking so much water to try to keep the bowel soft. It aint happening. I'm just peeing before it makes it into the rest of the digestive tract.
Had Bristol#1's today.
If I had one thing to do over and get right, I would have planned to eat at exactly the same time every day to try to get my body into a pattern. I'm just all over the place. And so much fiber... good thing I love broccoli!
I have very loose oatmeal for breakfast most days. Lunch is usually soup with some wheat germ added, and a piece of whole grain toast brushed with olive oil. Dinner is chicken or fish with fibrous veggies. Avoiding whites altogether: pasta, breads, potatoes.
I confess, I do have my morning coffee each day.
I am just wondering when this exhausted feeling is going to go away. I'm not having spasms like I used to, but I too get the sensation of the sphincter being "tense". Thank the Lord I have no more knives and forks stabbing me anymore. I really believe my worst pain was before surgery. I cried more often then than I have after.
Here's to healing:May it come quickly, and if not, may we have a sense of humor to get us through!!

Hey momof7, I completely agree about the trying to eat like a routine. But even when doing that I bet my body will throw a curve ball, it seems to have a mind of its own and will react to the smallest change - temperature, watching a scary film - you name it, my body will decide that's enough of a trauma to change my digestion.
Bristol 1s are not the worst on the scale, hope it wasn't too painful for you, I guess it's the next one you're probably worried about.
So everyone still seems to be drinking coffee?!? It's been over 3 weeks since my last coffee. Is it safe? If so, Starbucks is getting a "nose pressed up against the glass visitor" tomorrow.
I'd say first BM after surgery was probably my most painful ever, during and afterwards. The pain before surgery was pretty bad and my condition was deteriorating, but boy did that first one cause me tears.
Just waiting for the raw virgin coconut oil to be delivered and see how that goes.
Chin up my friends.
Welsh x

Update: day 14 - BM back to normal Bristol 6, as soon as I felt the need to go to the toilet, I had a bit of a stabbing pain down there so was a bit worried. I guess it was just the pressure building.
I certainly felt the poop go passed the fissure again. But no huge pain, it was uncomfortable but a relief.
Not in any real pain now after. It's a bit irritated but I'm not bed ridden now.
Movicol 3 times a day is my new dosage at the moment since my ovaries are calling the shots (sh!ts). I guess I'll have to balance it with the time of the month.
Just off to buy a Water bottle with built in Brita filter so I can fill it up in work. I'd like to keep this water drinking milarky up because its making me feel good.
I've also downloaded a pain monitor app which is tracking my pain over 90 days. I'm logging each bowel movement and the pain it creates. Might help the doctor see my progress.
My follow up date is 2 months from my surgery. That seems too excessive really but hey that's the NHS for you.
 
Chin up my friends, today is going to be a good day.
Welsh x