LAR three years on

[Lordswood77]

I'm three years post my LAR and I'm struggling to get any constituency with my bowel habit.

my rectum has been aching for a few days and when I pass stools its small sausages. I just need a significant visit

Any tips for creating bigger firmer stools?

[khadars]

Metamucil!

[Lordswood77]

Hi

Unfortunately not available in the Uk. I've tried psyllium but this has a tendency to cause gas for me

[khadars]

OK.

Please try more soluble fiber. Apples, bananas and rice to some extent have a good track record of firming up stools. After eating those foods to firm up the bulk, you may need to get on some colace temporarily to keep the stool flowing through your colon. Unless this is a LAR syndrome (which a doctor can diagnose), you may be experiencing some light constipation. Absolutely don't strain to pass stool. Even though it may expel stool in the short term, it may tend to inflame hemorrhoids, if you have any causing anal sphincter pain. Squatty potty also seems to help for some.

Others in this forum may have better advice.

[Jacques]

I think it would help if you could create a signature. This would give people of a summary of exactly what you have been through so far, and this, in turn, will help clarify what needs to be done to deal with conditions related to LAR Syndrome:
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54681&p=433624#p433624

[Lordswood77]

Created a signature, been meaning to do it for a while but just hadn't got round to it

[Buckeye]

Make sure you used sugar free psyllium. I had same problem with gas I till I switched over to sugar free Metamucil.

[Cj51]

I'm about 4 years out and still have issues. Three things keep me pretty much on an even keel: Soluble fiber, Citrusel (on Amazon UK), a medical grade probiotic called VSL3, and staying well hydrated. What I have for breakfast makes a big difference in how the next few days go--so I always make sure I have plenty of soluble fiber for breakfast. I get bored easily so I rotate between quinoa, bananas and oatmeal, apples, and sometimes rice. Everyone's body is different, and while Metamusil works for many, Citrusel worked for me. I started out with the powdered version and after I figured out how much I needed to take per day to keep things moving along, I switched to capsules for the convenience of it. For light constipation, you may want to give Miralax a try--polyetheline glycol is the active ingredient, so while Miralax might not be sold where you are, there might be something comparable. My surgeon said it was gentle enough that I could take it regularly if I needed to without fear of getting "addicted" to it. Fortunately, if I keep the above items in my diet, I don't need to use it often, but once in awhile things need a nudge. My surgeon recommended VSL3 probiotics, and said that it helped her IBS patients, and it absolutely has made a big difference for me. It's worth every penny. Finally, stay hydrated. If I get behind, my body lets me know in no uncertain terms over the next few days. Others will chime in with what has worked for them, and maybe something will work for you, too. You may hear of some things that you haven't yet tried that work for others, and maybe you'll find a combination that works for you, too. Best of luck to you.

Cj

[horizon]

Hi

Unfortunately not available in the Uk. I've tried psyllium but this has a tendency to cause gas for me

I use Citrucel to avoid the gas psyllium husk can cause. Amazon UK sells it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Citrucel-Smart ... s=citrucel

[Lordswood77]

Thanks Cj/ horizon. I will give citrucel a go.

Regarding the probiotic ill check if I can take it whilst I'm on chemo.