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Severe Constipation, Please HELP!!

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 11/30/2008 8:18 PM (GMT -7)
Hello everyone,

I'm very new to this group and I must say, you all have great advice that I'm hoping you'll share with me. For the past couple of years, my IBS has been rather quiet, which obviously has been lovely. However since the beginning of Nov., I've had nothing but trouble. First two weeks had non stop diarhea that I couldn't control (even with Immodium AD). It stopped on its own and I had about two or three days of a break before I began to feel constipated. Ok, this is pretty classic, I know. But two weeks later, I still have yet to produce a bowel movement. I can poo a few (two or three) rabbit pellets as I call them, once a day if I'm very lucky, but that's it. It's an absolute fight to even produce that much and I"m left feeling very tired for all of my effort. And now my ribs and back hurt like crazy from this (at least I think it's from this). I've taken Metamucil, eaten lots of fiber, pulled out all of my 'tricks' to get me to go, tried relaxing (uh yeah, right), and have taken two doses of Ex-lax with absolutly no results. Help! What do I do?!

My stomach feels like it's going to literally explode and I don't eat much because of it. Am staying up on liquids (water and grape juice), trying to exercise (although don't always remember), and just got health insurance (won't officially start until tomorrow Dec.1). Should I bite the bullet and try an enema (horrifying thought) or worse yet, see a dr?

Have had IBS for 15 yrs and not once have I ever experienced this! Never had constipation this bad in my entire life and am starting to worry that it's something worse than that.

Thank you for all of your help and support!!!

Meagan

Posted 12/1/2008 3:37 AM (GMT -7)
The laxative bottle usually says, "See your doctor if this medication does not
produce a bowel motion."
I think it would be a very very good idea for you to call first thing in the AM.
Pamela Neckpain, (A member of the IBS club) : - (
Posted 12/1/2008 9:57 AM (GMT -7)
Yes, Meagan, it's time to see the doc! Two weeks without a BM, with everything you've tried, definitely warrants the trip. Please let us know how you are doing soon!
Posted 12/1/2008 10:45 PM (GMT -7)
Absolutely you must call. 2 weeks is way too long. You may be impacted by now. I would normally recommend Dulcolax as that is what my gastro suggests but this being so long now you need to see someone now.
Posted 12/2/2008 1:55 AM (GMT -7)
Hi

I had severe constipation for years. Most of the time I only did "rabbit pellets" one a week. ( I used to wonder where all the food I ate went!!) It kept getting worse and I took laxatives but they were useless. I went to several doctors who prescribed laxatives but they never really worked. My constipation resulted in a fissure and everytime I would poo "rabbit pellets" I would bleed for days sometimes. I went to another doctor and I did a colonoscopy and "fixed" the fissure and it resulted I had lazy bowel sydrome which is a type of IBS. Then I took laxatives for 4 months to establish a routine, so that my bowels would get adjusted to the routine and it worked for a few months now, although sometimes i still need to use laxatives again but I am much better. Also I lost a lot of weight and feel much better now.

Meagan I think you should visit a specialist doctor who is on these things, not any ordinary doctor. They don't seem to understand sometimes. Take care!
Posted 12/2/2008 9:00 AM (GMT -7)
I have had chronic constipation for 15+ years. I am 48 now.
about a month ago, I started the atkins diet and things got much worse. My body wasn't used to the sudden intake of high fiber.
I was supposed to SLOWLY introduce fiber into the diet and not go full bore into it.
Anyway, I came across this recipe for a Flax muffin and for 2 weeks now, I have had a bowel movement EVERYDAY between 8-9am like clockwork.
In addition, I drink a LOT of water everyday to ensure proper movement. (about 96oz)
Give it a try. It started working 24 hours after the first muffin and I haven't looked back! I eat one EVERY morning at 7:30
Here are the health benefits of Flax. They are VERY good for you!

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/flaxinfo.htm

The 1-Minute Microwave Muffin

1/4 cup ground Flax seed
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 packet Splenda
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 Egg
1 teaspoons Butter
Mix the dry ingredients in a large coffee cup. Add egg and butter; mix well. Microwave for 1-minute. Muffin pops right out
Only wish I found this sooner. Works wonders!!
I usually eat it around 7:30 and by the next morning, Eureka!!

Post Edited (jsparrow) : 12/2/2008 9:06:32 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/2/2008 3:35 PM (GMT -7)
Hello everyone,

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your help and support! I took your advice and saw my dr. yesterday. He perscribed a laxative, as well as a colonoscopy (I'm way overdue). Really didn't think the lax. would work, but I'm happy to say that it did! I'm feelin' much better and rather cleaned out (lol). What a relief! I truly cannot thank each of you enough for your help and kindness. Thank you Jsparrow for the recipe - I've bought all the necessary ingredients and will try the muffins tomorrow morning. :)

Thank you all so very much and I hope that I can repay the kindness someday!

Meagan
Posted 12/2/2008 9:05 PM (GMT -7)
It is good to hear that you are feeling better Meagan. Good luck with the colonoscopy.
Posted 12/3/2008 7:47 AM (GMT -7)

Thats great Meagan.

I think you'll be happy you tried the muffins!

You can tinker with the recipe. That specific one is geared for low-carbers but a lot of people add a little frosting or raisins, cream cheese, nuts, etc..

The main thing is the Flax. Other people also buy the flax seeds whole and grind them in a small coffee grinder. The whole seeds last forever while the ground ones do go bad after a while.

The reason I buy the ground ones is using a 1/4 cup a day, I go through them too fast for them to go bad.

Anyway, let us know how you make out!

Jack Sparrow

Posted 12/5/2008 3:09 AM (GMT -7)
quas ...
thank you for the recipe. i'll get the ingredients next time i go to the store. i think
i take too much senokot-S.
pamela
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