bowel

Posted By Ellen on March 01, 1998 at 13:18:44:









For 35 days, I have not had a normal bowel movement.
I have been advised to drink prune juice, eat prunes, increase bulk(psylium
/alfalfa) and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I eat small meals which
include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, grains, and nuts.
The prunes and bulking agents have had no effect.
I also have been prescribed and have used milk of magnesia and 2 fleet enemas over
this period.
The resultant feces are not accompanied by any effort or feeling of needing
to go. They are often diahrea-like or very soft and small.
I also have had one episode of diahrea that lasted 7 hours and left me feeling
very weak.
Is this irritable bowel syndrome?
Will my bowels eventually work on their own power?
Will using laxatives as I have been (about 20 days out of  35) increase the
likelihood of my colon continuing to not function?
                          Thank you