Dear Vee913, I belive that your silent strokes are due intensive pressure intracranial during the bowel movment.
So long term you IBS or constipation of any reaon must be look afther.From my experience the must ofthen is low functioning thyroid gland,(TSH must be undrer1.5) gall bladeder lack of bile(gall bleder flush+choline+bilex)+digestive tablets)and non coeliac gluten sensitivity..You can have it all..
Old fashined advis is , table spoon of olive oil in the morning after glass of very cold water , and dried plums,Low GI fruit like bluberys and strwberrys ...will help to quantity is important 500 gr at least..Avoid gluten for 6 months...and reintroduce .see what will happen...Regards O
You brought up a very good point. Apparently my meds AREN'T working, and I agree with your suggestion: stool softeners need to be taken. I just LOVED Zelnorm, and was very upset when it was taken away. I've been using an herbal colon cleanse tablet every night, but one is apparently NOT enough. Two are too much. I was not aware there are drugs available for IBS with constipation since Zelnorm. Once I was given IBS meds for DIARRHEA, and THAT was disastrous. I want to thank you for your input and making me realize the obvious: my current methods aren't working! I NEEDED TO HEAR THAT!! Thank you!
I don't think this is possible. But if you are are straining this hard, you need to see a GI doctor and get evaluated. If you are on IBS meds, they are obviously not working. You probably need a stool softener, and they are some over the counter ones that work well.