bloating, gas and constipation

[lauyferein]

Last week my absolutely daily bowel movement stopped, now for 7 days. I went to a doctor who discovered that I had shingles, and sent me to a scan to find if I had a blockage. I did not.
However my constipation, gas and bloating continues in spite that I am taking Ex Lax, and Metalusil. I have severy pain in my stomach and beg pressure. I look preganat. The doctor did not seem to concerned and told me to take Milk of Magnesia, which I did with no results.
Any suggestiosn?

[mammo]

Exlax in itself will cause gas and bloating, but will also make you have a bowel movement as it is very potent.  I have had a lot of experience with blockages with my children due to an inherited colon disease.  If you are not getting any relief from the laxatives, I would go to your ER.  It sounds like a blockage to me, and if you are blocked for a long time, that part of the bowel can die.  Not trying to scare you, but your doctor obviously isn't taking you seriously, and I've seen my share of incompetency in doctors!  

[lauyferein]

Thanks for your inteest. Ex Lax did not work at all. I went to a hospital to have Cat Scan to look ofr a blockage. They did not fing anything.
I was really surprised about the lack of concern by the doctors about my constipation and the pain associated with it. I also got "shingles" in the same time and maybe these shigles are connected with my constipation.. Have you ever heard about such connection?

[ggreg]

Dear Lauyferein,
Yes, shingles can cause flu-like symptoms, which includes an upset tummy and diarrhea, which is sort of diff from what you got, but could be shingles is indeed how come you are stopped up.  Also, some medications and even vitamin pills will cause constipation, so if in the last few weeks you took some new pills or vits, you need to probably at least switch kinds.  Antibiotics, pain medicine, and tranquilizers are the usual meds that are the culprits, and some vitamins can stop your digestion for days.  If your digestion is ready to come out but won't, then at the drugstore is "Baby Lax," a small box of tubes of ointment, squirt two in there, and it'll come right out, repeat as needed.  If your digestion stoppage is further up, you can do some enemas with the long tube, keep at it for a few days, and it should eventually and finally cause it to come out.

The natural stuff I've done to get things moving again is to eat whole wheat bread daily, eat Activia yogurt daily for a couple weeks, eat dark green salad a few times a week, and eat a couple handfuls of blueberries also a few times a week.  I imagine the swelling you have is of course because your guts are full, and as the waste breaks down, it'll give off gas.  An alka seltzer will help get the gas out of your stomach, and it'll also make you feel more comfortable.

The only other thing I can think of about shingles is it does cause a paralysis of some kind... could be if it's near your abdomen, and once the shingles goes away, your digestion will improve, but I am not an expert on all that stuff.  I just remember vaguely that nerves are where the shingles are, and it can goof them up.  If your shingles goes away and you've tried various means of getting your digestion going, but it's still a problem, I agree with the poster Mammo about going to the ER, or go to a Gastoenterologist, or possibly even a Neurologist if it comes down to nobody having any answers, in case that paralysis thing with the shingles would affect your digestion.
GG

[mammo]

Are you over the shingles?  Even if this is causing your constipation, you need to have a bowel movement!  I would see a GI doctor just to be on the safe side, and maybe get some relief.  Have you tried giving yourself a Fleet enema?  This should get things moving, or at least some relief until you see the GI doctor.

[reese09]

What you described sounds exactly like an intestinal blockage.  I had the exact same symptoms before I had an emergency bowel resection last year.  Although, the pain was very constant in the upper abdomen.  If you get to that point, go to the ER!  Maybe they missed something on the CT Scan.  Also, the suggestion to see a GI is a good one.  You may have something like Crohn's.  That is what they have diagnosed me with.  I have strictures which are narrowings in the intestine that cause partial blockages.  Also, my father-in-law had intestinal surgery and while recovering, he got shingles.  Hope this helps.  Also, Miralax is great to help you have a bowel movement.  It has not taste and you just add it to your favorite drink.

[lauyferein]

Thanks for you help and interest. Two days ago I took Citroma (citrate of magnesia) and I got diarhea (diarrhea). If you take it, you better stay at home near bathroom. However no my digestion is still not normal so I shall wait till my shigles are sured. They are very painful and even Vicoden does not relieve the pain completely. And I am getiing used to live with the pain. At least, I am alive.
     By the way to any of you who are just about to get shigles, please, take the medecine FAMVIR immediately. Every minute ounts. The doctors did not tell me that and I missed the pharmacy open hours for the weekend and did not start taking the medecine 3 days late. My shingles got very very bad. The doctors were very cavalier about my shingles and did not warn me about the severe pain and the urgency.