once every 2 weeks

[kaya]

I have had every test done imaginable for the past two years.  Severe pain upper back and left side abdominals.(not pancreatitis).  Every thing seems to irritate my insides, sometimes even water.  I have been on pain pills which only made the pain worse.  I can't even take a pill, it hurts.  I have lost 20 lbs. and now weigh 88lbs.  Thank God i'm only 5'2". (The only good time in my life I'm happy about my height.)  I have been hospitalized many times for more tests and for iv food.  So now my ?.  I am now experiencing severe constipation, only 1x in 2 weeks.  The problem, whenever I take a laxative, yes I do go, but remember even taking a pill causes severe pain, more pain then the constipation.  Does any one know of anything that will help.  I have tried lots of different fibers, enemas, I can't have too much oils very irritating, colon cleansers work but cause too much pain.  My theory is whenever my colon is contracting to expel that's when all the pain starts.  So is there any magic solution for me.  I can't have apples or pears too much pain from gas.  After 2 years of tons of drs. and hospitals in 4 different states, they have all washed their hands of me.  Now I'm thinking with all their poking and proding maybe if I just leave my body alone it will heal itself instead of being irritated all the time with pills, tests and proceedures.  But now I'm dealing with this terrible constipation.  I'd rather be dead then live like this, but I have hope and pray for patience to get through this.  I'm very fustrated. Any idea's? Trying to keep the faith, Kaya:)

[kaya]

I forgot to mention, I'm to young for this.  35, female. thanks Kaya (means peace)

[gregd64]

Milk of magnesia is a liquid laxitive that works great at cleanning you out when constipated...

[Concerned lady]

Dear Kaya,

I am so sorry you are having these terrible problems! But you are smart to have posted your question here, because there are many caring people here who will want to help you!

Kaya, I have suggestions AND questions for you!!!

1) Do you have a good HEALTH FOOD STORE near you? I urge you to get some "pro-biotics" called BIFIDO-BACTERIA. They are to be kept refrigerated. Get the kind for infants, because that will be the GENTLEST kind of BENEFICIAL BACTERIA, that need to be put back into your small and large intestines, in order to start helping you with CONSTIPATION, and with possible yeast (Candida) infections.

The WONDERFUL Bifido-bacteria can be mixed with good quality water, and should be taken at least twice a day.

2) Is your water supply safe? Don't drink distilled water. Well water or spring water is best ("hard" water is better than "soft" water, because necessary minerals are in the hard water.). Don't drink water that has chemical "water softeners" in it.

3) Might you have been exposed to POISONS/TOXINS, in your home or work ENVIRONMENT, or at the Dentist? This can include MERCURY DENTAL FILLINGS (silver-mercury amalgam material). WHAT KIND OF WORK DID YOU DO, that may have exposed you to harmful FUMES, like FORMALDEHYDE "outgassing" from NEW CARPET, NEW UPHOLSTERY, NEW INSULATION, SPRAYS OF VARIOUS KINDS, GLUES/RESINS "outgassing" from NEW PARTICLE BOARD, OFFICE SUPPLY CHEMICALS (like copy machine TONERS), NEW PAINT, NEW VARNISH, etc.

Do you have a Pet that had a FLEA COLLAR? or used FLEA OINTMENT, or FLEA POWDER? These contain toxic PESTICIDES that can cause NERVE DAMAGE to pet owners (not tomention the pet!!)

Do you work with LEAD, like making STAIN GLASS WINDOWS, that requires poisonous LEAD "SOLDER" that can result in LEAD POISONING?

Has your lawn or garden been treated with HERBICIDES for weeds? or with PESTICIDES for INSECTS (BUGS)??? These can cause terrible side effects in humans who touch the plants, or breathe in the fumes of these chemicals.

Has your home or workplace been treated with CHEMICALS to get rid of any ants, termites, etc.? These chemicals often poison the inhabitants of the home or workplace.

Does your home and did your workplace have windows that DID NOT OPEN??? and possibly had a BAD VENTILATION SYSTEM?

Might you have MOLD in the walls, which can make people very sick!!

FIND a good ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL DOCTOR, if any of the above might be PART of your situation.



4) Get checked by a good ENDOCRINOLOGIST, to see if you are "hypo-thyroid" (thyroid GLAND not secreting enough various types thyroid hormones).

5) PAIN KILLERS CAN CAUSE CONSTIPATION, and can GREATLY IRRITATE THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

6) Do you have any very good OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS in your area? They are listed in your telephone book's "yellow pages", usually as D.O., along with M.D.'s, under "Physicians".

Try to find one who does "manipulations", similar to a Chiropracter. Make sure the "manipulations" (massage and "adjustments") are GENTLE.

7) WHAT MEDICATIONS ARE YOU TAKING NOW? MANY MEDS HAVE BAD SIDE EFFECTS, that can cause terrible DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS. Ask your doctor (if you have any good one where you are) if you can stop the meds, and how quickly or slowly you would need to taper the meds,  ONLY IF it is SAFE TO STOP THE MEDS.

There may be natural (holistic) methods that could work better than the meds, without bad side effects.

Which meds are you on, and for what conditions and for what reasons are you on these meds?

8) Have you been tested by a NEUROLOGIST? This is because some neurological problems can cause constipation. Also, some MEDICATIONS can cause NEUROLOGICAL SIDE EFFECTS that RESULT IN CONSTIPATION.

9) WHAT AREA ARE YOU IN, in case anyone reading this may know of a good doc in your area?

10) FIND a VERY GOOD NUTRITIONIST, who can maybe recognize what you have, and refer you to:
  a) some GOOD DOCS that you obviously have NOT found yet!!!
  b) gentle nourishing DIET (WITHOUT GLUTEN, WITHOUT MILK, and without other "allergenic" foods) that can help you get well again
  c) DIGESTIVE ENZYMES that are gentle, yet will help your digestive system to rest and repair itself,
  d) VITAMINS, MINERALS, etc.

I apologize for being so wordy, but I wanted to be as thorough as I could, for now. I am sure others will give you good advice too!

DON'T GIVE UP! THERE IS HOPE AND HELP! I wish you the best of luck in putting your health back into good condition!

Sincerely,
Concerned lady

***@****
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Mutzi]

Kaya,
If you have not had a stomach motility test, get one.  You may have slow stomach emptying that can cause a wide variety of symptoms.  If that is the case, go to the Yahoo Gastroparesis group website and learn all you can from the people who post there.

Gastroparesis is an uncommon condition.  Any gastroenterologist can give you the test.  I haven't read all of your posts so I may be giving you old advice.

Hang in there.
Mutzi

[kaya]

Thanks for your replies, I tried milk of mag, it works but really irritates me causing too much pain.  Mutzi I'm looking into the gastroparesis, do you know if that would of showed on my ct, mri, eus, ultrasound or ercp? Thanks

[crownvj]

A related discussion, EUS of nodule in antrum was started.