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Extreme Headache - Bowel Movement

Found the thread about the subject and glad to know there are others like me.  The headaches with bowel movements are a new symptom for me!  Had peritonitis from a "gone bad" gallbladder surgery which left me with a ton of abdominal adhesions.  Was diagnosed with IBS 12 years ago.  Would have a bout 4-5 times a year until 2 years ago.  I had a ischemic colitis attack (really a good time).  The IBS attacks were happening about 2-3x per week.  (intense spasms that would evcuate only solid waste).  I never could find a trigger.  Bentyl rules!  Had surgery October 2012 to removed ovaries which were densely adhered to ureters (have two there) and pelvic sidewall on right.  Ovary on left was adhered to colon and pelvic sidewall on left.  Small bowel adhered to vaginal cuff.  Colon on left was adhered to abdominal side wall.  Small bowels adhered to omentum.  Learned lots of new body parts with the surgery.  Was readmitted with a left-side partial impaction (ileus) after the surgery.  I was fairly good until December.  Then all the symptoms came back with a few "special" others.  Like severe dyspepsia (I can't burmp) and have pain under my right rib.  Had every test imaginable (of course all negative) and was told there was nothing that can be done for me.  Last week, when having my weekly bowel movement I got an excrucating headache (surpassed migraine status).  Scared the life out of me.  Doc said it could be pinched nerve in neck.  Monday it happened again and with each bowel movement my headache got worse.  Thought my brain would explode.  Went to ER and they did a CT scan which of course all is fine.  Doc is going to send me to a neurologist.  Anyone know if abdominal adhesions could cause this?  Of course before the surgery, all the docs thought I was nuts because all the tests were negative.  I am just so exhausted from always being in pain.  This is my first post and apologize the the length.
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620923 tn?1452915648

  They did not suggest a stool softener so nething like that to help?
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Avatar universal
PA just wants me to wait for the Neurologist appt. on the 7th.  
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620923 tn?1452915648

  Good luck later today...do post an update.
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Avatar universal
got my brain MRA.  Have some narrowing arteries up there and some vasculitis.  Not sure what any of that means, though and how it relates to the bowels.  Think it may all comes down to blood flow issues.  That is probably why food was never a trigger for me...  See the doctor yet again at 4p today.  I'm sure it is another referral.  LOL  
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620923 tn?1452915648

  No worries....u may even find probiotics a better source, as I heard the activia is not that great tasting, we all r diff with that too, so if u like it and it works great, if not, check into the pro biotics.
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Avatar universal
Wow, I never read the fine print.  I'll definately increase to the 3 servings a day immediately!  Thank you so much for the info.
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620923 tn?1452915648

  Well u need 3 activias a day if u read the small print...here is something straight from their web site-they even mention this now on the commercials...posted below is what I found on their site and I have no idea how old a statement that is....

Question 4
Does Activia® really work?

Question 5
How many servings of Activia® yogurt should I consume per day?

Answer
Scientific studies have demonstrated Activia®’s benefits with just a single serving per day. But the same studies have also shown a direct relationship between the quantity consumed and the results achieved: effectiveness was even greater when consumption reached up to three servings per day.
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Avatar universal
Yesterday, they did a brain MRA.  I don't have the results yet.  It feels like my bowels get hung up on my left side where the adhesions are.  I think that is what is causing my constipation.  I have eaten an Activia every morning for over a year but does nothing. I'm scared to have another bowel movement at this point.  I'll ask about the Chiari malformation.  I never heard of it.  Is this correctable?
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620923 tn?1452915648

  Hi, this sounds similar to the issues I had, once a week BM's...and the intense HA's that go along with them...I was dx'd with Chiari malformation , this is when the skull is too small and the cerebral tonsils herniated onto the brain stem and spinal cord, coughing, laughing , sneezing, ne strain can cause the head pain....

I would suggest, and wonder y ur Dr has not..that u try a probiotic to regulate ur BM so it is more often then once a week, and help regulate the IBS issues.

I was also dx'd with IBS and probiotics helped me so much.

  If u had a CT, ask about a MRI and get copies of the CT and MRI as well as the reports so u can easily go for a 2nd opinion.

Good luck
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620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
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