chronic constipation or motility problem?

[respa]

For several years, I have been suffering from chronic constipation. Currently, I may defecate every 2-4 days (but have gone as long as 8 days) and it seems as though I do not actually have any urge to go except that there is so much stool collected that it has to get out. Therefore my stools are very large when I go because I do not have any normal urges to go. And when I finally do go, there seems to be no muscles working to push it out. I have gone through periods hard stools, soft stools. It doesn't seem to matter, it is still hard to go.

I eat a relatively healthy diet (no fast food, no red meat, very little meat overall) mostly consisting of grains, cheese, fruits, vegs. Even while working out consistently, problems still appear. I am a moderate to heavy coffee drinker and also drink 3-4 alcoholic drinks (glass of wine or a beer) per week. My non coffee drink (water or juice) intake is probably around 64 ounces a day.

It seems to have become worse since having chilren (2 year old and 4 year old). My first was a very difficult delivery/shoulder dystocia with 4 hours of pushing.  

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Metabolic diseases like thyroid disorders or diabetes can lead to constipation. I would obtain blood tests to evaluate for these conditions.

You can also exclude anatomical abnormalities with a colonoscopy.  

If the initial workup is negative, irritable bowel disease can lead to stool quality variation.  Increasing the fiber in the diet can help in these cases.

These options can be discussed with a GI physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[lilkarla]

I too suffer from chronic constipation and colonic inertia.  That is when the muscles do not work.  There are several tests to determine if it is a muscle issue.  I do disagree with the doctor above, fiber is not the answer to all constipation.  My doctor told me that fiber can just make things worse in people that have muscle issues.  It just bulks up even more and then you look pregnant.  The key to my finding out what was wrong was finding the right gastroenterologist.  Doctors, especially men, dont understand that people dont have bowel movements.  My first doctor told me to drink coffee in the morning and read the paper and "give it time".  I do not have movements at all except for warm water enemas.  If i don't do this i have gone as much as 3 weeks and ended up in the hospital. Mag citrate barely gives me a movement.  You need to find a specialist in this area.  You are killing yourself with all the toxins in your system.  I am considering the colon removal surgery but I need to get more 3rd and 4th opinions.  Good luck and let me know if i can do anything for you.

[Morecambe]

Respa - sorry to intrude into your posting - but, having read lilkarla's response I thought it might be helpful to direct her to a previous posting on the "Community" part of the gastro forum.

You may be interested to read renae241's posting on 20 May - and my response which might help you with your decision on colon surgery.

Please revert/email if I can provide any further info.  

Good luck
Morecambe

[Lori707]

Did I hear CONSTIPATION?? My grandmother who lived to be over 100 had constipation her entire life and ate so well. My mother who is 84 now, started her constipation as a little girl. My grandmother had to give my mother enemas for her to go. I started my constipation when I was a little girl and I'm 57yrs.old now. Years back they used to call it "lazy stomach". About 3 months ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. MOST people with this disease are plagued with diarreah. But I have "constipation". I've lived on laxatives and fiber drinks. I over did it with the laxatives but that's not what caused my colitis. My GI doc told me to take a laxative. It's better than keeping all those toxins in your system. I have ulcers in my colon that bleed and have inflammation, do I don't want those toxins.

[andrea320]

Someone please help me...I have a 2 year old daughter who is always constipated. I've taken her to 3 GI docs, who just say chronic constipation and put her on Glycolax(myralax) and benefiber, this doesn't work, we still have to use suppositories to get her to go. When she does go, it's very painful, she screams and cries and there's always blood, sometimes as much as a tablespoon. Please help me, I know the docs are missing something, and I don't know where else to turn. She has had this condition since she was 3 days old. My email address is yeah_blondie***@****. Please help.

One Desperate Mom.

[andrea320]

the rest of that email address above is yahoo