what to eat

[mcgraw48]

what can you eat to stimulate the bowels naturally without taking all thhose laxative type things?  relative is having some of thiese same sysptoms as a  many others.

[mcgraw48]

first, thanks for all the input. I do appreciate all of it and concern. This is about a close relative.
I guess that is a possibility about a bacteria. He does drink a lot of water, especially lately. He only got the miralax in the last couple of weeks. The urge has been going on for about roughly 3 mos now.
seemed to start with a wet gas. Has the urge, then as soon as he sat down to go it just seemed to stop(thats why I thought it might be a nerve) No one suggested stool samples yet. they just wanted to order the colonoscopy.
He would prefer not to get on those strong pain killers.
that might tend to make a lazier gut.
I am hoping he can hold on till wed. when procedure will be. I am concerned his strength has been compromised so much already that the prep will wipe him out. Say a prayer him please.

[ggreg]

I might add that could be a bacteria is floating around in his bowels that has made him sick.  The doc should take stool samples to find out.  Also, you say he drinks lots of "fluids," but please make it a point for him to drink WATER, he needs to drink about six glasses a day.  In addition, he should ask the doc if he can discontinue the Miralax for a while and see what happens; could be that stuff is indeed giving him thiaw endless "urgea" to go, when he may not NEED to go!  I would also suggest he try eating oat cereal and a small glass of orange juice with it, every morning.  He should have a salad with his dinners.  And my last suggestion should help all discomfort he is having, whether it's gas hurting his guts, or lower back pain, and that's an Alka Seltzer Original kind, put two in a glass of water and let it fizz awhile, he can have one dose mid-morning, and he can have one mid-evening, like 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.  Lastly, when he goes in for the colonoscopy or his followup appointment (which you should make sure he has one with his family doc or the gastro doc), please tell the doctor that he has tailbone pain and that perhaps an Xray or scan would be in order.  If some kind soul decides to give him pain killers, keep in mind this might constipate him, and so in that case, could be a mild and "natural" Senocot laxative type pill, just one for two days, whenever he's clogged; also increase water, increase his activity, and very gradually add more fiber like prune juice, so he won't have to resort to the Senna herb mixture.  Keep us posted on how he's doing after you've tried some of our suggestions.

[patient915]

Is this question about yourself?  Or is this about a family member or friend?  A good doctor should not make you feel dumb for suggesting a possibility.  When do you think the vagus nerve damage happened?

[mcgraw48]

I have been doing a lot of research. Yes, on the internet. But all the conclusions came from reading many situations and some med research.  
No, they first want him to have a colonoscopy . But I am praying that they will suggest a more thorough testing after that. I wonder how I can suggest our thoughts without feeling that we are dumb. I  know that they went to school for these things, but we as the patients should be involved in our own healthcare w/o feeling stupid. Thats one reason we rarely go to Drs.
This person has always had issues with back and neck. But he also had GB removal 2yrs, ago. I too hope for an answer before its a very serious situation.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Where did the idea of damage to the vagus nerve come from? It sounds like he has a GI evaluation underway. Hopefully this will give some answers.

[mcgraw48]

he has been drinking a lot of fluids. Some with the miralax in it(what dr prescribed) However, he is having sudden urges all the time and producing very little some mucousy. not a normal stool and it seems like it is just not moving enough.Now he is having pain way down by tailbone> He can't sleep very good. Hardly can sit of lay down comfortably. He is scheduled for a colonoscopy next week.  We are beginning to wonder if the vagus nerve is damaged. Because of some of the other differnt symptoms he is having. We are totally stumped

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

The most important thing may not be what you eat but what you drink. It is common that folks will eat all the right things such as high fiber, low fat diets but fall short of the mark when they fail to drink enough fluid and live in a chronically dehydrated state. They colon is a key player in maintaining hydration and will suck the fluid out of stool passing by leading to constipation.