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Severe constipation with no relief
For 3 months, coincidentally since I quit smoking, I have had severe constipation. I will try to go at least 5 times a day and strain usually producing nothing, rarely a marble sized flat stool. Every week or two weeks I get so full that I have to take 3 Correctol tablets and lie on my couch all day from the pain that the laxative cramping causes to get relief. I have seen a specialist and he dismissed it immediately as IBS and gave me Amitiza, the medicine barely worked and caused me to be short of breath. I have also tried Miralax daily, using twice the recommended dose to get not much relief. I convinced my doctor to give me colonoscopy since I have a family history of colon cancer on both sides, he did not find anything. I stopped taking everything else and it has been about two weeks since I have begun using Benefiber with absolutely no result. I am so full by now that I had to take the Correctol again because my stomach is huge and uncomfortable.
Could this be IBS or could it be something else? I have no pain and no diahrrea.
Could this be IBS or could it be something else? I have no pain and no diahrrea.
To the original poster "karynchica" sorry to hear about your condition, but it feel good to know that I am not alone because I feel the same way and for over 9mo now and it seems to get worse...
I have always had C all my life even as a child and it may be normal for me not to go for days at a time, but lately I can't even go without not using powerful lax. It is at the point where Miralax, colace Amitiza and all other stomach meds/lax don't do a thing at all.
What works for me: I have been using Swiss Kriss which you can find at your local health such as "health foods unlimited" and this works really naturally with no diarrhea. However, it creates some cramps but not too bad. Usually 2 pills do trick and 1-2 pill between meals helps keep you regular.
FYI: Just around the same time coincidentally, I happened to be (+) with HP. you probably want to check your BLOOD and also STOOL for H.P or H. Pylori which is a stubborn stomach bug that stays in your stomach and can cause ulcers, Constipation and even organ damage. This sucker is very tough indeed as I have heard of people going through up to 8 sets of Antibiotics and each time consequently getting a stronger strength antibiotics and somehow, this thing survived. Unfortunately, antibiotics can drain your stomach of good bacteria or pro-biotics...
I am currently increasing my good stomach bacteria since I sustpected that the last 14D Antibiotic treatment may have killed off most of my good bacteria and still left the H. pylori untouched. Here is the break-down of natural remedies from health-food store nearby:
Probiotics 30 count for 30days $15-20
Mastic Gum --> claimed to kill H. pylori and other bugs in 30D-60D
Manuka Honey (12+to18+ strength anymore=overkill) --> heals GI
2nds option is to try Mutula Herbal if Mastic Gum doesn't suit you as it is guaranteed to always kill H. Pylori in 30D but it is way expesive at over $200/bottle
I found a bunch of people at the following forum/hub (wwwdottopixdotcom/forum/health/helicobacter-pylori/TK288CTNHUNHA1M1A/p6) with similar stomach issues like us and I am now trying out the natural remedies myself and we shall see within the next 30-60D.
If this doesn't work I just have to do a Colonoscopy which I hate to have tounder go especially being a guy and all...But the good news is that there is now Virtual colonoscopy available and I just contacted this company "PrevaHealth" and although this is nice, keep in mind insurance wouldn't cover it since they are out of all networks, BUT THEY OFFER 10% D/C at their site so go figure a Vcolonoscopy via CT cost = $895 original and with 10% d/c if you mention it = $805.5 hear in Dublin, OH call 1-614-652-5888. They also do total-body-scans for $845 original and a little less after 10% off. EVEN so not bad at all considering a colonoscopy cost in the upwards of 3k at hospitals and about $700-1k+ in a clinic and these tend not to be covered neither so Vcolonoscopy isn't too bad at that price after all.
I have always had C all my life even as a child and it may be normal for me not to go for days at a time, but lately I can't even go without not using powerful lax. It is at the point where Miralax, colace Amitiza and all other stomach meds/lax don't do a thing at all.
What works for me: I have been using Swiss Kriss which you can find at your local health such as "health foods unlimited" and this works really naturally with no diarrhea. However, it creates some cramps but not too bad. Usually 2 pills do trick and 1-2 pill between meals helps keep you regular.
FYI: Just around the same time coincidentally, I happened to be (+) with HP. you probably want to check your BLOOD and also STOOL for H.P or H. Pylori which is a stubborn stomach bug that stays in your stomach and can cause ulcers, Constipation and even organ damage. This sucker is very tough indeed as I have heard of people going through up to 8 sets of Antibiotics and each time consequently getting a stronger strength antibiotics and somehow, this thing survived. Unfortunately, antibiotics can drain your stomach of good bacteria or pro-biotics...
I am currently increasing my good stomach bacteria since I sustpected that the last 14D Antibiotic treatment may have killed off most of my good bacteria and still left the H. pylori untouched. Here is the break-down of natural remedies from health-food store nearby:
Probiotics 30 count for 30days $15-20
Mastic Gum --> claimed to kill H. pylori and other bugs in 30D-60D
Manuka Honey (12+to18+ strength anymore=overkill) --> heals GI
2nds option is to try Mutula Herbal if Mastic Gum doesn't suit you as it is guaranteed to always kill H. Pylori in 30D but it is way expesive at over $200/bottle
I found a bunch of people at the following forum/hub (wwwdottopixdotcom/forum/health/helicobacter-pylori/TK288CTNHUNHA1M1A/p6) with similar stomach issues like us and I am now trying out the natural remedies myself and we shall see within the next 30-60D.
If this doesn't work I just have to do a Colonoscopy which I hate to have tounder go especially being a guy and all...But the good news is that there is now Virtual colonoscopy available and I just contacted this company "PrevaHealth" and although this is nice, keep in mind insurance wouldn't cover it since they are out of all networks, BUT THEY OFFER 10% D/C at their site so go figure a Vcolonoscopy via CT cost = $895 original and with 10% d/c if you mention it = $805.5 hear in Dublin, OH call 1-614-652-5888. They also do total-body-scans for $845 original and a little less after 10% off. EVEN so not bad at all considering a colonoscopy cost in the upwards of 3k at hospitals and about $700-1k+ in a clinic and these tend not to be covered neither so Vcolonoscopy isn't too bad at that price after all.
Its all because you quit the cigs sorry
I have been trying to quit for 4 years off and on now and everytime i go back because i can not cope with the constipation....
I only smoke 3 or 4 a day but as soon as i go to 1 or 2 i am constipated.......and so i return to them and a couple of days of severe discomfort and im well again....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do have some good news though. Aloe Vera really does help...as does the introduction (slowely though) or fibre.... if you add too much then it could make the problem worse.
I would suggest giving your system a real break....go on juice and veg for as long as you can....then slowely introduce some easy foods but very gradually and not much at once.... Get some Aloe Vera and take things really easy when it comes to your food. Lentils etc....s
Seriously ...you must re-establish your system. It no longer knows what to do to digest food and is very upset and thats the only reason its acting this way.
Im currently going cold turkey...its amazing to think that just 2 cigs per day can make my body so reliant.... :(
I have been trying to quit for 4 years off and on now and everytime i go back because i can not cope with the constipation....
I only smoke 3 or 4 a day but as soon as i go to 1 or 2 i am constipated.......and so i return to them and a couple of days of severe discomfort and im well again....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do have some good news though. Aloe Vera really does help...as does the introduction (slowely though) or fibre.... if you add too much then it could make the problem worse.
I would suggest giving your system a real break....go on juice and veg for as long as you can....then slowely introduce some easy foods but very gradually and not much at once.... Get some Aloe Vera and take things really easy when it comes to your food. Lentils etc....s
Seriously ...you must re-establish your system. It no longer knows what to do to digest food and is very upset and thats the only reason its acting this way.
Im currently going cold turkey...its amazing to think that just 2 cigs per day can make my body so reliant.... :(
I don't mean to step on the original poster toes so please don't be mad for me using your post but I need Lizzie to give someone else some info. I am from the breast cancer site here and I knew I would be able to find Lizzie here.
Lizzie there is a lady on breastcancer.org under Just diagnosed with DCIS that needs info. Scan down to DCIS and chron's. I hope you can help answer her questions as so far no one else has been able to help her.
How are you? Miss you on the other sites. You get around don't you(LOL)?
To the original poster, again sorry for using your post and I do hope you get answers and feel better.
Lizzie there is a lady on breastcancer.org under Just diagnosed with DCIS that needs info. Scan down to DCIS and chron's. I hope you can help answer her questions as so far no one else has been able to help her.
How are you? Miss you on the other sites. You get around don't you(LOL)?
To the original poster, again sorry for using your post and I do hope you get answers and feel better.
Bless your heart! I've been in your shoes for years. In addition to just a naturally slow system, I had acalculous (no stones) gallbladder disease. That just means it was infected, no stones, and the inflammation caused so much scar tissue to form that it cut off my small intestines. The waste simply was not getting though my body.
The only thing that worked for me was to use basically the same stuff you use for colonoscopy prep - just less. Magnesium citrate is available over-the-counter and works by putting fluids into the large intestine to produce a BM. Corectol is a stimulant laxative. Being a stimulant, it causes a lot of cramping.
You might try daily doses of generic colace (softener) and occasional doses of the mag citrate to keep you going. I feel your pain!
The only thing that worked for me was to use basically the same stuff you use for colonoscopy prep - just less. Magnesium citrate is available over-the-counter and works by putting fluids into the large intestine to produce a BM. Corectol is a stimulant laxative. Being a stimulant, it causes a lot of cramping.
You might try daily doses of generic colace (softener) and occasional doses of the mag citrate to keep you going. I feel your pain!
Hi - sorry to hear you are having constipation problems.
My husband regularly gets constipated and his symptoms have been much relieved recently by a new product on the market in England. It is "Aloe vera liquid fibre with syrup of figs". We saw an article on this in a national newspaper and he decided to try it. You take 30 ml once a day. I don't know if it is available in the US (which is where I guess you live), but it is mnfd by Optima Health and Nutrition, 47-48 St Mary Strret, Cardiff CF10 1AD, England. they have a website,viz: www.optimah.com and there may be some information on it with overseas distributors. We bought it from a local health food store. If this particular product is not available where you live, your local health food store may have something similar. My husband I both vividly remember taking syrup of figs as children, to keep us "regular". I am not sure what the addition of aloe vera does.
My husband regularly gets constipated and his symptoms have been much relieved recently by a new product on the market in England. It is "Aloe vera liquid fibre with syrup of figs". We saw an article on this in a national newspaper and he decided to try it. You take 30 ml once a day. I don't know if it is available in the US (which is where I guess you live), but it is mnfd by Optima Health and Nutrition, 47-48 St Mary Strret, Cardiff CF10 1AD, England. they have a website,viz: www.optimah.com and there may be some information on it with overseas distributors. We bought it from a local health food store. If this particular product is not available where you live, your local health food store may have something similar. My husband I both vividly remember taking syrup of figs as children, to keep us "regular". I am not sure what the addition of aloe vera does.
Dear Karyn,
Before I make some suggestions, let me say the obvious. Some medications can cause constipation. A couple times I took antibiotics and got constipated.
The first thing to do is get the stool out of there. I have been "impacted" before, and my doc told me to buy a couple small boxes of "Baby Lax" tubes in the drugstore. You squirt two of the tubes in there and within a few minutes, you will pass some stool.
The next thing to do is eat a bowl of Cheerios in the morning with a couple prunes on top. At lunch, eat a sandwich with 100 percent whole wheat bread. In the afternoon, take a fairly long walk. At dinner, eat a salad and some chili or spagetti. Through the daytime hours, drink two or three extra glasses of water. Do NOT eat snacks or cheese. Relax in the evening and don't eat or drink. Take some very warm showers or tub baths.
Continue with the baby lax and eating routine until you return to normal. Once you get regular again, keep eating Cheerios every day and taking a walk and drinking one extra glass of water. Post back how you make out.
Before I make some suggestions, let me say the obvious. Some medications can cause constipation. A couple times I took antibiotics and got constipated.
The first thing to do is get the stool out of there. I have been "impacted" before, and my doc told me to buy a couple small boxes of "Baby Lax" tubes in the drugstore. You squirt two of the tubes in there and within a few minutes, you will pass some stool.
The next thing to do is eat a bowl of Cheerios in the morning with a couple prunes on top. At lunch, eat a sandwich with 100 percent whole wheat bread. In the afternoon, take a fairly long walk. At dinner, eat a salad and some chili or spagetti. Through the daytime hours, drink two or three extra glasses of water. Do NOT eat snacks or cheese. Relax in the evening and don't eat or drink. Take some very warm showers or tub baths.
Continue with the baby lax and eating routine until you return to normal. Once you get regular again, keep eating Cheerios every day and taking a walk and drinking one extra glass of water. Post back how you make out.
I do like prunes, and I have tried that as well as drinking beet juice and anything else that people have told me to try. Never have any diarrhea, just 3 months straight of severe constipation unless I take a huge dose of laxatives. I have a very healthy diet eating vegetables and salad everyday since way before the constipation started. I am also allergic to dairy, not lactose intolerant, but I rarely consume any so that can't be it either. For over two weeks now I have been taking the maximum amount of daily fiber caplets.
Call your doctor again and tell them you are very uncomfortable. You can't live like that.
I have IBS and I know you can have diarrea or constipation. Me I get bouts of it back and forth. When I get constipation I take 4 prunes and that helps me the next day. Alot people don't like prunes I don't but it is worth of a try? It is unconfortable being contipation. Are you in alot of stress I heard that triggers it to. Try to put more fiber in your diet.
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