This is ridiculous....

[Pickums1283]

Hi:

I have never been diagnosed with IBS, but I strongly suspect I may have IBS with constipation . My mother and my sister both have it. For as long as I can remember, I have had bad issues with constipation. Its been getting worse and since the week after Easter, I have not been able to go, or very little. My lower abdomen is noticably bloated and full of gas and it is giving me awful heartburn. I have to actually suck my stomach in because it hurts to let it loose.

Every place I go to for advice just gives me the same crap- fiber, water, and exercise. I take Metamucil 2x a day and try to eat foods with fiber, I drink 128 oz of water alone a day, and work out 5 days a week. I have taken Colace- nothing. Milk of magnesia- nothing. Did an enema the other night- nothing. I decided to try Magnesia pills and then found out they had calcium in them!

I don't know what else to do right now. I am so gd miserable. My weight has gone up a couple pounds and I am suspecting it may have to do with this bout of constipation. I really don't want to have to resort to taking a laxative, although at this point I am ready to take Magnesium Citrate. My mother insists I take too much Metamucil, although I did cut back on it this week to once a day and still nothing. I don't want to give up the Mucil because it does work at times and until I started to take it, I was often doubled over from gas pains in my lower left side after nearly every meal. I know one can have too much fiber, but I am starting to wonder if when you take a supplement like Mucil, if it is possible to drink too much water.

Thanks,
Nikki

[Pickums1283]

Hi!

I have read more on Aloe Vera today and I am really considering trying it. Who knows- it may not taste too bad to me! So many people told me how nasty Metamucil is and I think it actually tastes pretty good! If it works for me, my mom and my sister may benefit from it as well.

That's good to know about the probiotics and UTIs. I have heard something about yogurt preventing them, but never read more on it. In addition to trying to help my stomach issues, I am always looking for ways to prevent UTIs.

[Jangela]

       Hi again!
                Aloe juice is a bit sour and has a little zing to it. People seem to be really concerned about how it tastes, but just plug your nose, and down the hatch! I've been drinking it for years and don't mind the taste anymore. It's better chilled.
                I have been able to find broad spectrum enzymes in health stores, specialty vitamin shops, and of course, online. I prefer the Source Naturals brand
               Oh, I also should have mentioned, but I guess this is obvious- The probiotics should help prevent your UTI's also, in the yogurt or in the supplements, but unsweetened yogurt is best. :)

[Pickums1283]

Oh yes, I know about cranberry juice. It has helped with many UTIs in the past. :)

I have to ask out of curiosity- what does aloe vera juice taste like?

Are digestive enzymes usually just sold in health stores?

[Jangela]

Hi Nikki,
I am sure you know to consume cranberry juice to avoid UTI's? Unsweetened is best. The acidity keeps your tract inhospitable to bacteria that cause infections. Harder to find, but health stores and Trader Joes carries it.
   As far as I know, aloe juice is safe long term. You only need small doses of it to be effective (a few tablespoons or a couple of ounces at a time).
   Since you do have GERD, I would definitely do the digestive enzyme capsules with meals, too. Some brands even have a probiotic included, so you would only need one supplement instead of two.

[Pickums1283]

Hi:

Before I got a chance to check on any responses, I did break down and took Dulcolax last night. It definitely did work and I was down on the scale. Before I was having problems on the scale, I was around 136. When my stomach acted up, I was bouncing between 138 and 140. Today the scale said 134. I felt great, except for the terrible cramps I got from the "gentle" laxative. No more bloating, milder heartburn (I do have GERD).

I also suspect that I am drinking too much water while taking the Metamucil. I did neglect to mention that the reason why I drink so much water is not due to constipation; rather, due to being prone to urinary tract infections. It seems to have- knock on wood- kept me in the clear of developing any. I am going to try to cut back on water, as well as the Metamucil dosages and see what happens.

I don't know what is considered laxative abuse, but I would say that at the very most, I may take laxatives 6 times a year and even that is pushing it. Usually I try to use them as an absolute last resort.

I have seen Aloe Vera Juice, but never tried it. It may be worth a shot to try it, though. I am reading up on it and it seems to have a lot of benefits. Is it something safe to take long term? I know 2 people that have tried Activia with some success, so I am willing to try that as well.

I am trying to find something to try that can be natural and safe for long term use. Both of you have provided me with some very good information.

Thanks,
Nikki

[Jangela]

    Yes, I agree with mammo. Back off on the fiber too, especially, I think, the grain based fiber, because some are harder to digest than vegetable fiber. I think if you increase your intake of watery fruits and veggies, like cucumber, grapes, apples, you get the idea, that will be better than engorging yourself with just a lot of water. I also highly agree on the probiotics. Get a big colony of healthy bacteria established in your intestines and I'll bet your "IBS" symptoms will be a thing of the past. But first get rid of that impacted stool by what mammo suggests or anything you eat will just sit and ferment, giving you even more gas.