7 to 10 bowel movements per day. But still constipated

[IBSsufferer_26]

Is there any way I can stop having this amount of bowel movements per day. Been to see the doctor, she said that there was nothing she could give me for my frequent bowel movements and prescribed me with some Colofac (Mebeverine). And some Biocare probiotics 30 billion.

[Hidden]

Have you tried taking a good laxative such as Movicol to try and clear everything out in one or 2 goes?

[IBSsufferer_26 in reply to Hidden]

I'm currently taking Dulcolax. But have never tried Movicol

[Hidden in reply to IBSsufferer_26]

Give it a try, I find it very good - much better than Dulcolax which can be a bit hit and miss.

[Mc89]

You might want to try a ‘bulk forming laxative’ eg Fybogel. Sadly not a cure but might help you go regularly and less often.

[Eliana5]

Wow! And I wish I could have one every week! Have you been tested for "dumping syndrome" or food, gluten intolerance? Are you eating too much fiber or taking alot of fiber supplements? It may the probiotic working too well?

[AngelaH53]

How about trying Imodium Melts? They work for me when I get ill. Also, try following the FODMAP diet. I’m so well as long as I follow it. I react to wheat, onions/garlic (ok with green parts of leeks and spring onions), and a variety of vegetables. You can work through the various groups so you’ll identify what you are able to tolerate or not. It’s harder to eat out, but at home it’s more about thinking what you can eat rather than what you can’t. Good luck

[Maureen1958 in reply to AngelaH53]

Hi Angela, was just wondering how many Imodium Melts you take? Maureen.

[AngelaH53 in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen, I wouldn’t like to prescribe a dose to you or anyone. In my own case, I have taken one after each dash to the loo. As in once at Heathrow, just before a long flight, I consumed one each time I had to visit the loo. I must have taken several!

Obviously the packet states a certain dose, but I don’t think exceeding the dose in emergencies would do any harm - well it hasn’t for me and I can only speak about my own situation.

I don’t use them on a daily basis unless I feel the bouts of pain and urgency and are developing into a prolonged and acute attack.

A fellow sufferer was advised (by a doctor) to take Imodium Melts - half or one a day - as a method of slowing down her gut. This worked and relieved urgency without causing rebound constipation.

I think it’s a matter of trying what suits you best. If I am eating out and can’t be absolutely sure of what I’ll be eating, I would take Mebererine before the meal and perhaps afterwards, ensuring I have some Imodium if needs be.

Hope that has helped a little

[Maureen1958 in reply to AngelaH53]

Thanks for such a comprehensive reply. I have only started taking them recently. Have always been a bit scared of them before. (I took some 30 odd years ago, the day my IBS started, when I had to go for a fitting for a bridesmaid dress in Essex and I lived in Kent at the time and then I was bunged up for a couple of days after). Up until now I have only taken one which seems to slow it down but I still end up having to go back to the loo sooner or later, perhaps I'll try taking two and see how that goes. Thanks again for your kind response. Maureen.

[one-n-den]

I’d agree with the suggestion to try Fybogel - and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Hope thing soon improve for you.

[Flik22]

Hey are they formed bowel movements or loose? I currently am struggling with lots of very loose bowel movements and am really struggling to deal with it!! Xx

[IBSsufferer_26]

Hi Flik22. They are both formed and loose stools. Sometimes they are formed, and sometimes they are loose. And sometimes they are both in one. day. It's like constipation. And diarrhea the same day sometimes.

You see, some days I open my bowels 4x a day and sometimes it's 7x a day and sometimes 10x a day

[Hidden in reply to IBSsufferer_26]

I have just posted about exactly the same problem as you describe here. And more unfortunately - this leads to some fecal incontinence as my sphincter muscles seem hyperactive or else I have nerve damage maybe - really confused!

My laxative is called Constella and it was working really well but now I’m not so sure as I seem to go all the time. Sometimes it’s loose, other times just tiny hard stools - mostly small, soft-ish and often. It’s exhausting and I don’t get the cramping as warning anymore.

I have a rheumatic disease, Sjögren’s plus Hashimoto’s and am told by my rheumatologist and gastro that it’s probably autonomic dysfunction/ dysmotility but I’m not sure. I did have 3 large babies and could easily have suffered some nerve damage.

[LadyPenelope in reply to Hidden]

I wish I could go to the toilet 🚽 like some of you 😞. I had a Bowel resection and Ileostomy due to Endometriosis and lost almost all my rectum and part of my colon. My bowels refuse to work so I have to resort to very painful irrigation, enemas or sometimes drastic measures like Picolax or Citrafleet (these are used as Bowel preps before surgery) I don’t have a good relationship with continence so I have to stay in the toilet 🚽 until it’s over. I can easily spend 6 hours in the toilet 🚽. It’s almost as though my life revolves around my bowels. It’s been six years now and I’m still fighting with my bowels. Linaclotide (Constella) has done nothing for me. I’m very close to giving up. It’s only in a place like this with people like you that I can really open up to, because I know you really understand.

[Hidden in reply to LadyPenelope]

This sounds like a terrible situation for you. My late mum had a very similar procedure and was left either excessively constipated or with no control at all - never knew which would be the case from week to week.

So I understand that it is all relative but I don’t think anyone here should wish for the opposite extreme either - although I understand why we do of course. I honestly think that when such focus is on our bowel movements, whichever way it swings, things are pretty miserable. Being caught out suddenly in a park or on a beach or in a public place is a pretty awful prospect that makes us fear social situations and feel our life is dictated by proximity of toilets whether constipated or loose - or both.

[Maureen1958]

Hi, just wondered what makes you come to the conclusion that it's constipation? Do you have more of a constipated feeling than a diarrhea feeling? I used to feel more like I had diarrhea but now I'm not sure what I'm feeling a lot of the time, sometimes it feels more one way and sometimes the other or kind of both at the same time. Does that sound similar to you. I could spend all day in toilet but try to limit myself to 3 trips a day if I can but they can be rather long visits. Years ago I spoke to a lovely doctor and said I tried to hold it for as long as possible instead of keep rushing back to the loo and he said that was the best thing to do. I don't know if that might be a possibility for you?! Maureen.

[Artmiller]

My IBS is so severe that like you I might just as well stay in the bathroom all day...! But most of the time all I am passing appears to be water and massive amounts of wind. Apologies for the details, but the subject demands it.

I've had this for over twenty years, have tried everything and always end up back st square one.

I just go back and fore from a week of constipation to a week or so of diarrhoea. Accompanied by terrible stomach cramps.

I was taking Fibrogel for years but dropped it because I thought it might be making things worse. I have tried Mebeverine but they had no effect whatsoever.

My current situation is dire....that's why I've ended up here hoping for that elusive miracle cure......

The posts you all write are at least confirmation that I am not alone. Thank you for that.

Good to be here.....