For persons with IBS C

[Eastbourne11]

hi, I am on the Low FODMAP diet which does cause constipation. I have used a Mini "tens" device to stop my back pain and have found every time I use it I have to go to the loo, much more "comfortably" than usual. I wonder if this might help others having difficulty. I think most large chemists in UK will have them. Good luck.

[Eliana5]

Hi, I too have lower back pain, and it seems to really flare up when I get constipated, because when I am finally able to have bowel movement, the pain goes away. I had a tens unit, but found it a hassle to use, because could not adjust the speed of it very well..and the stickies on it, don't last. So, I threw it away and am hoping they will make better ones in the future. It was also hard to find it convenient..it was a mini one..my Chiropractor ordered it for me. I take it to him..but think he is getting annoyed at having to help me adjust it..so I don't know. I saw a post on here where someone sits on a table that vibrates and after she sits on it, it helps her have a bowel movement. I can't remember where she said she got this..checked on Amazon.com to no avail. I'm glad you found something that works for you. My only relief for my severe and chronic IBS-C is strong black instant coffee with 6 packs of Stevia sweetener. Then Senna-lax on Sundays. Nothing else seems to help..😳

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

Magnesium supplements may help? Most people that are constipated are lacking magnesium.

I had a deficiency test and mine showed that and gp explained some people dont make or retain enough and it mag that help our bowels work.

As soon as i started taking it i started goin EVERY DAY

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Hi, thanks for responding. ☺ I had a anal mamnotry done..and now I know the cause..and magnesium, digestive enzyme's, Probiotics..nothing is going to help because I just found out the results that I have weak pelvic floor..and Gastro wants me to have physical therapy Kegal exercises to strengthen sphincter muscle..but it's too far..the only place that does it. I don't have transportation..and the bus does not go that far..and my case manager..it's too far for her to take me. I was also told I had internal large prolapsed hemmorhoids, so now I have to think about surgery..and not sure if that will even help with constipation. I know that anytime I have anything acidic, I get bad pain under my left rib cage..like if I take chewable vitamin C..or even spice candy. So..I am thinking Magnesium citrate might be too acidic..?

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

U need to make sure ur poop is really soft and watery( tmi) so they dont always put pressure on the hems. The less u aggravate them the better ur feel.

My mum had hers done about 5 years ago it painful at time but was best thing she ever did ... they stop u from pooing properly and using ur muscles properly.

U can google pelvic floor and sphicter strengthening exercises and do it urself that what i did... i had a weak pelvic floor after slipping two vertebraes. Not being able to exercise made them go all slack.

What is a case manager? Sorry i have no idea lol

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

I'm sorry, I'm a bit confused..lol..my bad..but how do you make stool (tmi) soft and watery? I'm not sure since I have constipation. Your mom had hemmorhoid surgery? She felt better..sorry..just trying to understand. A case manager helps you out..you usually get a case manager when you go to a agency for mental health..a Psychiatrist, therapist, and case manager. I have a lot of anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder..so I get overwhelmed with things easily, and my case manager takes me to places like grocery store, and Doctor's appointments..

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

Ok i never heard of a case manager before sorry. Just wanted to understand.

So u need to make sure u are taking stool softeners coz u need it soft and runny cos the more ur poo rubs against them hems ur get more pressure in there and pain and there get bigger till they eventually hang out and that is not good!

So u need to make sure ur poo is soft and runny.

Stool softener ,laxatives fruit veg everything coz if u dont they will b a nitemare.

Yeh my mum had hem surgery ... she had put it off for years but they got to bad and she gave in and had it and she wished she had it earlier. So dont put it off it will Change ur life. For the better.

Plus it will help with ur other problems

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

I take one Colace a day..but it doesn't produce anything..if it does, yes, the stool is softer, but I still strain..which is causing the weak pelvic floor and constipation. I hate even having a bowel movement now, because it's like a big ordeal..I strain and strain. They don't really help me at all. Only thing that works is Coffee..strong..instant..black with six packs of Stevia. I then have a bowel movement and it comes out very fast and soft..(sorry for sensitivity..tmi)..

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

If that works for u then good at least something does.

My mum was told the hems were stopping the poop coming down naturally and the pelvic floor

Stops working so well then it stops the poop from contracting and working its way down the colon.

So u really need to get the hems sorted before anything else then google the exercise and u can do all that at home.

I would start the exercises as soon as poss.

Then ur be at least half way there before ur surgery. Dont b scared of the surgery it no more painful then what u been goin through and in a month ur b back to normal.

Working with a lot of men i know lots of people that have had the surgery and all of them have said the fear of it was worse then actually having it and once there gone ur b glad

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

I asked my gastro if internal hemmorhoids can make constipation worse, and he said no..because the stool is coming out the anal canal, which is about the size of a quarter. But, I agree with you..that it would make it better. Then another gastro told me that since I strain..I would just rip open the stitches. I have heard people doing the kegal exercises..they say all it does it makes them want to urinate..so I don't know..😕😳 it all seems so confusing..

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

Ive always done kegal exercises never made me wana wee?? Actually prob the oposite coz ur get tighter muscles so u can hold it longer!

My mum had internal ones and she said hers did make her constipated as ur poo comes from colon then in bottom but it can put pressure in there and make it harder to come out as instead of a smooth anal cavity u have a lumpy one also if u have a pelvic floor problem the muscles prob cannot contract enough to work the poo down ...

so it is abit of everything u need to sort.

U need to learn to not strain from bum push from stomach.

Also take enough stuff to make sure it always runny.

Plus u need to get head into right space coz if u think it not goin to work or ur always thinking about it it just not goin to work as sometimes pooin can b a phycological problem

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Yes..lol..okay..☺

[Kat2380 in reply to Eliana5]

With regards to kegel exercises and constipation. The straining will weaken ur pelvic floor muscles so keeping ur stool soft is essential and the same can be said for the haemorrhoids as they are caused by straining. I live in the uk and purchased a Kegel8 Ultra20 pelvic exerciser from their website, it comes with a vaginal probe and electrode pads so is can be used as a tens device too. I’m not sure what would be available in America but if you google electronic pelvic toner you should be able to find something suitable

[Lulububs in reply to Eliana5]

Hope u get the help u need

[Eliana5 in reply to Lulububs]

Thank you..I have been suffering for years..like many people. So..I'm definitely working on it. Thanks! x