unable to relax

[Plumt]

I broke my ribs three years ago and have since then been unable to relax my bowels and anal sphincter to enable me to have a bowel movement

Always constipated, it is almost as though I have to get really full before I have a thin bowel movement, not hard stools, soft and greasy but has to be forced out.

seen numerous specialists and all say just concentrating on relaxing and breathe from your abdomen, err with no respect it is a waste of time.

anyone any better ideas?

[b1b1b1]

I have a similar condition. I had a test to diagnose it is treated with pelvic floor physical therapy (in the US). Also, there are some diet changes that help. I was told to take a fiber supplement every day and also either colace or magnesium citrate every day. Those really help, but definately ask your doctor before you take anything because your situation may not be the same as mine.

[meadfoot]

I have similar symptoms but mine is caused by failed peristalsis. The muscles and nerves which propel food and waste through the digestive system have failed. I have 100% failed peristalsis with liquids and 65% failure to propel food through.

It causes me the symptoms you mention re chronic constipation and slow stomach emptying. Have you been checked re the greasy stools to find the cause. I had a bile acid malabsorption test. Best wishes keep persisting with medics until they find an answer. Its a miserable condition.

[Plumt in reply to meadfoot]

Many thanks for your message, I have had the three malabsorption breath tests but not sure that they included a test for bile acid.A friend recently suggested mastika gum which seems to have some effect

[Flyonawall in reply to Plumt]

Is there a connection between the the rib break and the current condition?

[Edgar77 in reply to Plumt]

Bile acid malabsorbtion is tested by two x rays one week apart. They give you a drink and see how much you absorb over the week

[Plumt in reply to Edgar77]

That is interesting as I do have v greasy stools and my stomach is always gurgling, which may indicate over production of bile acid? We’re these your symptoms and if so what do you take to control it?

[Edgar77 in reply to Plumt]

Some symptoms are the same. My stools were narrow and very pale. I suffer from constipation. Most people with this have diarrhoea so I can't take the Usual meds recommended for it.

[Penhaligons in reply to meadfoot]

I hope you don’t mind me asking, how do you achieve a bowel movement? I have slow motility also and recently upon physical examination, a consultant told me I have a slight rectocile. It’s the slow motility I’d like advice on though.

[meadfoot in reply to Penhaligons]

Well I had my gall bladder removed about four years ago and then had chronic diarrhoea for the next three years. I was told it was common after gall bladder removal. My gastroenterologist ensured I had a dieticians input and things settled nicely for another year.

Then chronic constipation kicked in. Nothing now happens without a laxative which really concerns me. However as I have no other bowel symptoms he has told me to take a weekly laxative. Now I am of the opinion that doing so is not such a good idea as the bowel becomes reliant but he says it is fine to use dulcolax weekly ongoing. My GP agrees.

As my constipation is a motility issue a laxative which stimulates the nerves and muscles is the only type which does work. Fibre enriched ones do nothing. My diet is excellent I eat all the right things, lots of fibre etc, all to no avail, diet clearly isnt the issue my peristalsis is.

[Plumt]

Having broken three ribs, I found it very painful to have a bowel movement and subsequently became very constipated, feel that things have not really improved since