I’ve been dealing with constipation issues for the past year. I can only attribute it to gettin older - never had any problems before that. I won’t go into the details of what I have tried - I’ve taken lots of great hints from videos and forums; a lot of it seems to work - and then it doesn’t. I know what to eat, what not to eat - and I have eliminated Miralax, etc. from my regime, altho I take Magnesium, Senna, and probiotics every morning - and 2 glasses of water prior to my breakfast and before coffee.
About a week ago, I was thrilled that I had the first normal BM for 3-4 days; so I was heading in the right direction…I was on the right path - until several days ago - what happens is, I may have a normal poop - but then it feels that there is more….so I push gently, trying not to strain - and nothing else comes out - but I’m left with the feeling that there is a hard rock stuck inside of me that I can’t get out. I can’t get comfortable, I can’t sleep - and it’s total hell. I’ve GOT to get whatever is there - out!!! In any way I can….
At some point - I have to stop - because I become exhausted or the area hurts to much - I feel as if I’m being broken in half and wide open in the area; but when I feel back there - it’s just me…the swelling. Sometimes, there IS something there - other times, there is nothing - it just ‘feels’ that way.
But all I know is that I can’t leave it like it is. I’ll do anything to get it out!!! I sometimes resort (too often lately) to an enema…not a whole enema - but I squirt a little when I’m sitting there in the hopes it will soften at least part of it…sometimes it helps just a little. I also know that eating prunes ‘always’ does the trick - but I usually have to wait for an hour or 2 for things to get going - or eat something so peristalsis stimulates things to move.
Then what happens is overkill - that is, it keeps on coming - lots of diarrhea and I have no idea when it’s going to end…I’m on the toilet way too long….my cat needs me at times - and there I am sitting on the toilet!!! What happened to those 4 days of normal pooping?
I think some of it may be psychological - being afraid or trying to hard doesn’t help me. But I have to find a way that will work for me…I thought I did - until it didn’t. When this occurs I just want to die!!! Can someone help? Or give some advice please? Thank you.
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Trudijane
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You don't say if you are having decaffeinated coffee or not. Decaf doesn't dry you out causing constipation as regular coffee can for starters. Fruit can work well as laxatives as can fibre in the diet. The fruit can be canned, it doesn't have to be fresh.
When you become constipated and don't move the bowel daily it can eventually cause impacted feces. This is how you have a bowel movement and still feels like there is still more there, and there is. The next step if flow past which is when the impaction remains and a form of diarrhea gets past. I also understand bread can also dry you out and cause constipation.
I think the diarrhea after is possibly too much laxative and is not unusual when you become desperate to move the log jamb.
Anxiety will be a major contributor also, it can create hell with the stomach and bowels.
As advised in a video (by Dr. Will Buscewitz) I have begun drinking 2 glasses of water prior to having my coffee. Although i do drink caffeinated coffee, it's just one cup/day - in the AM.
I've added fruit (apples & melons) - a lot more water per day - prunes always does the trick but it also gives me Diarrhea so I've begun to cut down a little. I also have some granola for breakfast and usually a side of cole slaw for dinner.
I don't eat much bread .... and eliminated the miralax, stool softeners. As a result of all of these changes; as I said - I had a normal bowel movement for 3 days or so. I was thrilled! I relax and wait and don't strain - and I could feel it being expelled. So what happened?? It's starting again and I'm miserable.
For the last 2 days I've resorted to 1/2 of an enema - at first a lot comes out then nothing....but for me the worst feeling in the world is being 'stuck' and having to stop in the middle! I know i was doing something right!!! I don't know what changed.
I get very anxious about not being able to finish - which may work against myself. Just tonight, I did 1/2 enema....even then, it's hard to know when I'm finished or not....I realize that sometimes I'm feeling my own tissue protruding a bit - but then what is it that I'm feeling being expelled. I don't get what my body is doing anymore......
I suggest to see a doctor, particularly as there has been a change in your bowel habits. It is important to rule out anything nasty in the rectum or colon. It could be any number of things causing the feeling that you have not emptied yourself.
I am exactly the same it is very frustrating when we are constipated for days then we have a overflow of diarrhoea. I get anxious when I have plans to go out or on holiday. I take Mebeverine before meals and half of Loperamide tablet daily. If I'm going on a trip or a plane and I haven't managed to go toilet I take more Loperamide as my anxiety gets worse then I don't take any more for few days as I will be constipated again. It is a vicious circle and disabilitating I do understand how you feel as we have no quality of life with IBS it controls everything we do. There is no cure either which is depressing to hear knowing we are not alone gives us some comfort talking to others aand sharing our experiences. Sending love and hugs to you and hope you feel better soon.x
So true - hard to believe that something like this can control your life at times~ It's very scary to me. But I'm trying hard to get it right - the right balance .... I wouldn't mind if I didn't feel like going for a few days - but I do feel like going and if I start, I have to finish - and it's maddening when I can't....just tonight - it seemed to come out right - it felt large but it was just a few nuggets...after that - I did a lot of trying - I sometimes squirt a small amount of an enema as I'm sitting there in the hopes that it wiil soften whatever is there - up. And it actually works - just not enough. It would help to know what my body is doing ...and what it is that I'm actually feeling...
Is half an enema the Fleet bottles or is it an enema bag that holds 2 qts? If you're using an enema bag or can, add a little castile soap and that will cause the peristalsis to happen.
It's just s squirt of a regular Fleet enema; I lie down for 1/2 hour and then more comes out - just not enough - I dont want to have to rely on enemas all the time. As I said just a few weeks ago I was pooping normally for days; I don't know what happened.
Do you think you may have internal hemorrhoids. I did and saw a consultant who did a minor procedure in his consultant room without the need for any anesthetic. I would suggest seeing a private gastrologist as it would be quick and easy if you can afford it.I found it well worth it.
Yes i often have the feeling of a hard lump further up the bowel. I have a loopy bowel and i think some faeces get stuck in the bend, especially if they are hard stools. Its trial and error, i am trying with flaxseed sprinkled on cereal which helps sometimes or kiwi fruit
I take a sachet of Movicol in warm water every morning, more when I started on it.On hols last week I didn't take them and when I got back I was in screaming pain trying to go for three days. I could feel the lump there but only passing fluid and pansful of blood. Had to use Germoloids and glycerin suppositories plus back on movicol. All clear now but won't stop the Movicol again.
Some years ago I took Magnesium citrate. It was a miracle for me. Cured a lifetime of insomnia, constipation and my atrial fib. Kept it up for two years but then had a bout of AFib so I think I must have had too much magnesium in my system. If my insomnia returned I'd back on it in a flash.
My nutritionist recommended flax seed. I put them in an inch of water and leave them in the fridge in a plastic tub. My symptoms vary between constipation and loose stools but since having flax seed I've seen a huge improvement. I use a pint glass for water and drink it right through the day. Take it with me when I'm out too. Hope you get some relief.
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