I have two problems. One is the pain and the other is the enema dependence.
I've had an intermittent severe pain in my lower right region (right above pubic line) for a couple of weeks which I know is stomach related based on my past problems, i.e., chronic constipation. I have noticed when I sit for long periods of time, it worsens. I have also noticed when I eat pretzels it gets worse. Sometimes it will last for hours, even all day, other times it stays for just a few minutes. I also now have lower chronic back pain which I think is related.
I only eat healthy foods such as chicken, fish, garden burgers, fresh fruits and vegetables, pretzels, whole wheat bread, etc. I drink a lot of water.
I am relatively active.
This is embarrassing, but I have been using a water enema almost every day for the past several years. It started out as an occasional thing but I found I would get so constipated that I couldn't stand the bloating, etc. and couldn't go to the bathroom without one. Now I am stuck in a vicious cycle. I have tried to go as long as five days on several occasions without one before I would "have to" resort to an enema. I know that I am dependent on them.
I don't do laxatives or stool softeners. I have tried both, the first one made me sick and the second didn't help. I don't need another crutch besides.
I have an appt. with a gastroenterologist on the 14th of Oct. I'm finally swallowing my pride and seeking help.
I would like to try to get some advice before my appt. I would like to know if anyone else has had either of these problems and what they did about it.
I hope someone out there has some words of inspriration or much needed advice.
Humbly yours,
Firecracker53

Hi there --

I lived on a similar cycle for many years but after a hysterectomy some time back I knew I could no longer rely on the enema routine.

At that time I discovered Colace (given in the hospital, post-surgery) and that, along with other things, helped a lot. I'm not talking about the one with added laxative, just the stool softener.

As for the right sided pain -- I think those are intestinal spasms as I've had them, too, and what you've got doesn't sound like it's appendix-related.

Here's the anti-constipation regimen I follow and it has worked well for me as well as for some others I know:

Eat very high fiber cereal every single morning - I prefer Fiber One but All Bran is good as is Uncle Sam.

Be sure to drink adequate amounts of liquids throughout the day/evening. Water is always best.

Get enough exercise, i.e., at least walking a bit nearly every day.

In the evening, be sure to eat at least a small salad with or in place of other foods to ensure roughage every day. I put raw carrots, green beans, etc., into my salad and add tuna, salmon or whatever else I like. STAY AWAY FROM ALL HARD CHEESES. Hard cheeses are VERY constipating. Same is true for bananas and even apples, UNLESS you eat the apple skins, which are helpful. Chocolate in quantity can also be constipating.

In the late evening, every night, take two or even three (to get you started) Colace gelcaps, AND a small glass of prune juice. Just a juice sized glass, not a water glass. If it is somewhat chilled, it's really not bad at all. This is your "nitecap." When traveling, you can take along or purchase the little individual cans and that's a big help, too.

It took me just a few days of this to get on the road to regularity but if I stop the routine the regularity stops, too.

You also must allow a specific time of day to relax enough for nature to take its course. Most people prefer the morning, after breakfast, so you might need to wake up a little earlier than those who jump out of bed, get dressed while gulping a cup of coffee, and head for school, work or whatever. A slower place is KEY.

This isn't 100% perfect all the time, and even every other day results are fine for most people. But that horrible discomfort and anxiety and even pain from constantly being backed up is bad and should be reversed. Anxiety and worry about NOT getting relief can back you up even more.

Good news that you are seeing the doctor, but I think you would find the above routine very helpful. Good luck -- this is a HUGE problem for so many in our fast paced populace.

If I were you, I would get a large bottle of fiber tablets and take some as directed every day! Its the easiest way to take fiber without taking in the food you eat and these are effective. Enemas are highly addictive. You are training your bowel to not move anything out without an enema. Please give the fiber tabs a try!

Thank you both for your response. I appreciate it very much. I have tried fiber tablets and all they do is make me bloated. I drink water all day long and have a healthy diet. I haven't tried the colace and prune juice yet, I will try anything to get out of this habit. Maybe I need more time than five days to go without. I don't want to become dependent on any meds either. I just want to get out of this cycle. I know there are people out there that do this every day as well. In fact I have seen recommendations as to what to put in the enemas to use daily. I just can't deal with it any more.
Thanks again,