Hi, I have ibs, and have managed it very well in the last 4 years. However, I haven't been able to have a BM without straining everytime. I am lucky to have a BM every 7 to 9 days. My upper quadrant area hurts, I am also getting severe muscle spasms. I was told this is constipation, but long should I let this keep going like this. I have been having this problem for over 6 months, haven't seen my GI about this,but did tell my family doctor. He told me to bulk up on fiber, which I have and still can't go. I was told that I have lost some rectal tone, due to back injury. When I feel the urge to really go, it takes me over 4 hours to make a BM. This is very embarassing question for me to ask, but has anyone else ever experienced this. If so how can I get some relief. I have noticed some blood after I am finally able to go, but I figure it's nothing to worry about. I feel like I just gained over 100 pounds which of course I haven't. Please if anyone has advice on what to do about this, I am interested.

You do need to get the blood checked out. How much fiber are you taking? If you are only using metamucil once a day you may need to increase it to 2-3 times daily. You should also add prunes or prune juice to your daily diet. If you haven't had a decent BM by the third day use a glycerin suppository. Also do not strain on the toilet and do not sit on the toilet for long periods of time as this can also cause hemorrhoids. If your stools are hard then add colace aka docusate once or twice daily until the metamucil kicks in. Give this a couple months try and if this doesn't help then ask your doctor for help with this. In the meantime you should get the rectal bleeding checked out too.

Hi, docusate works great as a stool softener. I used it when I was in the constipation phase of my UC.
I have just read that the medication called Zelnorm is for people with IBS constipation. I have had a few people tell me that it works really fabulously.

I don't know if its appropriate, No, I've never taken it, but check it out on a search as for the side effects, etc.

Also, drink lots of water. If you take toooo much fibre, it will absorb the water from the colon and the stools will be much harder and more difficult to expell. Water helps the fibre to expand, making them "bulkier".

Exercise like walking works well.

I also sometimes take vitamin C powder by Sisu that will also help. I take 1000 mg at night in water.

You need a dr's prescription for the Zelnorm. I hear it works effectively. I don't know how long you need to be on it.

I hope something will bring relief to you,
quincy

I was going to give the site....that was the "I don't know if it' appropriate" part, but it's best for you to do a search anyway for the Zelnorm.

q

Thank you all for your posts, my main worry is that I don't feel the urge of having to do a BM. I don't have an urge to go until 7 to 14 days. Is that normal? Is that constipation, or is it something else. I have had severe problems with my stomach before, and I am praying that this isn't something else. But after not having to make one then having to make one on the 7 or on the 14th day that is when I seem to be straining the worse. I am wondering if this is normal of not having to go until a week or so later.

If you don't have a BM at least every 3 days it is called constipation. It is NOT NORMAL to have a BM every 7 days.

Everybody is different but by all the Medical Literature I have read-- Normal BMs range from 3 per week to 3 per day. You are not even close to being in this range???

I suggest you be treated by a Gastro---Doctor. I think your condition is not going to be solved by online suggestions.

Also, all rectal bleeding should be checked out by a Doctor to make sure you don't have CANCER???

migables advice is very GOOD but I think you are past online suggestions.

I wish you well---Harry

Thanks Harry that's what I thought too, it's just I don't want to seem like I am going crazy over this, or that I am having any anxiety about this. I know this isn't normal, and I am starting to get scared.

Don't get scared, get off the pot and see a gastroenterologist. It can take a while to get an appt w/a gastro in some areas so if it is going to take a month or two start with your family doctor meanwhile.

You may have a gut motility disorder. There is a specific test to check gut motility. I believe that your family doctor can order the gut motility test while you are waiting to see the gastro. There are meds to speed up the motiity if that "is" the problem.

Whatever, it is going to take a doctor to Dx and treat your problem, not home remedies and/or a bulletin board such as this. Your constipation is EXTREME and needs medical assistance to get the answers.

Thank you everyone:
I actually was in the hospital for 2 days this past week, and I have a very bad infection. I was sent home, and told to see my GI specialist, but there seems to be some other problems that I am having. I was told to stay off advil, but I haven't been this sick in awhile. I called my family doc and he sent me to the ER. I guess I shouldn't have waited this long. I have no clue what else is in store for me at this point, so far I'm having BM which I was concerned about. I was also told I have a spastic bile system, I have no clue what that means, but I will look into that as well. Thank you again for your input.

Any update on your condition? The "spastic bile system" could possibly be from gallstones in your gall bladder. If so, before even considering surgery, check into Dr. Richard Schulze's liver/gallbladder cleanse products at 1-800-HERB-DOC. It could save you from having your gallbladder removed.