Friend is worried! - Bowel Disorders Message Board

Spirit · 04-15-2003, 06:50 AM

She has been taking metamucil and does go some but she feels like there is something hard upper right colon that won't move thru. She drinks water-what can she do. She has no pain and like I said she moves some.She is worried.advice please

mlgable · 04-15-2003, 07:51 AM

When taking metamucil it is very important that you take in enough fluid/water. If she feels she is not having a good enough bowel movement yet she may want to try a glycerin suppository every third day if she hasn't had a decent BM by then. Also how often is she taking the metamucil? She may need to take it 2-3 times a day for it to be effect. If she feels this is a medical type concern then she should see a doc and get checked.

Samuelemouse · 04-15-2003, 09:53 PM

It sounds like incomplete emptying which may be real or imaginary in some cases (because some people become very sensitive to the state of their bowels). Your friend should do all the right things with diet, keep up the Metamucil and fluids, try adding insoluble fiber to get the right balance (Metamucil is soluble fiber) and get regular exercise especially to strengthen her abdomenal muscles. Even 5 minutes of strenghtening the abdomenal muscles makes a big difference. The other thing your friend ought to do is learn the art of relaxation when it is happening eg read a magazine. It may take time before your friend starts feeling as if she is normal (a few weeks) provided that there is nothing seriously wrong with her and it does not sound like it (no blood in the stools?). Common problem.