I have had chronic constipation for about a month now and could only have a bm with 2 ex lax..one didn't do a thing. I went to the doctor and she gave me a bottle of miralax (128mg I think) I took it twice daily and used up the whole bottle (in 3 days) and STILL couldnt go! I gained 5 lbs and my belly could look pregnant. I just tood a suppository. How many of them should I use and until when? I called my doc and told her how the mira lax didnt work. She sent me in for bloodwork and an ex ray but didnt suggest anything. (the receptionist told me about the suppository) I am suppose to go in again in 2 weeks..but what about until then? What should I do to clean myself out, nothing works but suppositorys.
You need to add some fiber therapy such as metamucil 2-3 times a day and drink plenty of water as well as prune juice or prunes. If you haven't had a decent BM by the third day then use a glycerin suppository. If this is not effective then use a baking soda enema. If you really need help with getting cleaned out you can use a soap suds enema but be sure to follow this with a plain or baking soda enema as the castile soap can be harsh on your system. For now get started on the fiber therapy and increase your water intake as well as making sure you get enough exercise.
I drink enough water and eat fiber ALL day long. THe laxatives don't work, eating prunes and fiber and water do not work. That is why I had an ex ray..there may be blockage or something..something is wrong. I exercise all day long also..I am a cocktail server and walk miles a day and exercise. I used a suppository and not much came out. I do not want to give myself an enema. I am thinking I have some kind of IBS that doesnt make me feel like I ever have to have a BM movement. Is there anytihng I can do or should I go back to the doctor?
wbs
Since you are not having a sufficient BM with the suppository then yes you really should give yourself an enema to get things cleaned out and start fresh. Once you get cleaned out with the enema be sure to use metamucil 2-3 times a day in any one of the forms it comes in. You may eat plenty of fiber but your system is telling you that it is not getting enough of the kind of fiber it needs. Head to your local drug department of a store an pick up an enema bag and some castile soap or baking soda and use the enema to get cleaned out so you can try to get your system back on track. If you don't use the enema and still don't have a sufficient BM you will wind up needing to go to the docs office and they will do an enema there or do a manual removal of the impacted stool. I really think it would be less embarrasing for you do an enema at home than to have it done at the docs office or to have him manually remove the stool.
I am going tomorrow to get colonic cleansing/hydrotherapy done. THat will clean out my system in about an hour. It is very popular here in the west and all I have heard are good comments. This HAS to work and it is better than an enema you administer yourself at home.
wb
Courtney
Courtney:
Please let me know your thoughts on the colonic after it is over. I have given this some serious thought also. I have friends that swear by it.
The colonics may clean you out but it will not be anything more than a quick fix for your constipation. You are still going to need to take fiber therapy such as metamucil to help get your system regulated. Good Luck.
I am not sure why everyone keeps saying to eat more fiber, me and another person on healthboards do eat it and nothing works. I eat prunes, fiber, etc etc. That isnt the problem. There is more to it than that. Our bodies are not set up like yours..it it was as simple as eating fiber and drinking water..would we be on this site? My colonic therapist said not to take fiber supplements or metamucil unless you drink like a fish, it will make you constipated. I was told to get another colonic done, to loosen more up, then take barleans fortifax and some probiotics..not fiber
I agree about the Metamucil making some of us constipated. I am one of those unfortunate people. HOW I wish it were that simple for me!!!!
I have read several articles in health journals saying that Metamucil can make some people's constipation worse. I use to take Metamucil and drink so much water to try to espand it that I could not leave the house.......I was on the toilet peeing all the time.
I am taking something similar to Metamucil/psyllium....in pellet form that you just swallow with gulps of lots of water. As usual, it helped at first, then my system got use to it and is not helping very much.
I am now adding two tablespoons of flaxseed soaked in warm water for several hours....and gulping all of that down. Seems to be helping some for right now....don't know what it will be like in a months time. I'll be buying a coffee grinder when I get to the U.S. to grind them up.
When I am in the U.S., I eat Kelloggs All Bran Extra Fiber everyday and it is the only thing that makes me go easily. We have Kelloggs All Bran here in Venezuela, but it is not the same by any means.......very salty....and very hard to chew. YUK!!!! And it does not work!!
I've just had my colonscopy done several months ago and have IBS....extremely spastic colon. Doc said he had to keep waiting for my colon to open up so that he could advance. What usually would have been a 15-20 procedure turned out to be 45 minutes!!! Don't remember a thing about the procedure......and I was in la la land for the rest of the day.
IBS constipation affects all of us differently!!! It is the PITTS!!!!!!
Have you tried Barleans Fortiflax? (look it up under google under 'barleans fortiflax') I guess it is already ground up. I am getting some today. I am also getting Primal Defense...it is a probiotic and is suppose to regulate bacteria or something that may cause bloating. My doc told me about it and so did some people on here.
wbs
I hear ya!! I am on my 10th day today with no bowel movement and boy do I feel like crap!! (sorry). Anyway, I am doing everything this board has posted. I am a fiber freak. I have always loved the whole grains and breads, veggies, etc...so, I agree...that's not it with me either. I drink water all day long b/c I work at a fitness center (so it isnt lack of exercise either!!) I did the enema yesterday in desperation and the only thing that came out was clear water!! So, obviously whatever the problem is is WAY up in my intestines. I am drinking "smooth move" tea today and I hear grumblings going on...maybe this tea will help. What a nightmare...I hate this!! It makes me so sluggish, light headed and tired too.
I did an enema yesterday too (the one that looks like a big suppository) i went, but not enough as needed. On my second colonic..nothing came out either! I am wondering what to do. This is effecting my job though. I get so bloated that I feel very self concscious and look like i have gained a lot of weight in the tummy area. (i have to wear a midriff! ahhhh
What else is there to do if I am drinking water, doing an enema AND having 40 grams of fiber a day?
Phillips Milk of Magnesia is the only thing that works for me when I get constipated. Exlax always made me hurt worse plus I like stimulant free medicines. I take a cup (supplied with the medicine) of magnesia and I am flushed out about 8 hours later. Great stuff for me and now there are several flavors to choose from with vanilla being my favorite.
Re: took a bottle of laxative and still couldnt go
If you are already backed up. I do NOT recommend the fiber therapy yet. I have been through this. Fiber therapy like Metamucil never helped me when I was already 'stopped up' if you will. Out of desparation, I fasted for three days while having a series of colonics and took Smooth Move tea. I usually would not recommend a laxative, but for only a few days to help clear you out, I think it is OK. The effects of NOT clearing yourself out could be worse. AFTER you get yourself cleared out, then start the fiber therapy. I found that the perfect combination for me was 1-2 FiberCon tablets followed by one dose of metamucil (orange flavored equate brand) then followed by 16 ounces of warm water with lemon. After cleaning myself our completely, this has kept me regular for two months now. I also eat a big bowl of Kashi Crunch for breakfast (very good source of equal amounts of both types of fiber) topped with a little All Bran. Mid morning I have an apple. And I always have some fiber in the form of veggies or beans with supper. I drink a lot of water, but not as much as some on this board. I have read some posts where people drink 2-3 liters day!! My god that is TOO much. I still swear by colonics. I still have one a month, sometimes two if I need it. Good luck!
Re: took a bottle of laxative and still couldnt go
oh will someone who has had the colonics please tell me if it is painful in any way or embarrassing? I mean is it messy in any way?? I am so backed up not even the meds the docs are giving me are working. Miralax , i could never regulater it was always either it never helped or i could never leave the house. One extreme to the other ,never a middle ground. Thanks for any info on the colonics.
Jenetti
Re: took a bottle of laxative and still couldnt go
Every hydrotherapist is different. Find someone reputable with experience. The woman I go to in Louisville, KY has been doing this for over 20 years and I drive an hour and a half to see her. She actually performs massage and accupressue during the one hour session to help you relax, which in turn helps your muscles relax. I was SOOO nervous the first time, but a good therapist should be able to put you at ease quickly. The only pain there is, if any, is cramping once your peristaltic action kicks in. I actually like the cramping because I know that the 'damn is about to break' and I have a good session. Today I had a colonic done because I just got back from vacation and got very constipated. Before my session I weighed 135, and after my session I weighed 129. I went from looking pregnant to a completely flat stomach and I had no more pain or tenderness in my abdomen. For me, colonics are a godsend when I really need relief. I try not to take laxatives, but when I do need one, I use high doses of Vitamin C powder and/or Magnesium (occasionally...no more than once or twice a month I will drink a cup of Smooth Move tea before bed) Usually a high fiber diet, with supplemental fiber therapy, and lots of water and ROUTINE keeps me pretty regular, but everytime I vacation, I get backed up. I should also add that I have suffered from cystic acne for the past ten years, the same amount of time that I have battled constipation. Since my first colonic, my skin has looked beautiful. Better than it has in years. Anyone that says the two are not related doesn't know what they are talking about. The effects of constipation and the build up of bacteria and toxins can manifest itself in many different ways. Headaches, muscles aches, fatigue, etc...for me, it showed up in my skin. Good luck
Re: took a bottle of laxative and still couldnt go
Thanks for the reply lucky.
Actually i find it interesting that you weighed 135 before and then 129 afterwards cause it seems that in the last few weeks and im NOT kidding or exaggerating, i have gone from 122-123 to 129 and my tummy is so bloated that i look pregnant too. I have never been one to gain weight so rapidly, i mean in such a SHORT TIME. I am going to look into that as i feel so bloated and in pain that i dont know what else to do. My doctors also think its adhesions that might be blocking me or backing me up to where my bowels are hardly moving at all.
Thanks for the info,
Jen
Re: took a bottle of laxative and still couldnt go
get a thyroid test done ask for free t3 free t4 and tsh your tsh levels should be between 0.2-2.5 thats the new range if its over 2.5 it could be one of the reasons for your lazy bowels not enough thyroid hormone can make the system sluggish .also in the meantime you could try accupressure all u have to do is press your chin for 3mins in the mornin ....its suppouse to generate an urge .warm water and honey taken in the mornin will also help .
all the best
took a bottle of laxative and still couldnt go 
