Chronic Constipation..Help! - Bowel Disorders Message Board

mama40 · 03-04-2006, 05:01 AM

Just had a colonoscopy, polyps removed, awaiting biopsy results

I've heard a lot of stories about constipation. However, my problem seems much different. I have always gone about 1x a week, maybe 2x on a good week. For the past year I go 3-4x a month on my own. I have to use a lax to go more times. Most times the lax doesn't do anything for me and if it does, it is very little that come out.

I'm not in any real pain. I do feel bloated and discomfort all the time though. No blood in stools. And when I attempt to go the bathroom, I get a huge hemoroid, sometimes that bleeds a little, not too much.

Over the pass yeat I lost over 70 pounds. I changed my eating habits dramatically after being diagnosed with Diabetes. This is now under control.

OK, so my question is...Is there anyone out there that has a bowel issues similat to mine. I feel like I'm the one who has constipation like this..

Please respond!

Tracey Dell · 03-04-2006, 08:51 AM

Hi - I am a colonic hydrotherapist and have patients presenting these symptoms all the time.

Obviously I don't know your patient history but normally........

Patients with these problems tend to drink less than 2 litres of water a day, drink tea, coffee and fizzy drinks instead and often suffer with bloating, bad breath (sorry!) and difficulty with going to the loo - which is what you have suffered from for a long time.

If this is you then the chances are that you are very dehydrated (many people that are really dehydrated dont feel thirsty as their bodies have given up any hope of ever being heard!) which is one of the reasons it's difficult to go to the loo.

You've recently lost weight (well done!) and a change of diet can affect the bowels. Often the bacterial balance in the bowel can be affected and make it more difficult, and if you were a fizzy drink, tea and coffee drinker then the chances were that the bacterial balance was off anyway.

If any of this is true then I suggest 1 thing to start - drink more water!! It will make your poo softer so it's easier to pass, it will help with weight loss as water flushes the system and the body releases toxins. It will also help with the rebalancing of bacteria in the bowel - if you have Candida (thrush of the bowel - and I suspect you do) then more water will make the bowel moister and less habitable for the candida.

Candida is sortable - you need some of it in the body to keep the poo soft so it can come out easily! Too much and you will either find it too easy to go or too difficult depending on how your body works!

Laxatives make the bowel lazy and will make it more and more difficult for you to go to the loo. As the muscles around the bowel (peristalsis) don't have to do anything because the laxatives are doing it for you they gradually slow down until they dont really do much unless they really have to!!

To wake up the peristalsis water will (of course help) as will eating foods that will give the muscles something to do. Think about what you are eating - anything that you can crush in your hand may be good for you (salad etc) but doesn't put any bulk in the bowel and therefore doesn't give the muscles anything to push against. Try eating organic brown rice a few days a week, and linseeds soaked in water every day. These are more natural ways of helping the bowel and they do work

You should of course take this information generally and take advice from a professional who knows you before taking any action.

If this doesn't relate to you get in touch and I'll try and help more!!

Don't worry - I see a lot of this and at not once has it been serious!

Take care - let me know how you get on!

Tracey

Daisy37 · 03-04-2006, 09:40 AM

Laxatives just mess you up more. When I got really constipated (went 3 weeks w/out more than a tiny here and there) doctor gave me Miralax to get me back regular and I haven't had much of a problem since then. Did switch to more fiber in my diet, more water & added a glass of Metamucial to my daily routine and haven't had a bit of problem since.

Good luck.

mama40 · 03-04-2006, 03:07 PM

Tracey,

What you wrote makes a lot of sense. For a while I was thinking it may be from dehydration. I gave up all sugars/carbs last year. I drink a lot of coffee now and diet soda. I do drink water, not enough though. I excerise a lot and become dehydrated.

I'm so nervous about the polyps however. I wonder if Microscopic indicates less chance of cancer??

I've wanted a colonic treatment for a while now. I have no idea where to go for one and how expensive it may be. How often should sometime flush out their bowel in general?

Thanks so much!

Deb

Harry · 03-07-2006, 08:33 AM

If you don't have a BM every 3 days --it is considered constipation.
I suggest you take a water soluble fiber supplement like Metamucil -- like it says on the container.
It will bulk your stools up and make you regular.

I have been taking psyllium for 23 years --twice daily. And it works for me.