Constipated and Miserable... - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Ski_G · 10-22-2003, 11:34 AM

HELP!!! I'm at my wit's end! I'm a healthy 23-yr old female but have been severly constipated for almost 2yrs now. I eat fiber, vegetables, no dairy and sparingly on meats. Don't smoke, drink in moderation, exercise for 2hrs a day and drink 4 liters of water a day. I've been in and out of general practitioner and GI doc offices and have had endless blood work and exams - all of which come out perfectly normal. But I know that I'm not!! Sometimes I go for two weeks straight with no bowel movement and have extreme bloating and pressure (enough to break the buttons on my pants daily after I eat lunch - embarassing at work!!) I've tried every OTC laxative there is, along with Kristalose, a prescription natural fiber laxative. I've even consulted with my OB/GYN to have Ovarian Cancer screening - tests said that I'm perfectly healthy. I'm running out of ideas and am miserable...my stomach and abdomen are ruining my life!! Any thoughts on what to do besides drag myself and my big bloated, stopped up belly to the emergency room??? If I hear one more doctor say that I'm perfectly fine, I'm going to scream!!

actudan · 10-22-2003, 12:43 PM

Years ago I had problems with constipation. I could go a week w/o going. It would hurt so bad that I couldn't eat even when I was hungry because the extra for would would just add more pressure. All I did was start exercising more and added a considerable bit more fiber to my diet. This helped me a lot. After that, I would take milk magnesia when I got constipated again. However, one bottle of milk magnesia would last me a long time because the constipation wouldn't happen that often.

I really don't have much advice for you. Seems like you may have IBS-C since you have had tests and seen many doctors with everything coming back normal. There are meds that can be prescribed but it seems like your gi doctor would have already done this. Sorry I couldn't be of more help and good luck!