Help, need suggestions for serious problem.

Hi all posties, I have mentioned before that I have suffer from severe constipation but I seriously need some suggestions. My stomach hurts and I get full very easily and I feel miserable. I am currently taking 2 stool softeners daily but they do no good. I have had to resort to taking 3 laxatives (name brand, extra strength) one day which creates no BM, then taking 2 to 3 more the next day and giving myself an enema just to have a BM. This is an every week thing. I have tried everything I can think of and I know this can't be healthy for my colon or system and have even had to "help myself" used the bathroom (sorry if this is gross). I fully intend on talking with my surgeon about it, but I know that this can't be helping with weight loss. I am also suffering from bad hemorrhoids and bleed quite a bit when i finally have a BM. Can any of you offer suggestions to something I can try that maybe I haven't. Chinese food used to do the trick, one or two bites and I would go immediately but it doesn't phase me now. Thanks, Staci

Hi Stacy! Iam sorry that you are dealing with this I have had bouts of constipation on and off since month 3. At one time I was only having a bm every 5-7 days, which my DR said is NOT good. i was told every 3 days max! I use Milk of Magnesea (sp) It is gross, but I am getting use to it. I take it about twice a month when things are staring to slow down. I have also increased my water to 70oz a day which helps some. Some post-ops say that SF products with the sweetener Malitol help. The package even says not to over-do it because of the laxitive effect. You might want to give that a try. I hope you find some relief. Hang in there~Kimberly

I suffer like you. I can not go on my own any more. So every morning or every other morning, I take Milk of Magnesia, cherry flavor and a large glass of water, at least 8 oz. It's the only thing that helps. I've tried high fiber foods, stool softeners, Miralax, a prescription form of Benefiber, Citrocel, eating prunes, drinking prune juice by the quart, anything that could loosen the bowel pre op, flax seed oil, flax seeds, peanut butter, you name it. I've tried it. NOthing worked. So MOM is the drink of the day. Not pleasant, but neither is being bound up so tight you can't breathe. I think that's why I don't loose any more weight. Nona

I was appreciative of this post. I do not have this problem in the severity that you do, but I do experience infrequent BMs and sometimes a rough time when trying to go to the bathroom. I was wondering about ideas to help with this issue and it looks like several things were suggested. I hope that something suggested will help you! If not, I would aggravate the Doctor until he/she can find something. Christy

I go regularly by drinking coffee every morning....regualr coffee.....try it...I drink two cups every morning with a little splenda and it works....Now that it is summer we do a lot of little trips, and if I do not get my coffee I don't go period! Try adding more fiber to your diet....salad...nuts....kashi dried cereal.....sunflower seeds....Keep up with your stool softners....but hopefully some coffee and extra fiber will help you out!! Best of luck Jesi

I need help on the complete other end of this one... My problem is everything makes me Go... This morning I had to eggs with cheese and 20 min later I was driving to work and had to stop at the Wawa to go to the bathroom, I get severe pain and then I know I gotta go and it pretty much all soft... Most everything makes me go like this but this morning the pains were bad... Does anyone experience this... Sorry stacy But while we are on the subject I thought I would ask.... I wish I knew something to make you go but. Everything does it to me.... Oh The coffe thing esp....

i flip flop between constipation and diarrhea IBS. This week is constiption. HOWEVER as weird as this is...I have no PAIN with the constipation. I just know that I haven't gone in a while. Eventually I will start getting gassy but it comes right out ...I don't feel bloated or crampy or bad at all. I just mentally keep track in my mind that it has been several days since before surgery I had regular IBS attacks of diarrhea. My surgeon told me to add more fiber. When that doesn't work-- I do the MOM thing (ewwww gross) but it takes longer to take effect than the directions indicate. Gentle overnight relief HA HAH AA how about the NEXT day at work in the afternoon....if that isn't embarrassing! Anyhoo doctor suggested high fiber cereal, fruit, popcorn, ... Pizza, cheese certain foods USED to always kick right in within 30 mins....NOW nothing. I have become lactose intolerant I think and drinking milk/eating ice cream worked for me the last few times. Hmmmm if the rest of this stuff doesn't pass today I think I will have a glass of milk when I get home tonight. I prefer the diarrhea version (at least when it is over ---its over....waiting for the constipation to pass is miserable....wait and wait and wait!)

Wish I could help. I've had absolutely NO problems since I started eating a LOT of salads (daily) and added a LOT more veggies to my diet. Used to use BeneFiber. Don't need to anymore! But, I would waste NO time calling the Dr.. That's what he's there for, and you are in too much difficulty to be patient any longer! Good luck! Donna

I have had trouble with constipation my whole life, even before surgery. I too, was using the MoM every other day but I started on the Flax seeds they suggested on the boards.(ground up, 2 tbsps a day) It didn't work the day I started it, but I would say within a week I have been going normally. I DO get in at least 2.2 liters of water a day. Also...My skin, hair and nails are so nice now. Everything the woman said the flax would help came true for me and it has been only about 3 weeks.

Staci, I have the same problem. I have had it all my life. I have IBS-constipation. It is horrible! I started on Zelnorm about 2 months ago and it seems to help a little. I also use 4-6 stool softners a day, drink a lot of water/fluids and eat a lot of fiber. I get most of my protein from my shakes so that when I eat I can just concentrate on fiber/roughage. Every 2-3 days I take a couple of vegetable laxative pills. Since being on the medicationa I seem to have a bm once, maybe twice a week. Right now though I am a week over due! Call your PCP and see if he/she thinks Zelnorm might help you. Nancy