Maybe TMI but - Potty questions??

Hello All,

Looking for a little feedback from other longtimers...I'm still struggling with the fact that I do not have a BM regularly - usually every 3-4 days sometimes 5, then its a monster ...I've been on Amitiza for over a year now, it definately helps with keeping them soft but not really with promoting the need to go...I eat enough ( 1100-1500 daily on average) and drink tons ( 100+ oz a day, frequently 120+ )...After 2 days my belly is gurgling and bubbling, you can hear all kinds of funky noises coming from the pipes + plenty of gas...

Its not like I'm super concerned, it doesn't regularly hurt, only occasionally do I get sharp pains or cramping and it is quick to pass, so I don't think its a kink or blockage...Just really think I should be going more often then this...

I'm just wondering if alot of others experience these issues into the long term...I'm 4 yrs out as of this month...

Feedback welcome... Alesia

This may be TMI also but I had major pelvic prolapse problems (I am 5'3" and had 4 huge babies delivered with pitocin inductions).  I ended up with a hysterectomy repair and TVT, a urethrolysis and bladder sling, and then a huge reconstruction of rectocele, enterocele and cystocele and a vaginal reconstruction.  My urogynecologist that did my last surgery told me I can not get constipated.  I am  a diabetic with neuropathy and often things move slowly.  When I need to I take Senna from 0 to 4 a day.  It works very slowly overnight or longer.  It is a laxative not a stool softener so you need to take a stool softener if you need one.  Daisy

Thanks Daisy,

I sometimes need to supplement with a dulcolax, I've tried Senacal too ( only a couple times a year if I go for over a week without a BM)...Don't want to "get addicted" to a laxative so I cannot go with out one, so I am careful about when I choose to use...

Alesia

Post op we take a lot of calcium. and calcium to be absorbed has to be taken with magnesium in cal:mag 2:1 ratio.  If i do not supplement with magnesium - i get constipated no matter how much I hate  it.
In the past o sued to take 400 mg Mg at night - now i have to take additional 800 mg to be regular.
So - I make sure i take my magnesium with calcium (1600 cal 800 Mg) - and then take 400 mg at night to relax the muscles and have BM first thing in the morning.  Such a relief... 

most people are Magnesium deficient - they just do not know it - 

I take mag in capsule form (easy to take and assimilate). magnesium is cheap. best as mag citrate, (may take less) but a combination of mag is OK too.  FYI: if lose stools develop - just decrease the  dosage.
FYI: if drinking mag citrate (bad taste) does not produce a BM - that meant that your body was mag deficient and took the mag and ignored the bowels....

Thanks,

I'll look into the mag as a source to help keep things moving...Currently I do not supplement calcium other than what is in my reg vitamins,   just had all my labs for 4 yr surgiversary and they tested calciium and magnesium in with all the other stuff, no difficincies...

Alesia

Hi Alesia, You are not alone with that problem, I usually don't have a problem going each day as long as I stick with taking 2 colace a day and 2 fiber choice chewable tablets, along with having a salad each evening with lots of lettuce. Occasionally I use miralax which is a mild, non cramping laxative.

Just wanted to ask you if you have had a bone density test done since surgery? My calcium levels by my lab work have been normal all along, got my second bone density done this year( I am three years post op) and I now have loss bone mass and have osteopenia. I upped my calcium citrate to 1200mg a day and have added 1000 IU vit D3. Just wanted to let you know you might need to take additional calcium and D3, also iron if you are not already taking some.

Sher

PS. I was told I was not defficient either but have followd my own lab work and noticed a continuous decline in my ferritan levels since surgery so that is why I have become proactive and started to increase my iron to 125mg carbynol iron each day. Have not had repeat labs yet but hope things are getting better...My Hemoglobin and hematocrit have been great all along but if the ferritin drops too much more they will take a dive. That along with the bone loss have me changing my vitamin routine...

Hi Sher
My husband said that calcium goes out of the bone and into the blood.  That would explain why we can have great calcium levels and yet have bone loss.  Daisy

Hey Sher

Been a long time since I've chatted with you...Hope you are still tracking well and sailing a pretty straight course...

I've asked my doc for the last 2 years about the bone density test and been told if it is not a "family history" issue, then I am too young to be concerned with this, in other words , with my doctor on the need for this test...As for the vit D, it was the only "low" item on my very comprehensive annual bloodwork and I have added 2 chewables ( I think 1000 IU) to my pill day ( it is also in my multi-vit, 400 IU) so hopefully it will help...Until this year, I have been struggling with my iron levels, last year my ferrin level was borderline and doc considered iron infusions, as a last ditch effort I started taking 2 tender iron chewed with 1 vit C both morning and evening (right before bed)...This year my iron level was 142 ( wow, what a difference ) but I'm sure the extra iron is also a contributing factor to my "back-up" issues....

Thanks for chiming in... Alesia

Alesia, I am sailing along. Have had some regain........ about 8lbs.

About the bone density test, since we have had a procedure that results in malabsorption of calcium and iron that could possibly be a indication to allow you to have a bone  density test done, that is one reason besides someone being post menopausal or having been on some steriods, age is not the only reason.

Keep asking.

Sher

Hi Hala-I was talking to my husband a pharmacy doctor and he said he wasn't sure about the absorption being better with magnesium (he will check on it)  He said when magnesium levels are low calcuim doesn't do what it is supposed to do.  When I took mag citrate the night before surgery I poo'd up a storm.  It was bubbly and I thought we aren't supposed to drink bubbles?  I am confused now????  I'll get back to you about the absorption.  What about the bubbles though?  thanks for the idea.  Daisy