Question:
Help with SEVERE constipation???
I have suffered with constipation my whole life. Since WLS 18 months ago it has become much worse. This past weekend I took 5 Ex-Lax and 3 suppositories and nothing happened. Yesterday, I took 4 laxatives and 1 suppository and nothing. I have taken something my entire adulthood to move my bowels-but this is awful. I have tried in the past: Perdiem, Metamucel, Citrucel, Senakot, Colace, Lactulose, Miralax (though not consistantly. I had a colonoscopy and it revealed a sluggish bowel-what a surprise! I eat fruit/veggies, drink my water. Please give me some suggestions as I am so uncomfortable and don't know what else to try. I was also wondering about Juicing-if that would help? PLEASE HELP if you can. Eternally grateful, Donna — Donna B. (posted on May 20, 2003)
May 19, 2003
Do call your doc, just in case you have a problem. But how long since
surgery? You do know regular use of laxitives can make you dependent on
them. I added fat back into my diet and that helped me get regular. Once
ate greasy onion rings and wow did I go.
— bob-haller
May 19, 2003
You sound just like me. I have had the same problem all my life. The first
few weeks after surgery were not to bad because I had a couple of watery
movements but that didn't last long. Finally after 12 days with no action I
was able to go with 4 extra strength ex-lax. I couldn't even get a
suppository in because I was so packed. I hurt so much that after that that
I vowed never to let it get that bad again. I went to a health food store
and asked for a natural aid. The lady reccommended a tea called
"smooth move" I had my doubts but tried it any way and it really
worked. Now if I don't go once a week I drink a cup of tea before bed and
go the next morning. This really works for me so please try it. It is very
cheap and doesn't taste bad with a little sweet n low in it.
— Tawnda C.
May 20, 2003
Donna, sorry you are suffering with constipation. I never had much of a
problem with it until my surgery and now it is a constant problem. The only
thing that works consistently, is changing laxative products. After I take
one a while it will no longer work. I have tried everything and even had to
go to the ER once for a severe impaction. The smooth moves tea works but I
save it for emergencies because I found even that won't work if you use it
too often. Now I am using Peri-Colace but when it quits I'll switch back to
Sennecot or Dulcolax. If you are really in a bad way try a Fleet enema,
even if you can't use the whole thing. If that doesn't work you might have
to go to the ER. They gave me a molasses and milk enema, and honey they
guarantee results. I'll be praying for you.
— Sheryl S.
May 20, 2003
Prune juice works wonders for me! I have not had my surgery yet, but I was
thinking that surely it will not harm you???? Call your doctor and ASK!!!!
— Eleanore Davis
May 20, 2003
Not sure if this will help you with a severe constipation problem but fiber
is the key to keeping the bowels moving. I eat a few cups of popcorn
several nights a week and that seems to work..low cal, good tasting treat
and lots of great fiber.
— Cindy R.
May 20, 2003
I have had to deal with moderate to severe constipation since surgery two
and a half years ago. I too have used all the products you listed. Just
yesterday my primary care physician advised me to start taking 1 to 3
tablespoons of Mineral Oil each evening before bedtime. I didn't start it
last night but will tonight. I'm going to start tonight with 1 Tablespoon
and see how it goes. You might want to ask your PCP about this method.
Best wishes to you - it's a miserable position to be in.
— ronascott
May 20, 2003
When you take laxatives for a long time,...years, it causes you to have to
take laxatives. Your bowels become lazy and won't do the job without a
laxative. I've been trough the whole scenario myself. I now take
herbs....there are several really good ones out there and they REALLY work
and don't cause the damage of drugs. I take Natures Sunshine products
however, I have used other brands before. There is one called LBS that
works great and I also use Cascara Sagrada. If you take 1 a day after you
get over this problem you're having now it will keep you regular all the
time with no problem. If I get lazy about taking them then I have to take 2
in the morning and 2 at night and then you can really have an explosion so
be careful. I can't say enough about using something natural. It takes away
the lazy bowel over a period of time that all that artificial crap over the
counter causes. I used correctol for a long time. Never again. Hope you try
this and hope it helps. If you're prone to constipation like I am you will
probably have to use this often but it's still so much better for you. Oh
yeah another thing. If I eat 3 or 4 pieces of sugar free candy that really
helps also however you do get some gas with that.....let me know if you
have any ?
— Sharon B.
May 20, 2003
I am having the same problem. It's not pretty. My doctor said maybe I
should do some bowel retraining exercises. I looked it up on google.com and
I've been trying to get off of the laxatives. I'm doing ok so far. You
might want to look that up and talk to your doc about it. :(
— Diana L.
May 20, 2003
WATER! My friend had abdominal surgery and she has to drink 32 ounces of
water each morning or she will plug up. If you have chronic problems like
this, I would recommend have a re-visit with the doctor who did your
colonoscopy. A GI specialist is the perfect person to give you a plan of
action. From typing medical reports for a living, I can tell you that when
people show up in the ER because they are constipated - they always give
them enemas. I think if you are having to take a bunch of laxatives and
still not getting anywhere - its time for some warm-water enemas.
— bethybb
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