Question:
Please help me choose what to do about my severe constipation

I am 8 months out of open rny. The last 3 months I've had alot of constipation. I'm lucky if I have 1 bm every two weeks. I'v tried everything including more water and fruit to my diet. I've also tried enemas,supositories, Milk of Magnesia. I was in severe pain last night, I tried an enema and it didn't work. I was still in pain this morning. I went to my family doctor and she gave me Miralax and stool softner. She also gave me Roxicet for the pain. My pain is a sharp and it also stings, it's on my lower right hand of my stomach, about 3 inches away from my belly button. Do you think I should be worried that there is something going wrong. I'm also debating if I should call my surgeon that did the rny. I'll feel stupid if I go to him and nothing is wrong. but then again I can't stand the pain and having 1 bm every two weeks is normal either. Please tell me what you thing would be the best thing for me to do. thanks a bunch.    — Melissa S. (posted on August 21, 2002)


August 21, 2002
If this is a new problem since surgery I suspect you need to up your water a lot more, try to double what you take now each day. 2nd, if this is an ongoing problem for you before surgery I would see a gastro doc and perhaps a colonoscopy would be in order. (If your around 50 or above is is mandatory anyway) Try getting the smooth move tea, you can buy it at Walmart. Make it strong. Last but not least don't have the mind set that you can't call your and doctor unless you know what's wrong with you. That is HIS job. Don't feel stupid that's what he gets paid for. If your just not going often, that's because your not eating much. But do the above if it is rock hard. GOOD LUCK!
   — ZZ S.

August 21, 2002
I've had severe pain in my back (right side). I've finally had xrays as my doc (not surgeon) thinks it could be kidney related. To make a long story short... after seeing the xrays, she now thinks I've got alot of "stuff" in there. I said, in other words, you are telling me "I'm full of sh##!" (I sure got her laughing with my bluntness). Anywho, she did'nt know if it's a blockage but to take Milk of Magnesia. Well I even doubled the doseage and still can't take a.... well you know. Finally I decided I'm not going to continue taking that putrid M of M anymore. So now I'm eating some cereal I got at Wegmans that has 8 grams of fiber in a tiny 3/4 cup serving! Now I am pooping up a storm and my back does'nt seem to hurt anymore! Hallelujah! It's called "Grain Shop"... by Barbara's Bakery. I don't particully enjoy the taste, but it's do able. This may help you. It beats medicines.
   — Danmark

August 21, 2002
Hey, I just found a link to the cereal! http://www.villageorganic.com/grainshopcer.html
   — Danmark

August 21, 2002
Hi, if you find yourself really bound up again sometime, try Phospho-soda. It is available at any pharmacy, over the counter. It tastes nasty but sure did the job for me when NOTHING ELSE worked. Good Luck - Anna
   — Anna L.

August 21, 2002
I was having a horrible time with chronic constipation. I tried everything including MOM, Smooth Moves Tea, Fiberchoice, and I made sure that I got plenty of fiber through veggies and fruit. All with no relief. I just recently (about a month ago) found my answer!! It is a high fiber bread that has nuts and seeds in it. It acts as a roughage that moves things through smoothly and cleans you out at the same time. Regular bread is bleached and high in carbs and horrible for you. This is all natural stone-ground whole wheat bread. I found a local bread bakery that sells it. Since discovering the healthy bread, I have been smooth and regular. I have not let a slice of white bread enter my home, not even for the rest of my family. We are all healthier for it too. I hope you find your answer, I know how troublesome constipation can be.
   — Cheri M.

August 21, 2002
I HEARD MILK OF MAGNEISA FOLLOWED BY A SHOT OF WARM PRUNE JUICE WILL MAKE YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! I PERSONALLY TAKE BENEFIBER DAILY, IT HAS NO TASTE! I PUT IT INCHRISTAL LITE OR ICE TEA, IT DOESNT SMELL OR GET THICK! I CANT TELL ITS IN THERE! THIS KEEPS ME CLEANED OUT! GOOD LUCK!
   — CYNDI B.

August 21, 2002
Check out this site: www.drcranton.com/nutrition/bread.htm I just didn't want to depend on 'meds' on a daily basis. I really prefer a natural source. I just wish that I had found it long ago!
   — Cheri M.

August 21, 2002
SENOKOT-S
   — Carolyn G.

August 21, 2002
HI HOPE YOU GUT BETTER BY NOW IF DIDNT IF I WAS YOU I WOULD LET MY SURGEON KNOW OR A LEAST TALK TO YOU DOCTOR AND LET HER KNOW THAT WHAT SHE GAVE YOU IT NOT HELPING EATHER THE LONG YOU WAIT THE MORE SERIOS COULD BE SO THE DOCTOR ARE HERE TO HELP YOU SO DONT WORRY AND BOTHER THEN ASK MUCH YOU CAN YOUR HEALTH IT COULD AT RISK NOT THERE I HOPE THAT WE CAN HEAR THAT YOU GOT BETTER SOON.
   — mabel S.

August 22, 2002
My mother gets constipated really bad and the only thing that works for her is a glass of warm prune juice it worked when nothing else would, Her doctor suggested it and it has never failed her
   — Grace H.

August 22, 2002
I am a little over 8 months post-op and my surgeon just put me on Miralax. I was in the hospital for 5 days with nausea, vomiting and dehydration. They found that I have diverticulosis - a condition in the colon. My doctor said that I should NEVER get constipated. He told me that I should call him if I even thought I was getting constipated. Another part of my regime now is eating dried fruit (prunes and/or apricots/and or raisins) twice a day and eating Grape Nut Cereal soaked in grape juice (it's really not as bad as it sounds). My surgeon does not want me to use a laxative. Hope this helps.
   — Patty_Butler




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