Puzzle?
#33860 - 12/27/03 01:22 PM
|
|
|
|
|
evie
Reged: 11/22/03
Posts: 99
|
|
|
 Here's a roll of rant for you. I've been constipated since December 17th, and before that I had 3 regular days and I had been constipated since before thanksgiving. My appointment with the specialist isn't until Jan 5th and I'm ready for desparate measures. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. What's more, please tell me what to do. I really don't know what is wrong with my body. I have been a non-soda drinker since high-school and I am now in my junior year of college. I have always eaten minimal meat and white meat at that. I'm healthy and active. I've been off dairy, drinking lots of tea, taking benefiber, and basically doing what I think is right for my condition for over a month. More recently, I've been taking probiotics, plenty of water, prune juice and metamucil every morning, leafy vegetables...you name it - I do it. I've also been vegan for over a month, and since soy products give me gas I decided my being vegan is on hold until I can be stable. I'm having egg whites now, and I had a turkey sandwhich last night and today for lunch (I hate meat, but I think I need protein from somewhere while I'm easing into soy). I have several small (but not too small), simple meals throughout the day that include both soluble and insoluble fiber, but frankly I would just like to stop eating because I feel that none of it is ever going to make its way out of my body anyway. Well, I know better, but PLEASE help me. I don't think I can take much more of this. I just want to do something NOW. Would someone please give me some advice so I can have some relief? I can be more specific if that helps, and I can answer questions if you have them. I've read Heather's books as well as others, done my own research up the wazoo, and I'm fed up. I'm beyond the point where patience is a virtue. I need to poop and that's the bottom line. It's the biggest mystery of my life. I've always had the IBS symptoms, but now it's as though my body just stopped functioning. It's stopped responding to everything it should respond to. I guess it seems I'm begging for sympathy, but I'd much rather poop than have sympathy! So help! And thanks for lending me your attention!
*evie
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Evie, I only wish I had a quick and easy answer for you...
I've been there myself (many many times). I was the girl who grew up thinking 2 bowel movements a month was normal!
I can only really give you a couple of suggestions, plus lots more questions...
As you're already taking lots of fibre, you could try either Vitamin C - in a high dose, which can be effective for constipation. If you're taking an oral contraceptive, the max daily dose should be 1000mg. Try 1 - 3 grams of vitamin C in divided doses through the day.
Or, magnesium (calcium is generally constipating) which can improve constipation - take about 200mg once or twice a day.
Are you getting enough Vit C or magnesium generally in your diet? Are you taking any other medications or supplements which can contribute to C?
Are you sure you have IBS? What has your doctor said and have you had any tests at all?
Are you following ALL the IBS diet guidelines - are you cheating AT ALL, however small? Do you drink coffee, smoke, are you getting too much insoluble fibre or not enough, what is your fat intake like (in my experience too much is very very bad, but so is too little).
are you stressed? Are you exercising? Are you sleeping OK or getting enough sleep? Was anything at all different in your life just before or during those 3 days when you were ok.
WATER: You say you're drinking plenty...how much is that. If you're constipated, drink more. Try hot water rather than cool/cold, use a heat cushion on your stomach every time you eat. Take hot baths. Do some gentle exercises shortly after each meal (if possible) - a walk or try some of the yoga positions for this - VERY effective.
Finally, could you have any food allergies/intolerances - are you relying too heavily on any one or two types of food - try writing down everything you eat and see if anything strikes you.
I hope something here helps you (and fast). Remember, you're not alone in this. Let us know how you go on. I'm sure Heather might be able to offer some insight. If I had the perfect answer for this I'm sure I'd be rich by now!
Thinking of you
Shellsbells
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thankyou shellsbells. This is what's so puzzling. When I say I'm healthy, I mean I don't drink, smoke, or have coffee. I never have in excess and for months now, not at all - NO CHEATING! I do yoga, meditation. I precede and follow every meal with hot tea and heat compress. I even massage my abdomen. I set aside time everyday to relax. I do, however think stress is at the root of this because there is no other explanation. I thought those three days came from upping my water intake to 8 glasses, but now I'm at 8-12 and I'm as constipated as ever, so who knows. I was eating about the same things before, during, and after those three days. Stress was coming from school, and then flying home for the holidays and now stress is coming from me being housebound with my family - the same five people day in and day out, when I'd just like to live in a cave. I've had bouts of insomnia before, but for months now I've had 8 hours every night (my body needs it). I put rest above school assignments and all other commitments. And when I say I'm active, I mean it. I walk and run. Since I've been home, I've been walking dogs three times a day (each of three dogs weighing 50lbs and full of energy - it's quite a workout), in addition to running on my own, yoga, etc. I definitely relate to your childhood, I was the same way. Always had tummy aches, but didn't know why - family thinking I was just a whiner, doctors not finding anything wrong. So, I thought I didn't have a problem and ignored the pain. In college it's been very hard to live with, so I saw a doctor last summer who felt my abdomen a bit and said I was "beginning" to show signs of IBS and suggested I take more fiber. I wanted to laugh in his face (of course, "more fiber" is the story of my life. I get plenty, thankyou). Campus doctor (a different doctor) did blood tests and ruled out plenty of diseases and said it was most likely IBS. I'm seeing a gastroenterologist on the 5th. I'm hoping to find some better answers. I sometimes suspect something with my blood-sugar levels - it was abnormally low, and my doctor said it's common for early morning tests, but there must be something to my sugar levels, because I'd had a good breakfast that morning.
I eat like a maniac sometimes, and then I feel shaky. I also feel dizzy an aweful lot. Thanks for your suggestions about vitamins. I do take a multivitamin and drink fruit juices and eat oranges, but there may be something to that. I might not be getting enough vit c, and/or magnesium. Fat is not an issue - I get min fat intake and my family thinks I'm too skinny, but I didn't cheat, not even on Christmas, on yummy tamales. And I'm not skipping meals, either. I'm head strong and incredibly patient. I just can't take it anymore, should I take a laxative? I feel like I'd be getting miracle results, if my bowels just weren't so intent on not moving. If I could just clean myself out, I could start new and all my diet and exercise would actually seem beneficial. Geez, I'm such a complainer. sorry! I'll keep you posted.
*evie
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Is it IBS?
#33880 - 12/27/03 03:10 PM
|
|
|
|
Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
|
|
|
Hi Evie,
It's terrible that you have to wait until the 5th; isn't there any way they can move you up? This is kinda an emergency, ain't it?
I wish I had some advice for you -- but Shellsbells really said it all. I have just the opposite problem -- I have "D" and can't leave the house unless I know all the bathrooms along my route! So I'm not the one who can help you -- except to say that you need to have a colonoscopy. That's gonna confirm the IBS or rule it out. See if you can't move that appointment up.
Keep us posted.
Bev.
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks. I'm fairly certain it's IBS, but am not positive it is the only thing (thinking hypoglycemia?). But as far as just the gastrointestinal diseases go, what else could I have that couldn't be ruled out by a blood test? I've had the constipation-related symptoms since before I even learned the word constipation. I'm thinking anything other than IBS would've become deadly or at least very apparent to my doctors by now, or am I wrong? Call me ignorant, but I don't mind learning something new. Should I be suspecting anything else? Well, the gastro-specialist is pretty in-demand in my town, but I'll ask if I can be moved up, so a no-go on the laxative? I heard of a tea that has an herb that has a laxative effect. I can't remember the name, but has anyone else heard of it? Should I give it a try?
*evie
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Evie, I noticed you said about your blood-sugar levels being low. I'm concerned about mine at times. My dad had diabetes, which I'm sure was only diagnosed about 15 years or more after its onset - he also suffered from bowel problems. And I'm sure there is a strong link with constipation and diabetes, so keep this in mind when you go to see your specialist. It's worth watching out for - if you're still not happy, ask your doctor for another test to confirm/rule out diabetes.
The only other think I can suggest is aloe vera - I tried it and found it made my stools too loose, so I couldn't take it on a regular basis, but it might be more gentle than laxatives.
Keep us informed.
Shellsbells
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks. I'll keep this in mind. After Bev's reply, I realized I should try and move that appointment up. I'll call on Monday and see if the Dr can see me. But in the mean time, I'm wondering what the best laxative to take is, 'cause I'm way beyond the point where relaxation and exercise help. I just need out. I've done searches on the boards as well as else where, and I'm more confused than ever. Does anyone have any advice as to the safest, best way to some relief?
Thanks,
evie
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
