Constipation Questions
#242309 - 01/28/06 09:39 AM
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TedM
Reged: 01/28/06
Posts: 3
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Hello all,
I'm new to the board but not new to the oh-so-wonderful world of IBS. 
I have a few questions about IBS and specifically about constipation and I hope somebody here could answer them and quite possibly allay any fears I might have. *crosses fingers*
About two weeks ago (appropriately Fridy the 13th!) I ate a Burger King hamburger (I know, bad idea!) and later that night had a terrible bout of "D".
Since then I've had terrible "C" and I'm starting to fear that something may be wrong other than just IBS.
In the two weeks, yes, I've seen a doctor and he actually gave me an X-ray (just a regular KUB, not a Barium) and he showed me no blockage (which I'm thankful for!).
Here are my questions:
1. Can "C" last this long (over 2 weeks)? Yes, I've gone in that time but only thanks to home enemas (Fleet) and some Milk of Magnesia.
2. Even after three tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia, I didn't have the sudden "relief" I guess I was hoping for the next morning. Do some people just not get good results with M of M?
3. My doctor has prescribed Miralax to take daily. Two questions: a. Anybody here hear of it/use it? b. Can it be taken as a regiment or should I stop it after just two weeks?
4. I think I read that sometimes Instant Oatmeal may not be good for IBS victims. It's funny but I've only recently taken a liking to oatmeal and wondering if that could be the culprit? (FYI, I only eat it about once a week if that)
I'm sorry for all the questions but I'm starting to wonder if my stress over the "C" is actually prolonging the "C"?
Thank you for any help you may be able to offer me.
Ted
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Sorry you are experiencing C right now. It takes quite a bit of time to resolve sometimes. You went to the doctor a lot more quickly than I did! Since there is no blockage, and you are a properly diagnosed IBS'er, then yes, it it possible that the stress of not going is aggravating the situation and prolonging it.
Plenty of SF (I use Acacia), plenty of water and plenty of physical activity peppered with a healthy dose of patience should turn things around. I have never taken Mirlax, but there are other C's on the board who have used it with great success.
Peppermint tea helps with cramping and a good probiotic seems to help a lot too. Just make sure you are getting the fluids in, and try not to get too stressed. It is uncomfortable I know, but with time, it will resolve. Keep us posted. I'm sure others will be along soon.
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God is Faithful!
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Hi Bama,
First off... LOVE your signature.
Secondly...what is SF please?
Thanks for the good wishes... much appreciated. And thanks for all the great info!
Ted
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Acacia, Benefiber, whatever your body will tolerate successfully. Do some research here about how to go about starting. It made a HUGE difference for me!
And thanks! He IS faithful!!
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God is Faithful!
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Ted, As far as the Miralax goes you can take for a lifetime,
and it's not going to do any harm. After my stroke, My new GI doc up
here told me to stop the SFS and just do one to two doses of
Miralax daily, and it's been working. You typically don't
have one or two large BM's though. It's more like four or
five smaller ones scattered throughout the day. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Oh, and I gotta promote IF (insoluble fiber) here too. You can make it safe (cook, chop, puree, etc.), but if you're C you've got to have it. I try to get fruit or vegetables at every single meal.
I suggest looking at Heather's newsletter about IBS-C - just go to "IBS News & Reviews" in the top menu, find her list of newsletters, and find the one or two about constipation.
I've been C all my life, so 2 weeks is nothing.  I remember with both horror and amusement the 3 months I spent in Hungary in 1990. I was too chicken to eat any of the fruits and veggies there (plus Hungarian cuisine was not real strong on those), so I basically would be completely C for 2 weeks, and then have D for a couple of hours, and then back to C for 2 weeks. This went on for the entire time I was there, so by the end I was starting to fantasize about salad bars back in the States.
The moral of the story: eat your fruits and veggies! If you have them with soluble fiber, you won't get crampy.
--AC
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Hi Bob, and thanks for the advice.
Hm....several smaller ones? Not sure if that'll be helpful...since I'm a teacher and my BMs have to be almost scheduled! *laugh*
But I do appreciate the input from ALL of you for helping this newcomer.
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Ted, Oh, so am I. You'll have to do what I do, RUN to the bath
room right after class. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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