Problem with Bowel Movements- Solutions?

MFPfriend

Note: I was not sure where to place the post... so I put it in Chit-Chat because it's not diet-related... not because it's sometihng I prefer chit-chatting about.

Warning: This post can also get a little graphic.

Also, this post is probably for those who are very informed medically. I don't think you necessarily need to be a doctor or anything, but I don't really think the average eprson can answer this. But I encourage you to read it if you like, and I'd love help from anybody!


Anyways, I have never really had problems with my bowel movements until about... 15 weeks ago. One day, out of nowhere, I had the hardest bowel movement ever. I was literally screaming while going to the bathroom.
Ever since then, I have had hard bowel movements that will NOT go away. They are also sometimes very large in diameter... about 8 weeks ago I had one that was literally the size of two soup cans stacked on top of each other. That same width, and the same heighth.
Naturally, after I go to the bathroom, I'm usually bleeding, and in a lot of pain.
Finally, 8 weeks into the ordeal, I visited my doctor. She told me I had several rips in my *kitten*, and it was extremely red and inflammed. (I kinda wanted to say "DUH!"). But anyways, she told me to take Miralax every morning.
I did, and BOY, was that relief. I have been taking it for 5 weeks now. I have only missed two doses... and I regretted it each time.

But now the big issue is this: I can't take Miralax forever. I want to know what's wrong. I'm going to be in Germany for the whole year next year. I cannot take Miralax every morning while I'm there. I don't know where I would even get it in Germany, or what it's called, etc.
I've been told I'm not drinking enough water or getting enough fiber (which isn't true- I drink 100 ounces a day, and get 25-35 grams of fiber everyday). Someone told me I may not have enough E. Coli in my colon to keep my bowel movements soft.

I have no clue what it could possibly be. My doctor told me it might be stress, but I don't think that's the case either, because I'm not stressed at all.

But my real, main question is:
Do you know what could be wrong- why they are so hard, and so big around? Or maybe some solutions to fix it? Or, if you don't know either of those, do you know if Miralax comes in prescription form, so I can easily get in Germany next year?

Another note:
The bowel movements are hard... meaning they are not soft. Not hard to push out. I have no problem pushing them out... it just REALLY hurts to do it.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help. This is getting to be pretty serious.

leelu

I think you should seek another opinion from a doctor!

sheri3762

I have suffered with these types of problems for years! I'm not a doc or anyone who can help you in that way, but I can tell you what has helped me. Number 1, IF this continues after you have tried a multitude of remedies, go back to your doc. There are tests they can do to rule out and determine what they think is causeing it. Just a warning, these tests are not fun so be prepared.

did your doc talk about irritable bowel syndrome? I was diagnosed with it years ago. Stress can also cause it and so can lack of fluid. Since I've started losing weight, my problems have gotten much better but I still have my days too. In the last couple of weeks I have been eating Activia yogert about 3-4 times a week and this is REALLY helping alot! I saw the commercials and thought I'd give it a try especially because it really does taste good and is low in everything so it worked well within my calories.

Also, on days when my fiber isn't up to where it should be, I will take a suppliment the next day. I don't want to get use to these suppliments so I'm trying hard to get my fiber in, but I'm just wondering if some of us are just going to suffer these problems even with the recommended amount of fiber. thats a question I hope someone could help us both with!

Good luck!

kiffypooh

My daughter has had this problem her whole little 2 1/2 year life. When she became potty trained at 2 she would actually clog the toilet with her little (larger then most two year olds) poops because they are so hard they don't break down. We have never found a permanent solution, but I also think she would hold it in for fear of the pain.
We put her on Mirilax and what our pediatrician told us is to start with a half a cap full and give it to her until she is emptied out then go down a little on the dose. Keep her at that amount for about a month and then spend the next month slowly decreasing the amount you give her. I guess when you go right off of it it will cause a major back up.
We also give her tons of yogurt (for the live bacteria in it) and stay away from bananas, apples, lots of cheeses, limit milk, etc. She loves prunes (thank goodness).
We've also recently started giving her Baby's Jarro-Dophlus. We got it from Whole Foods in the refrigerated medical section. I'm sure if you asked them at Whole Foods they could tell you what the adult stuff is.
If the Mirilax works and you want to continue taking it while you are in Germany, my sister-in-laws cousin lives in Germany and I could see if she can figure out what you would buy there that would be the same as Mirilax, or you could just order it offline while you are there.
Best of luck :flowerforyou: and I hope some of this helps.

waguchan

Make sure you are getting all your water and plenty of fiber. And try to avoid cheese for a while if you have been eating cheese. My nurse told me to take magnesium for this. I tried it and it seemed to help, but the pills were hard for me to swallow. I never could swallow pills. I heard that magnesium comes in liquid form too at supplement stores. But since I limited my cheese intake and added some Fiber One cereal to my Greek yogurt or added a small apple to my snacks, the problem fixed itself.

courtney_love2001

Go to a gastroenterologist. This is NOT normal, and this doc is specialized for things like this. There has to be a better solution than "take Miralax indefinitely." It is especially worrisome that you are taking the Miralax and continue to have compacted stools. Something's not right, so get yourself in to see your GI doc asap!

Eava57

:blushing: I had been having some problems and recently started taking fish oil tablets daily. I add flaxseed to my cereal and also eat yogurt every other day. I have to say I am finally regular again. Green tea and blueberries are also great anti-oxidants. I don't know how old you are but if you are over 50, please get the big C (colonoscopy). It's not fun but may help diagnose the problems. Good luck!!

lisawest

I'm going to expand a little on one thing kiffypooh mention- JarroDopholus. What that is is acidopholus, a good bacteria found in our bowels. My son was on it for over a year to help his colic. There are several studies about the uses for it. It really helped him out. I know that a couple friends of mine take the pill form (also found at Whole Foods) to help with their irritable bowel. I have taken it a few times after being on antibiotics, since they kill off ALL bacteria not just bad bacteria, to help be "regular" again. FYI, you can take it while on the antibiotics, but it's not as affective, and you have to time your dose according to when you took your medicine.

Sorry that last part was off topic, but I really do think this would be an easy one to try. I know that studies are being done on this in Europe, so I would think that it would be available in Germany. I hope you find a simple solution quickly. If not, get to the GI doc!

MFPfriend

Oh, I just wanted to clarify one thing (actually, two):

The hard bowel movements stopped when I began Miralax. But on the days I forget to take it, they become hard as rocks again.

And, I'm only 19 years old. Haha, don't think I should be having bowel movement problems just yet.

Anyways, I want to thank everybody for their advice. I will probably set up an appointment with someone who specializes in GIs and such.
Thank you, everybody!