I haven't gone #2 in almost 2 weeks... (TMI warning)

ivyjbres
ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
edited September 29 in Food and Nutrition
So what do I do about it? I have a really high tolerance when it comes to laxatives (both stimulant and otherwise), I can take up to 3 doses without any affects at all. So since laxatives don't work for me, I've tried eating a particular sandwich at work (fast food) that always gets "things" moving uncomfortably fast. Nothing.

I put this in food because I'm to the point where I really can't eat any more. I threw up a little earlier tonight (not violently, or like I was ill, just like a burp with food in it). Every so often I feel kind of hungry, but still feel full at the same time. I've gained 6 pounds in the past two weeks. I've gotten out of the habit of keeping my food diary because of a really crappy work situation along with this week having been finals week, but my diet hasn't significantly changed (at least not up until yesterday when I decided to start eating hell sandwiches).

Do I still worry about calories? Do I go back to logging my food? I know that won't affect the situation directly, but.... Do I keep at the loosing weight food approach, or do I just not worry about it at all until what goes in can come back out again? I still work out 3 times a week (never have logged that, I don't eat back my exercise calories)

I'm not asking for medical opinions, I don't have cash and won't be seeing a doctor, what I'm asking about is behavior.

Do I still track foods? What calorie level do I try for if I do? Do I keep up with the hell chicken and hope it kicks in? Do I start running a ridiculous amount and hop for runner's trots? I know this is just temporary, most things are, but its a temporary I haven't had before, and its the dealing with it that I'm a little stuck on.
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Replies

  • Lollyvoddy
    Lollyvoddy Posts: 194 Member
    Girl, beg, borrow or steal the cash because you need to see a doctor!
  • usually a big old bowls of cheerios does it for me. pizza always puts everything on hold for me. but i would keep working out, it will help move things along. drink lots of water and keep logging everything. of course, logging won't mean you will lose anything, but at least you will see your eating habits.

    i would stick with the calories designed for your body and weight loss. you can find that information online.

    in the meantime, make a doc appointment and get to a doc if you can. emergency room is there.
  • haeden
    haeden Posts: 183 Member
    i work in healthcare(there isnt a thing called "TMI" :)) but coffee always gets me going.no joke i drink coffee and within like 10 mins i HAVE to go :)
  • haeden
    haeden Posts: 183 Member
    thats of course you cant afford going to the doctor.also water helps lots :)but im sure ur good at that!
  • gaeljo
    gaeljo Posts: 223 Member
    Get to the doctor! Start eating fruit and salad and stop eating chicken sandwiches. Get yourself some bananas prunes and kill the junk food.
  • 38Gigi38
    38Gigi38 Posts: 115 Member
    I suggest some prune juice because it is a natural laxative, but 2 weeks is dangerous. I really think you should see a doctor too.
  • wenders123
    wenders123 Posts: 338 Member
    It would be good to know what your diet consists of. I took a look and like you said you haven't been logging for the past week or two. But before that, there did not seem to be many veggies.

    Let us know what your usual diet is because that can have a significant impact on bathroom issues.

    And as Hay1978 says I would say that you seriously need to consider seeing a Doctor ......
  • ivyjbres
    ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
    It would be good to know what your diet consists of. I took a look and like you said you haven't been logging for the past week or two. But before that, there did not seem to be many veggies.

    Let us know what your usual diet is because that can have a significant impact on bathroom issues.

    And as Hay1978 says I would say that you seriously need to consider seeing a Doctor ......

    Breakfast is usually an odd combination of whatever sugar and protein I can grab quick. I'm iron deficient anemic, so if I haven't eaten right before bed, I'm not the brightest bulb in the room. And I work nights, so I usually haven't gotten anywhere near enough sleep before my son wakes up and decided mommy needs to be up too. So it might be a banana if we have more than one (son MUST have a banana in the morning), or fruit if its cheap. Luna bars until I run out, oatmeal if I have a clean bowl. (Organization at home is not my strong point)

    Lunch is usually a sandwich or whatever I can through together from the pantry. Usually chicken dishes with rice or pasta. The only vegetable's I've got in the house right now are a 5 lb bag of mixed vegetables in the freezer. Usually a cup of that with lunch or dinner, if I'm eating dinner at home.

    Most of my dinners are at work though. And on a $0.53 budget, there's only 2 possibilities- Jr. burger, or hell-wich. Usually I go Jr burger on a wheat bun. Busy nights when I know I'm not going to get to sit down and eat I spend a little extra to have a shake that I can drink as I have a few seconds.
  • leslturn8
    leslturn8 Posts: 505 Member
    when your number 2 builds up and comes out your mouth I am sure the bowl blockage will be present......go as normal if you wont do anything about it...
  • ivyjbres
    ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
    when your number 2 builds up and comes out your mouth I am sure the bowl blockage will be present......go as normal if you wont do anything about it...
    Do you know a Dr. who'll take a 4 cent check? No? I didn't think so. Go be a smart *kitten* somewhere else.
  • hstallings13
    hstallings13 Posts: 306
    sadly, she may not be far from the truth if something doesn't give soon. Grapes are another excellent natural laxitive(not that I can spell). But I would work on finding a way to the dr before you end up in much much worse shape.
  • Purple_Lurple
    Purple_Lurple Posts: 42 Member
    Probably TMI back at you, but it sounds like your 'burp with food in it' is a warning sign. If you don't go to the toilet for a long time, the waste has to go somewhere. If it can't go down it *will* come up, and eventually what comes up won't be what you've just eaten, it will be, for want of a better word, poo.
    That is really dangerous for your health. I agree with "beg, borrow or steal and get yourself to a doctor".
    In the interim, maybe something like orange or tomato juice will help?
  • erinkeely4
    erinkeely4 Posts: 408 Member
    A few suggestions:

    Cassia pods! Look them up--they are great.

    Try eating only fruits and veggies for a couple of days. When I ate all raw fruits and veggies for a while I was especially "regular", and my sister cured her chronic constipation by switching to a raw food diet.

    Try prunes and/or prune juice.

    When I drink a few glasses of wine or have a few alcoholic drinks the next day I will definitely go... a lot. Def TMI there.

    If all else fails, check to see if there are any health clinics in your area that offer financial aid!
  • glittermouse
    glittermouse Posts: 582 Member
    Would an at-home colon cleanse work? Maybe you could do a water enema or drink a Epsom salt solution to get things moving.

    Check numbers one and two below:
    http://yourdetoxstore.com/yourdetoxstore/top-9-colon-cleanse-recipes-at-home/

    Since money is tight, maybe try the Epsom salts? It's number 2 on the list and it apparently takes effect in about an hour to an hour and a half. You can get them from a pharmacy or a drugstore like CVS or WalGreens.
    And I'm pretty sure you can get an enema kit from the same places.

    Best of luck
    ~TheGlitterMouse
  • nmescalera
    nmescalera Posts: 233 Member
    You really do need to get to a dr. If you become nausus or start having bad pain in your ab that does not stop you need to get to the ER. Not being able to go the the bathroom is not a good thing. what happens is the bactieria in the stool gets in to your body. My husband was in the hospital not even a month ago because of a blockage. And yes..... it will come out of your mouth and im not trying to be rude or ugly. thats what happens. it has to come out one way or another. thast why the first thing that a dr is going to ask you is if you are nausous or if you have thrown up. you can also feel on your stomach. if there is a really hard spot that is preally tender.... that could be where the blockage is. if you are able to find that spot so may be able to massage it out. it doesnt usually work but if you have no other choices its worth a try.
  • helenoftroy1
    helenoftroy1 Posts: 638 Member
    ok. Try:
    Hot water with lemon and leaning your back against some type of heat.
    Like said before eat grapes, and drink prune juice.
    Are your ankles swollen? This used to happen to a mate of mine and she would literally do all this.
    Drink coffee in the morning just to get it kick started or caffeine of some sort.
    I'm having a bit of trouble at the moment and it's stopping me want to eat, I'm trying all the above and I've gotta say I do feel a little better this morning. I've realised I have eaten too many eggs and it's just bound me all up ~(sorry I know that's disgusting!)
    Failing that you could try a really hot curry??

    As for your diary, yeah log everything still because you might find it is one food doing it and also it keeps everything else regular (!). Do try gentle exercise but I know how uncomfortable you might be.
    And as always drink loads of water
    Good luck
  • DragonSkip
    DragonSkip Posts: 59 Member
    I have used coffee in the past and it only works for me if it's regular, decaff while it tastes the same to me will not make me go. I always put a little milk and sugar in mine if I have to go, but I'm lactose intolerant. They are right about going to the doctor, a bowel perforation is a medical emergency and if you're starting to throw stuff back up you are probably getting close. Any public emergency room (a facility that takes medicare or medicaid) can't turn you away if you are medically unstable even if you don't have any money. I have also heard that the 10 day cleanse includes a sea salt water mix that will make you go fast.

    If you are full, or feel uncomfortable eating don't force yourself to it, it won't have anywhere to go :(
  • ivyjbres
    ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
    As for your diary, yeah log everything still because you might find it is one food doing it and also it keeps everything else regular (!). Do try gentle exercise but I know how uncomfortable you might be.
    And as always drink loads of water
    Good luck

    That's actually what's been weirding me out about this, I'm not really uncomfortable. I'm not having cramps at all, sometimes I start to have a feeling like I have to go, but to a minimum, I'm barely feeling it. I go to the bathroom, and nothing happens.
  • nursekj
    nursekj Posts: 100 Member
    You need to get a bowel prep from a pharmacy and go to a doctor as you can die of a bowel obstruction...worry about the money later, can you go to a hospital?
  • ivyjbres
    ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
    You need to get a bowel prep from a pharmacy and go to a doctor as you can die of a bowel obstruction...worry about the money later, can you go to a hospital?

    I could, but both of the area hospitals, the doctor will see you and just tell you to go see you're doctor in the morning. Unless you're bleeding or something's broken, its just a waste of $400.
  • leslturn8
    leslturn8 Posts: 505 Member
    I had gastro a few weeks ago and after that was paranoid as i hadnt been for a week, i took 3 laxative and then ate 3 tee spoons of gramuals that gave me minor release, and im not trying to be a smart *kitten* my friend fell really sick from vomiting poo. Maybe start at the other end....sensitive liquid soap with a....injecting thingy? That cant not work, you may not feel crampy but if you have been eating and have alot of food in you its worth a motion try? It may not be the best idea but its the cheapest
  • totustuusmaria
    totustuusmaria Posts: 182 Member
    I think you should:

    1) start logging

    1 1/2) Keep up the exercise

    2) go to the grocery. seriously consider taking a small dinner to work. Go to walmart or an aldis if there is one in your area. For 7 dollars a week (1 dollar a day) you can get a pack of 4 4 oz salmon (about $5) and a stalk or so of asparagus or some peppers or something. Eat 2 oz salmon and some asparagus each night. Try your best to incorporate vegetables into your diet. Sit down and look at how much you realistically can spend on you at the grocery and then look up high fiber foods and veggies. You can probably figure it out where you are grocery eating for less than drive thru eating on a weekly budget.

    3) Replace the rice/pasta for vegetables at lunch. Replace everything you can with vegetables, high fiber, and protein. If you have to take out carbs all together for a bit... do it. It seems like your diet is mostly carbs.

    The processed protein and almost absolute lack of veggies may be what is wrong. And maybe you are not eating enough? But if you seriously cannot eat anymore because of financial reasons then at least make what you do eat the best it can be health wise. Try to add as much vegetables as you can.
  • helenoftroy1
    helenoftroy1 Posts: 638 Member
    then I reckon just keep going with the laxatives. How much have you been eating? Have you been eating enough? If you don't feel packed up or twisty knotty belly (as I like to call it) maybe sit it out, but def log your food. Make sure you're eating enough and right.
    Hope this helps
  • Your local ER will not charge you right off the bat. They are obligated by law to treat you as fast as possible, regardless of your ability to pay. So GO RIGHT NOW! As someone with four docs in my family, I'll tell you - my best guess is that they will give you an enema, which you probably need at this point.

    A couple months ago, when I was in the hospital on all kinds of horrible medication, I was extremely constipated and didn't have a bowel movement for about a week and a half. So I got an enema. It sucks at first, but it got better.
  • TimTamGirl
    TimTamGirl Posts: 20
    Epsom Salts work really well, take 1 teaspoon in 1 glass of water (8oz). Don't do it too often, as it can effect your liver function, but to get you moving every now and then won't hurt.

    Also, firm massage in a clockwise motion over your belly button area. This is really helpful for anyone who has gas pain also.

    I'm so sorry to hear that Medical help is so expensive, thank God I live in Australia.

    Best Wishes :flowerforyou:
  • ladyrhees
    ladyrhees Posts: 26
    No medical facility can legally refuse you treatment, it sounds like your area hospitals are staffed with morons. Luv, get thee
    to some kind of clinic/gen phys soon, you could possibly have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

    "A sluggish bowel can retain pounds of old, toxic and poisonous fecal matter. Many times the real cause behind sickness and
    disease is this retention and re-absorption of this toxic waste. In a nut shell you can get very sick, which can lead to other
    problems/diseases.Irritable Bowel Syndrome is, first and foremost, a functional disease. This simply means there is no sign of an actual physical or organic abnormality when the colon is examined. This annoys both doctors and patients alike. Doctors like to have something available to cut out or to throw drugs at, mostly because they can bill you more that way. Patients are annoyed because no one likes to be told that nothing shows up on tests. It somehow makes the symptoms less legitimate if the doctor can't hold up an X-ray and say, "Wow -- no wonder I haven't crapped for six days!"
    Functional syndrome or not, if you have IBS, you are not a happy camper. Though IBS does not cause permanent harm, nor does it lead to intestinal bleeding or cancer, it can really be disruptive to your daily life. Plus, it is hard to explain. You can tell
    your boss that you missed an important meeting because you have a brain tumor, but it can sound bad to say, "Sorry I was late -- I had to crap so bad I thought my tonsils were coming out of my butt."
    Here are some of the symptoms Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
    Diarrhea
    Constipation
    Mucus in your stool (more than usual)
    Abdominal discomfort, either crampy or dull
    IBS can and often does come and go inexplicably. Sometimes you have symptoms every few days; sometimes it goes away for months."

    Is there any way maybe your local health dept can help?

    Other than that, I was always told (by family and doctors alike, my pregnancy was rife with constipation) to look for "P" fruits.
    Pears, Peaches, Pineapple, Prunes (of course), APPles, etc to help "move things along". A higher fiber diet will hopefully help
    get you back on track. BTW, are the bananas you eat ripe or barely ripe? Unripe or green bananas are difficult for the body's
    digestive system to digest. Moreover, the pieces of unripe bananas block the digestive tract, thereby leading to uneasiness along with constipation and the high starch content also contributes to the constipation. Diets high in starch without adequate water intake result in formation of hard stool which are difficult to pass. This is because the starch in the stomach will absorb water from the digestive tract causing the bowels to become dry, hard and difficult to throw out of the body.

    My family is on a tight budget as well, my husband takes Fiber Therapy by Shore Natural, it was $2.39? at our local Wal-mart for 48 tsp doses you mix with 8oz of water. It does help him. The active ingrediant is comparable to Metamucil and picky as he can be, he says it's not grainy (though he stirs it a lot) and the orange flavor is mild but not gross. It's sugar-free and 100% natural Psyllium Fiber. It says on the container to generally produce a BM in 12-72 hrs, as it's a natural bulk producing fiber that encourages normal elimination without chemical stimulation. Unless directed by a dr, don't take it for over a week. Because you have vomited and haven't had a regular bm in two weeks, I'd still see a dr before trying that product out, and mention it to the physician as a possible aid.
    Best of luck to you and I dearly hope you can resolve this before it makes you extremely sick.
  • Hixena
    Hixena Posts: 24
    Beetroot juice is great for moving things along
  • monkeysmum
    monkeysmum Posts: 522 Member
    have you tried soap rubbed around your *kitten*? my gran used to use this alot on all her kids and grandkids when we couldnt go just normal hand soap worked into a lather and rubbed around and gently inside and worked a treat she also had my cousin sitting over steaming water no clue why it worked but it did

    up all fruits and veggies and fruit juices orange, prune etc id say go to a doctor but in uk they are free as is the hospital when you have no money it may not be an option but if you can get money id go it may be embarassing or nothing but then again it could be serious

    good luck
  • Just_Bethy
    Just_Bethy Posts: 272
    i work in healthcare(there isnt a thing called "TMI" :)) but coffee always gets me going.no joke i drink coffee and within like 10 mins i HAVE to go :)
    I have never been a "regular" person...but if I drink coffee every morning..(Rare occurrence for me) Then after 3 days ..like you..10 mins after my coffee I am in the bathroom!
    OP There is no such thing as TMI when we are facing medical probs related to our topic!!!
  • datzun
    datzun Posts: 198
    i work in healthcare(there isnt a thing called "TMI" :)) but coffee always gets me going.no joke i drink coffee and within like 10 mins i HAVE to go :)

    Same thing for me, only it's tea instead of coffee.
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