All backed up . . again!

vikesfanmb
vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay . . so I am all backed up, as in constipated - and badly. I have a history of chronic issues but since I started eating more fruits and veggies and whole grains, the problem has continued to get worse. And I drink lots of water. I've recently upped my intake of water actually, including coconut water which is excellent for hydration.

Sorry if this is TMI, but I have not gone for the better part of a week. Upon my gastroenterologist's suggestion, I take Miralax 4 times per day and I eat lots of prunes. I've even resorted to senna pills a few days this week and still LITTLE OR NOTHING . . what does come out are small rock-like pellets, fingernail sized at best or smaller.

I get lots and lots of fiber. Usually, at least 30 grams per day.

I do have a call in to the doctor's office this morning because I'm kind at the end of my rope with this problem, the nurse almost could not believe I had taken that much Miralax (even though the dr told me to!) and still have had little or no "movement".

Anyways, it's really driving me crazy . . I spend many a day in the restroom, both at work and home. :cry:

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem to this extent? It seems like my body does just the opposite of what it should be doing. UGH
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Replies

  • Drunkadelic
    Drunkadelic Posts: 948 Member
    Try ditching the whole grain (especially wheat).

    I've gotta run our I'd write more. But if you are really interested, look up the newly released book called "Wheat Belly." There are some really good reviews out there.
  • emilydmac
    emilydmac Posts: 382 Member
    Yes- I have exactly the same issue as you! It just gets worse the healthier I eat. It is at the point where it hurts my abdomen to lie down because my colon is so 'full' yucky I know. If you find a solution, let me know!
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Are you eating a lot of iron? Have you tried drinking hot water with lemon?
  • blm211
    blm211 Posts: 6
    have you tried adding probiotics into your diet? they will aid in your whole digestion process. GNC has a lot of good ones; I prefer chewables to the capsules. I actually take them to help my acid reflux disease, but they definitely keep me more regular.
  • kfitz10103
    kfitz10103 Posts: 354
    I have IBS with the opposite problem, but I used to have your problem. Do you exercise? That helped me when I used to have that problem. And drink ALOT of water. Have you tried the fiber bars, cereal of muffins? Sometimes the insoluble fiber can help even if it can cause some stomach discomfort.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    Yes - I have added probiotics. I also take acidophilus every day. Thanks for all the suggestions thus far. And yes - I do warm up my water and add prune juice to it, that and apple cider.
  • tewsy
    tewsy Posts: 34
    CUT GLUTEN OUT OF YOUR DIET!

    This same thing happened to a friend of mine. And she cut gluten out of her diet and she was back to normal.
  • WiiFitFan
    WiiFitFan Posts: 156 Member
    Take probiotics and eat plain yogurt, as well. Hope this helps!
  • LadyG33
    LadyG33 Posts: 46
    Try drinking warm water with lemon and CAYENNE PEPPER. Yes I know it sounds nasty, but it helped me.
  • sblair77
    sblair77 Posts: 355 Member
    have you tried adding probiotics into your diet? they will aid in your whole digestion process. GNC has a lot of good ones; I prefer chewables to the capsules. I actually take them to help my acid reflux disease, but they definitely keep me more regular.

    This!
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    Exercise has helped me stay regular in the past and I exercise vigorously now . . at least 5 times per week, cardio and Pilates. I have a feeling that perhaps I might have "done myself in" with some rice that I ate on Sunday. I literally cannot eat rice or bananas but I had dinner with my in laws and rice was on the "menu" and I ate a very small amount. I know rice is very binding, but for 5 days now?? ARGH

    Also, I cannot ever take Pepto Bismol (I used to take it a lot for upset stomach when I was much younger) and if I even look at a Pepto Bismol, I swear it makes me constipated. LOL

    Anyways, I am trying to not obsess about this . . but it's kind of ruling my life since I'm spending so much time in the bathroom.
  • shawnscott5
    shawnscott5 Posts: 295 Member
    CUT GLUTEN OUT OF YOUR DIET!

    This same thing happened to a friend of mine. And she cut gluten out of her diet and she was back to normal.

    My mom was the same way, it's worth a try.
  • LuckyGirl2422
    LuckyGirl2422 Posts: 29
    yes! try ditching whole grain.

    this happened to me but went on for 6-7 months!! horrible :(. i tried miralax also...helped a little but not enough. i finally ended up at the doctors office keeled over in pain and he diagnosed me with acute colitis. it was just a really bad infection that caused alot of inflammation. i was better and back down to my normal weight within 3 days of taking the antibiotic.
    best advice is to just get to the doctor now before it gets worse.

    hope all goes well :)
  • steffiejoe
    steffiejoe Posts: 313 Member
    I use to drink Plum Smart every morning and it kept me regular. It was the only thing that worked. The taste is not bad way better then prunes.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I have drastically cut back on grains and replace 1-2 meals a day with fresh squeazed juice. That has greatly helped my digestive problems. **I do still work to keep my calories at or above 1230.
  • heyjude1358
    heyjude1358 Posts: 45
    Let us know what the doctor's office says when they get back to you.
    My daughter and I sometimes have a 'backed up' problem now and then, and Miralax has always done the trick for us.
    Enema maybe?
  • jperrysunlover
    jperrysunlover Posts: 96 Member
    I had colon cancer in my 20's and a recent scare of a re-occurance with major surgery and the recover has been brutal.
    The following has helped with "going" and with my recovery.

    You should try to get 45 grams of fiber per day. Drink your weight in oz. of water per day. ie. 126 lbs, 126 oz. water
    First thing in the morning drink citrucel (metamucil, etc) with 16 oz. of water.
    Take Colace (OTC) every day. One or two tablets.
    Stay away from processed foods. Bread, everything.
    Do lots of ab routines. I do 300-500 ab exercises a day.
    Do yoga. It is great for your digestive system. There are poses that help release toxins from your body and improve organ function.
    There are several diet/trim/detox teas on the market. Meridian Herbal Trim Tea or Triple Leaf Dieter's Green/Detox teas are great. But, do not exceed two cups in 24 hours.

    Good luck!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Yes - I have added probiotics. I also take acidophilus every day. Thanks for all the suggestions thus far. And yes - I do warm up my water and add prune juice to it, that and apple cider.

    Wow! I must say I've never heard of problems that severe without a diagnosis to go along with it. But if you are seeing a doctor the best you could do is follow his/her advice. Hopefully it is a GI specialist. If not, it might be time to ask for a referral.
  • Masterchef2000
    Masterchef2000 Posts: 127 Member
    I'm new at excersing this much and I'm having the same problem. You eat junk, it goes right through no problem. You eat healthy and guess what? Problems! LOL. If I haven't gone for 4 days, I take ducolex but I'm sick of taking it after the 3rd time. I bought some Fiber Choice today and see if that helps. I hope so! After so many days it makes my tummy feel bloated and icky and makes excersising harder to do.
  • lrd2010
    lrd2010 Posts: 161 Member
    Peppermint tea always helps me. I suffered with this terribly when I was younger, but increasing my water intake and the peppermint has really helped!
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    I'm new at excersing this much and I'm having the same problem. You eat junk, it goes right through no problem. You eat healthy and guess what? Problems! LOL. If I haven't gone for 4 days, I take ducolex but I'm sick of taking it after the 3rd time. I bought some Fiber Choice today and see if that helps. I hope so! After so many days it makes my tummy feel bloated and icky and makes excersising harder to do.

    Yes . . this is my problem exactly. When I ate junk and fast food all the time, I went at least 2 times per day if not more. Now that I have incorporated healthy eating habits, I struggle darn near constantly. Just the opposite of how it should be, right? And yes - I still do exercise vigorously 5 times per week but it does make it hard when your belly is bloated.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    I had colon cancer in my 20's and a recent scare of a re-occurance with major surgery and the recover has been brutal.
    The following has helped with "going" and with my recovery.

    You should try to get 45 grams of fiber per day. Drink your weight in oz. of water per day. ie. 126 lbs, 126 oz. water
    First thing in the morning drink citrucel (metamucil, etc) with 16 oz. of water.
    Take Colace (OTC) every day. One or two tablets.
    Stay away from processed foods. Bread, everything.
    Do lots of ab routines. I do 300-500 ab exercises a day.
    Do yoga. It is great for your digestive system. There are poses that help release toxins from your body and improve organ function.
    There are several diet/trim/detox teas on the market. Meridian Herbal Trim Tea or Triple Leaf Dieter's Green/Detox teas are great. But, do not exceed two cups in 24 hours.

    Good luck!

    I have tried senna and herbal teas as well. I also take Colace daily, 2 tablets twice per day (per dr's orders). If I drink Citrucel or Metamucil, I have SO MUCH gas it's almost unbearable and it still doesn't cause anything to "move". I haven't tried drinking THAT much water . . for me it would be 192-192 oz. Not sure how I would get that all in.

    Mostly for exercise, I swim and do water aerobics in addition to using the cardio equipment at the gym . . so I do lots of ab work. Can't do yoga though because I have a total hip replacement and some of the poses violate my restrictions.

    I know . . this is a tough situation with no easy or immediate answers. I am just grateful for everyone's responses.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    Well, just a quick update . .

    The doctor is suggesting more Miralax and adding crushed All Bran to my applesauce and prune juice combo.

    So now I will be taking Miralax 6-7 times per day. I am just desperate so I am willing to try darn near anything, w/in reason.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Well, just a quick update . .

    The doctor is suggesting more Miralax and adding crushed All Bran to my applesauce and prune juice combo.

    So now I will be taking Miralax 6-7 times per day. I am just desperate so I am willing to try darn near anything, w/in reason.

    They have done x-ray to rule out an obstruction I hope! Do you know how to massage to get things moving. I have a relative who has a child with chronic GI problems and she was taught a specific massage technic that helps things move through the tract. It (the massage) has a name but I've forgotten it.
  • annehdavis
    annehdavis Posts: 157 Member
    Enema or a suppository. Im sorry but the natural cures do nothing for me.
  • annehdavis
    annehdavis Posts: 157 Member
    Enema or a suppository. Im sorry but the natural cures do nothing for me.
  • shannonkk
    shannonkk Posts: 192 Member
    I tried alot of thing, like miralax, activia, beano, gasx and prune juices that only worsened the problem and what helped me, was Colon Health probiotics from Safeway. It first took away my extremely painful bloating and then I started to get regular I also add a little lemon to my water because I heard it has many benefits. I am so happy it is all in the past now.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    I tried alot of thing, like miralax, activia, beano, gasx and prune juices that only worsened the problem and what helped me, was Colon Health probiotics from Safeway. It first took away my extremely painful bloating and then I started to get regular I also add a little lemon to my water because I heard it has many benefits. I am so happy it is all in the past now.

    I have not tried any of the "colon health" products out there. I see them on the shelf at places like Walmart, Target, etc. but do you know what the active ingredients are? I think they may just be the stuff I'm already taking (like lactobacillus acidophilus). I'd be interested to know though.
  • Juliane1986
    Juliane1986 Posts: 138 Member
    Not sure if this was mentioned as I didn't have time to read through all the other posts but I was having a similar issue, went to the doctor and had all kinds of tests done....NADA. I started working with a personal trainer and he has me taking Krill Oil (capsules) twice a day. Once after breakfast and once after dinner. I can't believe how much it's helped me. Before I was lucky to go twice a week. Now twice a day is the average. Good luck and I hope some of these solutions help.
  • LauraMarie37
    LauraMarie37 Posts: 283 Member
    I agree with people who say it may be time for a GI specialist and not just a regular doctor (if the doctor you're talking about isn't a specialist). I also agree with people that say exercise helps - maybe yoga and just don't do the positions that violate your hip replacement restrictions?

    You can certainly try both ends of what people are suggesting here - do entirely gluten-free for 6 weeks, and see how that helps (including ditching medication with gluten). Then try extremely high fiber and high water - so you are literally needing to use the bathroom every half hour - for six weeks and see where that goes.
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