severe constipation

[bellaluna05]

Do any of you have severe constipation along with your IC? Have you found anything that help you go to the bathroom. Right now I am usin Magnesium oxide but it gives me extremely watery stool (gross) and is not getting much out. Is there anything out there that is IC safe and it works? My constipation is very severe, it has to really work. My doctor wants to manually remove stool during a colonoscopy, I am scared! Please help!
Lara

[ICNDonna]

I think you need to be working with your doctor on this, and it sounds like you are. It's not a good idea to try to self treat severe constipation. Occasional constipation is a different matter and can usually be safely dealt with by making some diet changes to include more fiber, increasing fluid intake, and something simple like milk of magnesia or a Fleets enema --- taking laxatives on a regular basis should only be done on the advice of a physician.

Donna

[crysann]

I have IBS with Constipation. I would go every one to two weeks and it was severe diarrhea. My homeopathic doc. put me on Aloe pills about one month ago. I have gone to the bathroom normally everyday since. It is amazing to me!

[SandyRN]

Not that this is going to take your fears away, but I've had about 6 or 7 colonoscopies and the prep is the only bad part of the whole thing...that and the small IV stick. I mean that too. I was pretty much in lala land during all of them...the prep is a major cleaning out of the intestines..........but, when you say your doc wants to remove the stool through a colonscopy, I'm VERY confused.....can you explain why he wants to do that? I'm not sure HOW he does that to be honest. I've always had to be completely EMPTY.

Take care, SAndy :)

[bellaluna05]

Crysann,
Thank you,
unfortunately Aloe doen't work on me :( Thank you so much for the suggestion. The most days I have gone without a bowel movement was 25 days, it is scary. I am so glad you found something that works for you!
Thank you,
Lara
...................................................................... ..............................
Donna, thank you. I always check everything with my doctor first, it is the best thing to do. we are both desperate at this point, nothing we have tried has worked and it is so bad now that I have been throwing up almost every day, its horrible.
thank you,
Lara
...................................................................... .................................
sandy,
I have always had to be empty too thats why I am scared. Nothing is cleaning me out and we have tried everything, the prep only makes some liquid come out no stool, pretty much the same with everything else. This is why my doctor is doing this, he says I must be completely impacted and he will have to do a colonoscopy to somehow manualy remove the stool that won't come out. He wants me to put under for this. This really needs to be done before my bladder removal, my intestines need to be clean for that! This is all so overwhelming and scary! I was just hopeing someone knew of something that might make some come out (sorry so gross)
Thanks for trying everyone!
Lara

[kadi]

I've been taking Colace at 2 meals a day. That has managed the problem for me. It's in fact the only thing that has managed the problem...

[dani83]

I have MIRALAX
its a white tastless powder u can put in ur juice or water or anything and it is prescribed by my doc...it works most of the time
GOOD LUCK
FEEL BETTER

DANI

[sunshine_77us]

Kadi
What brand of Colace do you take? Most of it that I looked at had dye in it. I know for sure that I can't have yellow #5, not sure about others.

[schnauzer]

when i look back on my symptoms, i realize that i have had ibs for quite a while...i always thought that IBS was chronic diarrhea...now i know that my chronic constipation is part of IBS ....I seem to be on the 3 times a month plan now....i have started eating less carbs and more fiber in hopes that this will do the trick

[marsi4]

There are many bowel softeners, but from what you say you have tried many of them and nothing has helped. I think that's because you were constipated for a while before you tried bowel softeners. At that point there was alot of accumulation which is difficult now to remove. What about suppositories? Constipation can affect your IC as well. It can cause more discomfort and pain. I use sennosides or colace. If nothing works then I guess the doctor will have to clean your bowel. Wishing a successful surgery and better days ahead.

Marsi4 :angel:

[mela414]

I used Zelnorm for a while to heop my IBS with constipation. I dont liek to stay on it for a long time but I stay on it long enough to get the rhythm going. Of course I also make sure I drink lots of water, take some ground flax seed meal which helps and make sure I get enough fiber. Right now I am not on the zelnorm and have experienced constipation and it is not fun. Even though I did all the things I mentioned above something threw me off. It might have been the round of antibioitcs I was on. Ive also used colace in the past which has helped a lot by softening the stool.
Good luck. Talk this over with your dr. I had to go to a GI dr to get the Zelnorm.

[DanaF]

well I've never been constipated until I started taking this antidepressant. It seems like nothing is working. I take colace and metamucil and it doesn't work . Does anyone know - if you take a laxative and get a lot out, does the other stuff have a better chance of working afterwards once you cleared your system?
Also is it same to use something like Miralax everyday? I know it's supposed to be a stimulant? Also, has anyone heard of dicoden or something like that instead of colace? It's also over the counter?

[mela414]

I don't think it would be a good idea to take a stimulant laxative everyday but what about adding the flax seed meal to you diet. That should help. I also seem to find that taking probiotics helps. I haven't seen the dicoden so I can't coment on it. why not look for the colace and give that a try. I remember getting it after sugery to help thing move along. You need to take it a couple of days.

[DanaF]

Thanks- Are those over the counter herbal remedies?

[mela414]

you can get them at the health food store.

[clover26]

Slippery Elm. It's an herbal laxative that will help and you can take it everyday. It helped my IBS w/ constipation quite a bit and it made me feel better too. Hope you find something that works for you.

[kimmichele]

I have been constipated all my life except when I went on a macrobiotic diet that features beans, whole grains (no bread) and seaweed and veggies. I had a beautiful bowel movement everyday. The problem was the diet made my IC much worse. These foods work on the colon by gently irriating it (in a good way for me) but he irriation of the damaged bladder lining is too much.

I know I have IBS with constipation although I have not taken the zelnorm yet. When my Urethral pain wasn't bad last month I was eating 6 prunes and lots of fiber pills everyday and no bowel movement.

I have had luck with herb capsules called "aloes" but I don't use them every day.
I often use a fleet enema followed by a medicated douce (one w/o citric acid or other preservatives). The foods that sooth my urethra such as meat and mozzarella cheese are awful for my colon. I am scared to have a colonscopy because I know the stuff you have to drink will kill my urethra. I have had colonics - one I had one for six days in a row. They got out a lot of old stool but did not help my constipation.

Kim

[dbays]

Hello, anyone tried flaxseed mill, I have been on it for a month now. It is amazing!

[ads]

Lara,
Your situation seems severe and urgent. Have you had a second medical opinion?

ads

[csocain]

I use flax seeds and fish/flax oil capsules. When I remember to take them, they do okay with me. Right now the only thing that seems to work relatively well is a stool softener. This is definitely an ongoing problem for me since eating fiber is limited with my gluten free diet. Praying that we all find just what we need to help us. Blessings!

[gardengirl]

I suffered for 30 years with IBS. I always had cramps in my stomach. Because of a 3 month ordeal a year and a half ago where I had constant pain and was in the emergency room twice and also saw 3 specialists and had a cat scan. Nothing or no one helping me put me on the path to seek other options. I went to a very reputal high quality health foods store. The owners were wonderful and helped me! I started taking "Probiotics" which promote good internal health by putting good bacteria into your body. Anyone taking antibiotics should always take a probiotic afterwards because antibiotics kill the good bacteria in our systems. I also started taking a digestive eynzeme called Absorbaid that helps my food digest better. They also got me taking fiber capsules, good ones that contain flax and herbs. I also started taking fish and flax oils and msm, this keeps things "slippery" inside. I drink lots of water too. I now no longer get cramps, also now no longer get heartburn. I am off several perscription meds because of these natural things I am doing. To put up with cramps for 30 years and now not have them at all, I just want to tell everyone in the world how these things have helped me. It's been a year and a half now with no cramps, no heartburn. When my 3 month ordeal went on IC was thought to be what that was. I'm not sure it was but it was 3 months of hell I know that. Since then I've had something similar but it has only lasted a day or two. Has the probiotics helped or kept me from full blown IC? Not sure about any of that, but I am sure that the things I take helped me more than any DR ever did. My bowels work better now than they have in 30 years, I finally feel normal in that department. I encourage anyone with IBS with constipation or diarrhea to try these things. They worked for me and no Dr will ever tell you about this stuff, they would rather you take a perscription. My Gasto wanted me to try Zelnorm, I took the samples but they were awful and then I read on the internet about the side effects and also the clinical trials of Zelnorm. Scared me too much to take anymore. At least my route was natural and organic and worked! I would love to hear someone else say how much probiotics has helped them. Please try these and the other things that I mentioned I'm sure they will help!

[jerry westgarde]

Having a continual constipation problem, I am interested in knowing about the aloe pills mentioned by Crysann. Is this aloe vera pills?

Jerry

20 year IC Veteran

[Allyoopa]

Lara, Empty your message box, I replied but it won't go through because its full!
Adele

[kimmichele]

I have been constipated all my life except hte time I went on macrobiotics - which is whole grains (no bread) legumes, veggies, and no dairy. My bowels were great, but the legumes and whole grains drove my urethra crazy.
Now i take an herb called 'aloes' everyday. If I miss I use a fleet enema.
I have wanted to do a coloscopy, but my urethra is soooo senitive to what I take in, i am afraid the stuff they give you to drink would put me in the hospital.
kim

[Lyn40]

I mix aloe vera juice in with my organic pear nectar. I drink a 8 oz glass of this mixture just about every day and it has helped me with regularity. Sometimes I can skip a day here and there.

The aloe vera I buy from the Acme Supermarket. Kmart also carries it. I buy the Pear Nectar from my local health food store. I took fibercon pills for a few years and got tired of taking those pills with my daily collection.

Lyn

[judyblue]

I discovered that my bladder could tolerate prunes if I boiled and simmered them for 30 minutes in mineral water. I put them in the fridge and snack on them during the week. It gives me another fruit to enjoy and keeps the colon happy.

[Snuph]

Do not take metamucil and any product like it if you are constipated it can plug you up more, possibly resulting in becoming impacted and NEEDING SURGERY.

[Mela14]

I wish I could do prunes because I really do love them. I've finally started to realize my many food allergies and dried fruits are one of them. I am soooooooooooo allergic to molds that I can't eat anything that is moldy. Dried fruits are extremely moldy. I learned the hard way. I'm wondering if maybe I can have fresh prunes and stew them myself. I know that I need more fiber in my diet. Maybe one day when I am feeling daring I'll give it a try.

[jaisa]

I've had severe IBS w/constipation in my 20's then it seemed to pass (no pun intended) now with the IC it's back. Ive been using stool softners but am afraid these will be habit forming so I'll need more and more--any thoughts on this??

[blondie45]

If you haven't tried Elmiron for your IC maybe you could give that a try. It has helped my constipation tremendously.

[kimmichele]

I have been constipated all my life except when I was on a macrobiotic diet (whole grains, legumes, lots of veggies, fish 2 x week, no dairy, beef,chicken)
The problem is that the legumes and whole grains aggravate the IC. I've tried all kinds of cleanses, supplements ect. Nothing works. I am a person who needs to be a vegetarian. I've got to get over the IC before I will cure constipation. Right now I am doing 1 tsp buffered C twice a day and an herbal cleanse. I still use a fleet enema to get things going. I also have found a lower carb granola that I can use. (I become pain free if I eat no grain - only meat and veggies - but who can live on this?)
I read that fatty meat and dairy are bad for sluggish colons.

[littlemyrn]

I use Zelnorm 6mg. about every other day (1 pill 30 min. before dinner). It does work for me and the only thing that work.

[stacyY]

Hi everyone; I was just in the ER on tue afternoon, I had been having a flare up for a few days and the pain was getting worse by the day. I went to a walk in doc, and they sent me to the ER.
After getting a cat scan done,and xrays, i was told i was extreamly constipated. I was in so much pain. I could hardly walk, and felt dizzy, and also was having cold seats, and feeling like i needed to throw up.
The Er doc said to take Peri-colase. And gave me a magnisium solution-same stuff u get for a colonoscopy. I didnt drink that stuff, but i did get some docolax. Which works well. Iw as also told to take the peri-colse 2 times a day.after 2 days of going to the bathroom, I feel a lot better, still haveing some pelvic pain and groine area pain. But its so much better.
What i find weird is that I had been going to the bathroom 2-3 times a day for weeks. I had no idea i was even constipated. I am wondering now if it is also part of having IC. I have had extream constipation for many years, A doc last year said i had IBS. I treid hte Zelnorm, and did fine went off from it a while then back on it. And had a bad reaction to it. My heart was going out of rythum from it. after stoping it that also stoped.
There are 2 things together which work best for me. I eat lotsof bran cereal. like rasin bran or just bran flakes. Also If i can eat an apple with every meal before i eat, then it seems to help also. I also eat the cereal for a snack too. But you have to be careful cos it will change from normal to the liquid form if eaten to much.
If anyone has a thought of contipation to be along with IC, let me know. very couriouse about it.

[mlb]

Apples work well with lots of water and I found great aloe pills that work too. Lubricates the intestinal tract.

[stacyY]

thanks for the advice. Im running out of options, Even with the peri-colace, i am still very constiparted, I will give the alo pills a try. thanks

[mlb]

Try Nexttotnature.com. They're great.

[kimmichele]

I couldn't take aloe when my IC was bad. I was sensitive to almost everything. I could probably take it now. I believe the slippery elm is supposed to help both the colon and the IC. I am starting to take it. I am having a problem with not digesting my food. I don't have pain, but my stomach is so full by night time for the last week its hard to sleep. This started last week when I had a HUGE portion of MU SHu veggies for dinner. I get so hungry and keep filling up my stomach, but my brain is telling me I'm still hungry. I think I'm not absorbing the nutrition from food. I am thinking that the IC is related to leaky gut. I am going to try small meals 5 times a day.

[Ginny]

I was very surprised to find out that Activa works well. It is in the yogurt area of the supermarket.

[sandramac]

Well add me to the list, Im so bolated and uncomfortable also have a anal fisher with all the constipation ive flared that up, so im seeing family doc on tues.ERRRRRR i hate this disease ,I m thinking i may have IbS as well.But really dont want to have to go for a colon test.best of Luck to everyone Sandra:grouphug: :cat: :cat: :cat:

[stacyY]

Thanks to everyone with all your advice. I have been eating a lot of bran flakes, and also started in with a lot of apples. Since thery where not on the food list, i had stopped eating them. But now i see i really cant. Since i also have IBS and IC, its a real strugel to eat the right things. I am also a vegetarian, so the IC list is really small. I really not found that the food is an issue with my IC though, Unless i drink a lot of Orange juice, then it seems to be little worse but not much.
I have not been able to find alo pills though. Where can you get them at? I was looking like at walmart, but didnt see them, maybe i just missed it or something. I will give another look though.
Last week Friday or so, i stopped taking the peri colace. My stomach was getting so crampy. But i ve been eating bran 2 times a day, and 2-3 apples a day. Which seems tomake me go better the the pills did. And with out the stomach cramps also.
I wouls rather not have to take the pills. I have so much medican to take as it is. Im only 32, and i am taking the same amount of pills as my grandma who is in her 80s. Thats not saying much. I wish there was a better way then pills to deal with it all.
If anyone out there come up with some better things then bran and apples and not pill related please let me know. I do not mind hte bran and apples, but once while would love a change you know what i mean :smile tee
Everyone take care and best wishes for a great bathroom brake,lol....

[kimmichele]

There is a theory that IC actually started with the gut malfunctioning. The Candida boroughs into the gut, creating tiny holes. Food particals such as protiens get into the blood stream. The immune system reacts to them and goes bonkers. This inflammatory process settles in whereever the body is weak. SOme people may be born with a thinner bladder and urethral lining. Also the candida may have weakened it also. Even though we may get the lining improved, we have to heal the gut too. I get messages on a Leaky Gut site. Seems they have to take what we do too. Lots of enzymes, aloe, etc.

I have been working on my digestion by eating six small meals a day. No bread, sugar, red meat or processed foods. I think that the modern processed foods are damaging us. It is easy to resist sugar when you think of it as poison - which it is. Just like the earth, the body is an ecological system too. If we poison our bodies long enough, something wil break down. I know I ate tons of candy as a kid and also drank coffee as a kid. Its no wonder that I got sick at 25 (I've had ic for26 years). The bad news is that there is no magic bullet that will cure all the system breakdowns. The good news is one can over come this if they are willing to change.

[steelerfan]

I have IBS with constipation. I had lived with it for as long as I can remember.

I tried everything to get myself regular, nothing helped. Finally my md gave a pill called Zelnorm.

It has helped me 110% I go to the bathroom everyday now.

[hopeful1]

Thanks to everyone with all your advice. I have been eating a lot of bran flakes, and also started in with a lot of apples. Since thery where not on the food list, i had stopped eating them. But now i see i really cant. Since i also have IBS and IC, its a real strugel to eat the right things. I am also a vegetarian, so the IC list is really small. I really not found that the food is an issue with my IC though, Unless i drink a lot of Orange juice, then it seems to be little worse but not much.
I have not been able to find alo pills though. Where can you get them at? I was looking like at walmart, but didnt see them, maybe i just missed it or something. I will give another look though.
Last week Friday or so, i stopped taking the peri colace. My stomach was getting so crampy. But i ve been eating bran 2 times a day, and 2-3 apples a day. Which seems tomake me go better the the pills did. And with out the stomach cramps also.
I wouls rather not have to take the pills. I have so much medican to take as it is. Im only 32, and i am taking the same amount of pills as my grandma who is in her 80s. Thats not saying much. I wish there was a better way then pills to deal with it all.
If anyone out there come up with some better things then bran and apples and not pill related please let me know. I do not mind hte bran and apples, but once while would love a change you know what i mean :smile tee
Everyone take care and best wishes for a great bathroom brake,lol....

I have found that eating a small bowl of beans (1/2-1 cup) every day helps me a lot. I usually eat Pinto beans (1 pound raw) that I cook myself. After they have cooked for about 1 1/2 hours, I add sauted veggies, usually carrots (hand full of baby carrots cut up), celery-1 stalk. Also add some chopped up chives, but don't saute them. they are pretty tasty, and this gives me enough beans to last about a week. I also use Miralax when I need it, and add flax meal to whatever I can. Hope this helps! I don't have IBS, just the IC.

[Mothergoose]

I used to use Metamucil daily until I found out it was making my IC pain worse now i use Mirilax daily, talk to your dr about this it says on the pk not to use for more than 2 weeks at a time but my dr. said it was fine to use it all the time.
It has been a life saver for me.

My husband was really constipated one time but did not know it he too was also going daily, but I guess the stool can back up and be a problem, he was told to take the colace too, but to take a lax daily for at least a month to get everything all cleared out. He has been fine since.

[MaryJo]

Get some flax seed .grind it in a little coffee grinder. it will help with constipation alot.