this is TERRIBLE!!

[tabasco32]

girls and boys help me out. I have sever constipation. My poo is always hard and won't come out. My dr gave me laxative but I think it hurts my bladder and nothing else works. I am down to watermelon carrots and egg whites as my diet and water. Does anyone else take miralax and does it effect you. Needed another enema today to goo. I despise this sssooo much. Any other alternative then laxative like herbal or something. pplleeaasseee heellpp.
also have thrombosed hemrroids inside and out from straining.!

[ICNDonna]

Please talk to your doctor about your diet. You really need to get more nutrition. I hope you get some relief soon.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[megancolleen]

I agree with Donna. Malnutrition has many very unpleasant side effects. You really need a healthier diet!

I have had hemmroids before and aside from IC pain, that's some of the worst discomfort I've ever had. I found that relaxing in a shallow warm bath helped the discomfort somewhat.

I usually deal with constipation by upping my intake of fiber -- bran muffins, raisins, etc. If you cannot eat these kinds of foods, perhaps you might a try fiber supplements (i.e. fiber in pill form) ?

[ShePurzz]

Water is another essential -- take your body weight, divide it by three, then drink that many ounces per day MINIMUM! If you are exercising, you will need more. If you are using fiber or fiber supplements, you will need a lot more also or you can get MORE constipated.. I agree, your nutrition isn't very good from what you mentioned, and you could do well to get some pears and clean the skins good but eat the whole thing if these agree with your bladder -- also blueberries -- both have the fiber.

I can eat prunes (and/or drink prune juice) on occasion -- have you tried that?

Then, many here use colace (a stool softener) and it is available at Walmart in a generic -- although it is still kinda pricy -- but you take that every day -- it is NOT a laxative, so it isn't something you become dependent upon like you will with an enema. While I don't have a problem with an enema when necessary, you don't want to over do these because your body will become dependent -- so, natural stuff is better if you can.

A great cereal that will give you a very good dose of fiber is fiber one -- I put bananas, or blue berries or other fruit that I can eat on it -- then I use soy milk because I don't drink milk. It has 14 grams of fiber in a cup (I think that is right -- I know it is very high!) but I eat two servings for a breakfast -- that gives me a good deal of my daily fiber -- while I really hate sugar additives, if you really don't like the taste (I happen to think it is very good!) you can put a little bit of honey or something on it --- but do your best to use fruit and avoid the sugars and sugar substitutes.

I hope this helps you get more fiber --- however, I really agree -- call your doctor and be clear that you are having this problem -- be sure he is aware of the enemas -- because if he doesn't know you are doing these, he isn't getting the whole picture... Also, remember your water...

Fell better!!!
Hugs,
Mary

[kadi]

Ever since I got IC (and started taking IC meds like Ditropan & Elavil), I've had constipation problems. I saw several doctors, one suggested eating more fiber (for me made it worse, probably because I don't drink enough water), one suggested Colace (didn't help much), one suggested Colace with meals (that helped a little, but not enough).

What has helped was reading the tips on the www.helpforibs.com website & taking soluble fiber. For awhile I took Benefiber, then I think I developed an allergy to it (got a rash, will try again to make sure it was from the Benefiber, because that was the best thing I've tried.)

When I stopped the Benefiber, I started taking FiberSure (plain inulin) & that does help too. I stir a teaspoon of that into some hot pear juice in the early afternoon & by the time I go to bed, I've been able to go to the bathroom normally.

Miralax bothered my bladder the two days I took it, so it wasn't an option for me.

Do see a doctor about this, it's probably medication related, but better safe than sorry. It's also not good to wind up in the ER like I did, when I got so backed up that I had severe nausea & couldn't go at all. Most expensive & embarassing enema I've ever had to have....
(Geez, why couldn't I get a nice modest illness in my elbow or something?)

Anyhow, hope you're feeling better soon...

[kadi]

PS--If you try new things, like FiberOne (has added vitamins & BHA/BHT preservative in the package), soy milk, or prunes--try them one at a time, so you will know if they are ok with your IC... (I can't eat any of those without increased IC symptoms:(

Mary is right about the water. Here's a tip: I have a hard time drinking water without increasing my frequency, but have found that if I take small sips throughout the day, I can tolerate more than if I slam down a whole glass at once...

Cheers!

[ihurttoo]

I am so sorry you are hurting and having this trouble! :( I definately can feel for you! Unfortunatately, I have been there many times!! I see you have gotten great advice! I agree with all of it, especially that you need to talk to your Dr abou this. For immediate help, if you try the prune juice route, warm it up, and drink it. I dont know why, but it makes it work better. My mom used to work in a nursing home, and the elderly there have a huge problem with constipation, since so many are totally bed-bound. Mom said they gave them warm prune juice and it did the trick 9 times out of 10! I keep some on hand now and whenever I need it, I drink about a cup and sure enough, it works for me!!

Like you, I have tried Colace and several other things, (some even prescription), but Mom is right this time, nothing works for me quite as well as the prune juice!! (However I still keep some enemas on hand at all times *just in case*!!! After all, once you have had this trouble a few times, you NEVER want to be without some enemas on hand!!)

***Embarrassing story!!***Right after I had my hyster, I had been home from the hospital for 3 days, and COULD NOT GO! I was hurting BAD!! Well, my husband's female boss, who I did not know well AT ALL, called to say she was coming out to bring some food from his work. I HATED to do it, but I was hurting SOOOO BAD, I actually asked her if she would mind picking me up a few enemas!! Of course she got them for me!! By the time she got to our house, I was on the bathroom floor and in so much pain, I could not even get up to get to the door. Fortunately, she realized what the deal was and let herself in and found me!

I was able to give it to myself and get relief, THANK GOD!! Well, while I was in the bathroom, she was so worried, she didnt want to leave me, so she stayed and did dishes and folded clothes etc. !!!!

To this day, I always think about that every time I see her, and I am SURE she thinks about it whenever she sees me!!! I told her if she EVER gets in the same shape she had dang well better call me now, since we have a history!!! LOL!!!!

Just thought I would share that with you, so that you can feel better knowing that no matter how bad your pain may be, at least you dont have to have your husband's boss bring you enemas and then wait while you go!!:ROFL:

[Lisa_S]

I have taken Miralax off and on for a while, and it does seem to help. However, lately I have wanted to take a slightly more natural route. I started taking FiberSure at the recommendation of someone on this board - Kadi maybe? I was taking Benefiber, but they recently changed their ingredients and I think it was giving my bladder some problems. The FiberSure disolves in water or any other liquid, and I cannot taste it at all. It is all soluble fiber.

The other thing that I think has helped me is Flax Seed Capsules. You can also take ground flax seed and put it in your food. Peppermint is also good for the digestive system. I am going to make Peppermint tea part of my daily routine. Also make sure you are drinking lots of water. Stay away from fatty foods like cheeses.

I have been getting a lot of gas, probably from adding a lot of fiber, but I am hoping that this will pass and that my bowels will start to behave themselves a bit more.