Flank Pain and #2

[PeeingPirate]

Does anyone out there have problems with #2? Besides my evil bladder, I have terrible flank pain, and pain in my abdomen. Could that be something besides IC? Also, sorry for TMI in advance, I don't poop much. less than every other day. But then I'll have a week where I go like 5 times a day. I'm starting to wonder if I have a backwards irritable bowl. Also, going #2 makes my pelvic pain worse because I have to work so hard for it. I've talked to my doc about it before and that wasn't a great idea. It worried him so he doesn't prescribe me any pain killers. And that sucks because I hurt so bad that otc's don't help. I'm hoping I can get the constipation under control. I try psyllium husk daily, occasional laxatives, nothing really makes a difference. Half the time laxatives don't work. Does anyone else have this problem?

[ICNDonna]

If you're straining to have a bowel movement, by all means let your doctor know. There are medications that will help. Straining is not okay --- it will only cause problems. You might ask your doctor about taking a stool softener, such as colace.

Donna

[Mrs. Peel]

Just FYI.

IBS symptoms are just as individualized as those of IC. Part of it is just a problem with the way your colon collects water - sometimes too much and sometimes too little.

My IBS is totally stress-related and presents as a spasm in the sigmoid colon. Some medications have given me the constipation-then-purge affect. Polycarbophil Calcium helps the colon/water thing, but I don't know whether it's OK for IC or how it would interact with other drugs. It's considered a laxative, but it also helps with diarrhea.

Fiber laxatives also help keep the balance; powder, not pills. Take after meals or you'll just get a glob of fiber out the other end.