In the past 3 1/2 weeks, I have not had a normal bowel movement. As time has progressed I have gotten very worried.
Basically all I've expelled is a minute amount of soft stool with a lot of water. Normally, I have a decent stool every day.
I went to my duck 2 days ago, had an x-ray. No impaction, which I was worried about due to the fact that I had a partial colectomy 3 years ago. (appendicitis gone wrong). Colon full of stool, but NO mega colon. Positive bowel sounds, no pain, no nausea/vomiting, no fever.
Anyway, I have taken mag. citrate, MOM, enemas, colonics, copius H20, stool softeners to no avail. I did these prior to the x-ray, so I know something is NOT RIGHT!
I've been taking miralax a.m. and p.m. x 2 days and I did another enema plus colonic today.....same deal. Only water returned.
My belly is getting bigger, pants tighter.
I don't know what else to do. Toxins are building up.
I am considering going to a colon hydrotherapist 4 hours away, and starting on an oral colon cleanse.
My only concern is that fiber stops me up.
But I have to do something soon.
Not sure if this is lyme, yeast or bart, but at this point it doesn't matter. I have to get rid of the stuff that is in my intestines.
I did take charcoal for several weeks just prior to this. But I did not get stopped up during that time.
Just can't figure what to do. I've pulled out all my tricks.
Any ideas?
I have to move!!!!!!!!!!
Bug
[ 09. July 2008, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: bugabooboo ]
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
bug, sorry fr your dilemna!! uffda
bug, edit your subject line and show BM OR BOWEL; they you will get replies! this happens alot here.
do a search found at top
moving bowels medical subject any date leave membership no. blank; hit send
if no posts; use BACK and show text vs. subject line; click enter!
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Hi Bug,
I'm sorry you're in this pickle, but things will get better. You can become toxic. Consult your physician. You may have problems that would make it dangerous to drink Miralax.
A great article is "Bells Palsy of the Gut" by Dr. VTS. It explains how the bacteria affect the nerves of the digestive system, leading to chronic constipation.
What worked for us is taking Miralax. It's a powder you mix in a glass of water. It pulls water into the colon.
We got the same report as you and became very toxic feeling...ended up in the hospital after 2 weeks of constipation. Had to drink one cup of Miralax every 15 minutes until the mountain moved. It was a very painful experience.
Miralax is available over the counter. You can get a Rx for PEG solution (similar product, but in gallon container) from your physician. Be sure to ask your doctor about this. It works!
Other things we tried first were stool softeners, Fleet enemas, and oral laxatives...the kind of laxatives given to patients before they have a colonoscopy. They were available over the counter in the pharmacy section....a little green bottle of liquid to clean out your colon.
Nothing worked. Ended up vomiting fluid mixed with feces because of a partial digestive obstruction. Went to the ER, but nothing was done. The obstruction was in the ascending colon, but the transverse and descending colon were empty.
The ascending colon was full of feces & gas (very painful), but not dilated. They want you to be busting before they do something! Put in the hospital one week later and was forced to drink one cup Miralax every 15 minutes until the obstruction was gone.
As the nurse said, "You'll know when you're clear." You'll end up with pure water diarrhea, then the mass will move. Your fanny will probably be raw before it's over, so get some kind of medication for it before you start.
Lyme attacks nerves...the vagus nerve controls the digestive sytem. The gut was partially paralyzed. It took 6 weeks to resolve on it's own. We had to keep up the Miralax until it resolved. We still have to drink it now & then when things get slow. Feces become putty-like and very difficult to move.
If you only drink one to two cups a day, Miralax can take several days to work. This is too long when you're already sick.
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
Thanks BettyG and hshbmom,
I actually read that post of yours hshbmom where you wrote about your daughter and was considering doing Miralax every 15 min. as I have done everything else I can think of. (I already did 2 bottles of the stuff you have prior to colonoscopy.) I know that I could just keep going on it.
This is so bizarre!!!!!!
Never in my life have I experienced this to this great a degree. I have had to take laxatives but........
Was your daughter put on steroids or antibiotics?
I'm on no antibiotic now as I have been rifing.
Thank-you much,
Bug
Posted by Peedie (Member # 15355) on :
HI BUGGABOOBOO
You know what - this happens sometimes. Buy Miralax. Cosco has it. It is gentle and it will keep you regular. It is above all others - the best.
Once in a while stop taking it and see what happens. It may take a week or months, but eventually you will be moving things out on your own again.
Best of Health Peedie
Posted by NJLyme82 (Member # 15683) on :
I second that, Miralax is the way to go.
Also try benefiber, a soluble fiber supplement.
If that doesn't work you can also try drinking apple juice and/or try some insoluble fiber supplements.
Though be careful with the insoluble fiber.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Are you on any antidepressants? Those can do that to me, some more than others. The one that was most severe with that issue was Elavil. My stomach just kept getting creepy big and I never pooped!
You probably need something serious to help you out, so I know this is a lame suggestion....but have you tried Cod Liver Oil? Try taking at least one tablespoon (not teaspoon!) daily, or maybe even more. Just something to add to your regimin if it's not already in there. A lot of medicines will dry your colon up. This lubricates things again. (maybe it will lubricate the fiber?) (Buy a high quality brand of oil, so it is free from "heavy metals" like mercury)
Also, try drinking strong coffee in the AM; if you don't drink it reguarly to where you are "used to it", it will often help things along. For me, it's almost like the stimulant makes my bowel muscles contract (thus, pushing). Sometimes it feels like without coffee, that part of my body just forgot how to work.
Once again, if this is a serious medical prob, you might just be laughing off my do-it-yourself suggestions, but it's worth a try I guess.
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
Thanks....I seriously am desperate! I appreciate your suggestions. Coffee and fish oil, hmmm I can do that. I'm still taking Miralax.
You know, I used to drink strong black caffeinated coffee, but eventually stopped when I got sick.
Will have some in the a.m.
I don't want to end up in the hospital or worse yet have my bowels quit working!
Thanks so much,
Bug
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
Forgot to say, I have been on Trazodone for 3 years...low dose, 75 mg. every night for sleep.
Bug
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
I had good luck with psyllium husk powder, 1 tsp-1tblsp stirred well into 8 oz water and let sit for a couple minutes. Yarrow tea is incredibly soothing the the GI tract- 1 hpng tsp yarrow steeped in 8oz water for around 5 minutes. But it's NOT VERY YUMMY! (understatement...)
Be sure your drinking enough, in general, too. And, be "assiduous about acidophilous"
(For me, though, acidophilus had the opposite effect; however, I had the, uh, "opposite problem,", especially when on clarithromycin and amoxicillin!) DaveS
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I was going to say a large cup of coffee .... but I see that was already recommended.
What about prunes?
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
I have strange side effects with Thera-lac. Seems like it binds me up more than it helps.
Go figure!!!!!
Bug
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
Try this...
Mix one can of saurkraut with a couple tablespoons of sesame tahini. (I also dribble on some grapeseed oil and sprinkle with sea salt, though I don't think either of these are the 'active' ingredients.)
But I'll tell you this - works like a charm every time.
I tried this again today because my teeth were greying again, and it really really works.
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
What a hoot! My husband tried to get me to eat some sauerkraut a couple of hours ago as he was smelling up the house with some polish sausage!
I haven't eaten that since I got Lyme.
I might just have to change my ways......again!
Bug
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
I think the reason saurkraut helps is because it stimulates the flow of bile, which flushes out toxins. Within 20 minutes, something comes out, and then over the next couple of hours EVERYTHING comes out, so be sure to stay close to a restroom. You'll be able to actually listen to the entire digestive process - very noisy - gurgling and so forth.
I do better if I mix sesame tahini in though, rather than eating the saurkraut alone - it doesn't taste all that bad either. The sesame tahini contains a bunch of minerals, including magnesium, so maybe that is why it helps.
Posted by herbalfrog (Member # 12711) on :
Have you tried the good old prune juice to soften the stool? Followed by the following sacred heart memorial hospital diet which cleanses you from impurities: Day 1- eat only soup and fruit(no bananas) recipe folows. day 2-only vegetables and soup plus have a baked potato with butter for supper. day 3-vegetables, fruit and soup. day 4- 3 bananas, skim mik,and soup day 5- beef and tomatoes and soup.You may eat fresh tomatoes and several steaks. day 6-beef, vegetables and soup.o baked potatoe. use green leafy vegetables or salad. Day 7- brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables. At least one cup of soup.If you adhere to this diet for seven days, your system is cleansed of impurities while having much energy and you will have lost between 10 and seventeen pounds. After several days your bowel habits will have changed- you may have a cup of bran or fiber.This simple diet did the trick for me, though.Good luck,
Recipe for soup: 1 large can of beef broth 6 large green oinons chopped'1 to 2 cans of tomatoes 1 package Lipton or Knorr soup mix1 bunch of celery 2 cans of green beans 2 green peppers 2 cups carrots The more you eat of the soup, the more you loose. Drinks permitted unsweetened juices, tea,black coffee, cranberry juice and six to eight glasses of water daily. Else
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
Wow, thanks!
I sure appreciate everything!
I'll let you know how it all comes out! (=
I don't know how to do a smiley face.
Bug
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
There is also a great tea you can get at some grocery stores or the health food store. It's by Traditional Medicinals, and it's called "Smooth Move". Usually works overnight for me.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
bug, so glad you added bowels; look at all the informative replies you are getting!!!
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