posted
I have been having bowel issues for almost a month now.
i USED TO have good solid bowel movements before this past month. I am almost sure its due to low stomach acid. I started supplementing with HCL this past weekend but. like the idiot i am....I WENT OVERBOARD. took way too much (more than the bottle even recommended). so i need to wait for my stomach irritation to calm down before restarting it. i bought some DGL to help with it
I know I have alot of undigested food in me. I just keep getting diarreah and not much of it either. its mostly just gas and a little bit of diarreah/water. (sorry for the details)
this has been going on for a month I need to find a way to get all this undigested crap out of me. im starting to feel crappy and I know its from all the toxins getting re absorbed.
fiber isnt doing anything. I have been taking digestive enzymes with each meal the past few days. Trying to eat soft foods that are easy to digest only. bought a bottle of mag citrate laxative. hope it works...
recommendations are much appreciated!!!!
[ 05-25-2012, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: lymegal23 ]
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
OMG do NOT take the whole bottle of Magnesium Citrate .. unless you are preparing for a colonoscopy!!
How about eating some VEGETABLES for a change??!
Try starting every evening meal with a green salad with raw vegetables like cucumber and celery, which has plenty of "fiber" ... add some cooked veggies to your plate next to that meat or fish ... and use things like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, or green beans, instead of peas or corn - which are both mostly starch!
Stop filling up on potatoes, bread and pasta - and make sure any bread that you DO eat is a "whole grain" variety! Eat fruits for snacks, especially apples or hard green pears, peaches, plums, or eventually, add some NUTS.
The fiber in fruits and vegetables act like a "broom" that comes sweeping through your digestive tract, and will clear that undigested garbage out.
Also, be sure you are getting enough water. Dehydration can contribute to constipation, and some drugs are notorious for causing dehydration.
If your pipes are clogged with flour and sugar, or undigested meat - without any vegetables, there is nothing in our diet to help push this stuff through, so it gets "impacted" in crevices of your intestine. (Sorry for graphic, but its simple physics.) And no glass of "fiber" powder or pills will do the same work that a proper diet can!
If you think you are low on digestive enzymes, try adding some papaya or papain tablets to the end of your meal. The enzymes in papaya and pineapple work just the way a healthy stomach should.
These tablets work REALLY well, and cost just pennies! Even folks who have 'acid reflux' get relief from these natural digestive enzymes.
(And BTW, "acid reflux" is a misdiagnosis, and taking the "purple pill" will only exacerbate the real problem over time, which problem is actually an INSUFFICIENCY of digestive acids!)
You can also add real apple cider vinegar, or fresh lemon juice, to the dressings on those salads - which is much more gentle than taking HCL.
Also add PROBIOTICS to your diet! Yogurt, kefir, kombucha, or commercial probiotic preparatons. This will help infuse the "friendly" bacteria that help to make digestion "happen!"
Try this protocol for a week and then tell us how you feel! m'kay?
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged |
AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
OK, I tried to delete that double post - and was first told I coudn't because ONLY Administrators can delete? (that's new) ...
When I try to edit either of them... I'm told I am a "hack attempt."
OY! Webmistress??
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
I guess you figured it out?? Read it again .. only admins or the person who started the thread/post can delete it.
here's the quote:
"Only forum leaders or the person that posted this message may edit or delete this message. Only registered users may edit/delete posts!"
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
I DID triple check it TuTu ... THIS time it only said "administrator" - No mention of the person who made the post! (I have used this feature many times!)
Actually it cleared out (finally) while I was composing the third post - wierd! But thanks for gettin' on it right away! Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
Do you think I should stop my antibiotics for now until i gets better?..
i was supposed to see my LLMD next week but for financial issues i cant see her till mid next month,
I feel like im getting overly toxic because i cant get this crap out of me and its just getting reabsorbed. if i keep killing stuff and its not getting out im going to continue feeling worse and worse.
do you think its wise to stop my antibiotics until i start to get stuff out???
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
I am not your doctor, and I would never advise you to stop taking antibiotics.
Take a closer look at your diet! Write down everything that you eat or drink over the next few days - which might help you to see why you are having this problem. You can start today if you can remember what you ate last night, or at yesterday's lunch and breakfast.
And you are the only one who knows what you "like" to eat as a norm. Be sure you are getting enough fluids - and by this I DON'T mean sodas or coffee! WATER is best! After that, green tea. If you don't like the stuff from the tap (as I don't) buy some Poland Springs, and keep it in the fridge.
If you start relying upon "artificial" help, after a time, your body will need it ALL the time.
Also, if you are not big on fruits and vegetables, you are missing some of the important vitamins and minerals that your body will need, in order to heal.
Good Luck!
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
From what you describe, it sounds likely that you've developed a fecal impaction: some dry, hardened stool in the colon or rectum that causes a partial blockage.
If a fecal impaction is present, laxatives may not be effective in getting things "moving" again. Sometimes a warm mineral oil enema works in these cases. It softens and lubricates the stool that has become impacted, making it easier to pass.
If you do that and you STILL can't go...it may be necessary for a doctor or nurse to manually break up the impaction by carefully inserting a gloved finger in the rectum. (Hope I'm not grossing people out, now--I actually had to learn how to do this in nursing school!)
As AuntyLynn said, if you rely on "artificial" help, such as laxatives and enemas, regularly, you'll end up needing it all the time. For this reason, I don't normally recommend using either, but at this moment, fiber and fluids may no longer be enough.
Once you do manage to go, to keep things regular, eat lots of fiber, as others said. LOTS of vegetables, preferable fresh raw ones such as in salads. Whole grain breads and cereals are another good source. Fresh fruits too, but they are higher in sugar. AuntyLynn gave great dietary advice...try to stay away from soft low fiber foods--eat veggies instead.
You may get a little gassy after first increasing your fiber, but it should get better as your body adjusts.
Try to drink 3000ml of caffeine free beverages each day--plain water is best.
It is also helpful to get your body on a schedule. Try to go to the bathroom to have a BM around the same time each day.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Just to clarify, I think the small amounts of watery stool described in this thread are different from the large, watery amounts of diarrhea that may be experienced from harsh laxatives or antibiotic use.
Sometimes with chronic constipation, fecal impactions develop. When this happens, any solid stool formed after it cannot be passed, but it is common to experience small amounts of watery diarrhea as water passes around the impaction.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Well, it's been four hours since you took the mag citrate.
Are you drinking lots of water? How are you feeling? Any results?
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
youre really sweet checking up on me Carol! thanks alot
i actually have barely gone to the bathroom
ive only had water pass a few times and very very little amounts of diarreah. its mostly just water coming out. and not too much of that either.
CRAZY!!! i drank almost the whole bottle in like two and a half hours
i guess its time to do a mineral oil enema? if that doesnt work i dont know what else to do. is it safe to do two enemas back to back to break up the impaction?
oh goodness......
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
although i seem to feel a it of cramping around my bladder here and there
how long should I give the mag citrate before I go and try to do a mineral oil enema?
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Normal urine output. Okay, that's good.
Continuous antibiotics can cause many problems in the body. It wrecks the bacterial balance in the intestines and causes problems with digestion.
Digesting food properly is so important...it's the ONLY way your body can get the nutrients it needs for the cells to work.
. p.s. I'd say wait until tomorrow for an enema, but you probably won't need one.
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
maybe I should try miralax?
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
No miralax....if you have stool impaction, it WILL make it worse. I speak from experience.
Best thing is to keep to a liquid-only diet until you are able to completely pass the stool that is stuck.
Liquid diet = meat and/or vegetable broth, fresh/raw vegetable juices, water, tea, herbal tea, kefir, etc....but no milk. Milk can be constipating, and is hard to digest if you do not have sufficient stomach acid.
Also, take a magnesium tablet (I've used one 250mg tablet) with every "meal" until the blockage is passed. My favorite magnesium for this purpose is Chelated Magnesium from Country Life (no financial connections; just a happy customer).
And taking Vitamin C with meals can help with low stomach acid, and also can help with bowel regularity.
Take care,
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
theyre always really really loose and not much comes out. more gas and water than anything else.
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
You need fiber to move your bowels. Don't eat any meat, potatoes, pasta, dairy or flour. Dr. Oz says apples, cantelope, raspberries and papaya are the best foods to eat for constipation.
Eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. You can get protein from beans and they are full of fiber. Avoid high fat food like nuts, oils etc. When you begin to have regular bowel movements add rice and quinoa. You will feel better too.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
why do you think you're plugged up? I bet you're Not. I have chronic and severe ibs and diverticulitis And colon polyps. I've also had c diff.
It does not sound like an impaction to me. I'd lay off all laxatives for right now as you could damage your colon
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
I did not read everyone's replies... I imagine you got some great suggestions. Mind would be to go for the prunes. Lots of them to get things moving.
Also do a lot of deep Qi breathing deep into your belly. Do it as frequently as you remember to. Also, rub your abdomen in a clockwise motion (the direction things will exit.). Sometimes simple things can make a world of difference.
Good luck.
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've had so many problems with constipation and have tried EVERYTHING! What has finally helped me is proboulardi by metagenics. It's been WONDERFUL to really GO!!!
Posts: 463 | From Sandusky, Ohio | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
My son gets problems with fecal impactions, extended colon (stretched out so much the muscles can't properly remove the stool) the small amounts of watery diarrhea that leaks around it etc..
As per his pediatrician, we had to 'clean him out' - Big glass of water and miralax, followed by OTC enema, followed by lots and lots of gatorade and water, and miralax to keep things moving until the colon could shrink back down. Worked very well... I can't believe that much came out of one kid... Good luck!
-------------------- Wendy Posts: 253 | From Near Albany, NY | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
At this point I really think you should get checked out by a doctor, either your LLMD or someone you can trust. Self treating is not working and can harm you.
When I hear small amounts of watery stools I think obstruction, could be due to fecal impaction, or something higher up in the intestines.
Are you having pain? Bloating? Constipation for more then a few days is not normal!
Grace
Posts: 27 | From central nj | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
If nothing has happened by morning then I would either take 1 or 2 grams of vitamin c every hour or go to an urgent care facility or try the enema. Or if you have a chiropractor or massage therapist then I would go see one of them.
You should not let this problem continue especially since you do not know exactly what is wrong.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
quote:Originally posted by lymegal23: I dont really understand why the miralax will make it worse?
Warning - this is graphic!
Miralax is a gel that will absorb water and expand. When stool is impacted, the two big no-no's are eating stuff that expands, and drying out the colon wall.
Absorbing all the moisture out of the colon will dry out the colon wall too much in the setting of stool impaction.
I tried miralax one time when I had a stool impaction. The pain got wayyyyy worse and the stuck stool got harder and was next to impossible to expel. Once it got to my rectum, I had to dig it out one finger-pull at a time.
If I'd stuck to the liquid diet and magnesium pills, the plug would've softened and passed without me having to manually pull it out a painful speck at a time.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Have you ever tried drinking mangosteen juice? That can cause regularity.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
did anyone say senna or smooth move tea?
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Have you ever heard of Bells Palsey of the gut? I am not saying you have this, but is common in Lyme patients. I have not had a bowel movement on my own for months. I used to be able to use laxatives and smooth move tea. Now it just makes me sick, stomach gurgles, and nothing happens. Out of desperation I do a bucket enema every other day. I have been to bowel specialist (that offered to remove my bowels) and every other Dr I could think of. Noone seems alarmed but me! Just something to check out if you don't get results.
Posts: 620 | From Ks | Registered: Oct 2011
| IP: Logged |
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I had constipation issues for 5-6 years before I found what worked for me. I tried Rx, otc, natural remedies and nothing helped until I started eating natural almonds everday in my diet.
I eat 2 good handfulls in the evening and make sure I grind them up with teeth. In the morning I have great results. If I go more than 2 days without eating almonds, I'm back to being constipated.
I buy them in 1 lb bag, natural, no salt or other additives in the grocery store in the natural foods/produce area.
So so happy and to think it was so simple for me.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
Gotta have a healthy liver because that is where T4-> T3 if I remember correctly.
And upregulated cells impacting the thyroid:
"autoimmune" T17 cells do a number on the thyroid..."itis"
Not being able to poop can be a very serious situation.
Get in touch with your doctor/go to a "doc in the box". Have him/her simply listen for bowel sounds.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Lymegal" A natural way to relieve your problem would be mineral oil or castor oil.And keep having lots of good water.fluid pushes out fluid. If you need help seeing your lyme dr,. let me know thru pm and i'll see that your bill will be paid in advance. In the meanwhile the above oils are natural and should help "move things along"
Posts: 31 | From ny | Registered: May 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm with Marnie - go to a doctor and see if they hear any bowel sounds. You can even lay down, massage your abdomen and get somebody to put their ear on your tummy and listen for sounds.
No more self medicating! If a bottle of mag citrate laxative isn't moving anything, it's time for professional help! Better safe than sorry.
Posts: 161 | From vancouver island | Registered: Feb 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was hoping by the time I checked in today things would be resolved.
If the mag citrate still hasn't done the job, I agree wholeheartedly with those who say it's time to get yourself to the doctor. Continuing to try to treat this by yourself at this point could cause big problems.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
What's the latest? Please tell us how you are doing!
Hope all is well.
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I really think I have a fecal impaction or some sort going on here.
Yesterday i ate high fiber soft foods (veggies, beans. apples. spinach etc)
and all ive been doing is passing little bits of diarreah. I can see the vegetables in it (not to be too graphic but its the truth)
There must be hard fecal matter standing in the way and the diarreah is just going AROUND the solid mass of fecal matter. This has been happening for weeks. altho all i did up till recently was try to take fiber supplements. I wasn't eating enough fiber this past month.
I bought miralax last night. I took once dose last night and one dose this morning. still nothing
I dont think an enema will do much good considering i dont have any fecal matter near my rectum. its higher up . probably in my colon.
i kno people said I should go to the doctor but they can't access it because its not near the rectum. putting their fingers in there isnt going to do any good
this is seriously stressing me out. I called out of work this morning
what should i do? take more miralax. drink a dose every hour?
HELP HELP HELP!
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
PLEASE go to the doctor! They will X-ray you. That's what they did with my daughter and they were able to tell how backed up she was.
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
That is where you want to start off and do it ASAP. Then, you can do maybe coffee enemas but please go to the doctor first and get X-rayed.
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
what did they tell your daughter to do. how backed up was she?
i know every case is individual but im just wondering. curious and wanting to see what I could possibly be looking at.
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
Maybe drink a bottle of prune juice. I wouldn't consume a lot of things with fiber... that can bind you up for sure. Lots of liquids should get things going.
Good luck you poor little backed-up thing.
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
m'kay?
Printer-friendly view of this topic