Anyone else have severe constipation?

@lisalucier. Just jumping in as I also have bowel issues. Since radiation treatment for anal cancer, I also feel like I'm leaving something behind whenever I successfully go. I find, simply moving around the house helps me to go some more and oftentimes throughout the day; or else I don't go at all for days.
Things seem so weird for me from diagnosis of a HPV related cancer that came from nowhere after a 50 yr marriage to today whereby my bowels simply won't cooperate. I think accepting the situation, relieving some of the stress and adapting are all helpful.
Sorry that I am not too helpful for you but know you aren't alone. I'm starting the first retesting of everything now.
I just wish all the various medical folks would be more open about expectations or what we could experience along the way.

Hi @bug3 - what you jumped in with here was very helpful. It sounds as though for you, too, moving around helps you to "go" more.

Setting expectations seems to be a very important part of doctoring. I've heard plenty of physicians talk about this when I've interviewed them for articles on topics for medical professional enewsletters, but I'm afraid this behavior may not be present across the whole field of medicine.

From what I've read in this support group and my own experiences with chronic diarrhea and then constipation with taking semaglutide shots, I've only gotten a taste of the emotional toll of these types of things going on with your bowels. However, I sense that an emotional toll is also a significant part of the suffering, in addition to pain, discomfort, mess, etc.

You said that the following have been helpful for you in getting a cancer diagnosis out of nowhere and then having bowels that will not cooperate. I'm wondering if you'd be willing to elaborate on these, particularly in relation to having bowels that will not cooperate, and how you've come to these places/helped yourself get there in order to help other members dealing with these conditions.

- Accepting the situation
- Relieving some of the stress
- Adapting

Any practical tips for how to put these in practice, bug3, would be great if you are up for it. Thoughts?

I was in an NIH study concerning chronic constipation run by Dr Satish Rao at the U of Iowa. I was in the biofeedback group, I would lie down in a dark room and watch waves of the ocean while listening to Pachelbel's Canon for 45 minutes twice a week for six weeks. After that my motility increased 68%.

@beejenigma wow ! As a musician, I loved reading your post…thank you ! the power of music has really kept me going…during my surgery recovery, i managed to edit the first print of my recent arrangements, hearing the music in my head…peaceful and healing for me. I continue arranging and editing as much as I can and believe music has played a major role in my healing. Am hoping to find ways to help others, inspired by you .

@nycmusic I guess the research points to a gut-brain disorder so intervention can occur at gut and brain levels and biofeedback helps them work together... I agree that stress is part of it, but I do think menopause, the loss of estrogen which is a protective factor, is a part of it as well. I've used magnesium citrate and liposomal vitamin C to good effect and so far, that is mostly all I need. I keep my diet regular - eat at regular times each day as close as I can manage it. I do eat lots of vegetables, some good fats and leaner proteins. (Too many vegetables - too much fiber - can also cause an issue so balance is key.). I forego sugar 95% of the time, avoid anything under the heading of ultra processed food (including pastas) and minimize grains. I do still very much enjoy my food. I'm also gluten and dairy free for many years. All of this has helped and I think my adherence to diet comes from acceptance and understanding how I'm not helpless and can impact my situation greatly. I may check out biofeedback as it seems helpful for the anxiety that can accrue from more difficult days. Movement is also key - I work out with a physical trainer and lift heavy and slow and I walk regularly. Thank you all.

@nycmusic I guess the research points to a gut-brain disorder so intervention can occur at gut and brain levels and biofeedback helps them work together... I agree that stress is part of it, but I do think menopause, the loss of estrogen which is a protective factor, is a part of it as well. I've used magnesium citrate and liposomal vitamin C to good effect and so far, that is mostly all I need. I keep my diet regular - eat at regular times each day as close as I can manage it. I do eat lots of vegetables, some good fats and leaner proteins. (Too many vegetables - too much fiber - can also cause an issue so balance is key.). I forego sugar 95% of the time, avoid anything under the heading of ultra processed food (including pastas) and minimize grains. I do still very much enjoy my food. I'm also gluten and dairy free for many years. All of this has helped and I think my adherence to diet comes from acceptance and understanding how I'm not helpless and can impact my situation greatly. I may check out biofeedback as it seems helpful for the anxiety that can accrue from more difficult days. Movement is also key - I work out with a physical trainer and lift heavy and slow and I walk regularly. Thank you all.

I don't see any comment included here about the vagus nerve. Doesn't that nerve need stimulation, to perform all the digestive duties? I know that rebounding or any other type of bouncing the body (walking, stair climbing) as well as stretching exercises for the torso, and even humming/singing, temporarily stimulate the vagus nerve. Many of us are doing too much sitting and then complain that our systems aren't working. There is no need for extreme or exhausting measures; just try good movements every couple of hours, for 15-30 min. This helps me. I'm 75 and have gastroparesis. (I also avoid food products which might be treated with glyphosate, a ubiquitous herbicide used by farmers for maximum harvests). Stay warm!! (I've been outside in 20 degrees and it's really NICE)(just walked to the compost pile and picked up a few frozen fallen branches)

@lauracbaker

Vagus Nerve Stimulators at Amazon for under $50.00. Please purchase and report back. Thank you!!!

@hopeseeker22 - interesting! I imagine these devices work by vibrating against certain points and bones. I don't usually try devices other than natural movements, but will research. TX!!!!
(this might be similar to humming, singing)