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Question about Laxatives
I have had serious abdominal pain for a while now (8 months), and have been seeing the doctor complaining about it. I found a ball about the size of a golf ball near my lower abdomen. It actually popped the other day (I felt it pop when I touched it from the outside). But it is not gone. I told the doctor about it today. When I first got excruciating pain after I overate (8 months ago), I was screaming and thought I might die, I was alone, but did not call 911. I couldn't even walk to the phone. Finally I puked and had uncontrollable diarrhea, and eventually went to sleep. The next day I felt somewhat better but have been eating better and differently since then. Not eating to the point of horrible excess, much more careful.
I saw my primary care physician then because I thought I could have had sepsis. She said she didn't think so, but really didn't do anything. Since then I have been having pains and saw her today and she finally ordered an ultrasound for the lower region, becauseI told her I felt a lump there and it hurt. She said it wasn't exactly in the region of the ovaries but near there. She said it could be a digestive problem with my lower bowel.
Here's the question -- I am usually constipated. I noticed when I was taking laxatives with senna in it I was in worse pain. So I stopped taking senna. And tonight I bought glycerine suppositories. I don't know what is there -- bothering me so much, but hopefully they'll find out. Meantime I am wondering if taking a suppository could hurt me. I hope not. I would like to discuss more about this and eventually laxative dependency, what it means. I am 76 years old, female.
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Hi, Teresa. Speaking of surgeries, I just had an ultrasound and am waiting for the results, since there is a bubble type thing near my lower region. The doctor said it wasn't quite the ovary, she thought it could be in the intestine. The technician said it looked like it was fecal matter. So I looked it up about a ball there and it, of course, can be one of several things, but because I am always constipated (virtually for years), I looked up about gentle laxatives, not wishing of course to damage myself any further but -- I still need to evacuate. So I took a little metamucil, which seems to be said to be the mildest laxative. (bulk forming) And of course, I should drink lots of water until I speak to my physician again. I am thankful for the support here.
(What kind of surgery have you had, if you don't mind telling me.)
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1 ReactionGood point, ken82, about chewing slowly, something I need to work on. About the bloating...I'll look into that, thanks. I enjoy food but am eating less anyway. I think I will ask to see a very experienced nutritional counselor after my test result comes in. There is a good hospital about an hour and 1/2 away that I will make inquiries of.
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1 Reaction@cindiwass ...hour and a half away from good hospital. .. that's not good...you should look for a nutritionist who has experience dealing with those with Gastropaneisis...few folks understand the way it affects your life throughout the day. .
Hi, It's been some time since I connected with the forum, but I was reading your post and I have a few questions. My constipation has not subsided, but I'm wondering about a few things. Can I take Miralax (generic) and psyllium powder on the same day? That's my first question. (I have others.)
I agree. I just had hernia surgery and the pain is gone, thank goodness, but the constipation is still there. I'm going to look into it as to why. The dr. that did surgery here -- I like him -- I will talk to his office. I think he's good. Thanks for your reminder.
@cindiwass - Welcome back!
It would be nice with a life without constipation.
I used to take Miralax and Citrucel ( the other fiber brand) together for years. Now I take Miralax alone, once or twice a week. My system doesn’t like fiber anymore. I might also take a senna laxative to get things going. It has become such a balancing act!
@Ingegerd Enscoe, thank you! Yes, I can imagine it's a balancing act except I've never known how to do it. Nevertheless, I intend to try. So I shall experiment with the types of laxatives I am presently taking, keeping track of what and when. My next few weeks should be in the experimental range. I already took 3 senna tabs, and Miralax more than 12 hours ago, result is nothing. So -- starting tonight I shall keep count of things.
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1 ReactionI think each body should come with booklet of information!
My GI recommended Miralax for me.
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1 Reaction@helenfrances @cindiwass I like the idea of a booklet about how the body works!
Over the years of having constipation, the way I need to deal with it has changed too. I think my motility has changed too. For now Miralax on and off works- it pulls water into the intestine- combined with a Senna product.
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1 ReactionDear Ingegerd,
Yes!
Perhaps a booklet on each body system!
A course in anatomy and physiology.
We are walking around in this body which we know little about!
We probably know more about our cars than our bodies!
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