Question about Laxatives

Posted by cindiwass @cindiwass, Jan 2, 2020

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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@helenfrances

Dear 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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I went back to school to get another Master’s degree.
My husband asked: “Why are you doing this?”
(The degree was in Gerontology)
I told him that I wanted to study myself...
and I am a life long learner....
The gerontology dept. welcomed older students.. the younger students learned from us .... and we learned their views on aging.

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@astaingegerdm

@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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There is a newer medication the market for motility issues -- Motegrity.

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@astaingegerdm

@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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Right now today I am afraid to take senna since I get pain when I take it. So I'll keep trying for a while with the Miralax (substitute from Sam's Club) and psyllium, hoping it helps. I know I've really got to see a gastroenterologist and I need a colonoscopy, but I hate hate hate getting a scope.

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Yes, you have to find a doctor that you trust.
I have a wonderful gastroenterologist. She suspected celiac disease and sent we for the gold standard breath test at a hospital after my colonoscopy.

I was allergic to wheat! After I began a gluten free diet no ab pain, no diarrhea!

I had had a colonoscopy years ago before I learned of this female gastroenterologist. The former gastroenterologist left the practice. Find out as much as you can about your doctors. Interview them. You learn a lot about them by asking questions.

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@cindiwass - If Miralax agrees with you, take it daily. I know Senna can cause crampy pain- it happens to me too- especially if motility is bad that time.
Go ahead with your colonoscopy! Nobody likes it- but some of us need it. I have had more than I can count. If you find a good gastroenterologist, you can get help with your constipation.

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