Pain and chronic constipation: Alternative to colonoscopy?

Posted by abiln @abiln, Aug 5, 2020

I am having lower abdominal pain and chronic constipation. My first colonoscopy wasn't clear, so I am waiting to be scheduled for a second Colonoscopy now. I think this process may take up to 2 months. Is there anything alternative I can do to get a solution sooner, as I am having a lot of pain?

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Aug 5, 2020

Take fiber powder and miralax every morning. Avoid fried food and fatty meats. Eat more green vegtables, whole wheat bread, raw carrots,celery, broccoli, cucumbers. No soda. Drink plenty of water and see if that helps.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 5, 2020

Hello @abiln,

I'm sorry to hear about your abdominal pain. That is so very uncomfortable, I've experienced that as well. Since you are looking for some help before you get your appointment for your next colonoscopy, I'm just wondering if you have ever tried some different diets. Some people have a very difficult time digesting gluten, dairy products, etc.

There is a diagnosis of IBS. While IBS often manifests itself with abdominal pain and diarrhea a lot of people encounter abdominal pain and constipation (often referred to as IBS-C). If you would like to see if diet could make a difference you might discuss with your GI specialist trying a fodmap eating plan to see if that helps. it is a rather restrictive diet that eliminates gluten, dairy and some other foods for 30 days. Then you add back in some of these foods in a moderate amount to see which ones trigger the symptoms. When I did the first 30 days of restricted eating I felt better within the first several days. It is important to use fiber supplements as suggested by @riflemanz64 above and maybe even small doses of a stool softener like Miralax.

Here is some information on the fodmap eating plan, https://www.verywellhealth.com/foods-on-the-low-fodmap-diet-1944679. Connect also has a discussion on this topic. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fodmap-eating-plan/?commentsorderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header.

There is a video presentation from a registered dietician at Mayo, Dr. Wang, that explains about this as well. Here is a link that will take you to that video, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/what-exactly-is-the-fodmap-diet-dr-wang-explains/

If you are comfortable sharing more, @ablin, could you share if you have had other GI problems in the past? Perhaps abdominal surgeries, etc.? Is there a family history of food sensitivities or allergies?