Severe Constipation

Hi All, my surgery on the back burner. Yes, it’s schedule for January 19th but I don’t think it will happen. If for five days I had heavenly BM, why can’t it come back. Yes, everyone says water,water and more water. Well like everything you can overdue it which most don’t believe. I was feeling lightheaded I’ll say two months ago. Now, I drink so much water, so when that line comes from the mouth of any doctor I say oh no, that would not be be. Long story short, my chloride and sodium very low. It’s called hyponatremia. I had terrible headaches which I never get. I felt fatigue and weak but assumed it was from laxatives. Sometimes you just know your body so well, you stop listening.
I lowered my water intake and 8 weeks later labs normal. They were at the low end of normal, but normal. It’s the same with fiber. I know all about it and why we need it but explain that to my colon. I’m extremely food sensitive. Today is day 8 so tonight is three doses of Philips mag. If I get very bad the Gastro doc sets me up like I’m prepping for a colonoscopy. The diet, followed by that lovely drink. This is my life and my option. Live like this or get the total colectomy. I’m just not ready. My diet is tuff but I do try to add a variety in very small amounts, trial and error.I’ve been doing gluten free but it’s done nothing, still can’t go. I did low inflammation diet,Fodmap and others. I’m sort of a mix of all of them because nothing works. It is very frustrating for sure. Today I didn’t eat much because I feel so full just drinking water is hard. I’m assuming my colon is really full. I just hope it kicks in well tomorrow. I never know. I had acupuncture today and walked 5 miles. It doesn’t matter for whatever reason it’s all stopped. Fingers crossed I’ll empty a lot tomorrow and start over again. I still think it’s better than surgery for this month. I have time. Happy weekend, hope one day someone soon writes something, I try it and I’m cured. Blessings, Joanne

Prunelax is nothing like dulcolax, it is mild in comparison. No cramping! I take at bedtime and I usually wake up around 6am and do once, 15 minutes later again, and a third time a little later. It's the only thing that empties me other than a colonoscopy prep. And, it's not diarrhea, its more like mud. I've tried it all, and it works for me and I was hesitant at first. Keep battling!

Thanks but I’m concerned about so many reviews saying great for emptying but get ready for worst cramping ever. Many compared to ducolax as well. My colon is so sensitive. I can drink 3 oz of warm prune juice and be totally fine then two days later the cramps are severe. It’s in the cupboard along with 25 other OTC products I try. I thank you for your opinion but I’m back on the fence. Hope we hear opinions from others. Have a great day, Joanne…I did triple dose Philips mag last night.I’ve had some relief but I want something that doesn’t ruin my entire next day. My stomach gets really sore, I have no appetite and I’m wiped. I don’t pass all that much either.

Hi Joanne, suffered through many years, and many Gastro Dr's with chronic constipation. Finally found a Dr. who
did a colonoscopy/endoscopy, diagnoses, I have a tortuous bowel, with twists and turns, he even had trouble getting through my colon. Worth a check.

Thank you, but this past 14 months including tests you mentioned I’ve been through a ton more in Boston. Was scheduled for total colectomy this past September 29th but got to scared. I have severe chronic colon motility. It doesn’t move ever. I’ve tried every med OTC and prescription. It doesn’t work. I don’t go without laxatives which make me severely sick. I’m just looking for new ones that don’t cause severe pain. They say by shortening my plumbing I’ll never be this way away. Sounds wonderful but I rescheduled till January.I want to keep trying something new as often as I can. What do they give you for your problem.thanks, Joanne

Absolutely. And it's not as draining on my system as Bisacodyl is. It took awhile for my body to adjust and have an effect. (I have a tortuous intestine.) And I understand it is also available in maximum strength, which I may try later. Right now I use the mini tabs so I can adjust what I'm taking, if necessary.

So sorry. Its getting more and more difficult. Dr. has me on Ducolax, stool softener, and Linzess. Linzess gives me diarrhea ( maybe that would help). The ducolax does make stool softer, but does not nothing for movement. i end up using milk of magnesia caplets or magnesium calm (2 huge tablespoons, usually works) and when worse comes to worse, a suppository, which works, sometimes take some awhile.

Thank you too. I’ve tried it all even combo drug with linzess, the prescription combo drug with amitiza and with trulance. Absolutely nothing. My problem is it gets stuck way in my colon not down in sigmoid or below area so suppositories and enemas don’t work. When I take Philips in order for it to work I take 3 capfuls of liquid and three Philips in the pill form. If my morning nothing happening my Gastro has me fast and I do a prescription from pharmacy that you get as your prep for a colonoscopy. Mine is that severe. I have backup prescriptions at home you use for colon prep. I have an extremely lazy colon. I get pelvic floor PT weekly and acupuncture twice a week and nothing. The surgery scary because if they remove my entire colon and I’m still constipated they can try drugs to help but if they don’t work then I’d need a bag possibly three months later. It’s a tough decision. I just always pray on this site someplace someone just might come up with something that will work. I appreciate all the help from everyone.thanks, Joanne

I am so sorry to hear this. My cousin, and my next door neighbor had the same problem. They were faced with
pretty much the same issues, they didn't want to, but they chose the bag and now say its the best decision they ever made. They never have to worry about all the problems they had before, and have resumed their life and watching them socialize again, and enjoy life is wonderful. I don't know what the answer is, and only the person going through it can decide. I wish the best for you, keep in touch.

Thanks,I blog with folks who did well and others who didn’t. The big reason for me is the nasogastric tube. I retired from medical and saw a lot especially aspiration and it terrifies me. It would be in for days.I’m also allergic to pain meds and it makes recovery longer. It has for every surgery I’ve had. I have no gallbladder. Some folks thought that might be causing it. It’s idiopathic motility. My bowels just stopped after surgery last June. Maybe anesthesia did it. It’s always put my bladder to sleep keeping me hospitalized longer after surgery to be Catheterized when bladder full. Usually day 3 I’m ready to leave. This surgery was long,almost 6 hours. Maybe coincidence I will never know. I had 5 days in September that my bowels just worked. No rhyme or reason and then completely stopped again. I don’t understand that, either did Gastro or surgeon. I’m scheduled Jan but I don’t think I’ll do it. I wish no nasogastric tube cause I probably would do it. Happy Sunday,enjoy..Joanne