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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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@cindiwass - Welcome to Connect! I very much understand your worries about the stomach pain and constipation. First of all, many of us have more problems with the bowels working well the older we get. Glycerin suppositories are safe to use. They make it easier to pass a stool, plus has a small irritant effect to help things along. It as strong as senna. Senna could give you cramps. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Since your physician did an ultrasound she may have noticed if you were constipated- ask her how to best approach the problem. I hope others can share their experiences-
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3 ReactionsYes, thank you. I did take the suppository last night (despite my concerns) and am slightly relieved. I resisted a colonoscopy but realize it must be done. Another question I have is also about laxative "dependence," as they call it. Is it possible I will be laxative dependent for the rest of my life? I try now to eat high fiber foods, but wonder if some foods with fiber are more irritating than others. I have read much about which foods are highest in fiber but that doesn't work with me. Yes, I guess I'll have to go through a colonoscopy. I have not had the ultrasound yet, that comes next week, and yes I am sure I will hear her answer. Thanks for your answer.
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2 Reactions@cindiwass Constipation can be major "pain in the butt", literally. I have had it a couple of times from medication and tended to lean that way initially after starting to take calcium supplements so I was pretty careful to eat things that would offset it. Twice it got so bad it was very painful and took me an extremely long times to be able to evacuate. I try to be more pro-active now. I don't want that to ever happen again -- I am talking more than an hour here. Hopefully the suppositories will help you.
A colonoscopy is probably in order. The prep is tough, but the actual procedure is not bad. I hope if there is a problem it will show in the ultrasound and it won't be anything serious. I will be watching, hoping you will keep us informed.
JK
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2 ReactionsOh, thank you, JK, that is encouraging for me to get the dreaded colonoscopy. I ordered something that is a digestive aid but don't know if it will work for me. It looks gentle but different. (Called Gut Health.) The suppository helped a little, not a lot. When I was taking the senna, although I had terrible (and I mean terrible) cramps, I did let out a lot. But without that I am stymied. I took one dose of miralax today, but so far nothing. I also took 650 mg of magnesium, still nothing. So I wonder what WILL work without giving me pain.
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2 ReactionsHi @cindiwass
As I've had three surgeries in the digestive tract, I've had some experience with constipation. You mentioned using magnesium. This can be a good natural remedy. Have you tried a product called "Calm." It is a magnesium supplement that you mix in water and drink. It can help. Also, there is a tea called Smooth Move which you can buy where they sell specialty teas that is a natural laxative. Of course, it is always good to check with your doctor before starting something new.
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2 ReactionsI'm 82. .. with Gastropaneisis.. I take an over the counter Saccharomyces Boulardii Probiotic that my Primary care physician recommended when antibiotics were prescribed.. that helps a great deal.. At a chain drug store I buy a box of 50 for about $25...I have finished the antibiotics a while ago but I still take the Probiotic because it really works for me ... Without the harsher pills and suppositories...
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2 ReactionsHello ken82. Do you know what might have started your Gastropaneisis? I was listening to a program on a radio channel today with doctors and people call in with their problems. This time it was about stomach problems and the idea was centering on those who had stomach reductions and subsequent problems. They were talking about bacterial problems after the operation. And, of course, recommended checking into diet again, but also said that probiotics are questionable many times. I am having an ultrasound tomorrow for the lower part of my abdomen, hopefully that will show something. I usually don't go to the doctor often, but I may have to pester her about tests re my stomach emptying. But the docs were saying that if there is pain in the lower part of the region, the pain could radiate to the stomach also.
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1 ReactionI certainly know what caused the Gastropaneisis...I had a "Nissen" to reduce the problems I was having with GERD...the surgery I had in Iowa injured some of the nerves that cause the stomach to empty.. Mayo diagnosed what happened the first morning I was there...post operative Gastropaneisis.... My Mayo Minnesota GI doc said about 1 in 6 of those Nissen surgeries fail... it's a life changing event..no fix.. just learning to cope with it...
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1 Reaction@cindiwass I hope things go well with the ultrasound and that it helps to identify what the problem is. I hope you feel comfortable letting us know how it went. I will be thinking about you. Is the ultrasound soon?
@ken82 WOW, 1 out 6 fail is not a great statistic. Were you aware of that before you had it? I'm glad you have found something that works for you.
JK
No, I didn't realize the failure statistics before I took that option. . It's all about how one eats.. be very slow, have a distraction like a conversation or reading something...chew very well, gluttony is a very bad deal...keep meals small... don't get prone after eating for at least 2 hours...carry some bloating remedy...I use Papaya Enzyme pills if I feel bloated...there is a foam that sometimes forms in the stomach....I can vomit that out easily... Eating is necessary but a challenge... enjoy the other parts of life.. avoid carbonated beverages..
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