Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
Hello, folks. I have a problem that maybe you can help me with, but please bear with me until I get to it. I can't help it. I need to vent about what happened yesterday. I'll get to the point eventually.
I believe some of you suffer from what I do. I've been told it's all the meds I'm on, my inability to exercise, my diet, etc., etc. etc. But NOTHING has worked.
I even went to a GI doctor, who refused to answer any questions until I had a colonoscopy, and when I was there for the colonoscopy, I told him I wanted the question answered and he said he would, but then, when I woke from the colonoscopy and was told nothing was wrong (I didn't expect anything to be wrong) I asked, where's the doctor? I only wanted him to address ONE thing, and already I've given him an office visit and a colonoscopy to bill my insurance company for, and I still haven't gotten THE answer to the ONE question I went to see him for! I'm convinced all he's interestsed in is doing procedures and not dispensing medical advice. If the procedure shows nothing, he sends you on your way. If it shows something, he sends you on your way to another specialist. All he does is procedures and bills insurance companies.
As you can see, I'm ticked off. My ONE question? Sorry it's taken so long to get to get to it:
I am PLAGUED with constant constipation. I have hypothyroidism (which can also contribute), as well as CFIDS and FM.
The constipation is so bad I can back up for 2 weeks. It gets impacted. I have episodes when I'm on the toilet for hours. (Sorry for all the details--but I suffer so much pain and misery when this happens, and it always does.)
I am WAY BEYOND such things as "eat fiber" or "eat fruit" or "try yogurt and probiotic pills" or "try Glycolax, formerly known as Miralax," "drink a lot," "try to get some exercise," ETC. ETC.
I've TRIED all that stuff! Useless!
The ONLY thing that works is Milk of Magnesia. I wanted the doctor to tell me how often it is safe to take it. Of course, I got NO ANSWER. After one office visit and a colonscopy they promised he would call with that answer and of course he didn't. I was told to make ANOTHER office appt (so he can bill the insurance, of course) and I said I wouldn't drag myself to another appointment and pay for it, all to get a 30 second response.
I can only assume that OTHER PEOPLE who suffer like this can give me unique suggestions that don't include the ones above. SO PLEASE, folks, tell me how you handle this. I NEED YOUR INPUT!!!!
Sorry I wrote so much but I'm so P***ed at the doctor and REALLY WANT advice from you dear people
THANK YOU in advance!
Wolfie
I believe some of you suffer from what I do. I've been told it's all the meds I'm on, my inability to exercise, my diet, etc., etc. etc. But NOTHING has worked.
I even went to a GI doctor, who refused to answer any questions until I had a colonoscopy, and when I was there for the colonoscopy, I told him I wanted the question answered and he said he would, but then, when I woke from the colonoscopy and was told nothing was wrong (I didn't expect anything to be wrong) I asked, where's the doctor? I only wanted him to address ONE thing, and already I've given him an office visit and a colonoscopy to bill my insurance company for, and I still haven't gotten THE answer to the ONE question I went to see him for! I'm convinced all he's interestsed in is doing procedures and not dispensing medical advice. If the procedure shows nothing, he sends you on your way. If it shows something, he sends you on your way to another specialist. All he does is procedures and bills insurance companies.
As you can see, I'm ticked off. My ONE question? Sorry it's taken so long to get to get to it:
I am PLAGUED with constant constipation. I have hypothyroidism (which can also contribute), as well as CFIDS and FM.
The constipation is so bad I can back up for 2 weeks. It gets impacted. I have episodes when I'm on the toilet for hours. (Sorry for all the details--but I suffer so much pain and misery when this happens, and it always does.)
I am WAY BEYOND such things as "eat fiber" or "eat fruit" or "try yogurt and probiotic pills" or "try Glycolax, formerly known as Miralax," "drink a lot," "try to get some exercise," ETC. ETC.
I've TRIED all that stuff! Useless!
The ONLY thing that works is Milk of Magnesia. I wanted the doctor to tell me how often it is safe to take it. Of course, I got NO ANSWER. After one office visit and a colonscopy they promised he would call with that answer and of course he didn't. I was told to make ANOTHER office appt (so he can bill the insurance, of course) and I said I wouldn't drag myself to another appointment and pay for it, all to get a 30 second response.
I can only assume that OTHER PEOPLE who suffer like this can give me unique suggestions that don't include the ones above. SO PLEASE, folks, tell me how you handle this. I NEED YOUR INPUT!!!!
Sorry I wrote so much but I'm so P***ed at the doctor and REALLY WANT advice from you dear people
THANK YOU in advance!
Wolfie
Here are some of my thoughts - do you take a magnesium supplement? One of the things about magnesium is if you take it at a high dose and your body isn't used to it, you can end up with a laxative effect which could work out to your advantage in this case. I had to build up to 500 mgs to prevent migraines. You can take up to 1000 mgs a day safely. A magnesium supplement would be different from taking milk of magnesia.
have you tried royal jelly? I've been taking it for about two months and I've noticed my IBS is less unpredictable. I used to alternate between the runs and being backed up. Royal jelly seems to help me and since you didn't mention it I thought I'd throw this out there. I'm too embarrassed to go to the doctor (I feel like I'm too young to have digestive problems) about it so I'm always looking for alternative treatments. Royal jelly is one you have to take for a good month to get it into your system.
I've also noticed when I stick to my vegan diet everything is smoother - less problems. Going vegan is really hard but it is so worth it in the long run... I've been lazy about it and I'm paying the price (though I haven't eaten meat in 7 years, cheese is just so irresistible but that's my new years resolution... no more cheese) I have a friend with type 1 diabetes who has had major constipation for a long time - he's been to all the doctors, had all sorts of exams and stuff and going vegan is the only thing that's really helped him. He had to do it for about a month too to feel the effects. Now he won't touch anything with dairy or meat because he feels so much better. I stayed a weekend at his house and had all vegan food and was reminded of how much better I feel, in general, when I avoid dairy. I don't know what your diet is like now and you didn't mention it so I felt like it was safe to add this, especially given my friend who has had serious issues with it.
I hope you feel better!
Constipation and diarhea are essentially the same problem. I often go from one to the other but seem to more often than not have the latter of the two. The constipation causes me less pain then the sharp pain the diarhea causes and the embarrassing "uh oh" when i am out and about and off I run in search of a washroom. My spouse has gotten used to hearing me say that and disappearing for 20 minutes or so....lol
Both are usually caused by spasms in the bowel.
There are other issues such as crohns disease, IBD, diverticulitis etc...so don't underestimate the power of the pooper...it can make you feel pretty crappy....lol
If milk of magnesia works for you, then use it. Let your doctor know how much you take daily, he may determine that it is wiser to be on a medication or he may feel you are okay.
My doc leaves me without meds for it, cause I have to take so much meds already for my seizures, oesto and nerve pain....plus I have a low tolerance for drugs. One thing that does help is beer or wine, try a beer or wine a day...my doc prescribed it to get my milk flowing when I was breast feeding and apparently it will get your other areas flowing too.
Sorry, I was so graphic but well I figure no point in beating around the bush every human has experienced this atleast once in their life so why make it so taboo right.
Have a happy and hopefully painfree and stressfree holiday:)
There is a drug for IBS it is given as a last resort.
even though the colonoscopy results are normal, your bowel habits are not. You are absolutely right to say that the GI specialist was of no help to you, however, the colonoscopy showed no physical obstruction(for example, a tumor) as the cause of the constipation. This is good news, yes?
Now for the bad news....you have a "high maintenance bowel". Other people do not have to think twice about having a bowel movement every day, but for you, my friend, it's a different story.
You should try to have a BM every day. Start with the usual dietary guidelines regarding fresh fruit and vegetable, and make sure that you drink enough liquids!!!!!! during the day. After working in healthcare for 25 years, you would be surprised to know how many people do not drink enough water, and this could contribute to constipation. As for fiber, I like Activia yogurt "with fibre" for breakfast, with a scoop of high fiber cereal on top, and at least 2 cups of fruit and vegetable during the rest of the day.
Talk to your pharmacist about taking a "stool softener " everyday. These are very gentle, and many people take them , to keep them "going". ( Colace, or Docusate sodium or Senna tablets) You may find that you will have to use the stool softener daily for the first week or so, and then every other day after you have established a more normal BM pattern.
Regular use of chemical laxatives is not reccommended, as the bowel will become "lazy", and will function only if stimulated with chemicals. Finally, keep track of what foods stimulate your bowel, and try to incorporate these foods into your diet on a daily basis. If you have no BM for 2 days, ask the pharmacist about "Glycerin Suppositories". These are gentle enough to help you pass hard stool, but do not wait longer than 2 days to deal with the constipation.
Please mention your bowel problems to your GP again asap, because a GP should be on the lookout for underlying problems that could contribute to your constipation.
I now have a list of things to try. Better response than I ever got from any doctor.
W.
What helps me is Kelloggs fiber bars eat them a few times a week and see if it helps.