Dealing with Constipation: Seeking Solutions for Chronic Bowel Problems

[JG89]

Hey, I'm not trying to seek medical advice here, but you all are a smart bunch so I thought I would ask you guys for your opinion.

My girlfriend has been having some stomach problems for the past few months (they're on and off) where she will be constipated and barely poo at all. She has tried taking laxatives -- they work sometimes, but other times do absolutely nothing. Plus, they aren't a solution because while sometimes the laxatives make her poo, if she doesn't take them then she cannot poo. She needs to be able to poo naturally. So she tried drinking a lot of prune juice, eating more fibre, etc, and that worked a bit, but she is still very constipated. To the point where her sides are killing her (from pain) and her stomach is bloated.

I have taken her to doctors. One doctor, her family doc, just said to keep trying the prune juice and fibre and so on. Another doctor said that there was nothing wrong with her at all. There is obviously something wrong with her and it's time to fix it. What is our next step? Hospital?

 

[lisab]

No, I wouldn't go to a hospital unless she needs urgent care. Can you ask her doc to recommend a specialist?

 

[Oldfart]

Sound liike a job for a gastroenterologist. Who may want an abdominal ultrasound scan and/or a colonostomy (sp?) to check things out.

OF

 

[Ivan Seeking]

or a colonostomy (sp?) to check things out.

colonoscopy

[as opposed to colostomy] Big difference!

 

[Evo]

I would suggest taking her to the Emergency Room if her abdomen is distended and she is in pain. This has been going on for awhile. It could be nothing, but don't take the chance that she has a bowel obstruction or kinked colon. I don't want to scare you but it could turn serious quickly.

It sounds like the doctor is too laid back. Get her seen and tests done immediately please.

 

[Proton Soup]

some simple things you could try. watch the diet, and make sure it's got plenty of fibrous veggies in it. watch the water intake. make sure it is sufficient, but don't go overboard. get some exercise. it decreases intestinal transit time. experiment with magnesium supplementation. an ionic form like citrate or sulfate beginning with a nominal rate like the USRDA amount. magnesium is also used as a common laxative, but you may find that at a lower rate the stool will simply go from hard to soft.

 

[Evo]

Let's not give out advice that could cause problems if she has a medical condition.