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Desperate For Relief of Constipation Bloated Gas

Posted , 6 users are following.

albert_99155
albert_99155

Hello all.  I'm a 36 year old male living in The States and I've suffered with GI issues since I was a teenager.  In 2002 I had my gallbladder removed which I think was the beginning of the end.  Unfortunately I think my issues are the aftermath of yo yo dieting, diet pills and anorexia in my teenage years.

Though my symptoms have changed over the years, I currently suffer from constipation, gas bloating, and cramps.

For the most part I seldom get the urge to go to the bathroom.  If I let the problem go and don't use medicine, I typically feel uncomfortably full and have a heavy feeling all day, I usually won't eventually go.  

Usually, to alleviate the issue, or prevent it from happening, and have a bowel movement in the morning, I either take senna or some type of over the counter colon cleansing/laxative agent the night before, or take mineral oil and or a stool softener the night before.  I've also, in the past, tried Amatiza, Linzess, Movantic and trulance.  

Recently I've started to combine the use of tap water enemas with using suppositories- as the med's/supplement oftenbcause diarreah. 

Though I'm often able to relieve some of my constipation, the second part of my problem is that I'm often gassy, bloated, and  cramped.  I know it seems these symptoms are due to the constipation or meds but I'm noticing even when I do happen to go to the bathroom without "assistance," I still experience gas bloating, cramps, etc.  the gas I have is moreso intestinal, it's not just farting a lot (to put it bluntly).  It sloshes around in my gut and feels like marbles traveling through a tube.  My pains/cramps are typically in my upper right abdomen or my lower left side near my peivic bone.  Sometimes the gas causes the pain and sometimes it doesn't.  I notice the enemas cause more of these symptoms than the medicine.  Sometimes it feels like the water is still stuck up there even after I expell it.

All in all, the only time I feel somewhat normal is when I do not eat.  For example, if I want to go out on a Saturday night and not feel bloated, cramps, etc, I'd have to fast all day Saturday.

I know I have two separate issues going on, however, At this point, I feel like if I was able to have a complete bowel movement some of these symptoms would subside.  I've had every test and nothing is ever found.

My question to readers is: are there any recommendations to help with constipation (whether it's medicine, supplements,  home remedies, etc.) that could help prevent the constipation but not flare up the other symptoms. Ideally something that will just make me "regular." 

I am absolutely desperate and welcome any input.  

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • Holly1784h
    Holly1784h albert_99155

    Posted

    Hi Albert, I feel for you. Sorry you're going through all this. I too have had those symptoms and still struggle at times, and this being one of those times. What has helped me a lot is the low FODMAP diet and a supplement called "Heathers Tummy Fiber". I used Miralax before that and slowly tapered off of Miralax as I increased the Heather's Tummy Fiber. I now do pretty well most of the time. Hope that helps and you get some more answers here.

    • albert_99155
      albert_99155 Holly1784h

      Posted

      Thank you so much for this advice. I am going to look into that tummy fiber and also check out low food map. I have heard of that diet before but never actually looked into it. I always thought it was not food related  there is not a specific food I noticed that causes the issue, but who knows.   It seems like the problem is caused when my G.I. track has to do work or my intestines are working. If I do not eat I am perfectly fine or if I do not go to the bathroom I am fine, it's when the gear start turning that all hell breaks loose Per say.

    • albert_99155
      albert_99155 Holly1784h

      Posted

       Funny, I just looked at my Amazon purchase and ordered a product similar to Heathers. I think it's the same thing just a different brand, I believe someone else recommended this as well hopefully it works for me. Thank you so so much I think it's so important to support one another because doctors don't seem to do the trick.

    • martin31040
      martin31040 albert_99155

      Posted

      Hi, I'm in the UK, and when I go to see my GP he looks at test results and says "I don't know what that is or that means", otherwise he's an alright Dr though.

  • martin31040
    martin31040 albert_99155

    Posted

    Hi Albert, I mentioned before have you tried coconut oil or olive oil?, a tablespoon of extra vigin coconut oil per day and increase to 2 per day etc, magnesium citrate supplement is reckoned to help with constipation, it draws fluid into colon, through osmosis, you need to drink plenty of fluids, and probiotics may help, have you had a colonoscopy in the past?, I have a redundant colon, it is longer than normal with more twists and turns this is what causes my IBS issues I think.
    • albert_99155
      albert_99155 martin31040

      Posted

       Thank you so much. Yes I had a colonoscopy exactly a year ago I know this because I am a teacher and was on spring break when I have it I am now on spring break, seems all my time is spent taking care of these issues. I tried olive oil but I think I took too much of that and had an adverse reaction.   They told me everything was normal, but did not mention anything like your situation.   I also had an endoscopy and they only told me they saw inflammation.  I  used to take a supplement made from pineapple extract Broma mean or something like that, for the inflammation, it worked but now not so much.  I will be honest I was frustrated with constipation and took a big swig of the bottle so God only knows how much I ingested.   Not to be graphic but when I went to the bathroom the toilet was filled with oil on the top.  I feel like these issues actually make you go crazy sometimes.
    • albert_99155
      albert_99155 martin31040

      Posted

      I just looked and saw I'm taking magnesium glyconate.  Prior to that I was taking a 3 in 1 calcium magnesium zinc pill.  I never realized how many different calciums there were.  Additionally I was taking Kijimea™ IBS which was recommended by someone on this site.  I've had no luck.  I'm also taking a tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar a day.  

      I prefer experimenting with natural stuff like vinegar etc. than prescriptions.  I've also started acupuncture- only went once haven't seen a result yet.  I think I'm going to start the coconut oil today. 

    • martin31040
      martin31040 albert_99155

      Posted

      Hi, when I was younger and up to about the age of 50, I had no gut or digestive issue's, then my gallbladder got blocked so in hospital for about 2 weeks lots of antibiotics and a few months later gallbladder removed, then a few years later got a urinary tract infection ended up with sepsis, hospital again for 2 weeks on antibiotics for about 3 months and eventually got rid of infection, and after all this I started with IBS, colonoscopy, endoscopy, barium enema, end result redundant colon, so I reckon all those antibiotics and having gallbladder out started all my problems.

    • martin31040
      martin31040 albert_99155

      Posted

      Hi, I don't mean to be a doom merchant but things tend to get worse as you age, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, IBS, and Tinnitus in both ears, and I've probably still time to accumulate more health issues, such is life, and crazy is the right word.

    • albert_99155
      albert_99155 martin31040

      Posted

       To ironic, not sure if I mentioned I also had my gallbladder removed in 2002 when I was 19, that was the  beginning of the end. Unfortunately I was so young I really didn't pay much attention to my health. I was lucky enough to have youth on my side and symptoms were not as severe. Now that I am getting older and have way more responsibilities things are intensifying with my symptoms.

    • albert_99155
      albert_99155 martin31040

      Posted

      It's the unfortunate reality for sure, my problem is that I work full time go to graduate school, and many other things.  Working with these issues is dibilitating, the physical and mental stress is really taking a toll.  There are probably people on disability that have less health issues than what I suffer with! If I was retired or disabled I could cope. I feel like if things don't improve with these Gastrointestinal issues I'm going to break down and burn out.

  • albert_99155
    albert_99155

    Posted

    I can't thank you all enough. Just talking with people that have similar issues has tremendously helped me both physically and mentally. We honestly need to support each other because doctors,  to put it bluntly,  don't give a s**t- no pun intended.

    • martin31040
      martin31040 albert_99155

      Posted

      Hi, it sure ain't good having health issues when young and working, I'm in the UK and retired now and fortunately I was pretty much ok up to late 40s, I definitely wouldn't like to be working as I am now.

    • albert_99155
      albert_99155 martin31040

      Posted

      It's a living hell to have to function as a professional and deal with these health issues.  If my symptoms continue getting worse, I don't know how I will be able to go on.

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