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Cannot have a bowel movement ever

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 10/1/2016 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome but this was the closest I could find to my condition.

I have been constipated all my life and always taken laxatives now it has
got to the point I cant have a bowel movement at all even with laxatives.
The DR. are not much help they said a hysterectomy might help but it didn't
I had a colonoscopy and it was normal no blockage.
the only way I can go is to take the colonoscopy prep treatment they are very strong and not good to take all the time
I take those every 5 or 6 week and it comes out as liquid
Any suggestions what do next or ask my DR. I will be seeing him soon as I recently had hysterectomy

I am at my wits end and do not know what to do, this looks like terminal

I am 80 years old
Posted 10/1/2016 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome. I am not a moderator here but I saw your post. Have you seen a gastroenterologist? This specialist would be able to help you better for this chronic problem than a GP. If there are no blockages, has your doctor gone through your medications (if you are taking any) to see if any could be causing this? Some meds like iron supplements, high blood pressure and heart medications, stomach acid pills, anti-depressives and antihistamines are just a few that can cause constipation.

This is what I've learned from my own experience and also from having kids: drinking water, eating more fiber and getting more physical exercise, like walking everyday, helps a lot. Too much coffee can cause constipation, too. As for food, corn, carrots, and broccoli work even better than laxatives. Taking laxatives on a regular basis can condition the body to depend on them for movements, so they should not be taken on a regular basis.

Have you and your doctor considered what you're eating or what medications you're taking? I wish I could help more but I'm just a person who has sometimes dealt with this.
Posted 10/3/2016 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
This is the brother here I think constipation runs in our family
I had GERDS and an ultra sound was done on my gall bladder my bile ducts were blocked
So I had my gall bladder out since then no constipation and as regular as clockwork
It did not help the GERDS but solved my constipation
Do you think this would help my sister?
I read that in some cases gall bladder removal can make some people more constipated
Depends how much bile liver produces
Posted 10/3/2016 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I have no idea about the gall bladder. She really needs to see a gastroenterologist, as I wrote in my reply. I'm not an expert in this at all. She says there are no blockages and that's very good news. I don't know what else to suggest other than what I wrote in my post above. What does she eat on an everyday basis? Is she taking any meds that have side effects that include constipation? (It's easy to Google the side effects for drugs.)

I had my gall bladder out many years ago and I didn't notice any difference in this. For me, it really depends on what I'm eating and if I'm drinking enough water.

I wish I could help more. I thought some others could respond, too.
Posted 10/3/2016 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think she eats much at all since she can never go, she has lost a lot of weight
I know she has allbran muffins and salads the Gastro Drs. here are worst than terrible
it's a 6 month wait to see one and there are only 2 in the area the one she saw has a terrible reputation.
We live in Canada
If it's something that's not easily resolved they give up they have been no help

I appreciate your reply thanks
Posted 10/3/2016 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
She is not taking any meds
Posted 10/3/2016 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Then, if I were her, I would change the food plan and try eating more food, and make sure some of that food includes those vegetables I mentioned. She may be starving herself and without proper nutrition she will lose more weight but with very little food, there will not be any bulk to form movements. Her body can't produce a movement if she's not eating much. Do you follow what I mean?

And I would make sure her primary doctor knows what her meal plan is. She should be eating a variety of vegetables, some fruit and some kind of protein. Sometimes eating too much meat and not enough vegetables can make a person constipated but finally there will be a movement because of the food eaten.

The problem with using those preps for colonoscopies and other laxatives is that the body becomes lazy and will become dependent on them for regularity so it's best to stay away from them on a regular basis.
Posted 10/7/2016 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies

She had to go to emergency last weekend they kept her in for 4 days and found a gastric ulcer
so she's on antibiotics hope this helps
Posted 10/8/2016 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Oh no! I'm sorry! Are they recommending a certain diet for her in addition to the antibiotics? I hope she is doing better now. Thank you for her update.
Posted 10/8/2016 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Yes strict diet no tea, coffee, alcohol etc.

Thanks
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