[shecannotgo]

My girlfriend has had abdominal pain and constipation for over ten years, she's now 27. The Gyns think it's in her head, and she wonders if the pain is coming from an ovarian cyst. I noticed she doesn't go to the bathroom for a week sometimes, and the pain always seems to arise when this infrequency happens. She's been taking citrocel(sp?), but it only has helped a little. I want to keep her away from stuff like zelnorm so I was wondering if there's something else out there for her to take?

 

[Ty]

Firstly, has she seen a gastroenterologist? Getting all of the tests done is a good idea. And I'd get another Gyn, 10 years of constipation and pain isn't all in her head.I take magnesium supplements for my C. It's a stool softner, not a laxative. The RDA is 400mg, so if she decides to try this and this amount isn't helping, have to talk to her GP doc. Some people should not take more than the 400mg a day.Other things that help me: drinking lots and lots of water. All day, every day. Very important, esp. when taking fiber or mag. I tried Metamucil and Citrucil and didn't like either of them FiberCon worked well for me. Again, with lots of water. Aloe Vera Juice is another thing that helped. There's a recent post on it. Heat: when I'm having pain, a hot compress and some hot tea or soup is good. Trying to stay on a consistent schedule: my body craves this and when I wake up, eat, etc around the same time everyday, it helps. I end up going to the bathroom at least once a day.Hope some of this will help.

 

[Paula J.]

You can get an ultra sound to see if you have a cyst. Women get them naturally every month from ovaulation. One month left side, next month right side. I don't know if this is all women, but I used to get them. There is also another test to see, and a gyno has to do it. It's uncomfortable, but is an office procedure. If she has really complained, and the gyno has done nothing, I'd find a different gyno. As for the C, I'd do what Ty said, his advice was a good place to start.

 

[Ty]

Paulo, I'm a she

BTW, is Ty just more a guy's name? I've had that happen alot - people thinking I'm a guy due to the name. Just curious.

 

[KLG]

I agree with TY. Magnessium is great! Citrucel and Metamucil along with other non-food fibers sometimes make constipation worse. Keep in mind that these are also used in people who suffer from D, because they absorb liquid in the colon and help solidify stools. If not taken with adequate water intake, it will cause it to dry "things" out further in there. Perhaps she can try an over the counter stool softener like Correctol.My Constipation Remedy (These don't have to be done all together, but I do recommmend keeping the Mag Supp as something daily).* 500 Mg Magnesium Citrate daily* At least one pear daily (high in fiber, but doesn't cause gas like a lot of other fibers).* Oat Bran for breakfast* Lots of fluids* I sometimes take Dandelion Root (actually to get rid of water retention) but it is also considered a mild laxative (non-stimulant).* Steamed Vegetables (I put them in a steamer for an hour...very simple turn on and eave for an hour...no checking) I use broccoli, baby carrots and zucchini (although I just read that carrots are used to fight D so i son't know if that's a good choice.)Bananas, carrots, apples, applesauce, and rice I have read are used to stop D. Tell her to try to avoid these food when possible. Apple Juice on the other hand is thought to work the opposite...causing D.Hope this helps.Kari

 

[ghitta]

very good advice from all on this thread. definitly more tests are in order for she with possible cyst which can indeed cause what seems to be abdominal pain (from one who knows) - as for a natural anti-C diet, i also cannot recommend mag supps enough, i personally take 500mg per day in two doses (lunch & dinner) and i also take a flax oil pill with dinner which really helps in the morning. i eat a lot of natural food fibers, soluble, such as dried fruits, pears, as previously mentioned, green drinks in the morning, i also have a lot of steamed or sauteed greens covered in olive oil (nature's natural laxative) and brown rice, rice crackers and non wheat pastas all help. i avoid like the plague insoluble fiber remedies like pysllium etc. walking or swimming also helps tremendously. good luck, g-

 

[plm123]

I agree with everything Ty says. Be careful of anything that can cause gas if she has C. That is a very bad combo. C is bad enough on its own. I can't use the fiber suppliments because they all give me gas. Magnesium worked great except it really upset my stomach. I use aloe juice regularly, avoid my trigger foods that cause gas and I am usually ok.P.