[Smiler]

I have always associated Diahorrea with IBS and have only just discovered that IBS can also cause constipation. I have had chronic constipation since childhood. I am 52 now. I have always been trying to get my diet right for my bowels. Despite eating loads of fruit, veg and fibre and drinking about 4 pints of water a day, I will only 'go' once or twice a week. I can only liken it to giving birth. Severe cramping pains in lower abdomen, like someone twisting my insides. Difficulty in passing the stool, sometimes I have to drink strong coffee and walk around a lot. Very exhausted afterwards, sometimes I have to lie down. I also get, milder, stitch like pains in my right side and anal spasms. I have a very sore rear end. It never occured to me to visit my doctor as I assumed that I am aleady having a healthy diet that nothing more could be done. I did visit him about the anal spasms, but he told me to drink more water and eat more fibre. In reality that would mean my meals would consist of nothing but fibre as I was already eating loads. So not much help there. The only time my bowels work normally is when I having a migraine, which I also suffer from, then they can be quite loose and I feel sick. Otherwise I have discovered Linseeds and Psyllum husks which work(with loads of fluid), but I need more than the recommended dose which is worrying. Raw fruit and veggies don't work, so now I mash or puree my fruit and have cooked veggies. I gave up All Bran as that stopped working for me and now I have porridge & mashed banana for breakfast. I don't have much appetite as all this fills me up so much. But at least I can now 'go' about two or three times a week. Does this sound like IBS as I have never been diagnosed?

 

[ABNormal]

Could be. Have you seen a Gastroenterologist?

 

[Smiler]

No. I've didn't know there was such an animal. I'm very new to all this and don't really know where to start. Through looking at this site, I realise I could have colonic inertia as things have always ben very slow. However, I do get occasional bouts of diahorrea which last about 24 hours, usually after eating fried or fatty meals.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Yep it sounds like it may be worth seeing a GI specialist and getting a few things tested.Sometimes it is how fast stuff moves through, but you may also need to get the outlet tested to make sure you do relax it enough to have a bowel movement.There are a couple of newer prescription drugs that can help with chronic constipation, Zelnorm and Amitza, and there are some prescription osmotics like Miralax that help some people keep the stool wet enough to pass easily if stool consistancy is an issue.I wouldn't worry so much about needing more than the usual dose of psyllium because usually the dose on the package is only a couple of grams and depending on your diet and all some people do well in the 30 grams of total fiber or more a day range. Usually the minimum you should get is like 20-25.K.

 

[22896]

I also say - go see a specialist.My personal experience is that the more fruits, veggies and fiber I eat the worst I feel. Also, eating bananas can be constipating. Although we are all different in what we eat and how it makes us feel. I use stool softners, drink lots of water, coffee helps me have daily bm's - right not I mostly deal with mostly stomach pain and bloating. One more thing - If you go to a doctor and you don't click with them or you don't think they are taking you seriously - drop them. Don't waste your time with the loosers - keep looking til you find one your like!!I have had IBS for 20 years - if you want to chat - feel free to e-mail me

 

[Smiler]

Unfortunately my doctor also goes to the same church as I do, so I need to overcome the embarrasment. He is in fact a very good doctor and I wouldn't want to change. I just need to pluck up the courage. I am going to keep a diary of what I eat and how often I go, and will go and see him after about a month.