[20762]

Hi,I had weight loss surgery (lapband) about one year ago. Since that time, I've struggled with chronic constipation. My parents have had this problem, so to some extent I suppose it runs in the family, but I'm just now experiencing it for the first time. I'm eating a lot less food, so I guess it's normal to expect slower transit. I went to the doctor when I developed a hemmerhoid (identified by my doctor when he looked) and had rectal bleeding with it. He advised me to use fiber, benefiber, stool softeners, etc. After several months with no improvement, I recently started taking Miralax, which is working wonders. So...1. Should I be concerned that I never had a colonoscopy to rule out anything more severe? It seems tied to my changed diet, so at what point is a colonoscopy indicated?2. I'm also worried about having to struggle with constipation forevermore. Can Miralax fix the problem and then be tapered off?Thank you all for your support. I'm so glad to have found this forum after a year of painful bowel movements and chronic constipation. I no longer feel alone.Mslynn

 

[16636]

So clearly you're eating a lot less, and probably a lot less fiber than before. Eating less would have no impact on transit time, as far as I know. However, less fiber can certainly result in things sitting in your colon longer -- at least, this is how it works for some people. If the Miralax is working well for you, you may not need the fiber. But if you can tolerate the fiber (no pain? no bloating?) and it seems to help, go for it.A colonscopy wouldn't be a bad idea. A bleeding hemmie and chronic constipation would be enough for most gastroenterologists to schedule one. If you're not seeing a gastro, it would be a good idea to get a specialist's opinion on this. But I wouldn't really be worried that it's anything more serious.As for this problem going away, it's hard to say. If it's strictly a result of your lap band surgery, you'll eventually be eating more to maintain your new weight, and at that point you might be able to drop the miralax. The fiber supplement may need to be used continuously. Time will tell, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to drop what's working. Chances are that if you need less medication you'll develop diarrhea, and this will tell you it's time to experiment with tapering off the miralax.Dana

 

[20762]

quote:Originally posted by Dana_S:A colonscopy wouldn't be a bad idea. A bleeding hemmie and chronic constipation would be enough for most gastroenterologists to schedule one. If you're not seeing a gastro, it would be a good idea to get a specialist's opinion on this. But I wouldn't really be worried that it's anything more serious.Dana

Hi Dana,You make some great points here. I'm not seeing a gastro. I've seen my PCP about this 3 times now and not gotten a referral (and I haven't asked because I didn't know to). Now that things are better with the miralax, I'm not sure my PCP would give me a referral. I guess I should have been more proactive about this earlier on...Thanks for your feedback. I think you're right about staying on it for a while before tapering. Thank you!