Digestive system in overdrive

[DarknessEmbraced]

My digestive system seemed to slow down for a while with very small bowel movements. Today, it's been in overdrive. I've had lots of bloating, gas,heartburn and cramping. I did have some probiotic yogurt earlier but it's never done this. I haven't been taking lax-a-day because when I took it Friday morning I had an accident at night. Has anyone else had this happen? This isn't the same as many small bowel movements in a day. This is like everything that was backed up is moving all at once. Having a lot of pain on the right side. Trying heat.

[Delinda2]

Sorry you're not feeling well. I'm glad you see the doc on Monday. Maybe he can figure out what is going on. Rest & try to relax until then. Don't forget we have to meet here & compare notes. (Weird that I'm having problems on my right side - we're quite a pair.) I'll be thinking of you for sure. My appointment is late afternoon & then we have to fight Seattle's rush hour traffic. It could be Tuesday before we get home! Feel better. XXOXO, Delinda

[Nik Colon]

Hope you get this sorted out. I have issues with consistency also, not sure how it will be after surgery. I think it just takes time to find a middle ground between eating habits and meds. Best wishes

[BrownBagger]

Happens to me all the time, thanks to chemo, surgery, etc. I try to control the urges with a combination of Lomotil (atropine) and Imodium. (Two Lomotils and one Immodium every four hours). It's the incontinence at night that bothers me. Usually two nights in my bi-weekly chemo routine. Sometimes one or none at all, depending.

It's normal, I think.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry you're having pain on your right side too Delinda.*hugs* I have the blood work appointment at the hospital at 12:30pm and see my oncologist at 2pm. I'm bringing a book because I will be at the hospital a long time. I have a priority card for cancer related blood work so I can move ahead of everyone. Still hurting today.

[Delinda2]

DE, ashamed to admit that I had to look up a Canadian map to find out where you are located. East Coast, eh. And I'm almost as far west as you can go on the West Coast, near Seattle. I believe you are about 4 hours ahead of us. My blood draw is at 2:30, see onc at 3:30. Another similarity DE, my hubby & close friends call me Dee. Good luck tomorrow! XXOXO, Delinda

[DarknessEmbraced]

Good luck to you as well Delinda! Yes, we are far away from each other. Thank goodness for the power of the internet that brings us closer together!

[Amy14760]

Try fiber. I recently had those symptoms and ended up in E R with a blockage. They prescribed fiber. I've been using some Indian stuff for a few weeks and things are much better. Use a higher quality brand. Metamucil didn't seem as effective. Best thing is the gas and bloating has stopped. Might also be a C. difficile infection

[DarknessEmbraced]

When I have accidents it's usually just one episode of loose bowel movement and then just soft stools. I can't use metamucil because it causes too much bloating, cramping and gas. Same with dulcolax. I try to eat more fiber but eating too much causes bloating and gas too. Can I still have a blockage if I have three bowel movements yesterday?

[Nik Colon]

When I have accidents it's usually just one episode of loose bowel movement and then just soft stools. I can't use metamucil because it causes too much bloating, cramping and gas. Same with dulcolax. I try to eat more fiber but eating too much causes bloating and gas too. Can I still have a blockage if I have three bowel movements yesterday?

Yes, you can have blockage. Can you do laxitives or enema? Magnesium Citrate?

[DarknessEmbraced]

I don't want to do lax-a-day because the last time I took it I had an accident. I have vegetable chips with fiber and probiotic yogurt I could try.

[steiconi]

Maybe it's time to try enemas. I used to be plagued by "constirrhea"--all the best features of both constipation and diarrhea; gas, cramps, fullness, plus watery leaks. What I now understand is that my rectum doesn't work right any more--it's too stiff to move the stool out. I took fiber for years--it helped but didn't solve the problem. Taking laxatives didn't help, and anti-diarrhea meds made it worse.

Enema once a day thins out the stool so it can pass more easily. It's messy, but I don't get leaks any more (well, hardly ever), and transit time (how long it takes food to get from your plate to the toilet) is a healthy 24 hours. And I no longer have to pass stool 8 to 20 times a day, or know where the nearest bathroom is at all times.

But even that's not working so well for me these days, and I've decided to get a colostomy--something to consider.
good luck!
Lee

[DarknessEmbraced]

Thanks for the suggestion but I find enemas incredibly painful and try to avoid them at all costs.