Finally Figured Out What is Wrong!

[yellowlilax]

Went to yet ANOTHER dr yesterday for my lower left side pain, morning diarrhea, gas, bloating, etc. She took an xray and found I was severly constipated. What I dont understand is how this can happen? I started 2 weeks before this pain started on green smothies. I was drinking green smoothies to start, avoiding all processed foods, very little dairy, whole grains, etc. I was so excited about my new steps in the direction of greath health. Then the pain started. I had countless dr appointments to figure out the pain and finally this diagnosis. From what she says, and I've researched online, fruit can be horrible with people who suffer from IBS (which I dont doubt I have - I almost think thats the problem and caused it) because of the fructose.

"So do make sure you get the whole foods in your diet, but recognize that their insoluble fiber (and fructose in the fruit, sulfur in the cruciferous vegetables, etc.) pose challenges to those with IBS"

So now what? She put me on Miralax 6 doses yesterday to clear out my system and then wants me to take it every day (1 dose). I hate conventional medicines and I dont want to do this. I want my green smoothies back and my track to being raw. But I do NOT want the pain, gas, bloating and everything that went along with the constipation (which I doubt was only that all along - how can one be constipated for 3 months?? is that even possible?) so thats why I'm assuming there is an underlying problem and I'm betting on IBS.

From now on too, how will I know I have just plain diarrhea or that I am constipated and the diarrhea is going around the parts that are impacted and the problem is actually that I'm constipated? How can I know that? Anyone know?

Insight? I'm beyond frustrated and emotionally and physically drained.

[PonyGirlMom]

I can definitely give you insight. My daughter has to prevent exactly the kind of constipation that you describe, not because she eats a bad diet, but because she has slow bowel motility due to a neuro-muscular disorder.

Believe it or not, stool can get hard and impacted in one area, and softer, looser stool can flow around it.

Is there any reason you might have slow bowel motility? If you do not have a disorder that would cause it, take a look at the amount of whole-body and body-core exercise that you do. Many fun activities effect your whole body, including the muscles that push the waste through your system.

My daughter sticks to a low-fat diet with only occasional higher-fat treats. Fat seems to be her enemy. She always has to make sure she is well hydrated, too.

I would definitely clear that blockage as soon as you can, even if it means taking Miralax. Then you can decide the best way to keep your system moving well. If you are eating lots of fibrous foods, you won't need an additional laxative unless there is some reason that your body isn't using that fiber correctly. And you have many laxative and stool-softening choices; you don't have to use a pharma product.

It may make you feel better to know that the bottle of powdered Miralax we have on the shelf (left over from three years ago!) is 100% polyethylene glycol. There are no inactive ingredients; no artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors. Yes, it's made in a lab, so you may want to consider a natural product like psyllium seed. Note that psyllium seed is sometimes bad of asthmatics, and you have to take it with LOTS of water so it isn't a choking hazard.

[somelikeitraw]

I just read another thread that mentioned soaking and drinking several types of seeds to "move things along". Gonna go see if I can find it again for you.

[donnyandcathy]

Bless your heart!! I know the pain you are going through, and like you, I'm also searching for answers.

I have chronic constipation, even if I took a whole bottle of laxatives, it still would not clean me out. I do enemas sometimes to help things start, but that has not even been successful :(

My naturopath doctor says he thinks it is because my Gall Bladder is non-functioning, and that my spleen, pancreas, and liver are all weak as well.
I'm not sure how much I believe him, because he has not ever ran any "test" to prove his assumption. But I know that chronic constipation can be linked to those organs not working well.

This is one of the main things that brought me to Raw Foods, at first I started out just taking out all grains, then I did more research, and decided to jump in and see if it would work.
April 20 of this year I went all raw, and have a ton of fruit, lots of greens, and still I can't go without taking an herbal lax. and then I don't go "good"

For a week now I have taken out all seeds and nuts, cut way back on the fats to see if that would work, but have not noticed any difference. I have warm lemon water every morning upon rising, then about an hour later I juice Beets, Beet Greens, Red Kale, Green Kale, Cucumber, Celery, Carrots, 1 apple, and sometimes I add ginger. Then awhile after that I have a "Green Smoothie" with loads of Spinach.
You would think with all of that plus my whole head of lettuce salads that I eat every day I would at least go without having to take something.

I know what you mean about the pain. Mine would keep me up at night, cause sweats, and would feel like my intestines were tied in knots. Now that is one symptom that is gone with raw foods. But when I lay in the bath, one side of my stomach will bulge and I know that is stool that is stuck in there (sorry if TMI) I try to massage my stomach to move it, but it doesn't seem to want to move.

I did have a colonoscopy, and an endoscopy done this past fall, but all that showed up were a few benign polyps, and she said my stomach was red and inflamed (like gastritis). I think my body is just really having a hard time producing enough moisture or something to make it move through.

I want you to know that if you need to talk about diet, or whatever may be working for you or me, I would love to chat. I know this is a very difficult thing to go through.

One thing that I have heard several times, is that if we don't have enough "healthy fats" in our diet, that it could cause constipation. :confused:
It all depends who you ask, everyone has a different opinion.

Good Luck!!
Cathy

[rawstrength]

If the insoluble fiber is rough on your system, then don't eat it! Juice your fruits and veggies instead of eating them. Make nut mylks and seed mylks instead of eating nuts and seeds. Strain out the insoluble fiber.

Make sure you get lots of gentle, cleansing, soluble fiber. Psyllium seed, chia seed, and slippery elm bark powder will work wonderfully for you.

Lastly, I recommend a colonic instead of the miramax. Colonics are the best for stopping constipation and moving it all along.

Best of luck to you :) .

[yellowlilax]

If the insoluble fiber is rough on your system, then don't eat it! Juice your fruits and veggies instead of eating them. Make nut mylks and seed mylks instead of eating nuts and seeds. Strain out the insoluble fiber.

Make sure you get lots of gentle, cleansing, soluble fiber. Psyllium seed, chia seed, and slippery elm bark powder will work wonderfully for you.

Lastly, I recommend a colonic instead of the miramax. Colonics are the best for stopping constipation and moving it all along.

Best of luck to you :) .

The only way I eat my fruits and veggies is by smoothies. I can't eat nuts at all. Allergic to every last one. In fact, I just accidently ate one bite something with it in and my throat, eyes and ears are killing me right now. I was going to try acacia powder actually. I just took the miramax because the pain was unbearable. I'm sure it will kick in soon. I would rather use something natural if it happens again (and how do you know? if you have diarrhea because its going around the impacted stuff, how can you know its not just diarrhea? or constipation blocking regular movement)

[LNdolls]

Colonics and the liver flush will help enormously.
Constipation is a chronic problem in my family.. as is gall stones, gall bladder cancer and liver disease. And alcoholism on both sides. My Uncle, Grandmother and one of my sisters has had their gall bladder removed. My dad died of gall bladder duct cancer....

I had gall stone attacks... and chose the natural route. I did a cleanse (the master cleanse), then a week of mostly apples and then did the first liver flush.
I noticed my digestion and elimination improved a lot with each flush - and I thought I was doing pretty well, not constipated.

I just did my # 30 something liver flush last week and I am moving my bowels the same number of times I am eating! Amazing to me and it feels really good.

Congested liver will become more congested with more meds.

Enemas, colemas and colonics will help you clear the bowel.. as will a juice feast or a Master Cleanse. Then after you are back to eating eat lots of apples and flush your liver!

If you are anxious about any of this... eat tons of apples and keep going with the lemon water in the morning. That is a faster way to deal with it.

[michigan roman]

to me if i were constipated ide drink whatever cold pressed oil i like the taste of everyday , it seems so simple to me to flush everything out in this manner .
simple and with no negative side effects .

[LNdolls]

Oops... I forgot my favorite capsule remedy... Solaray Malic Acid (with magnesium) - this is the essence of apples in a capsule along with magnesium (which most constipated people lack) and it is taken 1-2 caps with raw or cooked meals and both shrinks and loosens debris and toxins in the liver - and softens the stool naturally... to make moving the bowel easier and to prepare for the liver flush. I love this stuff and have shared with my family & people who won't do the flush.. and it helps!

[*RayRay*]

She took an xray and found I was severly constipated. What I dont understand is how this can happen? I started 2 weeks before this pain started on green smothies.

This could happen from switching your diet to extremely cleansing foods (green smoothies!) It could be that the green smoothies were pulling toxins from deep in your system, and your bowels could not keep up with all of it, so it became impacted.... Instead of a laxative, maybe you could try gravity colonics (from a certified colon hydrotherapist)? Or, like someone said above, tons of apples....I hope you feel better really soon!!!!

[yellowlilax]

This could happen from switching your diet to extremely cleansing foods (green smoothies!) It could be that the green smoothies were pulling toxins from deep in your system, and your bowels could not keep up with all of it, so it became impacted.... Instead of a laxative, maybe you could try gravity colonics (from a certified colon hydrotherapist)? Or, like someone said above, tons of apples....I hope you feel better really soon!!!!

Wont eating a ton of apples just do the same thing as the smoothies did? Constipate me again?

[donnyandcathy]

Apples don't really work for me either.
I guess everyone's body is so different.

[a1icia]

Yellowlilax - Did the Dr. take a regular x-ray or did you have to drink barium? I'd like to have an x-ray done but not if it involves baruim.

[Sygma]

Look up Dr. Schultz's Intestinal Formula number one...and watch his videos on google video. I tried this formula and it really gets you moving.

[DMER]

After years of suffering in spite of doctor's remedies, through word of mouth a friend was told to try psyllium available in bulk at health food stores. When she stops taking it, after a few weeks the pain is back. I add 1 tbsp to my morning smoothie to avoid colon problems. Cheap, no taste, very effective. Good luck. Donna

[yellowlilax]

Yellowlilax - Did the Dr. take a regular x-ray or did you have to drink barium? I'd like to have an x-ray done but not if it involves baruim.

no barium - regular xray! just took 2 quick ones - one standing up, one laying down