Stomach problems

[Jo901288]

Hi there I'm looking for some advice. I started with constipation over 2 months ago. I've been prescribed various treatments (Movicol, Dioctyl, Sodium Picosulphate, Lactalose and Senna tablets as well as over the counter laxatives and suppositories. I've also had an enema). Whilst I'm now going to the toilet I've been in a lot of pain mainly left hand side hip and lower back though I do also have some pain on the right. I've had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and I'm waiting for the results of the biopsies taken. I was sent up to A&E a couple of days ago due to the pain. I had an x-ray and the doctor said there was a huge volume of faeces in my stomach (he said it was full). I saw a surgical doctor who said to take laxatives to try and shift it. But I've been taking them for over 2 months and it's not shifted it. I've got a call with the Colorectal Consultant this week to discuss my options. My worry is that if my stomach is full what are the chances of it going "off" and getting an infection? I've made some changes (drinking more water, walking more, taking a fibre supplement etc. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm really at my wits end with it all. Any advice would really be appreciated thank you

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi there I'm looking for some advice. I started with constipation over 2 months ago. I've been prescribed various treatments (Movicol, Dioctyl, Sodium Picosulphate, Lactalose and Senna tablets as well as over the counter laxatives and suppositories. I've also had an enema). Whilst I'm now going to the toilet I've been in a lot of pain mainly left hand side hip and lower back though I do also have some pain on the right. I've had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and I'm waiting for the results of the biopsies taken. I was sent up to A&E a couple of days ago due to the pain. I had an x-ray and the doctor said there was a huge volume of faeces in my stomach (he said it was full). I saw a surgical doctor who said to take laxatives to try and shift it. But I've been taking them for over 2 months and it's not shifted it. I've got a call with the Colorectal Consultant this week to discuss my options. My worry is that if my stomach is full what are the chances of it going "off" and getting an infection? I've made some changes (drinking more water, walking more, taking a fibre supplement etc. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm really at my wits end with it all. Any advice would really be appreciated thank you

Can you get a prescription for the movicol as that is usually quite aggressive as it is used to clear the system out when they put cameras up for bowel examination.

 

[Jo901288]

Thank you for replying. I'm already taking Movicol on prescription. I'm going to the toilet but the old faeces in my stomach isn't shifting (when I had my colonoscopy I took Moviprep which didn't shift it). Nothing seems to be working to shift the old "stuff" that is stuck. I'm really fed up with it!

 

[Drummer]

First of all if you don't have a blocked bowel there is no reason for faeces to get into your stomach.
It would be highly dangerous for doctors to prescribe strong purgatives and investigate inside you if you had a blocked bowel, so as you survived, you probably don't need to worry about that.
If your stomach isn't fully emptying perhaps that is the problem, but that is just conjecture on my part.
Doing squats using a bar - like for pull ups but set lower down, and stimulating your trunk muscles could perhaps help things move, simply hold the bar and sink into a low as you can go squat, arms over your head count four and then up again using more arms and torso rather than leg muscles. Once upright tense your middle to stand as tall as possible, hold for a count of four, relax and sink down again - repeat. It might help to get blood and muscle moving.

 

[Leadinglights]

I wonder if the bacterial gut flora has been disrupted because of the extensive use of the laxatives so your digestion isn't quite working properly.
You could try some live yoghurt or I think you can get gut bacteria replacement capsules (often given to people when recovering from gastroenteritis).
Otherwise you do need to go back for medical advice.

 

[Jo901288]

First of all if you don't have a blocked bowel there is no reason for faeces to get into your stomach.
It would be highly dangerous for doctors to prescribe strong purgatives and investigate inside you if you had a blocked bowel, so as you survived, you probably don't need to worry about that.
If your stomach isn't fully emptying perhaps that is the problem, but that is just conjecture on my part.
Doing squats using a bar - like for pull ups but set lower down, and stimulating your trunk muscles could perhaps help things move, simply hold the bar and sink into a low as you can go squat, arms over your head count four and then up again using more arms and torso rather than leg muscles. Once upright tense your middle to stand as tall as possible, hold for a count of four, relax and sink down again - repeat. It might help to get blood and muscle moving.

Thank you I'll try it

 

[Jo901288]

I wonder if the bacterial gut flora has been disrupted because of the extensive use of the laxatives so your digestion isn't quite working properly.
You could try some live yoghurt or I think you can get gut bacteria replacement capsules (often given to people when recovering from gastroenteritis).
Otherwise you do need to go back for medical advice.

Thank you for replying. I'm having live yoghurt every morning for breakfast. I'm going to ask the consultant when I speak to him on Wed about testing to see if the nerves around my bowel have been damaged due to diabetes (I've been told there is a test they can do for this).

 

[Leadinglights]

I know we can't give diagnoses but your symptoms sound quite like a condition called gastroparesis which is basically when the stomach is much slower emptying than usual. The foods you are having should help but it is recommended people have more frequent small meals.
I hope you get some answers when you speak to the consultant on wed but do seek medical help sooner if you become more unwell in the meantime.

 

[Jo901288]

I know we can't give diagnoses but your symptoms sound quite like a condition called gastroparesis which is basically when the stomach is much slower emptying than usual. The foods you are having should help but it is recommended people have more frequent small meals.
I hope you get some answers when you speak to the consultant on wed but do seek medical help sooner if you become more unwell in the meantime.

Thank you Leadinglights I really appreciate you help. I've been sat here today crying with the pain. I just hope the consultant can give me some help on Wed. Thank you again

 

[bruno22rf]

Are you BS reading high? Your body tries to dump excess sugar by sweating/urination and this can lead to dehydration then constipation. If you have been suffering for a while then diverticulitis is a possibility? Drink loads of water and prune juice before bed see if that helps. Daft as it may sound, Aldi sell sugar free sweets usually near the till in a small box, these will help get things moving.

 

[Jo901288]

Are you BS reading high? Your body tries to dump excess sugar by sweating/urination and this can lead to dehydration then constipation. If you have been suffering for a while then diverticulitis is a possibility? Drink loads of water and prune juice before bed see if that helps. Daft as it may sound, Aldi sell sugar free sweets usually near the till in a small box, these will help get things moving.

Thank you Bruno my BS readings can fluctuate a bit but they're not too high. I'll definitely try the sugar free sweets ... I'd eat raw liver if I thought it would help lol. Thank you again

 

[trophywench]

Thank you Bruno my BS readings can fluctuate a bit but they're not too high. I'll definitely try the sugar free sweets ... I'd eat raw liver if I thought it would help lol. Thank you again

Nah, that's what they used to prescribe for pernicious anaemia!