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General health

Struggling to go......

18 replies

NGC2017 · 13/04/2019 15:04

I'm abit embarrassed about posting this but I am really struggling to go to the toilet.

I have gone from a guaranteed one bowel movement a day, to a struggled one after 4 to 5 days and alot of mucous (sorry TMI).
It's really kicking my anxiety now and I am becoming obsessed and of course worried about why I can't go.

Last month I decided to watch my calorie intake. I am a chronic binge eater and something had to give as I felt horrific all the time. I would have put it down to this. I am now eating 1400 calories a day. But then I don't feel like I can as I haven't really changed my diet, just making better choices and eating less of what I like.

But I can't understand why I am struggling so bad. I feel like I want to go. The minute I get to the loo and try I just can't get anything out (sorry TMI). Then I risk a pile which I have suffered from ever since my pregnancy in 2014.
The doctor is baffled too. Bloods are all fine but she can't understand the chronic exhaustion and constipation. She has now referred me for bowel investigations so now i can't stop worrying even more.

I'm so miserable as the more I am struggling the more I am aware how long I am going without a movement.

I hope no one reads this and thinks I'm being silly or that it's funny because it's really getting me down now SadSad

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IkickedtheBigC · 13/04/2019 17:34

As a survior of colon cancer, I had no signs or symptoms. It was discovered by a simple blood test at the doctors.
A change of bowel habits 'can' be an indicator though so please see your doctor x x

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NGC2017 · 13/04/2019 17:56

Thank you. This is what is frightening me as you aren't the only time I have heard someone having little, to no symptoms at all. Friends have told me as my bloods are Ok and I've been given an appt a few weeks away now, then it won't be serious.
Sadly I don't think like that. I have serious health anxiety so this hasn't helped.
@IkickedtheBigC may i ask was yours just a routine blood test or was it performed for a reason? I had been experiencing abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, frequent urination and chronic exhaustion. My Dr referred my for tests because I begged. They came back with raised folates, but my GP wasn't concerned since in supplement. She was baffled though and scratched her head saying I don't know what's the matter as your bloods are normal Sad

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IkickedtheBigC · 13/04/2019 18:01

NGC Mine was discovered by the doctors after a routine health check when we moved house/doctors. They said I was anaemic so prescribed iron tablets. To rule out Cancer, I had to do a faecle sample and this came back positive for blood.
This set me on the 14 day cancer pathway.
It's been a very scary journey, but please try and see another doctor of you feel you need further investigation x x

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NGC2017 · 13/04/2019 18:19

Sounds like you have been very lucky. MY usual GP tries his best to fob me off. Only seem to get anywhere when I end up crying pleading with him that I'm not lying. I'm in on 4th May but if I get any pain I will go back. I just don't feel like I can do anything now until I see a specialist xx

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user1471465525 · 13/04/2019 21:20

You say you are eating less?Have you cut back on fruit and veg ?I went through similar before ,changed up my diet ,eating less carbs but not getting enoughfiber and was terribly constipated and had awful piles .It took a while to get back on schedule so to speak making sure to include to include fruit ,veg and lots of water .

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NGC2017 · 13/04/2019 21:45

Thank you @user1471465525

I haven't really ever been good with fruit but my veg and salad intake is good. Water on the other hand I could definitely up. I hadn't considered that may be an issue. Will defo increase my water. Thank you

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NGC2017 · 15/04/2019 18:17

My health anxiety is becoming unbearable. I am crying so much. Its not helping when i read the news to find a story of someone so young being diagnosed with bowel/colorectal cancer etc.
I think it's obvious that my biggest fear here is being told I have some form of cancer. I am crying at just writing that. But I know I'm not the only one who would have this fear.
My bowel motions have definitely changed. Something I am becoming obsessed with. I go better with the assistance of Laxido but then in the back of my head I don't want to have to rely on it. I'm going now between 2 to 3 days. I struggle to pass it and then it's like formed paste (I'm so sorry for the detail but i teffied by what's caused this change in my movements). I'm then obsessively looking for blood and referencing poo charts to try and convince myself that it's normal.
I am sick of the way I worry. I consumes me. I was at work earlier thinking about how long I have to wait for my appointment. I know I'm not the only one with worries and I hope I don't come across selfish but the unknown terrifies me. I have a 4 year old DS and am on my own with him. I'm just so scared

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MollyHuaCha · 15/04/2019 21:33

Ok, you have your appointment organized. It will soon come round.

On the meantime, I would suggest increase your liquid intake - especially clear liquid such as water, broth, herbal tea. Also try a big glass of prune juice each day.

Make sure you have some good fats each day in your diet - salmon, avocado, olive oil.

If you eat a lot of white carbs (pasta, bread, biscuits), cut back a bit on those.

Even if you feel better from any of the above if you try them, still go to your appointment of course. Good luck. I am rooting for you.

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StillMedusa · 16/04/2019 00:17

The laxido will give you 'formed paste' poo... that's how it works! It draws water into the bowel..and it won't do you any harm at all... I've been on it 20 years, and my youngest for 10 years.

Drink more with the Laxido ...you need to anyway. I'd take a decent guess that changing your diet is what is constipating you. If the docs had any real concern you'd be having a colonoscopy within a fortnight... as we found with my son.. he'd been passing a LOT of blood and only pooing mucus and blood but feeling the need to go constantly. One colonoscopy later and he was diagnosed with Infammatory bowel disease..now on a lot of meds but doing much better.

For a quick fix for contipation, get some glycerine suppositories over the counter...pop one in, lie on your left side (pref with a hot drink as tht helps) !

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NGC2017 · 16/04/2019 06:56

I now feel silly for over panicking, sorry

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StillMedusa · 16/04/2019 09:49

Don't feel silly.. it's horrible to be worrying!

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NGC2017 · 17/04/2019 09:13

Thanks @StillMedusa. Can I asked, even with Laxido I am going every 3-5 days. Is that right. Also my poo is smaller and quite narrow. I've stupidly referred to google and wish I hadn't.
I hate how I worry. It literally consumes me :(

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StillMedusa · 17/04/2019 10:38

I'm no doctor...but I have had chronic bowel problems for many years so have had so many investigations and treatments.
Laxido softens poo ..but doesn't shift it along.. so you may not be clearing out .. you can up the number of sachets until it's literally running out of you.(honestly the impaction dose is 16!!!!).it won't do any harm but it won't be nice.
I have a tortuous colon... more loops than normal nad basically it gets stuck round the loops like a traffic jam.. just a variation on nature..and quite common. I find eating too high fibre a diet makes it worse.. the less I eat the better, but I need a combo of a stimulant or a glycerine suppository to make anything actually move along..sometime sa proper poo sometimes thin pencil poos. Mine didn't used to be as bad, it gradually got worse in my 20s and pretty much quit altogether by 40 .
There are SO many non serious causes for bowel problems..honestly. I also have diverticulosis.. bulgy pockets in my bowel.. just a bad luck thing as I have had a pretty good diet all my life. You don't say how old you..do you have children? Mine worsened massively after kids... the muscle tone never recovered!

If you have a colonoscopy it will rule out serious causes (cancer, inflammatory bowel disease... and tbh it doesn't sound concerning for either of these as the blood tests have been ok) If it's not serious, it's a case of getting your head around bowel management... mine consists of meds and suppositories and (rarely) the odd enema to prevent getting impacted. It's just part of my daily routine now.

And sometimes bowels go funny for a while (esp with you changing you eating) and then improve. I feel for you..health anxiety is the worst especially waiting for tests... but tests do NOT mean they think you are ill..they are just rulng out causes!

Sorry..I think that's an epic poo post Grin but I hope it helps a little!

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NGC2017 · 17/04/2019 10:53

Thank you again.

I still cant believe I am talking to openly about my bowel movements lol. I really do appreciate your advice too.

I would agree, health anxiety is whats beating me right now. I am 32 and a Mom to a 4 year old DS. Im not sure if since having him my anxiety has got work but its definitely peaked it. I have suffered with IBS for most my life, however for the last few years, its been absolutely fine with little to no issues. When I was pregnant I suffered with terrible constipation and Piles and have struggled with them ever since :-(

I hate how obsessed I have become over it. I actually miss me being able to go every single day so the fact I am not is just making me worry more.

Deep down I know I am stupid for overworrying.

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NGC2017 · 02/05/2019 08:53

Resurrecting this thread.

I am finally in the hospital on Saturday, but I have been trying to pinpoint triggers.

My bowel movements have still been here and there, as in nothing for 3 or 4 days and then I will go 4 times in a day, producing a ‘normal’ looking poo I would say, albeit mucousy (sorry tmi).

Something I have noticed though as it happens at a similar time each month, pretty much exactly half way between my periods I feel like this. I bloat and feel uncomfortable. I have never had any issues with my periods before, no pain, nothing. But the last few months my bowel seems to come to a halt. I can only describe it as it feels like there is a weight in my bottom  I am so embarrassed to be talking about this, but does anyone else have a change in their bowel movements half way between each period?

TIA

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Somethingsosimple · 02/05/2019 13:41

Yes I do - I’m much more constipated during ovulation. Never really thought much of it but it has definitely got worse with age I’m now 43.

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NGC2017 · 02/05/2019 18:35

I've never noticed it before but over the last 3 or so months my constipation definitely is at its worse half way between my cycles. Last night I struggled to sleep as I was really aware of a fullness feeling in my tummy and down below. It's not causing me pain but it's still enough to play on my mind and keep me awake

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NGC2017 · 04/05/2019 11:29

So I've signed consent to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy performed in sometimes in May.
I piss myself off really as in my appointment I play down how it's is all making me feel. I can speak openly about my symptoms and how they feel, but mentally I put on a brave face.
I am now sat at home with it very much on my mind what could be going on.
At this early stage even with an examination today, he said he wouldn't like to give any sort of idea until the sigmoidoscopy is performed.

I'm not too bothered about the procedure if I am honest. I just want to get to the bottom of why my bowel isn't working. But naturally am now scared about colorectal cancer etc.

I really am fed up on not going properly and constantly worrying

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