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Constipation, anismus, chronic migraine

18 replies

hberry · 28/01/2024 01:17

Constipation anismus slow transit and migraines

I have pelvic floor dysfunction and slow transit causing me to hardly ever go to the toilet, I usually go once a week with the help of a stimulant laxative (dulcolax) which is agony. I’ve been told by my doctors to take this stimulant laxative every three days, they have said this is safe and the alternative is worse as it could stretch my bowel, but I don’t think I can handle taking them every 3 days (all of them don’t seem to understand how much pain it causes) even though this has been going on for 3+ years, and migraines nearly every day (4 times a week average) for about 10+ years, they just seem to like prescribing me all different medications each time I go to see them, and never give me what I want which is scans. My colorectal surgeon did send me to get biofeedback, however the centre don’t even have a machine as it broke and the nurse just proceeds to prescribe me stool softerners 😂 so I’m asking if anyone else suffered with one or both of these issues and what has helped? Acupuncture? Massage? Certain diets? Herbs? Medication? I’ve tried different diets and the only one that seems somewhat better is low fibre? Which is strange. As for my migraines nothing seems to help them stay away, just painkillers to manage it. (For more info on the migraines - the pain is at the base of my neck, up to the top of my head, and in my eyes)

OP posts:
Dreadingthemorning · 28/01/2024 14:13

I have at least 1 migraine a week, the pain is bad for 3 days and then 2 days of generally feeling shit. I've been constipated my whole life and probably go twice a week. At the moment I'm on propranolol twice a day as a migraine preventative and I take zolmatriptan spray when I get a migraine, which works really well, but 6 sprays a month aren't enough and you can't take more than 10 a month without rebound headaches. I also find that a high fibre diet makes my constipation worse but I had a bit of success with the fruit and fibre cubes from Holland and Barrett. Although start with half a cube first.

My daughter takes a different beta blocker for hers as she is asthmatic.

hberry · 28/01/2024 17:30

Dreadingthemorning · 28/01/2024 14:13

I have at least 1 migraine a week, the pain is bad for 3 days and then 2 days of generally feeling shit. I've been constipated my whole life and probably go twice a week. At the moment I'm on propranolol twice a day as a migraine preventative and I take zolmatriptan spray when I get a migraine, which works really well, but 6 sprays a month aren't enough and you can't take more than 10 a month without rebound headaches. I also find that a high fibre diet makes my constipation worse but I had a bit of success with the fruit and fibre cubes from Holland and Barrett. Although start with half a cube first.

My daughter takes a different beta blocker for hers as she is asthmatic.

Hi @Dreadingthemorning I'm new here so hoping you get this. I've just been prescribed propranolol, do you get any side effects with this?

OP posts:
Gemz1010 · 28/01/2024 19:09

Hi, I suffer slow transit too, I feel you, it's soo painful to have poo, I'm really bad and put off taking laxatives too. I do make sure I go at least every couple of weeks but I'm trying to schedule it for Sunday. When I was at school I could go weeks without going.

hberry · 28/01/2024 19:10

Gemz1010 · 28/01/2024 19:09

Hi, I suffer slow transit too, I feel you, it's soo painful to have poo, I'm really bad and put off taking laxatives too. I do make sure I go at least every couple of weeks but I'm trying to schedule it for Sunday. When I was at school I could go weeks without going.

Hi @Gemz1010 that's awful I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have any stool softeners daily?

OP posts:
Gemz1010 · 28/01/2024 19:12

I'm on movicol daily, hbu

Gemz1010 · 28/01/2024 19:14

I'm 31 now and just accepted I'll put up with it my entire life

Dreadingthemorning · 28/01/2024 22:26

When I first started on a low dose I got a mild headache and exhaustion for the first week or so. The Dr has just increased my dose to 80mg twice a day and the only side effect has been weight gain. It hasn't got rid of my migraines but it has reduced the severity of them. The zolmitriptan it magic though and gets rid of the migraine in about 15mins. It usually lasts me at least 12hrs, of not 24. I'm just about to try magnesium supplements, because I read on here that they can help with both migraines and constipation.

hberry · 29/01/2024 15:08

Dreadingthemorning · 28/01/2024 14:13

I have at least 1 migraine a week, the pain is bad for 3 days and then 2 days of generally feeling shit. I've been constipated my whole life and probably go twice a week. At the moment I'm on propranolol twice a day as a migraine preventative and I take zolmatriptan spray when I get a migraine, which works really well, but 6 sprays a month aren't enough and you can't take more than 10 a month without rebound headaches. I also find that a high fibre diet makes my constipation worse but I had a bit of success with the fruit and fibre cubes from Holland and Barrett. Although start with half a cube first.

My daughter takes a different beta blocker for hers as she is asthmatic.

Hi @Dreadingthemorning what side effects do you have off propranolol? I've just taken my first dose about 3 hours ago and feel so faint, dizzy and like I've had two bottles of wine. Also felt ravenous. I'm a bit worried about it

Hope you're feeling well today

OP posts:
hberry · 29/01/2024 15:08

Gemz1010 · 28/01/2024 19:12

I'm on movicol daily, hbu

Dulcoease I believe it's called

OP posts:
Gemz1010 · 29/01/2024 16:08

@hberry how are you feeling today?

hberry · 29/01/2024 20:08

Gemz1010 · 29/01/2024 16:08

@hberry how are you feeling today?

Terrible headache earlier! I took propranolol for the first time and felt drunk and dizzy with waves of heat going over me! Don't know if this is common!

OP posts:
hberry · 29/01/2024 20:08

Gemz1010 · 29/01/2024 16:08

@hberry how are you feeling today?

@Gemz1010 how are you?

OP posts:
Knickersinatwist36 · 29/01/2024 20:40

I am on 120mg per day of propranolol for my migraines, I have had them since I was 18 and by last summer I was having them weekly for three days then after effects for another couple. It was crippling and I couldn't take my sumatriptan until after the last school run.

I also have a very slow bowel and last month I didn't go for 5 weeks and finally took a duolax (awful awful abdominal pains for 24 hours.

I decided in the summer I would have some acupuncture as I had had it for two other problems (once on the NHS) and it had done wonders. To be honest I don't believe in any of it but my migraines are down to maybe one a month and it's getting longer between each one. She also now treats me for constipation.

One thing that has (annoyingly) helped is that my sister insisted I have a kombucha (unpasteurised), a yakult and some kimchi on rye bread every day to improver my 'gut biome'. I thought I would hate it all (I'm very picky about food) but it turned out I love it.

Things have been definitely been loosening up.

None of this is medical but it has helped me personally.

Good luck I know exactly how you feel!

hberry · 29/01/2024 21:20

Knickersinatwist36 · 29/01/2024 20:40

I am on 120mg per day of propranolol for my migraines, I have had them since I was 18 and by last summer I was having them weekly for three days then after effects for another couple. It was crippling and I couldn't take my sumatriptan until after the last school run.

I also have a very slow bowel and last month I didn't go for 5 weeks and finally took a duolax (awful awful abdominal pains for 24 hours.

I decided in the summer I would have some acupuncture as I had had it for two other problems (once on the NHS) and it had done wonders. To be honest I don't believe in any of it but my migraines are down to maybe one a month and it's getting longer between each one. She also now treats me for constipation.

One thing that has (annoyingly) helped is that my sister insisted I have a kombucha (unpasteurised), a yakult and some kimchi on rye bread every day to improver my 'gut biome'. I thought I would hate it all (I'm very picky about food) but it turned out I love it.

Things have been definitely been loosening up.

None of this is medical but it has helped me personally.

Good luck I know exactly how you feel!

Hi @Knickersinatwist36 thank you for your message it's so helpful ❤️ I had my first dose of propranolol today and I'm scared to take the second, maybe I'm just being silly haha, but I really felt strange, wobbly, dizzy, hot, and just on a different planet like I was drunk, did you have that at all?
I'm going to try acupuncture and some other dietary changes. Thanks again

OP posts:
EverySporkIsSacred · 30/01/2024 08:25

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/propranolol/

NHS website above says first dose of Propranolol can make you really dizzy. You should be startling out at just 40mg per dose as well so if they've given you more you'll probably feel worse.

The symptoms you describe aren't typical migraine are they? Are you sure that's what they are? If you were suffering from chronic tension headaches apparently Propranolol is an acceptable medication still though.
I'm sorry you and PP are having to live with these problems though.

nhs.uk

Propranolol: medicine for heart problems, anxiety and migraine

NHS medicines information on propranolol – what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/propranolol

Gemz1010 · 30/01/2024 20:19

I'm doing ok at the moment, had a good week by my standards

catmomma67 · 30/01/2024 20:22

pain killers cause constipation... have you had your migraines investigated?

EllaSW · 09/09/2024 19:00

@Knickersinatwist36 Please could I ask how you're getting on with the acupuncture? Has it helped? I hope so

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