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Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation That Causes Bowel Movement Only Once Every 5 Days
Question: Hello, I've been having severe constipation (1 BM about every 5 days, very hard stool at first and it feels like my entire gut empties, ends with loose stool) with pain for about a month/5 weeks. Only change has been that I was recently taken off the pill; I've been on it to manage hormones/periods for 32 years (on at 17, I'm now 49). The constipation seemed to start right after I stopped the pill.
I had only very slight spotting when my last period was due.
I eat plenty of fiber and monitor my water intake, so I don't think it's that. Nothing else has really changed. I'm in discomfort all day, every day. My lower abdomen is still sore even after the BM, and feels hard to the touch (not hot, though, and no fever). Any thoughts? I also have fibromyalgia and polymyositis - I thought this might be IBS, but unsure.
I had only very slight spotting when my last period was due.
I eat plenty of fiber and monitor my water intake, so I don't think it's that. Nothing else has really changed. I'm in discomfort all day, every day. My lower abdomen is still sore even after the BM, and feels hard to the touch (not hot, though, and no fever). Any thoughts? I also have fibromyalgia and polymyositis - I thought this might be IBS, but unsure.
Brief Answer:
Chronic constipation, possibly complication of polymyositis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Stopping hormone pills is usually not associated with constipation. So your constipation is unlikely to be due to stopping the pills.
Polymyositis is usually associated with constipation. Constipation in polymyositis is due to an immune attack on the intestine and eventual fibrosis.
Confirmation of diagnosis can be by gastric motility studies.
Here are few things to help relieve the constipation
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid coffee
- Diet rich in fiber like fruits, oatmeal, XXXXXXX and vegetables
- Diet rich in probiotics like yogurt
- Bulk forming laxative like psyllium
- Stool softeners like Dulcolax
- Exercise regularly
- Management of polymyositis with cortico-steroids and immuno-suppressants.
It is also important to check thyroid and blood sugar levels, as hypothyroidism and diabetes can cause chronic constipation.
Please be advised to follow-up with a primary care provider to get necessary investigations done and further management accordingly.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Chronic constipation, possibly complication of polymyositis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Stopping hormone pills is usually not associated with constipation. So your constipation is unlikely to be due to stopping the pills.
Polymyositis is usually associated with constipation. Constipation in polymyositis is due to an immune attack on the intestine and eventual fibrosis.
Confirmation of diagnosis can be by gastric motility studies.
Here are few things to help relieve the constipation
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid coffee
- Diet rich in fiber like fruits, oatmeal, XXXXXXX and vegetables
- Diet rich in probiotics like yogurt
- Bulk forming laxative like psyllium
- Stool softeners like Dulcolax
- Exercise regularly
- Management of polymyositis with cortico-steroids and immuno-suppressants.
It is also important to check thyroid and blood sugar levels, as hypothyroidism and diabetes can cause chronic constipation.
Please be advised to follow-up with a primary care provider to get necessary investigations done and further management accordingly.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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