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What Causes Constipation Along With Nausea And Stomach Cramps?
Question: So on 2-10-15 I went to an urgent care for what appeared to be an infected insect bite on the back of my leg and a bump below it on my achilles tendon. They prescribed me Keflex. The day before I got my Prozac dosage increased from 40mg a day to 80mg a day. The night I took the first dose of Keflex (2-10-15) about 45 minutes later I had severe diarrhea. I then continued to have nausea and bad cramping in my stomach that continued to get worse so about 5 days later I went to the ER and they said it was most likely side effects from the Keflex so they took me off it since the bite looked better. I hadn't had a bowel movement since the diarrhea episode and I went to my doctor for a check up on 2-19-15 my blood pressure and mentioned it and was still having nausea and cramping, so she took a urine and blood sample. She said I had bilirubin in my urine. She thought it might be gallstones since I would get stomach pain in my upper right abdomen after eating in addition to the nausea and stomach cramping. And she told me to start taking Mirilax once a day for the constipation and that I might have IBS since I went from liquid stool to constipation. So 2-23-15 I went for a complete abdominal ultrasound and the doctor called and said my blood test showed that I had elevated liver enzymes. That evening my doctor called me and told me the ultrasound came back normal except that I had a lot of gas. I will include a written summary of the ultrasound. I had been using one capful of Miralax for 5 days that next day and was getting very uncomfortable. So she had me take 2 dulcolax on 2-24-15. The next day I still hadn't been able to go besides 2 small balls of hard bowel movement. So she had me do a fleet enema and I was able to have a few more hard balls and then diarrhea. Then for the next few days every bowel movement I had was pencil thin and would have holes in it sometimes. So I called my doctor and she couldn't get me in to see me so she prescribed me lactulose 30mL to take daily with the Miralax starting on 2-26-15. Well my bowel movements were still always pencil thin and holey, so on 3-3-15 I called to let her know and she couldn't get me in to see me so she prescribed me to take a full bottle of Magnesium Citrate, a dulcolax suppository and the Miralax and Lactulose all that day. That day I could not stop having watery diarrhea. I had what looked like pure liquid, watery diarrhea over 10 times until the next day and when I called to tell her she said that was normal and to start taking Mirilax every other day in 3 days. So on 3-6-15 I was back to no bowel movements and haven't had one since the diarrhea episode. I took just the Lactulose today and I will add a picture of what my stool came out like. It freaked me out. I still have only had 2 tiny little pebble sized bowel movements since and my rear end is very very itchy and has been off and on this whole time. Also yesterday I think this was a totally different issue, just thought I'd mention it, I ate a slice of pizza and then had a serious tickling feeling in my throat that felt like something was crawling in my throat. I am allergic to tomatoes but can usually eat ketchup and pizza just fine but I figured that tickling feeling is from my allergy to tomatoes. I had the tickling feeling in my throat today after I ate some untouched snow (my 3 year old daughter and I were playing outside). I am also having a lot of trouble swallowing certain bready foods lately but figure it's GERD because I had that happen when I was in highschool in 2008 and got a throat stretching procedure for it. Also I get a burning feeling in my stomach right where my belly button is, in between meals but doctor didn't seem too concerned, just said that that's not usually where you get heartburn. and that "You're just having all kinds of issues with your tummy." But she thinks this is just constipation from my blood pressure medicine Procardia XL 30mg.
I started taking it about 2 months ago for continued high blood pressure after having preeclampsia during and after my pregnancy then birth of my son who was born on 11-27-14. What happened was I had preeclampsia and so after I gave birth I had mild high blood pressure so they gave me a blood pressure pill then I went home a day later and then that following week I had an at home nurse visit and my blood pressure was sky high so I got re-admitted to the hospital and was given Magnesium Sulfate through an IV for 24 hours. And am still taking blood pressure medicine now.
Please help me, my doctor seems to think I'm just overreacting but I know my body and I know something is not right and the poop from a few hours ago worries me.
I started taking it about 2 months ago for continued high blood pressure after having preeclampsia during and after my pregnancy then birth of my son who was born on 11-27-14. What happened was I had preeclampsia and so after I gave birth I had mild high blood pressure so they gave me a blood pressure pill then I went home a day later and then that following week I had an at home nurse visit and my blood pressure was sky high so I got re-admitted to the hospital and was given Magnesium Sulfate through an IV for 24 hours. And am still taking blood pressure medicine now.
Please help me, my doctor seems to think I'm just overreacting but I know my body and I know something is not right and the poop from a few hours ago worries me.
Brief Answer:
Your current presentation is a combination of factors involved, pls read
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and images with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I completely understand your anxiety and would like you to understand a few things a little better so you can better realize what exactly is going on, and when.
First of all, in my opinion your doctor was quite right about the possibility of you having IBS, as the fluctuations and your bowel habits do indeed indicate signs of IBS. As you have been having such drastic fluctuations, it would be important to start you off on IBS medications (e.g. Capsule MEVA-C which has the active ingredients mebeverine and chlordiazepoxide) is a suitable medication for the same.
The thin (possibly even slimy, containing mucus) with holes stool is a very common type of stool seen with individuals suffering from IBS. I can be confident about this as I too am an IBS-sufferer from over 8 years now. Medications to control the IBS will greatly help to normalize your stools.
But in my opinion, IBS is not the sole contributor to your presentation (i.e. stool presentation) from the attached images. The appearance of the stool you just experienced is a combination of more than one cause, and this is what I think:
+The elevated liver enzymes can cause the stool to look different (color, consistency, etc.) which may be the cause for the slightly different color of your stool
+The size and shape (balls, hard, thin, etc.) are solely due to the IBS
+The whitish material seen along with the stool is the mucus, which in my opinion is due to the combined effect of IBS (which usually presents with mucus in stool) and the lactulose (which is trying to get you to have normal stools)
I understand your presentation and can relate to it, but unfortunately the truth is that as long as you have IBS you may never have normal stools. It may either be thin, in small chunks, at times too hard and difficult to pass, etc. Do not try to force it and just have the regular IBS medications and probiotics, this is all that is required.
I would although still recommend a colonoscopy to help diagnose IBS and rule out other conditions that can cause such a presentation. Do not worry ma'am, you are young and I am sure there are numerous things we can do to help you. I would also like to add, once IBS is confirmed, do write back to me once again (you can just write a new query with my name in it and it will be directed to me) and I shall provide you with a bunch of suggestions to help beat IBS.
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Your current presentation is a combination of factors involved, pls read
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and images with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I completely understand your anxiety and would like you to understand a few things a little better so you can better realize what exactly is going on, and when.
First of all, in my opinion your doctor was quite right about the possibility of you having IBS, as the fluctuations and your bowel habits do indeed indicate signs of IBS. As you have been having such drastic fluctuations, it would be important to start you off on IBS medications (e.g. Capsule MEVA-C which has the active ingredients mebeverine and chlordiazepoxide) is a suitable medication for the same.
The thin (possibly even slimy, containing mucus) with holes stool is a very common type of stool seen with individuals suffering from IBS. I can be confident about this as I too am an IBS-sufferer from over 8 years now. Medications to control the IBS will greatly help to normalize your stools.
But in my opinion, IBS is not the sole contributor to your presentation (i.e. stool presentation) from the attached images. The appearance of the stool you just experienced is a combination of more than one cause, and this is what I think:
+The elevated liver enzymes can cause the stool to look different (color, consistency, etc.) which may be the cause for the slightly different color of your stool
+The size and shape (balls, hard, thin, etc.) are solely due to the IBS
+The whitish material seen along with the stool is the mucus, which in my opinion is due to the combined effect of IBS (which usually presents with mucus in stool) and the lactulose (which is trying to get you to have normal stools)
I understand your presentation and can relate to it, but unfortunately the truth is that as long as you have IBS you may never have normal stools. It may either be thin, in small chunks, at times too hard and difficult to pass, etc. Do not try to force it and just have the regular IBS medications and probiotics, this is all that is required.
I would although still recommend a colonoscopy to help diagnose IBS and rule out other conditions that can cause such a presentation. Do not worry ma'am, you are young and I am sure there are numerous things we can do to help you. I would also like to add, once IBS is confirmed, do write back to me once again (you can just write a new query with my name in it and it will be directed to me) and I shall provide you with a bunch of suggestions to help beat IBS.
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for your thorough answer I really appreciate it. I just called my doctor and asked about having a colonoscopy and they said they usually want to see me in person first but didn't have any available appointments this week so she left my doctor a message to see if it's ok if I get one and they should be calling me back.
Also the itching that I am feeling in my rectum, could this also be from IBS? It is more intense today.
Also the itching that I am feeling in my rectum, could this also be from IBS? It is more intense today.
Brief Answer:
IBS-related anal itching is not very common; more with fistula, hemorrhoids
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Please forgive me if my response was too lengthy, but I just wanted to share all the information I had with you because I have always encouraged my patients to be well educated about their conditions.
The itching is common when the area is not cleaned well enough (i.e. the anal region), but otherwise anal itching is not common with IBS. It is although more common with conditions like hemorrhoids, anal fistula, etc. When you visit your doctor, I am sure he will physically examine your anal region as well.
I wish you truck loads of luck, and please do not forget to write to me once again once a diagnosis is confirmed as I have a few tips for you. For now, keep in touch through HCM, and add me on facebook as well.
Best wishes.
IBS-related anal itching is not very common; more with fistula, hemorrhoids
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Please forgive me if my response was too lengthy, but I just wanted to share all the information I had with you because I have always encouraged my patients to be well educated about their conditions.
The itching is common when the area is not cleaned well enough (i.e. the anal region), but otherwise anal itching is not common with IBS. It is although more common with conditions like hemorrhoids, anal fistula, etc. When you visit your doctor, I am sure he will physically examine your anal region as well.
I wish you truck loads of luck, and please do not forget to write to me once again once a diagnosis is confirmed as I have a few tips for you. For now, keep in touch through HCM, and add me on facebook as well.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I forgot to add the summary of my ultrasound.
And thank you for the long answer I appreciate it because I feel like I'm bothering my doctor with my concerns. I also have been more dizzy lately and my blood pressure has been getting higher lately but my doctor told me I only need to be taking it a few times a week. I had taken twice in a day because I wanted to see if it was still high which it was:150/96 but she said basically it's probably just fluctuating throughout the day and to give it a week before making an appointment. She just lowered my dose a month ago from 60mg to 30mg so I thought it should be something I call them about if it's higher was I wrong? Like right now I feel dizzy, have a little chest pain and don't feel right. And I have been overly tired all day in the last few weeks as well.
My other odd symptoms I've had these last few weeks is one day I woke up and my gums were very swollen but that went down the next day. I am also very itchy (especially my arms) lately even after putting lotion on but I don't know maybe it's just the weather? I also noticed my legs seem to be bruising easily, like I noticed I have a bunch of little bruises on my legs and not sure what from?
And thank you for the long answer I appreciate it because I feel like I'm bothering my doctor with my concerns. I also have been more dizzy lately and my blood pressure has been getting higher lately but my doctor told me I only need to be taking it a few times a week. I had taken twice in a day because I wanted to see if it was still high which it was:150/96 but she said basically it's probably just fluctuating throughout the day and to give it a week before making an appointment. She just lowered my dose a month ago from 60mg to 30mg so I thought it should be something I call them about if it's higher was I wrong? Like right now I feel dizzy, have a little chest pain and don't feel right. And I have been overly tired all day in the last few weeks as well.
My other odd symptoms I've had these last few weeks is one day I woke up and my gums were very swollen but that went down the next day. I am also very itchy (especially my arms) lately even after putting lotion on but I don't know maybe it's just the weather? I also noticed my legs seem to be bruising easily, like I noticed I have a bunch of little bruises on my legs and not sure what from?
Brief Answer:
May need to check a few parameters
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Your ultrasound examination was insignificant, i.e. all normal structures and findings, except for a little excess gas, which could also be related to your IBS.
As for the blood pressure fluctuations, BP fluctuations are very common with infections, or any other ongoing abnormalities (like your current bowel issue) and so we cannot accurately judge the effectivity of your medications at this point, which is why may be your doctor asked you to wait for a week or so, to see if the readings change as your bodily functions return to a normal state.
You were absolutely right in calling them and informing them about a high blood pressure reading especially as your doctor had recently corrected your dosage, this was the right thing to do, undoubtedly.
Swollen gums appearing so suddenly could have to do with a nutrient deficiency (please check vitamin B12 levels). Could you attach clear images of the bruised region to our discussion please? The bruising will have to be looked into, parameters like:
+Blood coagulation profile
+Lipid profile
+Venous Doppler of the affected region
+Cardiac health
The itching could indeed be because of the weather, as it could be getting a little dry there. Continue the application of a good moisturiser and drink plenty of fluids, you need to always stay well hydrated.
I hope I have addressed all your issues. As I said earlier, please do not ever hesitate to write to me even about the smallest of things you would feel is unimportant to discuss, I am here to guide you and provide you with as much information as you need ma'am.
Best wishes.
May need to check a few parameters
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Your ultrasound examination was insignificant, i.e. all normal structures and findings, except for a little excess gas, which could also be related to your IBS.
As for the blood pressure fluctuations, BP fluctuations are very common with infections, or any other ongoing abnormalities (like your current bowel issue) and so we cannot accurately judge the effectivity of your medications at this point, which is why may be your doctor asked you to wait for a week or so, to see if the readings change as your bodily functions return to a normal state.
You were absolutely right in calling them and informing them about a high blood pressure reading especially as your doctor had recently corrected your dosage, this was the right thing to do, undoubtedly.
Swollen gums appearing so suddenly could have to do with a nutrient deficiency (please check vitamin B12 levels). Could you attach clear images of the bruised region to our discussion please? The bruising will have to be looked into, parameters like:
+Blood coagulation profile
+Lipid profile
+Venous Doppler of the affected region
+Cardiac health
The itching could indeed be because of the weather, as it could be getting a little dry there. Continue the application of a good moisturiser and drink plenty of fluids, you need to always stay well hydrated.
I hope I have addressed all your issues. As I said earlier, please do not ever hesitate to write to me even about the smallest of things you would feel is unimportant to discuss, I am here to guide you and provide you with as much information as you need ma'am.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Here is the picture when they were swollen..
Brief Answer:
Swollen gums could indeed be a nutrient deficiency (vit B12)
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
Yes, this could indeed be a vitamin B12 deficiency.
But I was expecting pictures of the bruised region (on your legs) for my examination, i.e. only if you are comfortable with the same.
Best wishes.
Swollen gums could indeed be a nutrient deficiency (vit B12)
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
Yes, this could indeed be a vitamin B12 deficiency.
But I was expecting pictures of the bruised region (on your legs) for my examination, i.e. only if you are comfortable with the same.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Oddly enough the bruises have pretty much gone away now, it was about a week ago that I noticed it. I swear I had a bunch of little bruises a week ago now they're gone.. I guess that's a good thing?
Brief Answer:
Yes ma'am, thats great news
Detailed Answer:
Yes ma'am, of course. It is great news, really happy to know. :)
Best wishes.
Yes ma'am, thats great news
Detailed Answer:
Yes ma'am, of course. It is great news, really happy to know. :)
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry to bother you again, but I noticed yesterday I had pain behind my right shoulder blade around the same time as I am now maybe a little later in the day, and right now my right side of my back has a severe achey, burning feeling especially like behind my right shoulder blade. I also feel more nauseous today. And when I press down a little on my right upper abdomen it hurts and almost feels like someone is punching me in the bellybutton and I'm not pressing that hard. What could that be from?
Brief Answer:
Nothing too serious, I have explained everything ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Coming to the pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen and the pain radiating towards the belly button, this would have been investigated as an abnormality and an abdominal ultrasound would be advised. But as an abdominal ultrasound was recently conducted and all was found to be normal, I would not dwell into this too much. In fact, the pain in my opinion now is most probably because of pain or pressure being applied on either the mesentery or the hepatobiliary tract (gall bladder and the liver) which can cause radiation of pain around the belly button. As long as the ultrasound was normal, there is nothing to worry about ma'am. :)
As for the pain behind your right shoulder blade, this could be triggered by conditions like gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, etc. These conditions can all be triggered by factors like stress, smoking, alcohol, increased acid production in the stomach, etc. But as a remedy you could:
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid alcohol and smoking
+Avoid spicy/fatty/fried/oily food
+Avoid stress
+Take ranitidine or pantoprazole when you experience symptoms
I hope this information helps you ma'am. I do not think there is anything to worry about, but I would also like you to know that you need not apologize or worry about writing to me. Do not hesitate to write to me about anything under the roof, I am more than happy to help you ma'am, so please do not think twice before writing to me.
Best wishes.
Nothing too serious, I have explained everything ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Coming to the pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen and the pain radiating towards the belly button, this would have been investigated as an abnormality and an abdominal ultrasound would be advised. But as an abdominal ultrasound was recently conducted and all was found to be normal, I would not dwell into this too much. In fact, the pain in my opinion now is most probably because of pain or pressure being applied on either the mesentery or the hepatobiliary tract (gall bladder and the liver) which can cause radiation of pain around the belly button. As long as the ultrasound was normal, there is nothing to worry about ma'am. :)
As for the pain behind your right shoulder blade, this could be triggered by conditions like gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, etc. These conditions can all be triggered by factors like stress, smoking, alcohol, increased acid production in the stomach, etc. But as a remedy you could:
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid alcohol and smoking
+Avoid spicy/fatty/fried/oily food
+Avoid stress
+Take ranitidine or pantoprazole when you experience symptoms
I hope this information helps you ma'am. I do not think there is anything to worry about, but I would also like you to know that you need not apologize or worry about writing to me. Do not hesitate to write to me about anything under the roof, I am more than happy to help you ma'am, so please do not think twice before writing to me.
Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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