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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Chronic Constipation Be Treated?

I’m Stan, male, just turned age 62. I’ve been having trouble with pooping for about 3 months. / I started taking Benefiber 5 weeks back, which helped. But for last 8 days or so, I have had more severe issues. Irregular bowel movements. And, the worst hermaeids I’ve ever had, right on my anus. I’ve been applying preparation H, from tube, and using little bullet shaped insert. This somewhat corresponds to my breaking a tooth off 2 weeks ago, and I still have temporary crown, so I can’t chew food very well, can’t chew on what is normally the good side of my mouth. I am mostly constipated, so I take Miralax, and sometime Exlax pill. Which helps, but when I finally get a bowel movement, it’s usually all like wet cement, only solids are little 10 centimeter round pieces. And then other times, it’s tiny little pieces of rope, or snake pieces, 8-10 centimeters’ diameter and 2-5 inches long. It feels like there is something stuck about 8-10 inches up my rectum. I try to squeeze it out. Yesterday spent 4+ hours on toilet. Again, this morning, almost blacked out few times, squeezing too hard. 5-6 days ago, I ordered fancy enema kit off amazon, installed as alternate shower head in shower, stuff that comes out from way deep it evil toxic smelling way worse than normal poop, seems like this poop has been stuck up there for a while. When I stick finger up I can feel the hemorrhoids close to surface, seems like I can also feel flap of tissue running along anus, I think it is several inches long, runs axially to direction of rectum, it’s like a dorsal fin, sticks up maybe 2-4 centimeters, or maybe it’s a bulging line from prostate. I’m trying to get a doctor apt. with new doctor. My usual physician is good, seen her for two years, but she’s a pretty lady, I don’t want her sticking finger up my but, too embarrassing for both of us.
Mon, 12 Nov 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
HI,

Constipation can be difficult to handle sometimes. Though you may think it would embarrass your doctor, we are used to examining all areas and it does not have any negative effect.

She needs to know about any symptoms you are having in any body system so that she can appropriately evaluate you.

Treatment of constipation involves:

(1) adequate fluid intake, need to take at least 8 glasses of fluid daily unless contraindicated otherwise (heart or liver or kidney failure).

This does not include alcohol or any caffeine drinks like coffee or coke because these meds cause the body to lose extra fluid.

(2) Fiber- using the extra fibre such as Benefiber is good, you should increase the amount that you use (eg to twice or three times daily) till you are getting good movements.

(3) Get natural fibre from vegetables or fruit or whole grain foods

(4) Activity.

It is also important not to use laxatives too often. Laxatives eventually worsen constipation because the body gets used to them and the bowel no longer functions well on its own.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
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How Can Chronic Constipation Be Treated?

HI, Constipation can be difficult to handle sometimes. Though you may think it would embarrass your doctor, we are used to examining all areas and it does not have any negative effect. She needs to know about any symptoms you are having in any body system so that she can appropriately evaluate you. Treatment of constipation involves: (1) adequate fluid intake, need to take at least 8 glasses of fluid daily unless contraindicated otherwise (heart or liver or kidney failure). This does not include alcohol or any caffeine drinks like coffee or coke because these meds cause the body to lose extra fluid. (2) Fiber- using the extra fibre such as Benefiber is good, you should increase the amount that you use (eg to twice or three times daily) till you are getting good movements. (3) Get natural fibre from vegetables or fruit or whole grain foods (4) Activity. It is also important not to use laxatives too often. Laxatives eventually worsen constipation because the body gets used to them and the bowel no longer functions well on its own. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician