I have been having bowel problems for a long time since my hysterectomy a year ago things are worse. I am having a lot of belly pain and swelling. My stool is small, solid, and black and I strain every time. I don t have normal bowel movements, its about once a week. This has been all my life. My dr. has tried pills, powdered drinks, I tried laxatives and that was painfull. I am constantly told I am constipated.