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I'm so constipated I was in the hosp. 3 days. Lossing lots of wieght,hair falling out, body aches, upper abd pain, mid back pain, head hurts, occational N/V, pail, dark under eyes, sleepy, very weak at times, hands and feet stay numb most of the time, seems like I get every bug that gets close to me. Drs. won't help because of insurance. Can you please help me?

Submitted: 288 days and 7 hours ago.

Category: Health

Value: $9

Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY

Age: 33; Female, Alabama

Already Tried:
All blood work is ok. White count is up a little every now and then. I tried vit.,diet,drinking lots of water.
I've been to Nurse Prac.,family dr.,internal med.dr.,and ER.I was told I had an illius, stomach flu, h pylori, malnurished, sinus infection. I took everything I was given and still seem to be going down hill.

Answer

Hello,

I can give you the following advice for constipation but there is too much else to address.

You must try to avoid stimulants. Give this regimen a chance. It takes time.

I will recommend a regimen for you to try to get you to have one or two normal bowel movements a day. The first approach is to increase fiber and bulk in your stool. If this fails, then you must go on to stimulant laxatives or other agents.

First, to increase the bulk in the stool, you must take fiber every am. ie. bran, bran cereal, bran muffin. Also 2 salads a day and ample fruits and vegetables. (avoid gas forming vegetables such as beans or broccoli, cabbage) Psyllium agents such as Metamucil, Citrocel, Konsyl, Hydrocil, Perdiem 2-4 heaping tablespoons a day should help increase the bulk in your stool. You may instead want to try Fibercon, 6-8 capsules a day.Also try Colace (stool moisturizer). Start slowly and increase the amount every day to avoid side effects of gas or bloating.

Try to train yourself to have one or two movements a day by sitting on the toilet the same time every day.

Probiotics, like Activia, will help.

I have found this works for most of my patients after minor adjustments you must make yourself. Let me know how you make out after a few weeks. This takes time and does not work overnight.

You can use Miralax on a short term basis or an enema if you are really
uncomfortable.

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Expert:	Internist
Pos. Feedback:	98.8 %
Answered:	2/8/2009

Doctor (MD)

Board Certified in 2 Specialties, VERIFIED,American, trained and located in United States

288 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Did you not read the part that I looked at my diet? With as many doctors as I have been to and as many times I've been in the hosp. with an IV and tube in my nose and down my throat, don't you think somebody or I read some where to eat more fiber?

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