Serious Bowel Disfunction

[marycontrary]

Hi guys,

I have been gluten free for 5 months. I bacame aware when I stopped having BMs (my descending colon felt packed to my ribcage when my abdomen was palpitated) and was in severe abdominal pain. this condition was fairly nonresponsive to enemas, laxitives, for which I only used when things go really out of hand.

I stopped all gluten. My bruises healed, cuts quickly healed, my hair and nails had growth spirts. My suicidal thoughts, which had tortured me since childhood disappeared instantaneously.

Anything dairy seemed to keep me plugged up. Rice and beans in large amounts cause pain.

So I am basically at the point where I eat lots of soft, wet vegetables---lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green beans...etc.

And I am still having impaction problems. I really don't know how I can be impacted eating this soft food.

I eat no rice pasta, breads, other than a few corn tortilla. I drink only water and a cup of plain coffee in the mornings.

I still have the "packed tube" feeling in my abdomen.

Input and ideas appreciated

[Sulevismom]

Hi guys,

I have been gluten free for 5 months. I bacame aware when I stopped having BMs (my descending colon felt packed to my ribcage when my abdomen was palpitated) and was in severe abdominal pain. this condition was fairly nonresponsive to enemas, laxitives, for which I only used when things go really out of hand.

I stopped all gluten. My bruises healed, cuts quickly healed, my hair and nails had growth spirts. My suicidal thoughts, which had tortured me since childhood disappeared instantaneously.

Anything dairy seemed to keep me plugged up. Rice and beans in large amounts cause pain.

So I am basically at the point where I eat lots of soft, wet vegetables---lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green beans...etc.

And I am still having impaction problems. I really don't know how I can be impacted eating this soft food.

I eat no rice pasta, breads, other than a few corn tortilla. I drink only water and a cup of plain coffee in the mornings.

I still have the "packed tube" feeling in my abdomen.

Input and ideas appreciated

Hi,

I get the same problem. I wrote a post about it some time ago and received some suggestions. What has really worked for me is eating a couple spoonfuls of ground flax seeds daily. You have to make sure to drink plenty of water so that they don't make matters worse. My favorite way to eat them in in a smoothie with banana, strawberries, blueberries, spinach, and a little honey. Yes, that's right, I said spinach! It's the yummiest treat and even better because I know it unplugs my guts. At the same time I started taking the flax seeds, I started taking a calcium magnesium supplement 2-3 times per day. So that could also be helping. I can't say all my problems are gone, as I'm still figuring out which foods I'm sensitive to, but being able to empty my bowel has helped HUGELY!

Good luck!

[ENF]

I'd first make sure that this is not a bowel obstruction - they're one of the leading causes of emergency room visits, and can be deadly.

[marycontrary]

Thanks so much...when I went to the ER regarding this, the DR. said there was no obstruction in my lower tract...but I could feel it---and he could not answer me as to why my bowels felt so distended. Does this suprise you?

Thanks for the suggestions! I would appreciate further ideas if anyone has them.

[Ahorsesoul]

You could try eating a few dried prunes a day to see if that helps. You also need to increase your fiber you eat so the food can be moved along in your digestive tract.

If you haven't gone dairy and soy free for a few months you might want to try this to increase the healing of your digestive tract. It maybe inflamed and that is what you are feeling.

Since you've had a doctor check you out trying different diet changes maybe the way to go.

Make sure you are completely gluten, dairy and soy free. If you cheat you won't heal. I know you can do this for your health.

Keeping a food and how you feel journal may also show you what will work for you.

Keep us informed.

[ENF]

Not to scare you, but according to Dr. Oz on TV last week these are some symptoms of ovarian cancer: bloating, increased abdominal size, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly.

[wschmucks]

I wouldnt freak out-- Just go to a good GI and have them do some tests: lower sonogram will check for ovarian cysts or any internal abnormalities that may cause obstructions. I was terribly constipated for years with nothing helping and it turned out my thyroid was within "normal" limits-- but it wasnt optimal. Once it was treated the constipation has almost resolved.

[laughingduck]

Have you tried slippery elm tea? It works WONDERS for these sorts of problems. You can find it at health food stores. It is the main ingredient in essiac tea Which is a cancer fighting tea. It does not come in tea bags, but rather in a powder that you mix with warm water and it makes a slimey gruel with little taste. I don't mind it but some hate it. But it is good for both getting things moving and slowing things down, whateer you need. Probably something most celiacs should have in their cupboard! Good luck figuring it all out!

[sixtytwo]

For my chronic constipation the doctor told me to take Miralax. I bought the generic form at Walmart, their brand is Equate (exact same stuff). I took it for four days and it completely straightened out my problem, actually going in the other direction so now I am trying to fine tune how often I need to use it. I swear by it.

Barbara

[Ahorsesoul]

On the Dr Oz show today, he recommended a glass of orange juice with a shot full of Aloe Vera juice.

[Ingrown]

You might want to consider colonics. If you have them done regularly they're are supposed to help get all the old crud out of the large intestine that has been accumulating over the years. Also, when I went in to get a colonic done I saw pictures of what other peoples large intestine's can look like if there digestive system is unhealthy. The intestine can grown to an enormous size as well as become twisted and deformed inside the body. I can't imagine it would be easy to have bowl movements with a mangled intestine. Something to consider. Good luck too you.

[Roda]

I started experimenting with coconut flour. It is really high in fiber and a good source of protein. I have been baking with it. But the best thing so far is making fruit smoothies and putting 1-2 TBS mixed into it. It helps and it tastes great. Because the coconut flour is so high in fiber you need to drink a lot of water and not overdo it. A little goes a long way.

[marycontrary]

Thank you guys so much. You are a wealth of support and information.