It's A "nogo" Week

[BRCoats]

Hey all,

I'm sure you've all experienced a "NoGo" week, meaning never having a bowel movement. In fact, it's actually been more like two weeks. But here's the trick. I can't have fiber, no fiber supplements, no magnesium supplements, and no vitamin C. All of the above cause major problems with my gastroparesis (paralyzed stomach). Oh, and I can't do prune juice....or any juice for the matter. Nothing acidic at all. So....my question is.....is there anything out there that I'm missing that would cause me to actually go to the bathroom??? I even tried a castor oil pack last night, and it just made me sick all today. So i'm about ready to give up!!

Please help if you have ANY ideas. I'm up for anything at this point.

~Brenda

[mstrain]

Wow - sorry to hear of your discomfort. I can't believe the things you cannot have! You said nothing acidic and no juice - would this include all fruits as well? Blueberries and raisins always seem to work wonders on my kids (grapes also) but are you even allowed these items? Wishing you well.

[tarnalberry]

Hey all,

I'm sure you've all experienced a "NoGo" week, meaning never having a bowel movement. In fact, it's actually been more like two weeks. But here's the trick. I can't have fiber, no fiber supplements, no magnesium supplements, and no vitamin C. All of the above cause major problems with my gastroparesis (paralyzed stomach). Oh, and I can't do prune juice....or any juice for the matter. Nothing acidic at all. So....my question is.....is there anything out there that I'm missing that would cause me to actually go to the bathroom??? I even tried a castor oil pack last night, and it just made me sick all today. So i'm about ready to give up!! 

Please help if you have ANY ideas. I'm up for anything at this point. 

~Brenda

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Senna? Senekot (OTC brand) was recommended to me by my doctor, and it did indeed work. It's not a fiber supplement, but it helps get the bowels moving. You might also look into dandelion root (in a tea) or aloe, from what I understand of herbal lore. I've also found that exercise helps - something high impact, like running.

[Jen H]

Can you eat salad? That seems to work well for me. I've also heard that exercise can help with constipation. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Jen

[Guest nini]

apples seem to work for me...

[BRCoats]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies...but....can't do any of them. I've tried senna before and thought I was gonna die (won't go into detail). Can't do salad, grapes, raisins, aloe....I tell ya'....I've tried everything. This has been going on for three years. No joke. I had a short period of time where I was actually going too much...but that has ended, and now I'm back to this clogged mess. I do exercise some, but my energy and time levels are limited. I usually walk every day, probably a quarter to half of a mile, depending on how energetic I am. Plus, I do lots of housework.

Sorry for the rant. But thanks for the concern. I crave all those good for you foods something terrible. I'm sure the fact that I eat meat and cheese all the time doesn't help. But it's all that agrees with my stomach. I homeschool three kids, so I don't feel like I can "afford" to be down for a day.

Ok, done with my pity party. Thanks again. Keep the ideas coming if you have them!

~Brenda

[nogluten-]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies...but....can't do any of them. I've tried senna before and thought I was gonna die (won't go into detail).  Can't do salad, grapes, raisins, aloe....I tell ya'....I've tried everything.  This has been going on for three years. No joke. I had a short period of time where I was actually going too much...but that has ended, and now I'm back to this clogged mess. I do exercise some, but my energy and time levels are limited. I usually walk every day, probably a quarter to half of a mile, depending on how energetic I am. Plus, I do lots of housework.

Sorry for the rant. But thanks for the concern. I crave all those good for you foods something terrible. I'm sure the fact that I eat meat and cheese all the time doesn't help. But it's all that agrees with my stomach. I homeschool three kids, so I don't feel like I can "afford" to be down for a day.

Ok, done with my pity party.  Thanks again. Keep the ideas coming if you have them!

~Brenda

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When I can't go Coca Cola works.

[nettiebeads]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies...but....can't do any of them. I've tried senna before and thought I was gonna die (won't go into detail).  Can't do salad, grapes, raisins, aloe....I tell ya'....I've tried everything.  This has been going on for three years. No joke. I had a short period of time where I was actually going too much...but that has ended, and now I'm back to this clogged mess. I do exercise some, but my energy and time levels are limited. I usually walk every day, probably a quarter to half of a mile, depending on how energetic I am. Plus, I do lots of housework.

Sorry for the rant. But thanks for the concern. I crave all those good for you foods something terrible. I'm sure the fact that I eat meat and cheese all the time doesn't help. But it's all that agrees with my stomach. I homeschool three kids, so I don't feel like I can "afford" to be down for a day.

Ok, done with my pity party.  Thanks again. Keep the ideas coming if you have them!

~Brenda

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, for me bananas, rice and cheese bind me something horrible. I can do citrucel, which you say you can't. How about dried apricots? Usually three in the morning for a few mornings works for me. When things are really bad there's always good ole Milk of mag. I have to be careful with that. One little sip and the next day I'm really loosened up, if you get my drift.

[julie5914]

What's in that Fleet stuff that you drink? I'm not sure if you can have it but it works....maybe too well. If you take it at night, you will be up all night, and if you take it during the day, let's just say avoid being around people. It will clean you out though.

[tarnalberry]

I do exercise some, but my energy and time levels are limited. I usually walk every day, probably a quarter to half of a mile, depending on how energetic I am. Plus, I do lots of housework.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just for reference, walking isn't high impact enough to "jar those nerves" in the intestinal system. (I'm talking jogging at least 5mph for at least 20 minutes, kind of thing.) I can understand if something that involves high impact is a problem with the energy restrictions, but walking is the "one tylenol" equivalent to treating a migraine that should be getting migraine medication. Sometimes, if it's all we have, though, it's what we have to work with. Sorry that those won't work though... That problem is NOT a comfortable one. :-(

[skbird]

Coffee works for me sometimes, doesn't have to be caffeinated. Also, you could look into those Fleet enemas - they are disposable and, well, at some point, ya gotta go, right? I'm sorry magnesium doesn't work for you, that is my secret weapon.

Lots of water. Very good because moisture in the gut is what you need to move things along. Is it you can't have fiber because of what fiber does (being tough to "stomach")?

I used to try aloe but found that every brand includes citric acid and I'm allergic to the mold that is used to make it.

Maybe you should look into the specific carbohydrate diet? That seems to cause initial diarrhea in people but then helps to heal their gut.

I hope someone has a good answer for you, sounds like a tough place to be!

Stephanie

[BRCoats]

Stephanie,

I've actually tried the SCD. The reason it didn't work, is that I am unable to get enough carbs from it. So my energy level went down to ZIP!!! I mean, I was unable to do ANYTHING. It was incredible. They rely on honey and fruit sugars for carbs, both of which make me sicker than a dog.

As for coffee....I haven't really tried it. Before celiac disease and gastroparesis, I couldn't drink it, because it makes my heart flutter - yes, even the decaf (I've had open heart surgery and have a pacemaker also). So I guess I haven't even figured on trying that. But....I haven't really tried it since the heart surgery.....so maybe I'll give it a try (a very diluted try!).

To answer your question, yes, I can't have the fiber because it's too hard to digest. My stomach just can't handle it.

tarnalberry,

Well...I could start jogging for five minutes a day and work up from there maybe. Worth a try, eh?

nogluten,

Coca cola won't do it. Doesn't even phase me in that way. Thanks for the suggestion anyway!! As for dried apricots, I doubt that would work. I haven't been able to eat any dried fruit, so I'm not sure they would be any different. And any laxative that I've tried works well enough, but I'm deathly ill afterwards. I even run a fever. I mentioned trying the castor oil pack the other night, and I've been sick with a fever since. Weird......I still don't know why that is!!

Thanks everybody. I really do appreciate the time you spend in replying. And again, if there's any more ideas....I'd love to hear them!! Like coffee....hadn't thought of that.

~Brenda

P.S. Cute picture, Stephanie.

[tarnalberry]

Well...I could start jogging for five minutes a day and work up from there maybe. Worth a try, eh?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a great idea! And you probably wouldn't have to work up for too long (maybe two weeks) to figure out if it will help you or not.