Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

Chronic Constipation

Posted In: I cannot get a diagnosis. 6 Replies
  • Posted By: Anonymous
  • April 8, 2009
  • 06:07 PM

I've had horrible constipation with the urgency to go but with no production. I've gone through a sigmoidoscopy and the doctor has found nothing. He said to do Kegll (sp) exercises and take suppositories in the case that I cannot produce a movement. I don't know what else to do/say to get anyone to tell me whats wrong. I've changed my diet and done everything out there to try and regulate myself. I drink my daily 8+ cups of water daily and am making sure I get the fiber I need. I've even gone to start taking magnesium oxide hearing that it helps with the motility of my intestines.

I need some answers...What can I do to get my doctor to help more?

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6 Replies:

  • Time perhaps for another Doctor who will listen and help more. In the meanwhile (as I'm sure you've already been told ;) ) get plenty of fibre and try eating some dates or prunes, I find very good for constipation. Good luckSammy http://www.undiagnosedillness.org
    Anonymous 42789 Replies Flag this Response
  • Lack of positive results from normal techniques to reduce constipation requires further exploration. Depending upon your age and in the absence of an identifiable cause, Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation predominant would be an diagnosis of exclusion. Women encounter the disorder more often than men and onset is typically in the early 20s, but cases are known to have an onset later and in rare instances, earlier. The cause is related to alterations in certain serotonin neurotransmitters which act on the colon and cause a dyregulation of the water re-uptake function. Too much reabsorption results in constipation and too little naturally results in diarhhea. While there are some drugs on the market such as Zelnorm for the treatment of constipation predominant IBS, they are causing some problems in certain patients and should be avoided for the time being until the kinks are worked out. If you are a bit older in age, beyond 40, then considerations need to be made with regard to family history for Parkinson's disease, particularly true if you are experiencing any other symptoms that you feel may not be related to the constipation. While this is a less likely cause, it still needs to be ruled out if other relevant symptoms and family history are present. If your primary care physician has not suggested further diagnostic considerations, then it might be wise to seek a referral to a gasteroenterologist for a workup to evaluation. Best regards, J Cottle, MD
    JCottleMD 580 Replies Flag this Response
  • I've had horrible constipation with the urgency to go but with no production. I've gone through a sigmoidoscopy and the doctor has found nothing. He said to do Kegll (sp) exercises and take suppositories in the case that I cannot produce a movement. I don't know what else to do/say to get anyone to tell me whats wrong. I've changed my diet and done everything out there to try and regulate myself. I drink my daily 8+ cups of water daily and am making sure I get the fiber I need. I've even gone to start taking magnesium oxide hearing that it helps with the motility of my intestines. I need some answers...What can I do to get my doctor to help more?You need to have a stool exam done - this should have been the first thing done to rule out parasites, water bourne pathogens, candida, and other. I would get this done to rule out pathogens. How long have you had this problem? How often are your bowel movements? Do you have pain before or after your bowel movements? Are you on any medications currently including bc if female? How old are you and are you male or female? Are you taking a probiotic? A good probiotic that is NOT milk based may help your symptoms. Food intolerances may be contributing to your problems...google celiac and see if other symptoms fit. Best wishesDOM
    acuann 3080 Replies Flag this Response
  • You will find a number of responses made by persons who are not licensed allopathic medical doctors and careful reflection should be made with regard to any advice given. You do not have celiac sprue and any related test will yield negative results. Nor do you have any type of protozoan invasion or fungal overgrowth. This is the typical boilerplate response by charasmatic practitioners and you can expend funds on tests and probiotics all you care to without benefit. Best regards, J Cottle, MD
    JCottleMD 580 Replies Flag this Response
  • You will find a number of responses made by persons who are not licensed allopathic medical doctors and careful reflection should be made with regard to any advice given. You do not have celiac sprue and any related test will yield negative results. Nor do you have any type of protozoan invasion or fungal overgrowth. This is the typical boilerplate response by charasmatic practitioners and you can expend funds on tests and probiotics all you care to without benefit. Best regards, J Cottle, MD Stop harassing me, Dr. Cottle. I am NCCAOM certified and have a license to practice Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is as valid a form of medicine as allopathic. You may not agree with me or with my profession, but that is your PREJUDICE. Constipation is a primary symptom of Celiac. This poster most definitely could have celiac and I am not out of bounds for suggesting this be ruled out. A stool exam would be a helpful diagnostic tool. And probiotics are very helpful for chronic digestive complaints. I stand by what I say. Shame on you for your flippant and inflammatory response. DOM
    acuann 3080 Replies Flag this Response
  • Again, you are not a licensed allopathic medical doctor and the symptoms being described here are not associated with the typical boilerplate response demonstrated by yourself and others who frequent here with advocations of herbal remedies and other potions subsequent to a hail of absolutely warrantless diagnostic tests. If charasmatic practice represented a productive and beneficial form of treatment in any manner, then it would predominate western medicine. I see no value whatsoever in performing a "stool sample" as triage for any person visiting this site with a complaint. Again, nothing of the symptoms suggests the causative factors you cite. My opinion is mine to express, as well as the responsibility to speak out to people on this forum regarding the source of the advice they are being given. The term "doctor" is used quite recklessly on this forum and there is an attempt to represent it as equal among traditional allopathic physicians. People have the right to know the difference. Best regards, J Cottle, MD
    JCottleMD 580 Replies Flag this Response
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