If you know that your sister has IBS, maybe figure out her diet and try to match it? My doctor thought I may have a touch of IBS and suggested I give up coffee, chocolate, high fat foods, soda and the list goes on... it's not pretty. As long as I can control it, I'm not giving up the good stuff.

I understand about not wanting to spend a lot of money only to be told something simple is wrong. I spent over $300 dollars out of pocket to figure out what I'm allergic to, and found I don't have a classic IgE response to anything. What do I have? Non allergic rhinitis or allergy like sypmtoms but not true allergies and guess how it's treated---with allergy medication!


If you had a colonoscopy done, it would be a relief to find out what exactly is going on with your intestines. How expensive are they?

I get shaky/dizzy from laxatives also. They make my heart race, I don't know why.

I do not have that effect from "Smooth Move" tea from Traditional Medicinals. It's a senna-based laxative, and it works just as well, but without the icky side effects (tablet laxatives also give me really bad cramping pains that make me want to roll up in a ball and die).

If you still feel like something is there you are past the laxative stage since everything is already in your colon. Try suppository, fleets enema. If these do not work go see the doctor (who will probably send you to the ER) to have a large volume enema done. It is not fun but once is out you will feel so much better and can find ways to control the constipation.

For me I have to take Miralax as soon as I think anything is slowing down. It is a slow working laxative so maybe it would not make you feel dizzy. It is the one my dr. recommended and told me take it daily if I need too. Like the others recommended water, fiber and healthy oil. When I start having problems I but a TBSP or two of ground flaxseed in a smoothie daily for a few days and that seems to help.

I agree with everyone get the colonoscopy as soon as you can. I hope you get relief soon, being constipated is no fun.

I certainly hope not. This post terrifies me. A trip to the ER to solve the issue? *yikes* But yes, it is in my colon. That I am sure of.

I went to the local health food store and asked about the Republic of Tea, and they didn't have any, but suggested Yogi Get Regular tea, which has the Senna Leaf in it. It says to take before bedtime, but I am about to take it now.

Thanks for all the tips....I sure hope this works...

Have you thought about a possible food allergy? My dad had similiar problems, straining for a BM, when it did happen it was hard, tightly packed and often bloody or blood streaked. Lactose intolerant. (Not to mention gas you could clear a truck stop with) My daughter would get bloating, itchy scaly skin, and a list of gastro/digestive orders, allergy tests revealed high levels of allergens to all tree nuts, pork and gluten. Once that was out of her diet, all of her symptoms were alleviated. I should also mention, that at age 2, she passed a stool the size of a softball. These incidents would go on and off for 2 years before we found a doc who suggested simple allergy tests before they tried yet more invasive procedures. It was horrible for all of us concerned and if I never have to see my kid cry like that again, I'll be thankful. Also, by clearing all of this stuff out of all of our diets, we've all lost the sluggish, blah feeling as well as having more regular bowels.

Pill laxatives are NOT usually what they use to prep. To prep they will often use something called Miralax. This is a combination of things including something called PEG Flakes.

Poly Ethalyne Glycol Flakes.

Please... Consider asking your Dr for this. It takes about 6 months of use. You will usually start one 3 times a day mixed into fluid. After 4-6 weeks dial it back to 2 times a day... After another 6 weeks back to once a day and as long as you are still going consistently stay at that. After about 6 months see if you can come off of it completely.

How do I know about Peg Flakes you ask? My 6 year old has serious issues that cropped up with 2 years of pain, and agony. She didn't come up as constipated off the ultrasounds or xrays but a really amazing Ped. diagnosed it and hit the nail on the head.

The prep for the colonoscopy is 100 ml and the dose for her was 15 ml so huge difference. They will probably put you on something around 25 - 50 ml 3 times a day.

How much water are you drinking? I've had severe IBS-D for about 10 years, but it's gotten much better in the last 5 years, since I cut out a lot of trigger foods: caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, fried/fatty foods, etc. I know you're having the opposite problem I did, but drinking enough water can help with both problems. Good luck--try to get the colonoscopy. Even if it's "just IBS" you know you'll have ruled out cancer, Crohn's disease, Celiac, ulcers, etc...Which are way more expensive to cure or treat.

Unfortunately for me that is a true story and I was on vacation to make things worse. Hopefully you do not have to go that route and can get everything straightened out at home.

I've had/having similar problems for the past few years.... and I've found that too much fiber can be just as bad as not enough, FYI!

Besides recommending the obvious colonoscopy that the doc recommended.... definitely try adding some good fat to your diet like above mentioned! Not only is it needed for healthy hair and nails.... but I'm sure other things can be affected by a too low fat diet as well!

Good luck... I know how much bowel problems suck! I look forward to the day I get mine straightened out too!

well, I had the tea at 7pm last night, so far no luck. Should I drink another tea? I'm not sure what the next step is. I just don't want to jump the gun on calling the doctor on something that I can do myself. Obviously, if it goes for much longer, I will not have a choice.

Chickybird, I drink a TON of water. In the morning it's coffee ( perhaps I shouldn't drink as much as I do ) but after that it's prob 15-20 cups of water.

It really is the craziest thing, isn't it? I can feel the dizziness come on while still using the bathroom, and when I go to stand up, the room just spins. I also get the real bad cramping, I call it the gremlins picking at the lining of my stomach. Ugh. That is why I'm trying some other alternatives....

I have problems with this and adding flax meal (ground flax seed) to foods really helps. I just sprinkle it over meals, or sometimes I make a 'one minute muffin' (low carb recipe) to help things along:

1-Minute Muffin
1/4 cup Flax Meal
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 packet Splenda
1 teaspoon Cinamon
1 Egg
1-2 teaspoons Butter

1.5 Carbs

Mix the dry ingredients in a large coffee cup. Add egg and butter; mix well. Microwave for 1 minute. Slice, butter (or peanut butter or cream cheese or whatever) and eat. It's pretty good.

Having said that, I would definitely get back to the doctor. Chronic constipation can be a sign of more serious things, not to mention the misery you're living with.

The tea usually takes several hours up to 24 hours on me anyway. But I always brew mine really strong-well I use the dieters tea-which the big ingredient is senna. They say to brew for 3 minutes and I usually brew for 10 minutes or more. Hey, I figure I want as much as that little tea bag will give me.

Sarah in MD

I want to say, "Trust me, try eating something heavy in healthy oil"! Now that would be silly if it didn't work, wouldn't it? Seriously, it works for me.

Exercise helps a lot when I have any bowel problems. I would get moving, take a walk or a bike ride.