hi everybody.. i relize my discussion might sound strange but here goes if anyone recognizes anything it would be GREAT to hear from you...im 53 yo male who was told he had fibro about 10 yrs ago after having a strech of major medical problems followd by 13 surgeries or procedures now 10 years i suffer with EXTREME pain issues complicted by fibro im o n all kinds of pain meds which leave me totally constipated sometimes i dont move my bowels for 10 days or longer at that point ive started to notice that when i m constipated is when my fibro kicks in at that point everything hurts even my socks on my feet bother me
its when im able to move my bowelsi notice my fibro symptons start to leave??? does any of this make sense to anyone else?? im sorry if this sounds strange to anyone its my observation i would love to hear what every one thinks thank you
According to reports in the "Journal of Psychosomatic Research" in 2008, constipation or infrequent stools occur in 30% of individuals with fibromyalgia. Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement less than three times a week. Some individuals complain of abdominal pain and straining to move the bowels in conjunction with the constipation.
So it sounds like you're not alone if almost 1 in 3 fibro sufferers also gets constipation. But I do agree with Angel that 10 days is a long time to go without going, and a call to your doc would be a good idea.
Constipation is by far the worst of the two syndromes, if you ask me. Add in being that way for 10 days...and you're talking about a very cranky person!
Or not. Poor Mark. Isn't it enough to be in extreme pain and then be constipated too? I agree, think it actually could be problematic and I hope he touches base with us. And gets in touch with his doc.
Me too, Angel! Only was seriously constipated once and have had diarrhea many a time. There's NO comparison. You'd think that the latter would be much worse, wouldn't you?
Well, yeah, when you look at it that way, better out than in!
I can't imagine it, either. Nope.
I think it's entirely possible that the fibro could influence the constipation, so that they'd occur at the same time. Wouldn't surprise me in the least, in fact.
You should read & take heed of everyone's suggestions - by the response you've gotten you can see you are very much in good company.
Knowing so many of us go through this can't/gotta run stuff doesn't mean however, that you can ignore your symptoms. Please make an early appointment with a Gastroenterologist. Yep, it's probably fibro & pain killers, but we over 50's should be getting the plumbing checked regularly.
Hope everyone's responses have taken a load off your mind (Ooh, baad joke in there, sorry).
I understand this, and go through it too from Morphine. I use probiotics, stool softeners, Spectrum digestive enzymes and Oat bran from the health food store. When I need to, I use milk of magnesia.
Ten days is far too long my friend, gotta do something before that!
I feel the same way you do Mark. If it weren’t for miralax every other day, I’m what one would call " full of s…!" I notice if I forget to take I feel worse. It’s gentle on your system and doctor recommended. Good luck to you.
Mark, I would definitely talk to your doctor before you use anything for more than a few days as things that treat constipation can be addictive and very harmful. My doc told me that there is a new prescription medicine out there that specifically treats the constipation brought on by pain med usage, (Can’t remember if you are on any thing like that) but there is no generic and is very expensive. Good luck to you.
Magnesium supplements take care of that for me, and my diet, lots of fiber and water. I am now using a product otc called "Natural Calm" powder that you mix with water. It fizzes, just drink it.( I'm sensitive to the pill form) Magnesium also helps prevent muscle cramping. Check with your doctor, he can check your magnesium level and possibly ok for you to supplement with magnesium in some form. Magnesium helps you sleep at night too. I take it at bedtime.
The other thing that was affecting me and causing constipation was low stomach acid. This can happen as we get older. My food would just lay in my stomach. Really uncomfortable. My doctor had me take a little hydrochloric acid with pepsin with my meals. Only check with doctor before you do this. It helped my bowels get back to normal.
The meds are notorious for doing this to patients. You need to address this with your doctor. 10 days without elimination can cause you to become toxic. No wonder your fibro symptoms are so bad. Please do that.