let’s talk about my guts! that always seems to be a popular topic here on meals & moves. if you don’t care to read about digestion and what i’m doing to help my issues.. skip this one and come back tomorrow for a recipe. also, this post is going to be LONG with a LOT of words. brace yourself.
if you are just joining us, you can read this post and watch this video post. but, in a nutshell, i have something wrong with my colon. i have chronic pain, usually at night, and severe bloating. i poop maybe every 3 days, sometimes it is more like 5 and has been as bad as 10 days. i have had an endocopy, upper GI scope, colonoscopy, CT scan, and gastric emptying study. i have tried two kinds of antibiotics, a few kinds of probiotics, and two other prescription medications. my GI doctor cannot figure out what the cause of all this is. it is very annoying, painful, inconvenient, irritating.. all of the above, that’s what it is.
the only conclusion that my GI has come to is that i have a very lazy colon and the smooth twitch muscle fibers (is that the right term? i don’t even know) don’t function properly. my muscle fibers don’t communicate with my brain and my body just doesn’t eliminate even though it really, really should. oddly enough, i have chronic UTIs and have had them since i was a child.. this is due to my body not thinking i need to urinate when i actually do.. and then an infection occurs. we are talking at least once a month, if not more. i have gone to specialists about this, but the only solution i have found is to drink a gallon of water a day and MAKE myself pee so i don’t get a UTI. if i don’t drink my water, then i get a UTI. every time. but if i am diligent, i am in the clear. i wish it was just that easy for number two.. but it’s not. my colon hates me and won’t eliminate on command. turns out, it’s not trainable like a dog. shucks.
my GI said the next step for me would be surgery or putting me on prescription meds for all of time and eternity. no thanks. these are two options that i am not willing to consider at the moment, because i don’t feel like i have done everything i can do to find a fix to the solution WITHOUT surgery or medication. sure, i have gone down several western medicine paths, but i haven’t tried any alternative medicine nor have i tried tweaking my diet. i want to try every possible solution to see if it works before A) getting part of my colon permanently removed or B) taking medicine for the rest of my life.
so, i have looked at other avenues.
colon hydrotherapy.
as i mentioned a week ago, i had a colon hydrotherapy appointment (or a colonic, for short.) this is basically a professionally administered enema on steroids. there’s no messing around with colonics.. they really clear you out. i went to innerlight colon hydrotherapy because it had great reviews and i felt like they practiced safe and sanitary procedures.
before the actual procedure, the technician, chad, took over 30 minutes to talk to me about my situation. he was full of suggestions and information! he wasn’t telling me what was wrong with me, instead he was telling me what MIGHT be wrong with me and what steps i could TRY to see if they brought relief. he gave me several website links, product names, and relief suggestions. that right there was worth the $70.. but then i still had the colonic to look forward to! joy.
the procedure itself was really uncomfortable. i read this warning online, so i was prepared for the worst. i mean, how awesome is it to strip down to a gown and put a little tube up your butt? right. that’s what i thought. and then, once the tube is inserted, water flows into your colon and intestines.. then it is flushed back out, along with whatever waste your body may be hoarding. i had pooped a whopping 3 times in 23 days, so there was a whole lot of waste hiding in my insides. the process of the water going IN wasn’t bad at all. it really didn’t feel like much. the part that was irritating was when the water was trying to come out (along with all my waste) because it kept getting held up for some reason.
chad suspected that it is because i have a redundant colon and the water was getting held up in the extra looping. either that, or my colon narrowed at some point and it made things get clogged up. i am planning to check with my GI on this matter, because i am pretty sure that is something that should be able to be seen on the CT scan results.. or at least on the results of one of my five hospital tests! it would make sense, though, because it seems as though i am always able to eat, eat, eat and never eliminate.
anyway, once the irrigation procedure was done, i was able to head to the bathroom to eliminate any excess water and waste. since the water had a hard time coming out of me each time he cycled it, there was a whole lot leftover. fun! it was actually a relief to get all that junk out of my trunk, so to speak. oh—added bonus? the toilet at innerlight. it was the fanciest toilet i have ever encountered in my life! heated seats, lots of crazy buttons, and a built in bidet. i told marshall all about this fancy toilet and he informed me that the next thing he wants to spend our money on is a fancy shmancy toilet. noted.
i had an appointment to have another session of colon hydrotherapy, but then i landed this nasty cold and canceled my appointment. i want to wait until my sickness goes away before i go in for another sesh. luckily, i am feeling almost 100%, so i will be going in again soon. i know that this is not a long-term solution, but it sure is nice to get the pipes cleaned. if you live in SLC and are interested in a colonic, check out innerlight.. at least for the fancy toilet, if nothing else.
what i have done for the past week.
i am saving up for an appointment with a naturopath, but in the meantime i thought i would try out a few things myself to see if anything helped. i started these tweaks on monday, the 20th, and guess what? NO PAIN. ALL WEEK. none. no pain in my guts! you guys, this is huge.
YES i have still had extreme bloating, however it has been slightly less than usual.
YES i am still constipated, but the—uh—consistency of what i have been able to eliminate is no longer super rock hard and pebble-like. and i am not going to go into any more detail than that because quite frankly that’s more than you need to know.
but NO.. i haven’t had any pain.
here are the measures i have taken this past week.
i have started making juice in my vitamix. yeah, yeah.. i know it’s not real “juice” but it’s blended vegetables and it is a whole lot more veggies than i would be able to EAT. i love this drink! i have had one a day for the past week. on the days that i had it first thing in the morning, my guts felt better than on days where i had it after work. my typical blend includes spinach, kale, celery, carrot, cucumber, apple, a splash of OJ, a little water, and ice. one time i added chia seeds and another time i added flax seeds. to make the juice, i put all of the above in my vitamix and seconds later: liquid nutrition. marshall has been drinking one a day with me, too! we love it. i didn’t have a juice until late last night, after i already had some intestinal pain. i was in a rush sunday morning and opted to skip the juice, maybe that’s why my gut ached later on? who knows. the takeaway? keep drinking the blended juice and make sure to drink it in the morning.
gasp. i know, right? while most say coffee helps you poop, i have read several studies and had several people tell me that coffee (and caffeine) can have the opposite effect on some people. i love my coffee, that’s no secret.. but i also want to find relief. so, i nixed my morning java. i did have a cup on monday, but tuesday through saturday i didn’t. it wasn’t that bad, i think i like coffee more for the taste and ritual than for the caffeine, actually. i didn’t have crazy caffeine withdrawals or anything like that.
on sunday, i had coffee at brunch. i REALLY wanted some, so i had two small mugfulls. it was delicious. oh, AND i pooped my first “normal” poop in over a month around 2 PM.. about 2 hours after brunch. (TMI? sorry!) but i also had some pain last night. not sure if it was the coffee or the fact that i didn’t have the juice or WHAT. the takeaway? keep skipping the coffee and to be sure to try eliminating/adding things one at a time so i can see what the pain culprit is.
i have been drinking a mug of decaf peppermint tea each and every night for a week. i heard it was good for digestion and hey, it doesn’t hurt anything, so i have been drinking it each night. i like it. it tastes good. it warms me up. the takeaway? keep drinking tea every night.. even if it’s not helping my gut pain, at least it’s keeping me warm!
i have been taking this phillips probiotic for months now because my GI suggested it, but i took some advice away from my colonic and added a digestive enzyme to my regimen. this was also recommended by a lot of you guys, so thanks for that. i went with this brand because i trust renew life because i’ve used their products before (and they were a part of the great fundraising act!), so i went with the digestmore enzyme. when my probiotic runs out, i am going to go with a renew life probiotic, probably the one i reviewed awhile back. the takeaway: i really think the digestive enzyme is what’s helping the pain the most.. but that’s just my theory.
so, that’s what i have been doing for a week. like i said, i had a bit of pain last night. nothing near what it’s been in the past, and it eventually went away and was totally gone before i went to bed. yesterday was different than all the other days because i drank coffee, i didn’t have the juice until about 9 PM, and i hadn’t had any tea.. so who knows why i had the pain. shoot, it could have been totally unrelated to any of these things for all i know.
one other thing i have started being VERY diligent about is keeping a detailed journal of EVERYTHING i am eating and drinking (with the time), the time of day and type of exercise i do, and anything that happens (or doesn’t happen) in the bathroom. i am also documenting how i feel and how bad the bloating is. i know i should have been doing this for MONTHS, but i am really bad at writing things down. i have good intentions and start out strong, but new habits die even harder than old ones for me.
i am brilliant and decided to download a journal app on my iphone. i am always on my phone playing games (obviously), so a journaling app on my phone seemed like something i could keep up with. i was right! i ended up getting “my journal” and i think it was $1.99.
i have kept a very detailed account of everything that’s been going in and out of my body for the past week, so when i DO have pain i can look and see if there were any similarities in my diet on those painful occasions. i can also see what i was doing on the days that i felt great with no pain. please make me stick to this journaling thing, i think it will be really useful when i get into a naturopath.
what i am trying this week.
in addition to the tweaks i mentioned above, i am also trying out a seven day cleanse that my mom told me about: zrii.
it is mainly used for weight loss, but it is not weight loss i am after. it is also GREAT for digestion. my mom and sister, suni, have both successfully completed the cleanse and both felt really fabulous after the seven days. even better, they both were very, very regular. not sure if it will help my regularity at all, since i am a freak of nature, but i am willing to give it a shot.
something fun: my boss has hopped on the cleanse wagon with me (it’s weight loss purposes for him) and so we are in it together this week! i will elaborate more on the cleanse in another post, since this one is already pretty lengthy.
on my list to try.
there are a number of things i want to try out to see if they help me. a few are:
- essential oils (recommended by my sister, marisa)
- eliminating various items from my diet to see the outcome (some ideas: eat less/no meats & cheeses, eliminate all dairy, eliminate certain grains, etc)
- seeing if birth control pills play a role (not sure how to figure this out but some people mentioned it)
- acupuncture
- seek direction from a naturopath
that last one is actually what is on TOP of my list.. but the naturopath i want to see is $285 for a 90-minute consultation and then $150 an hour for any appointments after that. i know it will be money well spent, but i am going to wait for pay day to roll around so i don’t have to pull money out of savings.
i am always open to suggestions, but i am also very mindful that what works for one person will not work for another. there is no cure-all, but i am willing to experiment to find my own tailored cure.
i have to say one thing: you guys have been amazing. i have received hundreds of helpful comments and emails that have contained possible solutions. while i haven’t been physically able to reply to each and every one of your bits of advice (i have a full time job!), i appreciate them ALL. so THANK YOU. thank you for caring and being concerned and giving me the time of day. i actually have a notebook where i have written down EVERY suggestion.. i am open to try whatever i can in order to find a solution to my problems. it’s so nice to hear what has worked for you all. i know it may not work for me, but everything deserves a shot.
WOW, that was long. gut talk OVER.
in other news, i am currently obsessed with this new video from tegan and sara (collaborated with morgan page.)
doesn’t it make you want to go pump some iron?!
one last thing: PLEASE vote for eden’s salted caramel crock pot blondies. it would mean a lot to her. and me. click here, her recipe is the far right. thanks!
that’s enough out of me. feel free to leave your thoughts.. if you made it this far.
xo. janetha g.
ETA: i linked to my zrii website that was generated for me when i bought the product. i signed up as an “independent executive” because it made the product cheaper for me to buy.. and that’s when they made me the website. i am not trying to slang it to you, although you can make purchases from that site i am not trying to get you to do that! that link was just for those of you who were curious and had asked me about it so you could browse around and read what it is. i will do a comprehensive post about it soon.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Email
{ 113 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like your guts had a pretty good week. good job on the coffee, that would be difficult for me. Like the vid. Love your butt.
This reminds me to start taking probiotics again. I took Align for a few months but it was pricey so I stopped. It did seem to help my stomach pain so I need to get back on the wagon!
I really want a vita-mix now that I know you can make juice with it! I would think blended juice is even better since it has the whole fruit and fiber in it.
also, LOVE Tegan & SArah! :)
Ooh! Fun song! I’m digging it :D It’s kind of like Jane Fonda meets modern techno video. yeah-ya.
Sounds like you’ve been working really hard to get your body back on track! I commend you, especially on the coffee part. I’d give it up but it’s part of my job, AND I kinda love it. So, it probably isn’t happening.
Cheers to green juice! I’ve been downing a glass a day as well!!
So I was thinking, you and Marshall typically eat dinner around 8 or 9 right? Have you considered that your body might not be able to digest the food properly before it “turns off” for the night? I can see that you’ve been feeling better without changing your dinner time, but maybe it would help?
Well, I am already in pain way before dinnertime, but that is a great point that timing of food consumption could play a role!
I have similar issues regarding lazy/inconsistent bowel functioning, and have also tried colon hydrotherapy (and found that it provided very necessary temporary relief, but no noticeable lasting effects for me personally).
For what it’s worth, I have discovered that fewer, larger meals (the largest one being in the mid-day, and no more than three meals a day) gives the back half of my digestive system the dedicated time and focus it needs to move stuff out (most of the time . . . still susceptible to stress and hormonal constipation, it seems).
Everyone is different, of course. Hope you are on the path to finding some answers for yourself.
Long time reader/lurker – just popping in to say thanks for discussing such a “TMI” topic. We all poop, damn it. It shouldn’t be taboo to discuss problems and share solutions. My mum had a similar GI problem for several years, she’d come home from work crying with frustration at the extreme bloating & pain that occurred at the end of the day, even after eating barely anything. It was really heartbreaking for all of us to watch. She’d had all sorts of tests, everything was ruled out including coeliac & H. pylori.
Eventually she went to hospital for what seemed like the 10th time in the last 5 years with the same extreme pain – only this time they FINALLY found a large benign tumor in her upper colon and scheduled an emergency surgery to remove the obstruction (it was the size of a fist!). It was missed by all the scans and the colonoscopy as it was too high up (or something like that). Medicine has come a long way but it makes me wonder how many people out there still suffer from mysterious digestive diseases that we don’t yet fully understand. Wishing you all the best and a speedy solution!
Oh my goodness! That is quite the story! Glad they caught it. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t know if you do/don’t already, but I’ve noticed SUCH a difference in my bowel regularity (i.e. it has some regularity huzzah) since I started consuming flax and/or hemp seeds daily.
I got bags of each at Costco (make sure to check the supplements section and the foods section for the flax–I found a bag that was bigger, cheaper, and organic in the supplements aisle :D).
Flax goes in my oat bran/oatmeal and/or on top of smoothies; as do the hemp seeds. They’re also just plain tasty. Something to try, maybe? I aim for at least 2T overall per day, and like I said, it really has made a difference (I used to deal with freaking chronic constipation, or cyclic constipation + three days of normal bowel movements, then back to the start >:l )
Best wishes :D
I am currently cycling between chia and flax seeds.. I don’t eat them often enough though.. definitely need to remember to throw them into my meals more often. Thanks!
I am hoping your guts quit being stupid and just start being nice to you!
I am sorry all this hell you have been through over this, but hey at least your alive right?! : ) Always go to look at the positive : )
Love you!
YAY for the Enzymes!!!! I know I tell you this all the time, but I swear by them! Even though I’m on medication for my Cohron’s I still notice discomfort when I skip a day of my enzyme.
I’ve heard good things about the colonhydrotherapy. Glad these things are making you feel some sense of comfort. It gets better hun…it does. This figuring out what is wrong process is the worst but once you have an actual diagnosis (whether self-diagnosed or from a doctor) it gets so much easier to treat. :) Always thinking of you my dear. <3 X0X0
Janetha, I’ve had problems, my mother had problems, and my sweetie has problems, as does my sister. so we tend to talk potty talk. I so hope one or many of the suggestions will work, and work permanently!
Aww lovely, I’m so happy to hear that you have some relief! I hope it stays that way, after reading about your uti issues I thought I’d ask.. Has anyone ever looked into interstitial cystitis? It’s commonly misdiagnosed as having constant utis.. I recently found out I have it after a brillion tests and surgeries. And from what one Dr told me, the meds that they give for utis can actually aggravate it more. Anyway, sorry to ramble.. Worth looking into imo. But, so glad the colonoscopy worked, I have to have one soon myself and am not looking forward to it.. So it’s nice to know what to expect. Xoxo
So obsessed with this song at the moment.
Thanks for keeping us in the poop loop. I wish you didn’t have to sort this out but thank you for sharing your experience and game plan with us. It is so great seeing someone empowered about their health. Rock on.
Thanks for sharing so much of your story on this topic! I know some people might think talking about poop is gross, but anything involving digestion is so interesting to me! And I have a friend who has similar issues, so I’ve been sharing what you’ve tried with her.
Love that you’re trying to fix things before going with surgery or meds. Not that those aren’t okay if it’s what it comes to, but I’m always a proponent of trying to fix things with food and nutrition first, if possible.
Also, I had to laugh when you shared the diary app you’re using. I just pictured someone sitting on the subway typing in when they pooped. Hahahaha.
have you tried cranberry juice (or extract, i think it comes in pills) for the UTIs? it’s hard when you’re changing a bunch of things at the same time, but hopefully you’ll be able to figure some things out through the journal!
First off, let me just say that I LOVE your gut posts (I have a weird obsession with the topic of poop). I have had stomach issues my entire life and about 7 years ago I too had a Colonic. The women that did mine said that if you get regular Colonic’s (4 times a year) that it will actually strengthen a weak colon because when you put water up there it forces your colonic to push it out, which in turn makes it stronger. I was lucky in the fact that it only took one for me to get me back on track (although, my experience with a colonic was HORRIBLE, and when we meet in person, which we will, I will tell you all about it). I have been a different person since then. I do have things that help it out though. I eat an intense amount of fiber, and I have now started limiting my dairy products (pretty much yogurt only because of the probiotics). I also drink an entire glass of Metamucil every single day, and that has kept me regular. I went from going about once a day to about 5 times a week, which as you know is a BIG improvement! I hope all of these changes keep you feeling better! Stomach stuff is the pits, but it sounds like you have a great attitude and an even better plan!
Ohhh I forgot about acupuncture! I did it for awhile when I had knee problems and did some for digestion ad it worked too! Good luck! I’m rooting for you and your slow guts!
Is it possible to kick your colon’s ass? How would that work? Either way, I don’t like it making your tummy hurt. It needs to learn a lesson!
Wow! I just posted about my digestive issues today too! Crazy! I also used to only go number 2 about two times a week, sometimes less. But my food always came up in the form of puking instead. I am so VERY thrilled for you! I also have gone through countless tests and I know the joy that comes with feeling like you might be finding solutions! Seriously thrilled for you! I used digestive enzymes for about 3 years but they never helped. I used to regularly see a naturopath when I lived in Oklahoma and my mom still mails me things all the time. Love them! :) AWESOME POST! :)
I am so so sorry you have to deal with all of this – it sounds miserable. I am glad you are taking all the steps you can before you have to do any sort of surgery/medicine though. So many people would just look for a quick fix. The colon therapy sounds super interesting!
I think this is something so so many people deal with (as is evidenced by the tremendous popularity of products such as Activia lately), so I think the more we can all talk about what works and what doesn’t the better! As for myself, I’ve found that when I eat lunches and dinners consisting of mostly vegetables with some protein it helps tremendously, and if I get a bit too happy with the carbs or cheese it is disaster time. I can have carbs at breakfast no problem, and some at other meals, but sparingly. this has been the biggest help for me. Also, fruit juices in the morning are SUPER helpful (but it sounds like you are RAWKING the juice thing already!), and I have to say that having a high fiber (REALLY high fiber, like fiber one or all brain) carb like cereal with yogurt in the morning along with some hot tea (or coffee, but I know you are trying to cut that out) has helped a lot too. I’m basically a fiber maniac, because it makes all the difference in the world for me, but it’s nice that I can get it from so many sources. I seriously don’t understand how people who don’t eat much fiber haven’t exploded by now.
But hey, the bottom line is keep testing things bit by bit and you will find what works for your body. Hope you keep feeling better!!
Glad to hear you have had some relief. I have a mystery tummy issue that I guess the next step is scope both ends. Oh fun! & know you can relate! lol
I LOVE making vegetable/fruit juice in my Vita-Mix! I like that all of the fiber & nutrients stay with the fruit instead of being extracted as a normal “juicer” does.
Thank you so much for sharing all of this info! I just had a GI appointment today for a second opinion about my GI issues (similar to yours- bloating, pain, chronic constipation) and they suggested a colonoscopy. I’m pretty scared, but the meds and changes my other doctor suggested just aren’t working anymore.
I don’t know how much fat is in your diet, but my doctor pointed out to me today that I need to increase my fats with almonds, nut butters, almond oil, etc. because my body doesn’t absorb fats well and my insides need a little more “lubricant” to help things flow out easier! TMI, but at this point I can pretty much tell anyone about my poop..I’m sure you feel the same! ha
I’m so happy for you!!!! I know firsthand the relief of figuring out something that HELPS your GI business. Yay for poop!
yikes girl! so sorry you have to go through all this. glad you’re finding some things that help though! i get chronic uti’s as well and they are the worst! :(
My favorite topic! Also – story of my life. Doctor after doctor, test after test. Finally went to a holistic doctor who did a comprehensive stool analysis and found a Candida overgrowth! Did the candida diet for a month, along with a bazillion supplements, and felt INCREDIBLE. I didn’t get rid of it entirely though and my symptoms came back a month later (I also discovered a wheat sensitivity). Did the diet again for about two months and have since felt like a new women. Don’t give up! I thought I was a lost cause for years.
Great update. I have a few things that might help:
You may have heard this before, but lemon water first thing in the morning can be very helpful. Just add the juice of a lemon into water that’s the temperature you’d drink tea. I do this daily.
Probiotic with your lemon water. Followed by your green smoothie a little later.
Herbal teas are great. Celestial Seasonings’ Bengal Spice tea is worth a look. Has that delish chai taste, but it’s completely caffeine free.
Also, food combining has been mentioned a lot. My big takeaway with that is to have fruit on an empty stomach. Supposedly fruit combined with heavier things, like cheeses or meats, causes all sorts of bloat and digestive backup. It’s because the fruit digests faster than the other foods, so it’s ready to “go,” but can’t move, due to a traffic jam created by the heavier foods still digesting.
My friend Kimberly Snyder talks a lot about digestive issues on her blog, http://www.KimberlySnyder.net You might have a look there and see what resonates.
You are right, surgery and permanent meds are NOT acceptable options at this point…not until you’ve tried many, many other possible solutions. I’m confident you’ll hit upon some techniques that work for you. Actually, sounds like you already have :-)
Good luck!
It’s good to hear you’re at least finding ways to find SOME relief. I had the opposite issue several years ago and my GI brushed it off to nothing more than an “inability to handle stress.” I like that your Dr is at least hearing you out, doing tests and trying to figure out what it is.
Okay. I’m going to share some personal tips. I don’t want to sound high and mighty, because it sounds like you have a totally unique, unexplainable condition (boo). First off, the UTIs…I had never had one, other than when I was like 4 years old and refused to pee in kindergarden, until about 2 years ago. I traced it back to biking at the gym (gross, but that was the only explanation). They were recurring, like 4 times, and it drove me crazy because I had to pay for lab work, an OBGYN visit, and antibiotics every time. I found an alternative solution. When you detect the onset (which we can usually recognize after one or two UTIs), drink 1/2 tsp of Baking Soda mixed with about a cup of water. It changes the Ph of your urine and repels bacteria. I’m wondering if you’re missing something in your diet. You are obviously very healthy, but has anyone addressed a Ph imbalance? It seems too simple and obvious to be the answer, but I was shocked when I pretty much cured myself more than a few times over. In other news, I’m very regular (every morning…), but have you tried eating bran cereal or Kashi (the super, hefty fiber-filled varieties)? Eat a bowl of bran cereal before you go to bed, you’ll wake up ready to poop! It’s something we feel awkward talking about, but the best feeling in the world is when you feel clean and clear and empty—ready to refuel! I’ve tried to follow your story closely, and I’m frustrated FOR you. I would seriously ask about things like pH balance, and also, there’s a bacteria H. Pylori that causes issues. I’m sure your GI doc has done that test. I might’ve missed it. But we’ve gotta get you on track!! When did these poop probs begin? Or is it a lifetime issue? I’m not a doctor, but I’m a problem solver, and it kills me when I hear stories like yours. There’s an answer—you’ll find it.
I find that 1,000 mg of magnesium each day or so makes me very regular. Good luck with the lazy colon.
I must really love you to read that much about poop.
I just hope you find an answer soon and commend you on being pro-active about your condition.
My naturopath is covered by insurance. I can’t remember if you have health insurance or not.
I wanna do a cleanse! I need a reset badly (+10 lbs since Halloween-ugh). I looked up Zrii online and the reviews weren’t great but if you guys have good results I’m certainly willing to try it.
I know what it’s like to have a frustrating condition, between my wacky thyroid and my reactive hypoglycemia I’m sometimes a mess who no one can relate to. And did I tell you I think I’m allergic to almonds? That totally blows.
But that’s what makes us each crazy individuals!
Love ya!
I am such a dork when it comes to stuff like this. I love the updates!
But what I love more is that hopefully you are still on your way to finding answers. I had some problems with painful bloating and digestive enzymes really seemed to help me, too.
p.s. thanks for the song recommend! You should do more of those!
Have you tried eliminating wheat? I have read a lot of success stories related to GI issues resolving on their own by making this change. It might be worth a try! Hope you find something that helps soon.
Hey Janetha, so sorry you are going through all this. Sounds miserable. I just wanted to pop in and say that my mom has chronic constipation, like it isn’t uncommon for her to go 10-14 days. She had tried everything from overdosing on laxatives and miralax and changing diet. She finally tried a fiber powder that you put in your protein shakes and has been regular ever since. She swears by it! I use it every day just for the benefit of fiber and love it. Let me know if you want more details, and good luck!
So so happy to hear that you are doing better!!! I know you still have a long ways to go to be “normal” but at least you are heading in the right direction now! Thanks for keeping us posted and letting us know what helps/doesn’t help. I will take notes for my future gi patients =)
Awww crap.
Colon issues are no fun! Good luck and looking forward to see if the cleanse helps!
hi janetha! serious lurker here.
i have a tonnnn of stomach issues too, and just wanted to put in my two cents. one of my doctors told me that drinking ginger tea is a huuuuge help for constipation. she also said that drinking peppermint tea can actually increase constipation. i’m not sure how much validity there is in terms of the peppermint fact, but i can say that the ginger tea is pretty effective. i don’t know if it’ll help you, but i just thought i’d let you know! good luck figuring everything out!
So glad you got some relief from the hydrotherapy :) That feeling when you have to release the water etc after – when you think normally you would think you you were really ill should that happen yet for once it gives get relief – it’s crazy really!
Must say i am looking forwards to my appointment today – i made the mistake of indulging in some wonderful cheese & bread for lunch on Saturday. I know lactose is my issue, but a tiny bit has been ok in the past but i think i indulged too much and have been sporting that pregnant look since then. Sadly only one way round that, because i have no self-control & thats to cut out all lactose :( Only question now is if the bread is a problem too.
Hope you’re cold goes away so you can get the help again for your gut.
xx
Love you and love that you are loved by so many!! Awesome comments from wonderful ladies who really care!
Love this blog family!!
xoxo
I love the idea of doing a 7 day cleanse! Do you know of any other “packaged” cleanse that would be more affordable than the one you are experimenting with? Thanks!
try the aromatherapy associates lavender and peppermint support oil and either rub a small amount into your stomach or bath with it! peppermint is amazing for digestion and the lavender will help with any pain/inflammation.
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better!
No idea if this will help at all, but I eat an apple every evening about 9pm, maybe 2-3 hours before bed and always poop first thing in the morning. When I don’t eat apple, I don’t…
Something else to try I guess! :-)
So glad to hear you are in less pain! That’s amazing. Really sounds like you will figure this thing out with all the effort you are putting in. I promise to give you friendly reminders about your journal too – I can get slack in that area as well!!! My gut issues seem to be the opposite to you…I get the runs! Diarrhoea isn’t funny condition…but it’s definitely smart. Diarrhoea knows EXACTLY how far you are from the nearest toilet…and is like ‘I’ll race ya!!!’
But I can happily say that my gut issues are so much better since I started this particular diet for IBS. It can be a bit restrictive, but at least I’m not sprinting to the nearest loo after meals!
Hey janetha,
I have the exact opposite problem (sorry for the tmi)but I swear by acupuncture – I took a couple months off and declined GREATLY (to the point of Sunday night allowing me a whopping 48 minutes of sleep bacause I was in the bathroom alllllll freaking night long) I tweeted yesterday that it’s pretty freaking amazing how just 1 session with the needles and I was already feeling better!
Oh, Janetha! I completely feel your pain and what you are going through. GI issues are completely frustrating. I’ve been dealing with a ton myself. During my appendectomy in December, the surgeon noticed something with my colon and I was in severe pain after. I went for tons of tests and went back and forth to doctors. Three weeks ago, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. It’s been such a struggle to figure out what foods I can and can’t eat. So I completely know what that is like. It’s been hard to cut out coffee. I’ve been drinking a lot of green tea. :) Thank you for posting this because you mentioned some things that I think I should try myself. Stay strong! You will get through this.
I just wanted to let you know that I read your blog and I’ve been going through this same exact thing for years as well! About 3 months ago, I started seeing my naturopath and I am making slow progress which is amazing. I had the same exact symptoms you have AND I can’t have dairy, gluten or added sugars.
It’s been a long, hard process but I am holding out for the reward in the end. Keep pushing though and I highly suggest seeing a naturopath if you can save up for one!
I’m glad coffee isn’t the culprit – phew!
But seriously, I think it’s awesome that you are considering all of these other options and willing to make sacrifices for the sake of your health. I know how frustrating it is to deal with a chronic condition, but I also think that when we decide to put feeling good above simple pleasures (like coffee) it’s for the best. I think many people don’t want to give up stuff or make changes and they continue to feel miserable – no fun! I hope this comment makes sense!
Willing to bet that was a fancy Japanese toilet. One of the coolest things about Japan–heated toilets!
Janetha,
i see it’s already been suggested, but i would cut out gluten. The more I read about it, the more I think NOBODY needs to eat any…
I REALLY REALLY hope you feel better soon. (and although I’m sure it seems odd/weird to share all that, I can see from the comments that you are helping a lot of people. just knowing you’re not alone in a health situation is a blessing)
Hello! I have been reading your blog for awhile because you have such an entertaining style of writing and also cover a lot of interesting topics. This post really inspired me to comment because in high school i had the exact same symptoms as you (constipation, bloating and then once the pain started I realized this was a problem i needed to fix), i went to a homeopathic doctor and that visit made all the difference, in a way that countless tests and harsh medications had not (so i really hope you can schedule an appointment with a naturopath!), the things that have solved the majority of my problems are: 1000mg magnesium before bed, probiotics in the morning on an empty stomach, making sure that i wake up early and give myself time to drink coffee relax and eliminate (this is very important because i tend to hold all of my stress in my stomach and if i dont go in the morning i wont all day), and more recently i have been experimenting with a paleo diet which seems to reeeeally cut down on the bloating! So i hope any or all of this can be useful to you and i wish you luck! Don’t give up, there is most definitely a way to fix this!
One of my friends seemed to have the exact syptoms you described. She went to everyone looking for answers. Finally someone suggested she may be ALLERGIC TO GLUTEN. She gave it up and is completely back to normal. You should try that it really sounds like that may be you’re problem. You have to go 30 days with no trace of gluten to see if it’s effective though.
I was tested for that and it came back negative.. I have a feeling that it has NOTHING to do with food and everything to do with my muscular function, but I am sure the bloat could be managed with food changes!
J! i’m prayin’ for ya! i feel like prayer is a highly underrated form of treatment ;)
also! did you happen to receive the ultimate body applicator i sent you? if you have any questions, let me know. since the wrap is a detox, flushing 5426345431466424365542 toxins out of your body and shrinking fat cells, maybe getting rid of the toxins will help your belly, too?! who knows. regardless, if you like the wrap & would like to continue use of them, i recommend becoming a loyal customer for free…you can get a whole box of them (4 total) for just $59. being a loyal customer just commits you to a three month auto shipment, which you can change which products you get! here’s my point. if you’d like to be a loyal, you can sign up online, and actually there’s a supplement that might be able to help! https://wrapwithsami.myitworks.com/Shop/Product/312
let me know if you’re interested, and i’ll email you shortly ;)
xo.
Hi! I’m sorry to hear about your gut issues. I know how frustrating it can be when there are no answers. Have you looked into eating a paleo diet? It goes against “conventional” ideas, but there is A LOT of research supporting it. There are tons of health advantages to eating this way, but more importantly (for you) almost everyone who changes over reports that their gut issues have virtually disappeared! A good website to start with is:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com. Good luck!
you have a lottt going on – but i definitely think you should try acupuncture and see what he/she says for another opinion, along with everything you are doing now. it can definitely help! and i’m not just saying that because i study + practice it :) but being on meds for the rest of your life is something that will NOT help you- your body is just out of whack right now and needs a little extra help to heal itself.
Hi Janetha,
You already have SO many comments to look through, and I’m sure someone has already mentioned this at some point, but I have to mention it too! What you’re dealing with is EXACTLY what I had been dealing with for about 5 years, up until this past September. I feel your pain (literally!) with all the GI issues, and I went 2 wks without a BM! I started the FODMAP diet in September and it is literally a miracle. Every single symptom I had went away after 3 days on the elimination diet. The biggest one for me was the night time bloating! I totally know what you’re going through with that. Anyway, I just wanted to throw that out there because I know how miserable these GI issues are, not to mention the frustration of doctors not knowing what the eff is wrong with you! I would HIGHLY suggest giving the FODMAP diet a go. For more info, I would check out http://www.ibsfree.net. :))
i hope the no pain keeps up! i know that has to be a relief.
thinking of you and hoping they figure out exactly what’s wrong and how to help!
i have a lot of the same bloating issues and it’s so frustrating. not every single night, but it’s a pain, no pun intended. i can’t wait to hear how some of these things help – it may give me some more ideas on things to try for me, too.
Maybe you said this before (or maybe another commenter asked- I’m too lazy to look) but were you ever tested for celiac? I had a lot of issues a few years ago and was tested for that, amongst other things. It turned out that I had a crazy amount of cortisol in my system (from my exercise addiction days).
I hope you get it all figured out- that colon hydrotherapy sounds like the pits. It’s good that you’ve made a few changes that seem to be helping – even if it’s a little bit! I know you drink kombucha- do you have it regularly? Maybe the probiotics from that would help too?
I have heard AWESOME things about acupuncture for all types of ailments- everything from weight-loss to wanting to get knocked up. I hope you try it out- I want to give it a shot too!
I’m also going to check out the cleanse link you posted. I’m interested in any cleanse that doesn’t make you starve! :)
Yeah.. I was tested am not celiac. Thank God!
The negative test for Celiac doesn’t mean that much, as many people test negative, cut out the gluten and wheat to see, and automatically feel better by the end of the month…the only way to find out is to do an elimination diet…Sorry :(
Hi,
Have you ever heard of a FODMAPs elimination diet? I really think you should consider it. Not many physicians are aware of this method, but you can read about it on a book (I recommend Patsy Catsos’) or/and find a dietician specialized in it.
Best Wishes, and sorry about my poor English.
I have read about it and my friend Elise (http://hungryhungryhippie.com) has done/is doing this. I need to look more into it! Thanks!
I cannot begin to tell you what a difference following the FODMAPs diet has made in my life. You should check it out!
Ugh, I hope you get some answers and relief soon. I’ve been there and it can completely take over your life. Just don’t let the food part consume you… as I know from experience trying to “solve” everything it sure can. Like I previously commented my stomach pain was solved by a diagnostic laporascopy (endometriosis) and then allergies to my ortho-tri cyclen BC pills. I’m now on just ortho-cyclen and the results are amaze-balls.
I also was told by my obgyn that calcium can constipate some people and to increase your magnesium to off-set it. I know you take a supplement at lunch time and also realize it can’t be the entire source of your issues, but perhaps it’s enabling in some way.
Best of luck and thanks for sharing. It does help to read about someone else having these problems for those of us who did or still do deal with this on a day-to-day basis.
Thanks so much for posting this. I won’t make any additional suggestions, because mine would just be repeats of what I’ve already read in the comments, but I’m glad you posted about your experience with colonics. I have wondered about them but have never had one – the idea of “going” at someplace like that kinda weirds me out – but maybe it’s worth a try. I experience very similar issues as you, and have had a gastroenterologist tell me I also had a lazy colon and told me drugs were the only way (and I tried some of them, and they all sucked!). I recently gave up coffee for a bit to see how I feel – I don’t miss the caffeine, but it’s like I broke up with my lifetime lover. I miss it! So I feel your pain there! Love me some green smoothies/juices with the Vitamix! I drink them regularly – thinking I’ll start doing it every day now. Hoping you start feeling better soon with the new routine.
I’m so excited that you decided to try some natural things before the other stuff. And I’m sooooo glad you got some relief and are hopefully on your way to figuring this thing out.
It sounds like diet tweaks will be extremely helpful. I know that coffee and other diuretics (though they help you with your peeing!) dry out your bowel and make it even harder for you to eliminate what’s there. And they make your muscles down there work (kind of like a stimulant laxative) in certain cases, which makes those muscles get lazier. I can’t do coffee, but I love it. I go in spurts. Today is a “day after coffee” day and it SUCKS. Bloat? Check. Pain? Check. Poop? Nope.
Peppermint tea works WONDERS. Every time I start getting an inkling of a tummyache or bloating, I hit the peppermint tea. Fennel tea works extremely well, but has an odd taste (kind of like licorice).
And I know I’ve mentioned it before, but my lifechanging GI moment was not at the GI, it was at the chiro (holistic) when she told me to cut out ALL grains and starchy carbs for a while and see what happens. After about a week things were, well, what I could only assume as, normal. I started adding back in my starchy stuff and found that gluten was the main culprit, but LOTS of starch in general was just as bad. So I switched my diet from 80% carbs from starch/grains (cereal, I miss cereal — oats, breads, pastas, etc.) to 20% carbs from starch/grains. It was HARD at first (and I admit it’s still hard some days), but now I actually LIKE having an extra excuse to refuse cookies and bagels at the office or to go out to eat with friends when I really don’t want to / have the money to spend.
LONG comment. GI issues hit close to home!
Anywho. glad to see you’re finding some answers and most of all, some relief!
Ohhh I love fennel, I am going to look for the tea! Thanks for your comment!!
Glad you are finding some relief! I clicked your link for Zrii and would love to hear more about it!! And will be sure to order through you. I do not understand from the website if it’s a supplement or a cleanse where you eat nothing else?
It’s pretty confusing, right? I will be doing a post about it soon. The purify is a supplement (fiber, oil, pills) and you do it along with the other stuff if you want–the juice and the protein powder–which is what I am doing. But you still eat sensible meals or replace up to 2 meals with the shakes. You definitely eat!
YAY for relief! I hope it only continues to get better for you, friend <3
Hi Janetha, I’m struggling A LOT as well. I have been through naturopaths, etc over the years and it “works” for a few months, then nothing. So in the end, it was a WASTE of my money…each time they were the “miracle cure” that solved me and I was fixed, then it all goes up in flames again.
The worst is this constipation. And I kNOW so many people tell me to eliminate fruit, dairy, and grains (i don’t eat gluten anyway), but is it pathetic that I just don’t want to? I really don’t want to eliminate foods, it seems like it leads to obsession.
Problem with me is with this constipation, i have zero appetite, but i’m underweight . I KNOW everyone is different,, but if you could do a post listing 2-3 breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks ideas, then maybe that will help inspire me to eat something different.
I say this because a nutritionist thinks the answers are more simple than I realize, she thinks that
a) I need to decrease protein a little, INCREASE the carbs (simple sugars like fruit is easier to digest than veggies, simple yogurts with jam versus thick, plugging greek yogurt, etc)
b) decrease fiber
c) eat VARIETY…she doesnt think its the foods that i eat, but the fact that i eat the same freaking things alll the time…
so,, yep, everyone is different, but seeing some sample ideas ffrom various blogs is something i’m hoping to find…
please god , don’t let me have to eliminate diet :)
i don’t even have a GI doc anymore cause i’m so sick of the lack of results…
If you check out my archives, I have been eating the same stuff for the whole 3 years I have blogged. Hopefully it gives you some ideas. Check out my “meals” page for recipes or just browse past posts :)
Janetha, I live for these updates. I’ve had all sorts of GI issues my whole life, but up until recently thought they were normal for me (kind of the opposite issue you have…up to 4 or 5 times a day). When I did the low-carb thing, I wasn’t eating gluten. When I started eating it again post-Superbowl, my stomach BLEW UP in the most uncomfortable way– so bloated it hurt to breathe. It was the only thing I hadn’t really been eating (aside from fruit). My first inclination to this should have been two years ago when I realized I couldn’t tolerate shredded wheat cereals. But only after eliminating gluten altogether and then trying to eat gluten again do I realize what’s caused most of my intestinal discomfort. As a bread freak, there’s no way I’ll ever entirely NOT eat it, but now I’m aware of how I’ll feel afterward.
My first thought on this was of the movie Billy Madison ‘He called the shit poop!’..because I have the sense of humor of a teenager. Anyhow, you have gone thru the wringer with all this. Makes me double think how my guts work, or lack thereof.
I think I will go bust a move tonight and think about it while listening to that song, love it! I so badly want to be a dancer, but really..that’s only going to happen in the comfort of my home.
Yay for no pain!!!!! So happy you are finding things that are working for you. :)
LOVE the video…but it makes me want to dance rather than pump iron! I love the juxtaposition between the sexy fluid movements and the stark gym background. Awesome sauce.
Thanks for the update…I’m excited to learn more abuot the cleanse, etc. And I’m happy the green juice is helping. I’ve found that certainly helps keep me regular too. Since, ya know, we’re all friends here!
Glad the pain is subsiding! It is the worst when we can’t figure out what’s up with our bods.
My step dad is a doctor and has had SO much success prescribing people the probiotic med, Align. I’ve used it when abroad (and very irregular) and it completely cleared up my Grandma’s issues. You can try taking it for a full week and see if your body reacts to it. (I don’t think you need to take it every day for ever, just take 1 a day for a week.)
oh oops its not really a med. Just a supplement. You can find more on their website (aligngi.com).
I’m going to check this out too!
Hi Janetha,
I’m with you on the tummy troubles. I have a gluten/lactose intolerance, AND IBS with a mind of it’s own. I’ve been to GI docs with no solution other than completely erasing almost everything from my diet. I already eat dairy/gfree and mostly sugar free and still have upsets or massive bloating/pain problems.
My mother had horrible peristalsis in her intestine. One doctor prescribed her Domperidone, which i believe is usually used to increase breast milk, but it worked for her to get things moving in the “gut” as the doctors so empathetically called it! I wish you the BEST OF LUCK!! Having an upset belly is the most horrible thing, and then to have chronic issues is even worse!!!
YOU ARE SUCH A TROOPER!
i guess i never realized how lucky i am in that i have never really had to deal with digestive issues – my stomach is more like tony stark. iron man. or woman. whatever.
but i commend you for keeping trying to figure out what works for YOU and for sharing. i know you will help lots of people.
get ready for a comment binge…i have two weeks of posts to catch up on! love you <3
I have been going through such a similar battle, so I love when you post about your experience.
I finally splurged to see a Naturopath and it was the best decision of my life. I am still sorting things out and don’t have a concrete answer yet, however, after much, much resistance from me, she put me on an elimination diet. It was the best thing I ever did. It was hard (SO hard), but I felt so good for those three weeks. I became regular and many other symptoms disappeared. Now that I’m reintroducing things, symptoms are returning, so somethings up…but anyways, my point is if you are considering an elimination diet, I can’t stress how much I completely stand behind it!
I agree! I did an elimination diet. Sadly, I found out my problem was not what I thought (gluten) but I did find out that I have an issue with high-fat dairy. That is totally NOT what I would have expected!
Wow, I can totally relate. I was told I just have a lazy colon too, after two colonoscopies. My grandma had 14 inches of her colon removed and both my mom and brother have diverticulitis (probably not the correct spelling but I’m too lazy to look it up). So, obviously this is an issue we get to share as a family :) It is common for me to go 7-10 days without a satisfying trip to the bathroom.
A few things that help me: running (5 miles + really helps), putting a fiber powder in my morning shake (12g for the powder + 6g for the fruit), I’ve done a natural cleanse that Arbonne has (it REALLY worked well but obviously those just clear you out, not fix the problem, so I do it every 3-6ish months), “drinking” one of my meals per day (i.e., why I have a protein shake for breakfast).
I have also heard birth control can be a factor. My friend went gluten-free and got off her birth control and said it was a 2000x improvement.
Anyway, good luck! I feel your pain.
I feel your colon pain chica! I wrote about my experience a bit last week and had a colonoscopy which had to be aborted because I still had stuff in me [the prep kicked in AFTER I left the doc appt- FAIL] and have to repeat the process within the next month but with two days of prep… In the past I’ve tried eliminating dairy which def helped a bit but I’ve always known I’m a little lactose, as well as gluten but that didn’t help much… Currently, I’m tracking everything I ingest and taking laxatives [gross, I know]. The docs think that it’s either a result of the Lupus or I have IBS/ IBD- regardless, all of them are stinky [literally]!
WOW. I hope you feel better soon! Sending good vibes to ya! I know that doTERRA (in UT) is a fabulous essential oil company and all their oils are 100% natural, with no fillers and additives, and I’ve used their digestive pills as well. LOVE ‘em. I am def ‘regular’ ;)
thanks for this post. i can completely relate. i actually JUST went to the GI doctor for the first time last week with similar symptoms. he scheduled me for a colonoscopy march 12. in the meantime, he has me on really large doses of stool softerner/osmotic laxatives. they are working – but i don’t like how they make me feel otherwise , and (like you) i don’t like the thought of having to take these forever. i am eager to follow along with what you are trying and hope to find a natural solution!
Janetha – i know i put a lot out there in the last two comments about pelvic floor dysfunction, but please ask your doctor about it. especially after the colonic. if the hose goes in, but it is hard to pass the water or waste out, it could be the muscles functioning improperly. if you have the urge to go and can’t get much out (even water) then the muscles are too tight. and there is no way to learn how to control them without help. the pelvic floor and digestion are directly related and it is a which came first, the chicken or the egg situation….could have been digestion that started it, could have been an injury to the pelvic floor or even stress. if you can make the stool softer to pass (with miralax and stool softener) that will help, but it is like trying to squeeze through a door that won’t open all the way.
grate fresh ginger and squeeze it into your smoothies to help digestion too. magnesium fizz will also help loosen stools. and extra vitamin c. i know not every suggestion is going to be the right fit, but i was in your position, with the same tests scheduled, and the motility doc stuck a finger up my bottom and found the problem. i never would have believed it, but pelvic floor dysfunction can be life changer. i’ll stop bugging out on the comments… i just thought if it was a possibility i would make one last plea to get it checked out. if you can’t find anyone in utah and want to come out to mayo in minnesota, let me know. i hope you find a fix soon!
and UTI’s or chronic yeast infections can be a symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction. last one!
I have a patient with a similar issue, lazy colon, and we recently sent the patient up to a University Hospital where the pt is seeing a plethora of Drs. I spoke with the patient this week, and they reported that they are seeing a neuro – The patient has the same issues with the smooth twitch muscle fibers – According to the patient a medication that neuro prescribed has given them some relief w/ bowel movements. It might be a long shot, but maybe you can ask your GI, or do some research about seeing a neuro. just a thought… Glad you are feeling better this week.
I am SO glad you aren’t in as much pain! It sounds like you are doing great at being dilligent about your changes. You’re totally right though, one thing at a time, that way you know what’s making a difference :)
Also, my husband’s issues aren’t nearly as bad as yours, but when he is having issues he drinks smoothe move tea from yogi tea I believe. He says it really helps! You might want to look into that instead of the pepermint. Also, I’ve heard that magnesium is good too, there is this fizz you can buy at whole foods or places like that, it’s flavored and you add it to hot water. The container says something about stress… Iwould have to double check the brand. It’s also good for muslce soreness :)
So glad your gut is doing better! And definitely trying more natural things before jumping the gun to drastic measures (surgery) is the way to go. Hope it only keeps getting better!!
Okay, this may be TMI but my problem is the exact opposite. I have gone as many as 15 times in one day. I have not had a formed stool since my daughter was born. I too have gone through the medical spector of diagnosis with not help but medication which I won’t take. I have found several ways to make my situation better (2-4 per day) and they are not explosive by simply controling what I eat and how much I eat at one time. All that being said I would rather have my problem than yours. You are certainly in my prayers. Be vigilang:)
I’ve had similar problems, but not as severe as yours. I tried taking a probiotic daily and ended up with severe abdominal pain. I stopped taking it and the stomach pain went away. I drink ginger tea, which is suppose to help with digestion. Have you been drinking apple vingear/water to help with digestion?
Yes! I drink it daily with a little lemon.
Love the colonic place’s Logo- you almost can hear the birds chirping and water trickling down a waterfall. AND they rock b/c it sounds like they have a Japanese toilet! Did I ever tell you about the time that Derek & I went to a fancy tea ceremony in Japan and they had that kind of toilet? (The little buttons with the pictograms of, for example, water squirting??) Well, I didn’t dare press any buttons, but apparently Derek just had to press that one with the water squirting because he emerged from the bathroom with the front of his shirt soaked. I laughed at him for days.
Hi Janetha, I have been interested in your “gut issues” since I first read about them. I have very similar problem, and I can tell you what my doctor(s) have said and what worked for me. I went to both a Naturopath, and an ARNP (general practice) for a second opinion. I never saw a GI doctor. At the Naturopath appointment they did a test for celiac (negative). The Naturopath also recommended probiotics and digestive enzymes. The enzymes REALLY helped me digest my food properly. So much that I thought I could skip taking them. After a couple days the problem was back. The ARNP said I should take miralax and metamucil every day (I did not do either). Both the Naturopath doctor and Nurse practitioner suggested a food sensitivity test (expensive!!) I did eventually do the test and so many things came up as red flags. So I eliminated the highest offendors: dairy, eggs. I lowered my intake of nuts, red meat, alcohol. I have greatly increased my intake of fiber (both soluble and insoluble), fruits & veggies. A good source of soluble fiber is oatmeal and for a supplement I liked Heather’s Tummy Fiber. I have been on this diet for 3 months and have not had these issues at all. My naturopath recently said I could try getting off the enzymes, make sure everything is working properly, and then VERY slowly adding one at a time the foods I had eliminated (ate in pure form, for a couple days to see if I notice any effects). This time getting off the enzymes has worked well! So far I have only added eggs back to my diet, i missed them so! All is well for the past couple days! One of these days I may add back dairy but very slowly. It is SO hard to be diligent about everything you eat, but feeling good is much more important! Thank you so much for sharing your issues it really helps to know this effects a lot of others. Good luck to you and I hope things get better for you soon!
Wow! What a story. Thank you for the info and sharing your experience! It makes me really excited to get into a naturopath.
hi janetha! i have dealt with some similar issues….often i would go to the bathroom twice a week, if that! i have not had any of the medical testing done that you have had, but i was able to see a natropath (my friend’s dad is one). he recommended a series of supplements for me, along with a probiotic, that have worked wonders! i have been taking them for a few months now, but they started working within a week. i am not 100% regular, but pretty close and SO much better than before. here is what i take:
Natural Creations Nutriplenish GI (2 pills w/each meal)
Digest Basic Digestive Enzyme (1 pill w/each meal)
Renew Life Cleanse More (1 pill at bedtime, 2 if I’m really backed up)
Natural Creations Enterbiotic (probiotic – 1 each morning)
it seems like a lot, but my doctor’s explained that was once my gut is ‘healed’ i won’t need to take all of these things regularly. he said he can vary from person to person as far as how long the healing will take…anywhere from a few weeks to a few months… so i am just continuing to take the pills for now, but may ask his advice on how to reduce in the future. plus, you can get a lot of these online for pretty cheap.
i also cut back a lot on gluten, however that was before i even started the pills, and if i have a bit here and there it doesn’t seem to bother me too much… so i’m not really sure if i’m sensitive to it or not. anyway, i hope this helps you!!
Hi. I just wanted to pass along another natural option you could try for your poop problem (or lack thereof). An herb doctor, Dr. Schulze, has a 5 day Bowel Detox program that is soooo good. His website is http://www.herbdoc.com. (It’s under Detox Program’s) I had a friend who never pooped either, and had all kinds of pain from it as well, and she tried this detox and said it changed her life. It’s very reasonably priced ($64) and comes with a booklet that explains the cleanse, and also explains the colon and all the possible problems people can have if their colon isn’t functioning properly. He says that the colon is like all our other muscles, wherein it requires training in order to work properly. The combination of herbs in the detox, help train the muscle to move regularly and efficiently, etc. I just finished the detox about a month ago, and even though I didn’t have a problem pooping regulary, it did make things even more regular for me. If you do decide to try it, I would recommend getting the capsule option verses the packets. This way you’re just swallowing a bunch of capsules vs. mixing up a packet of herbs into a tea like drink. The capsules make it more portable and I am always afraid of how herbs will taste too, so that way I didn’t have to worry. He has other items to help digestion and elimination, but the only other one I’ve tried besides the Bowel Detox, is the Digestive Tonic. I must say it ROCKS. It’s great for soothing a bloated stomach, acid indigestion, gas, etc. And it tastes good too. Another plus! I carry some with me in my purse, just in case I get a sick, bloated, or gassy stomach. It calms it fast. Anyhoo, good luck with everything. I’m glad you are checking out alternatives before the drastic measures your doc advised. Hopefully you can clear whatever it is up, without having to go that other route.
Hey Michelle! Thanks so much for this information. I appreciate the link and the suggestions!
i am SO making that chicken and cream sauce.. and i have a whole bag of quinoa i never know what to do with! Perfect recipe :)
so glad that you are making improvements! everybody is different and so happy that you are taking the steps to see what works for you. we did about everything you mentioned in this post, and we do feel our months and months of colonics we felt it really did help us. we did it for about 8 months straight, we had a lot of junk in our trunks too ;)
now we have gotten to a point where we somewhat know what works and what does not. we still get those random days where we get pain in our stomachs that we can’t stand up, and we have no reason why we are getting that pain. still trying to figure that one out!
but we noticed drinking at least 2-4 cups of warm lemon water in the morning really helps. and we try not to eat much until we go to the bathroom. most mornings it works for us which is a HUGS improvement!!! as we have struggled with constipation for our whole life. Lori has better success in the bathroom then me, my system seems to be a little bit slower then hers, but overall know I will get there too just like you!!!
hang in there!
if you ever need to talk about poo you know where to find us. as we talk about this subject daily in our life!
xoxo
M
I strongly second the magnesium suggestions and would just add that Mg CITRATE leads to loose stools, but Mg GLYCINATE promotes bowel movement without the loose stools (Mg Oxide doesn’t usually work nearly as well for me, I think it’s a less bioavailable form of Mg). I’ve been using the Mg glycinate for a while now and I find that, coupled with probotics (I actually eat Bubbie’s Sauerkraut, kimchi, and Bubbie’s pickles to get the little beasts) my gut behaves better. But believe me, I feel your pain and I’ve been following your trials with a lot of interest, as I have many of the same issues!
Thank you for pointing this out!
Thanks for reviewing your colonic. I’ve been more than 3 times in 23 days, but not many more. I am actually sitting here jealous, because I would love to be cleaned out and not full of crap all of the time.
I do the MgCitrate and it doesn’t really work for me consistently.
I may have found the root of my issues though, I have a way bigger problem and the potty issues are likely just a horrible side effect. Hopefully they will fix me, but it’s going to be long and hard likely
I am so glad to hear something is working to alleviate some of your pain. Nathan and I are really trying to eat cleaner this year and I hope one day that type of juice will be delicious to us, because it just sounds too healthy to me right now. :)
My cousin had several health problems and swears by a Naturopath so I hope they can help figure out some more solutions for you! Just said a prayer for you! ;)
Thank you! You’re always so sweet :) And the juice is tasty, but even an adjustment for me.. it’s definitely very.. vegetable-y haha. XOXO
Hello Janetha,
I just happened upon your site yesterday. Have only read two articles (twosy Tuesday – sorry if I butchered that) and this one – You have a new reader, I love your style!
Re: your colon, lol. First I hope you do find a way to feel better. I don’t have this issue, but have read quite a bit on gut health.
Looks like you have quite a few things to try, thought I would send another to add to your list. Check this out when you get a chance…http://www.naturesplatform.com/index.html
There are others (ie fancier models lol) but this is the one I happened on when I just did a quick search. Here is some more info on the topic from one of my top five blogs:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/squat-poop/#axzz1niR2Fajs.
There are many other posts on the topic there, as well as several gut health posts:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/managing-your-mitochondria-nutrients-and-supplements/#axzz1nsTnr4uU
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/managing-your-mitochondria/#axzz1nsTnr4uU
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/managing-your-mitochondria-exercise/#axzz1nsTnr4uU
Good Luck!
Xo~Lisa
Oh yeah – I didn’t read the veggie shake recipe above, but any type of fruit thrown in there will make it taste much better (strawberries and bananas mask the most)
Lisa, thank you so much for these links!!
Oh my – 70 dollars for a colonic? I pay about 175 here as a “return” patient. Although, I must say when I can afford them, the colonics do help with the pain and bloating. (I also have a lazy colon and have actually had to take the laxs about once a week to go – which is a nono with a lazy colon but honestly — it is so f’ing uncomfortable) I’m on my 3rd specialist – best wishes for us both!