Trying to find my new normal

Submitted by Cecilly on October 10, 2015 - 2:44pm
Body: 

Hi all,

I know the subject of poop has been discussed countless times, but I would appreciate you all bearing with yet another post on the subject so I can hopefully find my new normal...

I have a significant prolapse situation I've been dealing with for several years now (and I have had a hysterectomy over 20 years ago...1 ovary was left so I didn't go into menopause right away). I'm sure I have primarily a rectocyle as my bulge always looks and feels the same altho the degree to which it protrudes from my vagina varies day to day. Anyway...

Since perimenopause began for me several years ago, I went from regular multiple normal bowel mvmts to struggles with constipation. I have also always eaten a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fiber, water, etc. For the years I've had to manage this rectocele, I have noticed that when my bowels are full to where I must sit for a time and even strain somewhat to eliminate, my bulge is full, heavy, and uncomfortable. No amount of bending over, pushing things up, jiggling, etc. will keep it up. My lower abdomen also will feel hard and heavy until I eliminate. So, to avoid this and any kind of straining, I began taking magnesium tabs (specifically Phillips Magn. tabs...not a stimulating laxative, but simply magnesium oxide, about 1000 mg) daily. This is the ONLY thing that has helped me go without resorting to a laxative.

I also take a probiotic.

Ok, so here's the thing...I no longer poop a formed stool. Everything comes out as little plops (like pieces of soft playdo), sprays of poopy water, sometimes with undigested little pieces of stuff, or soft piles of poo like mashed potatoes. I have no cramping, pain, or other negative sensations. I will often go several times a day, and when I notice my bulge is heavy and distended, it retracts and feels empty (or emptier) after I go.

If I cut down on the magnesium or stop taking it, I get bound and constipated and feel like I have a hard basketball in my lower tummy. I can't get anything to come out without straining, and if something does come out, it's hard, and I end up with hemorrhoid issues and itching which is miserable.

I guess what I'm trying to find out is if this is my new normal? or is something not so good going on (like I've screwed up my bowel health to where they can't work anymore on their own? I am healthy with no illness, pain, or other physical issues.

Is the Magnesium I'm taking going to hurt or damage me? Has it already? Are these very soft/watery stools something to be concerned about?

Thanks for any input or directing me to additional insights.

Forum:

Surviving60

October 10, 2015 - 3:41pm

Hi Cecilly - Bowel consistency and changes are generally dietary; perhaps you need to experiment. Extra fiber/extra water is not necessarily a solution. I wouldn't suggest you give up the mag - many of our members use it if they need some help, at least temporarily. But you might want to consider other dietary measures. More dark green leafy veggies. Freshly ground flax seed. Healthy oils like organic coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil. You are right - this gets discussed all the time - what have you tried so far? And how about regular exercise? An absolute must. - Surviving

wholewomanUK

October 10, 2015 - 3:46pm

Hi Cecilly,
I'm sure you're not alone! Not sure about the magnesium. So can't help you there.
Some further thoughts though. I wonder if diet may still play a part. Have a try of stewing up some chopped fruit, apples or prunes or pears or something like that, (not al dente). Try having a some or a small warm cooked bowlful in-between meals. How's that? I know it's simple - but it's very often effective. You may find that'll significantly help to sort things out.
Let us know if it works if you try it for a few days. If it's too effective - cut down in quantity or frequency.
xwholewomanuk

Cecilly

October 10, 2015 - 4:18pm

Thanks for your suggestions about dietary considerations. Actually, I eat all of what you've both mentioned above. I have a dark leafy green salad with lots of raw veggies on top EVERY day. I eat raw fruits (apples, berries, etc.) daily too. I eat little refined flour foods with the only bread being Ezekiel, multi grain flat outs, and multi grain light English muffins with extra fiber. I eat lean meats, game, lots of veggies, few starchy foods...and I am currently working on eliminating additional sugar from my diet. I've been following Weight Watchers.

I walk 2 miles every morning with a 3-4 mile bike ride a few days a week. I do (whole woman friendly) yoga stretching in the mornings, and some gentle resistance exercise using 3 lb weights while sitting.
I drink plenty of water (maybe too much as this may contribute to the watery stools somewhat).
I have tried switching to Metimucil/Miralax, but I can literally feel the fluid being pulled into my lower bowel with a lot of heaviness in my abdomen aggravating the fullness in my bulge.

I haven't tried the prunes, but I do have some and will try that.

I will be scheduling a wellness check with blood work too in a few weeks; I will mention all this to my Dr. as well.

Cecilly

October 11, 2015 - 11:46am

WWUK, how exactly do you stew up some chopped prunes and other fruit? Just in a pan with a little water? Do you allow the fruit to maintain some or any texture, or is it all just like apple sauce?

I chopped up 6 prunes into quarters to nibble on for a snack today!! :)

Surviving60

October 11, 2015 - 12:19pm

In my understanding, the higher-absorption forms of magnesium are less effective against constipation for that very reason. I take magnesium malate for leg cramps and it is extremely effective for that, without giving me loose stools. Isn't this why women take mag oxide or citrate for constipation, because they have a more direct effect on the bowels instead of being absorbed systemically? - Surviving

Cecilly

October 11, 2015 - 5:32pm

I'm learning quite a bit about magnesium, but regardless of the absorption, when taking it for help with bowel movements, is all this magnesium wreaking havoc on our bowels in the long run? Will our bowels grow dependent upon it in order to move fecal matter down and out? I'm at the point where I will resign myself to using it the rest of my life if it helps get the poo out of me on a regular basis. The alternative is certainly not good...at least for me!

Surviving60

October 11, 2015 - 7:17pm

Cecilly, you might just consider trying to get more magnesium from your diet. That's what I'm working towards. I have been supplementing for 5-6 months after going off wheat, because my research indicated that muscle cramps could be an issue during wheat "withdrawal" and that was a problem I already had! But now that I've made other dietary changes I'm hoping to get off the supplements eventually. Right now I have enough sleep disruptions with my caregiving duties, not to want to have leg cramps adding to my misery. - Surviving

Surviving60

October 12, 2015 - 5:41am

Magnesium is extremely important to the body, and many people are deficient and don't get enough from their diets. If you are worried about relying too heavily on magnesium for constipation, why not switch over from the oxide to one of the higher-absorption versions we've mentioned in the last few posts, which do not have such a direct effect on the bowels. Then it won't be so much akin to a laxative dependence, and you can continue adding in other elements to your diet and routine that will help with the constipation. - Surviving