I'm new here, so sorry this is so long! But I could really use some advice. I'm 34, have no biological children, and have had no major surgeries. Over the past 4 years I've been through so many tests, medicines/supplements, doctors and other specialists, and different diagnoses.
I've had constipation off on my whole life, but it got way worse when we went from 1 foster child to 4 (all aged 4 and under) in 2014. The stress (physical and emotional) and the lifting, I think, contributed a lot to this. I tried many typical remedies and ended up using enemas, but eventually, those weren't working either most of the time. Whenever I pushed, I couldn't go. After much trial and error, I've gotten my constipation mostly under control with a very precise combination of Miralax, Benefiber, a really good probiotic daily, a low FODMAP diet, and Senna daily just at the right time in the evening. I can still only go in the mornings about 20 minutes after breakfast, but at least I can go. And I only need enemas every once in a while. Seeing a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction helped guide me in exercises, kegels, and advice as well.
However, in the meantime, my back pain, which I didn't realize was connected at first, has gotten way, way worse. Strangely, the better my bowels/constipation got, the worse and more constant my back pain got (used to just be occasional episodes of "pulling" my lower back, and now it's an almost constant dull ache that gets worse as the day progresses and after meals). As the back pain worsened, my feeling of bloating got worse again, despite still being on the low FODMAP diet. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it's really bloating or just the feeling of fullness from my intestine or something falling and pressing on everything down there.
Eventually, my back, which became more of a problem than my gut, drove me to try a chiropractor. That only made it worse. I felt like my muscle (pretty sure the quadratus lumborum) was so tight that correcting my back alignment just made the muscle spasm and caused more pain. Recently I tried back injections. The first one was a joint one, and it kind of made it worse. Then 2 weeks later I tried the muscle injection. That was a few weeks ago, and things have been even worse. Since then I have had maybe 1 evening where I felt decent. I have to lay down a lot just to relieve the pain. Sitting for too long aggravates it too.
My physical therapist had at one point diagnosed me with, based on her description, enterocele (although she'd called it something generic), after a rectal exam with me bearing down. It may be in my head, but since I've been reading about enterocele recently and realizing that my back pain probably isn't improving because the enterocele isn't proving, I truly feel like the enterocele (or whatever prolapse I have) has gotten worse just since the last injection - my insides/gut feels worse, not just my back. Keigels have been much harder to do since.
One thing I have noticed after finding this website is that I do hold in my gut pretty much always, but especially when I'm stressed. I've been trying to relax it and push it out like the posture thing says, although I'm pretty confused on the rest of the posture. When I notice and push out my gut, it does make my back feel a little better...temporarily. I'm wondering if I should try the posture belt. I also have an appointment scheduled with my gynecologist early April and plan on asking her to test for enterocele and about possibly trying a pessary.
Oh, and I forgot to mention I also have bladder issues that occasionally give me the sensation of a slight UTI coming on but is probably just my pelvic floor spasming - this happens more often in the evening. And lately the frequency issue has gotten worse. I feel awful if I have even a slightly full bladder and feel so much better after I go.
I'd love to hear thoughts, opinions, and advice!
UnCloudyDay
February 22, 2018 - 8:59pm
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My situation is different as
My situation is different as my prolapsing became apparent after the birth of my child. But, I have back pain in my lower back and sacrum as part of my symptoms. It seems connected to my bowel in that when it hurts it will stop hurting after I clear my bowel of gas or stool. It would take a long time to type more but suffice to say my opinion is that you have nothing to lose and perhaps lots to gain my giving whole woman a sincere try. It helps me. I bought many videos and just dove in. The posture and toileting that whole woman teaches along with magnesium and ocassional plain water enemas has given me far far more quality of life. The proper posture and breathing and toileting has allowed me to be able to clear my bowel usually. I tried physiotherapy and many other things too but to be honest the biggest help seems to have come from whole woman. I am not at all an expert but my opinion is to buy either first aid for prolapse or fundamentals and go for it. Frankly the posture that my physiotherapist wanted me to use was not helpful and neither are the kegels. Creating space for the organs in the lower abdomen is the key and that’s achieved by lengthening the abdominal wall vertically over time by returning to the natural posture that humans have as children before lifestyle and influences abolish the lumbar curvature. When I breathe and sit and stand the right way, then I am able to use the toilet so so
Much better and the paIn is less.
Aging gracefully
February 23, 2018 - 5:55am
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I agree with UnCloudyDay and
I agree with UnCloudyDay and experienced the same with a lifetime of constipation, but what added to mine was a heavy uterus resting on the back wall of my vagina, so getting that heavy uterus off my back passage as well really helped me.
The whole woman work helps lift and make space for our intestines as well as our pelvic organs, so everything is better aligned to do the jobs they were designed to do.
You may want to also keep working on your diet, because one type of diet isn't always the key, but with some experimentation, you can find what really works for you. It is definitely a process, but well worth it when your bowels start running more smoothly. I can attest to that!
Here is a blog article from Christine on enterocle:
https://wholewoman.com/blog/?p=948
Aging gracefully
February 24, 2018 - 6:33pm
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I just wanted to add in here
I just wanted to add in here the link to the gut bacteria lecture series, as it really pertains to all over gut health that will really help with bowel related problems.
https://whole-woman.thinkific.com/courses/whole-woman-lecture-series
It also includes the vaginal health lecture which is also so very important.
dusty1983
February 27, 2018 - 9:31am
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Thank you!
Thank you all for the comments and links! I know it's different for everyone - everyone's issues are unique and it's not one-size fits all for treatment and help. I'll be checking back to this forum for sure. :)
Kalanit
May 2, 2018 - 3:28am
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UnCloudyDay
are you take magnesium every day?
UnCloudyDay
May 2, 2018 - 7:25am
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Yes I take magnesium every night
I take magnesium every night.
Kalanit
May 2, 2018 - 11:36am
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Why??
If you got help by ww?
UnCloudyDay
May 2, 2018 - 1:34pm
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Magnesium
I take it because most people in our country are not getting enough magnesium in diet alone. It is a very healthy supplement to take and helps many things, including helping the bowel movements stay reasonably soft.
I also eat healthily, try to stay active, and also try to tend to my mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. None of this conflicts with whole woman obviously and so there is every reason to do what I can to keep myself healthy.