Wellness

[Reever]

The colonoscopy only turned up one polyp, however the cause of my chronic constipation remains a mystery. GI doctor only suggested I eat more fruits (?!?!?). I have to believe he missed something. He claims I do not need another colonoscopy for 5 years. I dont understand it and was considering getting a second colonoscopy but I have a high desuctible plan and had to pay over 2,500 dollars for the first one.

[Still Raining]

You should check about treatments plans for Irritable Bowl Syndrome - Constipation.  It does exist.  I know someone who is dealing with it.

[Reba055]

There's a ton of reasons you could have chronic constipation from hormone imbalance, diet, stress, medications, low vitamins, thyroid issues, etc. I would not question your doctor's findings unless you have no confidence in the doctor for some reason. 

[daisyk]

@Reever..is this a new development or have you always tended toward constipation? My daughter is 17 and has had constipation issues since she was a baby. Really. We used to have put a barley derivative that had a molasses consistancy in her bottles to help her go. Now she used Miralax as needed. It could just be your system, even if it is a newer development. I tend towards the other end of the spectrum and just had my colonoscopy last Nov and I was okay too. I thought I might have something going on but only one polyp. Probably dietary issues for me. I don't think I would do another colonoscopy right away but you could maybe try another doctor visit for an opinion anyway.

[Nonametoday]

I never heard of an endoscopist not recommending you take fiber, i.e., Metamucil daily, at least once daily if not twice for constipation plus eating more fruits and vegetables.  The F&V are in addition to the metamucil.  

[Chrystaltree2]

Tell your GI doc that you want a colon motility study and an anorectal manometry test to determine the cause of your chronic constipation.  If you have some type of colon dysfunction problem, those are the tests that will find it.  A colonosopy can't do that.

[Reever]

My point is the doctor provided no insights as to what is causing the constipation. For someone to go through medical school and board certifications you expect more than being told to eat more fruits. Our medical system has gone downhill since the 1960s back when doctors listened and provided insight. Now they rush you in and out. I believe he had 3 or 4 other colonoscopies the same morning I had mine.

[Frosted Cake]

I eat a lot of fiber and am always regular.   I eat whole grain cereal every  morning, with whole wheat toast.   I also eat a lot of fruits and veggies. 

I eat a Fiber One Bar every night (my snack) and it has 36 gms of fiber.  The Oats & Chocolate is so good.   

I also take a probiotic every day and drink Keifer a few times a week.  Keifer is a probiotic drink.   

I hope you find some relief soon.

[Reever]

Good lordie, the test sounds barbaric Crystalltree2. I find most of these tests just too invasive, certainly not something I want done. "This technique uses a balloon in the rectum to distend the rectum and a pressure sensor at the internal ****** sphincter to measure the presence or absence of the rectosphincteric reflex."

[Nonametoday]

Perhaps I should have been less judgmental of the doctor.  I was not privy to the conversation or the completed history, physical, review of systems, the subjective, objective, assessment and plan, and all information availed by the patient to the doctor, the doctor to the patient and certainly not to us by either party.