QuestionDear Dr. Borucki:
Hope this finds you well...
I noticed an article stating about how some folks are "wired" a certain way in regard to the function of their GI tract and having a sluggish bowel. This was comforting as there is so much information out there about colon issues that you feel like your being brain washed and overwhelmed with it...
I must say that I have never had what would be called "normal" and or regular bowel movements/habits.
It would be impossible to put into an email more details of my bowel habits and concerns for the sake of your valuable time.
Suffice to say I am concerned when my bowels seem like they are asleep more than usual...I tend to worry in general about health matters.
As far as I know there hasn't been a history (in our family) which can be one clue about the chances of having more serious GI tract issues like Crohn's disease or colon cancer etc...
I'm sensitive to lack of sunlight/daylight and use a SunBox to help with that piece. I try to hydrate myself and eat as much organic food's/produce as possible. I exercise (walking) some bicycling and swimming as time and seasons permit regularly. I do not eat red meats and have just recently added another source of protein "chicken" to my diet. ETC...
That being said most recently with the changes in the seasons (sunlight) decreasing and addition to this new protein, etc...my bowels movements have been minimal small and quite hard. And they usually are on the harder side but usually with greater quantity and regularity.
I have been taking a stool softener since about last Friday 100mg once/twice a day and haven't seen much improvement. It seem's like my bowels are on vacation or something?!?
Hopefully you'd be willing to share with me some things that may help this situation improve somewhat!?!
That would be deeply appreciated...And as I said I tend to worry and think the worst which I know doesn't help.
I know of friends that have spent thousands on all kinds of tests for bowel issues and nothing has ever come out of them. Making me wonder about HIDA scans barium testing and even colonoscopies and other tests...
I need and want to THANK YOU in advance for your care cooperation considerations and attention to this message. And I hope you can take a few moments and give me your respected insights based upon your expertise in this field. In hopes that it would close the gap and take some of the mystery out of this matter(s) regarding our GI tracts...all the testing and sensationalism that can easily put excess fear and worry into a persons being/life.
I look forward to hearing from you...
God Bless you richly,
Sincerely, Ralph F. Falzarano
PS: I'm not sure where the medicines I take come into play as I have been using all or most of them for quite sometime?!? And they haven't had significant prior effects to this current event.
I did NOTICE I believe some changes as the seasons changed (less sunlight/daylight) And as mentioned above also adding chicken via **Kashi frozen dinners and the other foods that may be in them. That I normally haven't been eating which I thought were supposed to be on the **healthier side.
Medicines per day total:
-100mgs zoloft
1.25 mgs klonopin
Claritin 10 mg
Singulair 10mg
Nasonex spray
AnswerThe stool softener is pretty worthless... they don't work well. I assume you have had your thyroid tests done and your TSH level is normal, meaning between 0.5 and 1.5. If that is so, I would add chronic Miralax daily, start with 1 capful daily..... adjust every 3 days, if diarrhea, 1/2 the dose, if not working, double the dose.
