Has this ever happened to you? Be prepared for Frank discussion...I have been having lots of difficulty having Bowel movements. Went for 10 days without despite taking every laxative under the sun. Also running low grade fever and feel like in a flare. Docs are concerned there is inflammation or some thing else causing blockage. I am wondering if I should involve my rheumatologist? Is this lupus? Or am I dealing with something else? It seems to be starting again and I'm miserable....
The doc’s don’t think it’s MED related. This very unusual for me. I feel nauseaous and really awful. I’ve literally tried everything I can think of including upping fiber and water intake. It’s really frustrating and uncomfortable. I just hope it’s nothing serious.
Yep. That’s what I was thinking. Geeez the things we do just to get our bodies to function normally. Do you think this is some sort of lupus thing?
Do you take narcotics??also taking high doses of laxatives can upset the upper stomach and causes nausea. I use to only go a few times a month until my primary gave me "linzess"for constipation. It’s a new drug so it is very expensive but you could always ask your doctor if he/she has any samples. Good luck
Yes some narcotics but have been on them for a few years with few problems. I sure hood I get this figured out soon. Thanks for the suggestion for linzess. I’ll keep it in mind.
I to have tried linzezz and it has worked great! I have issues often from meds. I know the warning signs and get it taken care of ASAP before issues arise. I get super sick and can’t eat. I hope you didn’t have to take lactulose that’s the worst! I never knew this issue could make you feel so nasty!!! Hope they figure it out soon and you start feeling better! 
I know it really does make you feel awful. I didn’t realize either. I feel so anxious about it too. The doctor gave me a antibiotic because I was running a fever. I don’t know what’s going on. Scary. I’m definitely going to ask about the linzess.
I have been experiencing bowel problems my entire life. But, the last four months have been rough. The Gi doc had me taking miratax. I took stool softeners, miralax, and laxatives and still could not go. I had several test run. When I had an ERCP done, it showed that my common bile duct was completely blocked. I had a lot of scare tissue surrounding it. The doc was not able to unblock it. A second ERCP was done along with an EUS. He was able to unblock it with a bile duct stent. A week later, I was still having constipation. I started 145 mg of Linzess. It did not work. I was put on 290mg of Linzess along with Miralax and I kept taking stool softeners. The constipation, pain, and nausea continued. I had an abdominal CT Scan with contrast. It showed that there is a possible partial intussusception at the ileum and cecum. Basically, I could have have an obstruction or blockage in the small intestines. I went last week to have have a small bowel follow through. They were not able to do it because I had too much iodine in my system from a second CTScan that the ER did the Sunday before. I had a hard time flushing it out of my system. I a having my stent removed later this morning. It has been six weeks and it is time for it to be removed. They will do the small bowel follow through sometime this week.
The Linzess finally started working about four days ago. This has not been fun.
I have had two colon resections and get blockages very easily. I take Miralax everyday and eat a soft diet.
I will keep you in my thoughts.
Always involve your doctor’s they are the specialists
It also can be a gallbladder, I don't know do u still have it or not, when it is not functioning properly it will give you all sorts of trouble.
I have dealt with this. Pain meds are awful about causing constipation. I take probiotics and drink kombucha and it really helps keep things moving.
I believe you should see a gastroenterologist. I know this isn't your probem but my gastro put me on VSL3 (probotic)and it made a huge difference. I was the other way, diahhrea constantly. I would see him ASAP .
I have lots of trouble with adhesions and some time ago I had an intestinal blockage, sooooo painful. I couldn’t even pass gas. They did surgery thinking it was my appendix but discovered I had two loops of intestines blocked. I had had low grade fever and was clammy and throwing up a lot when went to the doctor. I still have adhesions and just pay I don’t repeat all that again.
For the last two years I’ve been having either diarrhea or I’m not going at all after much testing it turned out that I have Gastro paresis which is the stomach isn’t working right basically I’ve been through many treatments pills,
I was born with all my organs upside down and every which way.....I have had 3 malrotations or bowel obstructions....I have taken everything from a to z...then Dr. gave me Lactolose...which comatose pts take and that worked pretty good but then this new drug Lizness came out so I am trying this working ok ...I don't know if having Lupus causes bowel trouble ...it didn't in my case....but it sure seems like alot of us lupies have it....
Colonics, juicing , liquid diet. Nothing working. GI DOC thinks it’s time for stomach and part of small intestines to come out and feeding tube in. Going to go get second opinion at university of Chicago . Terrible suffering with This condition
I am so sorry to hear about all those suffering with such serious digestive issues. Thanks do much for sharing what you’ve learned. I finally had a bm… Not a normal one but something. Yeah! I am incorporating all the good info you all shared in hopes that I can avoid some of this. Can’t tell you how helpful you support is. Thanks!
The meds could be the culprit. 10 days is way too long. I have similar issues and it is very uncomfortable, but I have never gone 10 days. The most I have gone is a week. I keep in touch with my gastroenterologist because of my stomach issues. There has Ben times where stool softener and enemas do not work so I revert to old remedies such as prunes or juice grapes and raisins. Works every time. I would see PCP before rheumatologist unless he/she is awesome like that. Mine always refer me to my PCP but now that I have a gastro I go straight to her with questions such as this.
I KNOW! I’ve never been so happy, especially about a bm LOL.