4 replies to this topic

[Believer]

I have this problem which I am certain is caused by bad bacteria.

My colon is dry or appears so, but even if not dry I still have the same problem.

My left side can begin to feel tight or hurt if I don't use the bathroom frequently, I have to do an enema once a day to clear the colon.

Note, using the bathroom normally is difficult because nothing or little comes out and even if I have diarrhea although obviously with diarrhea more comes out.

I am looking at finding supplements that either kill the bacteria causing the problems or in replacing my intestinal flora with probiotics but I don't know which supplements might help. Going to a doctor is not an option for me.

 

For my sigmoid colon problem I have tried the following:

fasting for 3 days, repeatedly

eating high fiber foods and avoiding foods that may constipate

inducing diarrhea in myself (with sugar alcohols, magnesium oxide, etc.)

keto diet for a month

exercising (can actually cause sigmoid colon pain if I am obstructed)

 

Edited by Believer, 23 May 2018 - 11:40 AM.

[Believer]

As an added bonus, whenever I drink anything other than water then it's difficult for me to release my urine, like I can feel that my bladder is full or at least I should urinate but only little comes out.

When I drink only water this is hardly an issue although still slightly a problem.

Edited by Believer, 23 May 2018 - 11:41 AM.

[Dorian Grey]

The healthiest/easiest solution might be to experiment with mag citrate.  I've been trying to take mag regularly as it is known to be the most common mineral deficiency.  Mag can also lower blood pressure a bit, & my BP has been creeping up the last year.  

 

Mag citrate is the easiest on my stomach (minerals yuck!), but I also have a few light beers in the evening, & was having loose stools in the am with the standard 400mg mag citrate tabs.  I found 200mg tabs online (impossible to find low doses in stores), but still had the loose stool problem.  

 

I've been cutting the 200mg tabs in half with a pill cutter and taking my 100mg custom dose with lunch instead of dinner and this has worked well.  No more loose stool, & my BP is normal again.  It might take a bit of experimentation with dosage and time of day, but through trial and error you might find a sweet spot.  Perhaps 100mg twice a day?  

 

I also take a lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic (brand name Culturelle) which I like.  Lactobacillus-R has been shown to pass the acid test, surviving stomach acid better than other strains so live cultures actually reach the colon.  

Edited by Dorian Grey, 23 May 2018 - 04:07 PM.

[Believer]

Perhaps 100mg twice a day? 

I also take a lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic (brand name Culturelle)

Magnesium does not work, as stated. It may soften stool and if used right induce diarrhea but this doesn't solve my sigmoid constipation. I have used magnesium many times to "flush" my intestines in case something was stuck and it made no difference.

As for Culturelle, I've tried that, too. I've also tried neutral yoghurt in large quantities (hardens stool).

 

You say that some probiotics are destroyed by the stomach acid. Wouldn't rectal insertion avoid this problem? Also considering that rectal insertion would get the probiotics into the place I need them (the sigmoid colon which sits right next to the anus).

 

If anyone can recommend a probiotic brand that they know works and contains a large variety of cultures then I would appreciate it.

 

[Dorian Grey]

I'm not well read on this issue, but I imagine a combination of minor therapies might be more successful than searching for a singular magic bullet.  

 

The rectal probiotic "instillation" is interesting.  Don't know if inserting a cap of probiotic in the distal rectum would  be as effective as perhaps a suspension in liquid (enema) that would carry the probiotic at least half way up the colon.  I'm sure this has been tried, and something written on it.  You'd need to make sure the irrigating fluid didn't damage the probiotic.  Something like normal saline or even lactated ringers?  

 

Alternately, neutralizing stomach acid with some mag or calcium half an hour before dosing probiotic orally might help it survive to reach the colon.  

 

I was thinking rather than using mag as a purgative, a minor (sub-purgative) dose might be part of a combination therapy.  Some experimentation would probably be required.  

 

Coffee (taken orally) stimulates colonic motility, & might be yet another cog in a combination therapy.  Perhaps a small instillation of coffee directly into the sigmoid with a bulb syringe might be helpful for acute symptoms and you might avoid having to do a major purge with laxatives or mag?  

 

There may well be a magic bullet/effective therapy out there, but until you find it, a combination of minor therapies may be as good as it gets.