Question
Early November of this year i slipped.It didn't feel like much, but i had trouble walking the next couple of days.Then i slipped again.This time, i felt the pull on the right side.I could barely walk, so i saw a walk-in doctor and he said it seemed like pulled muscles in the low back.The pain was coming from L4-L5 and the sacrum,on the right side.I have had other back injuries before, like a weak sacroiliac joint on the left and an old neck injury.
 Well,i ended up using Robaxacet for about 4 or 5 days (because the pain was excruciating).It was extra strength and said to take 2 pills, i only took half of 1 pill, and i still felt weird.I have used Voltaren cream or deep cold to relieve pain.
The pain went along the top of my right buttock and around to the front of my right leg.I had burning,excruciating pain shoot down across the knee and down into my groin and hip, and up my low back. I got pain all the way to my toes and even some swelling as far as there.
At first it hurt to sit, sleep or stand, but it gradually just hurt to walk or stand.For the first week after the injury i couldn't get downstairs to bed, so i slept on the couch.When i did try the stairs#or even walking),i couldn't put full weight on my right leg, as the knee would give out, and i almost fell down the stairs twice. I had to sit and skooch down each stair.
I have mostly recovered, although it has taken more than 6 weeks. I have only just been able to walk on my own without an arm to lean on or stopping and sitting from the pain, for 2 days now, although there is still some pain and pulling when i walk, so i am slower than normal.
I have seen my doctor twice in this time frame. He had x-rays done and said that there is minimal signs of osteoarthritis starting at L5. He also sent me for blood work and urine sample yesterday because even though i was going #2,with some problems like tearing and bleeding, at least i was going.
  These last few weeks have been so frustrating i want to cry.I am getting better from the injury, but now i can't go #2. My anus and rectum feel swollen and i do not seem to get an urge. I am passing alot of gas,although it kind of hurts as it passes.My doctor gave me some samples of Senekot to use, but i doubt it will work with getting past the swelling.
I was going #2 at least once a day before all this, if not more than that.Please help me to find out what the likely problem is.

Answer
Dear Michelle,

Dear,

Sorry to hear about all your troubles. Let's see if I can be of some help.

Many pain medications or muscle relaxants have constipation as a side effect, so that could be some of what is going on.  Also, if you are dehydrated that can also affect your ability to have a bowl movement.

I would generally recommend drinking at least a quart of water (or two over an hour or so) on an empty stomach and then drinking a strong cup of coffee.  Coffee is a wonderful natural bowel stimulant.

You may also go to your local health food store or vitamin shop and buy a bowel laxative with the herb "cascara sagrada." Along with plenty of water, cascara sagrada should certainly get your bowels moving again.

You can also sit on the toilet and manually massage your lower abdomen.  This can also be a great help.  And when you sit on the toilet put your feet up on a little stool, milk crate, etc. to make it easier for your bowels to work. We ideally in more a squatting postion when we defecate.  This position opens the lower colon for full elimination.  You can watch a whole video on this at this site:  http://www.squattypotty.com/

I do hope this helps and you will be back to normal soon.

All the best,

Gary Crowley
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/