💛 “When Things Don’t Move, Everything Hurts”

A Personal Share on Constipation, Bladder Issues & What My Body Has Taught Me

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get talked about enough—especially for those of us navigating chronic pain, aging, and complex medical conditions:

bowel and bladder issues.

It’s not glamorous.

It’s not fun.

But it’s real. And if you know, you really know.

For me, it started after I began struggling with radiculopathy and hip arthritis. Pain in my lower back and hips made it hard to move freely—and that immobility created a ripple effect through my entire body. The less I moved, the more things… well… stopped moving.

⚠️ The Crossover: Pain, Nerves, and Digestion

I’ve come to learn that my bowel and bladder issues are directly connected to the nerve pain I live with daily. When your nerves are compressed or inflamed—especially in the lower spine—it can interfere with signals that regulate everything from bladder urgency to regular bowel movements.

For me, that looks like:

Constipation so intense it causes lower back pain Morning incontinence even with a normal bladder Days where I’m too weak or in too much pain to move much Lack of appetite, which means I don’t eat enough to help my system work Not drinking enough water, even though I try

And it’s not for lack of trying. My daily toolkit includes:

Senna, Colace, psyllium husks MiraLAX, MagCitrate, Metamucil Warm tea, fiber, massage techniques And most importantly: tracking everything in an online journal—urination, bowel movements, food, liquid intake, urgency, time of day.

🧠 What I’ve Learned Along the Way:

This isn’t about laziness or forgetfulness. When your nervous system is impacted—by trauma, stress, or nerve compression—your body gets confused. It stops sending the right signals. And when you’re already dealing with pain, things like cooking, eating, and drinking enough water become secondary. Small movements count. Even when I can’t go for walks, I can do gentle leg pumps or pelvic tilts from a chair. I’ve learned that movement is medicine—even in small doses. Stress is a sneaky factor. Even on “calm” days, my body can hold stress in ways that slow digestion. Deep breathing, quiet time, prayer, and even just laying my hand on my belly with intention helps ease tension I didn’t realize I was carrying. Warm foods and liquids help. Warm prune juice, broths, herbal teas—these are my go-to gentle nudges for my system. Cold things tend to shut things down for me, so I try to choose warmth whenever I can. Hydration is non-negotiable—but tricky. Water needs to be sipped throughout the day. Sometimes I add a pinch of pink salt or an electrolyte mix to help it absorb better. I’m still working on this one.

🌻 Why I’m Sharing This Now

Because someone out there is silently dealing with these same issues and feels ashamed, confused, or just plain frustrated.

Because I want people to know that this is not just a “bathroom problem”—this is a quality of life issue.

Because if we don’t talk about it, we suffer in silence.

And I believe healing begins with honesty.

If you’re walking a similar path—whether due to chronic illness, aging, neurogenic bladder or bowel, or post-surgical changes—please know this:

💛 You’re not alone.

💛 You’re not broken.

💛 And your body is not your enemy—it’s just asking for help in a different language.

So I continue my journey—tracking, learning, listening to my body, and offering it kindness instead of shame.

Because when things don’t move, everything hurts.

But with love, attention, and patience—movement returns.

P.S.

One tool that has truly helped me is my Squatty Potty. After I went to Sarah Jane, a provider at my job, to talk about my constipation struggles, she encouraged me to try it. Having my legs elevated in a squatting position while using the bathroom has made a noticeable difference. It helps align everything in a more natural way, making it easier for the bowels to move—especially on those tough days when nothing else seems to help.

Sometimes the smallest shifts can offer the biggest relief. 🌻