Constipation: What helps?

I’ve really put a lot into resolving this constipation issue, including doctor visits, tests, research, vitamins, supplements, fiber rich diet, extra water, nutritionist consultations, daily exercise, weight loss, talk therapy, meditation, Metamucil, Miralax, and poop stool. So, to me the medication is needed out of desperation. I would continue with my health regimen, but would like to be free from daily Miralax and Metamucil. For the last 18 months I’ve spent a large amount of my daily energy devoted towards avoiding constipation. It would be nice to get a break from that.

Hey hey I'm responding to the one that is having problems with your constipation I do too they said I had a . Have you taken that sits markers test for you swallow until and then after 2 or 3 days or 4 days you go back and take another x-ray to see what's going on would you. Have to check at your had to check your muscles and your rectum to see if your muscles are coordinating right. You can still be exercised a lot in your muscles and your rectum cannot be contracting right.

Hey I am tried out eating a spoonful of just plain sauce pumpkin sauce today. A spoonful of pumpkin sauce plain a day and not really helped me that helped me some to go but I have other issues you might want to try it out.

Sorry I said pumpkin sauce that really helped me face spoon full of plain pumpkin sauce a day he goes to the bathroom it really helped me. You might want to give it a try.

Yes, I had colorectal exam and doctor said muscles are good. They haven’t ordered a timed test. Waiting on colonoscopy, scheduled for April.

I finally stopped using laxatives and started Linzess. Couldn't dose it for solid poops. Switched to Amitiza and stool softener. Now I go almost every day.

I use OptiMag 125 from Xymogen. I rely on my Naturopath for supplements that support the body vs laxatives that are foreign to the body. A good potassium is K+2Potassium from Design for Health. Lifestyle, organic food and exercises are important too. Unfortunately with all the chemicals sprayed on crops and in our environment they effect our digestive system in ways generations before us didn't have to worry about. Good luck, @farmersmith

I hear you. I spend a large part of my day on gut issues. If you have seen improvement with all that you have done, that is the solution I am thinking. Whatever is wrong with our gut might not be able to be undone, just improved. The only "out of the box" ideas that I might guess you haven't tried are slippery elm (inner bark) powder "tea" for mucosal support and more liquid-filled meals (soups, hot cereals)/cooked foods that are easier to digest. You might know that rhurbard has a laxative effect and there is a study on kiwis that is encouraging in that area. Miralax doesn't work for me and my system doesn't like Metamucil. You likely know whether or not you have a redundant colon, which goes hand in hand with constipation at some age point. Just hang in there and keep looking for answers.

One more thing, Celia16, I have much more going on in my gut than constipation, but as a "Hail Mary" to your plight and given you have tried so many things, what is working really well for my constipation (no more clay or hard stool) are dietary enzymes from a company called Intoleran.

I discovered the firm on the Monash app. I use their carb products (3 different capsules) and added in Pure brand "pancreatic" enzymes and some Hydro-Zyme brand Betaine HCL.

I added in each of these five supplements one at a time and saw different types of improvement in each.

For all I know, if you try all five, you may need fewer than all five and can cut some out. These pills and a Monash green-light only low FODMAP diet are the biggest game changers for me.

(As far as dairy goes, I just use Lactaid products. And I still have to watch what I eat and how much of everything I eat.)

Oh, I forgot to add that I also take a probiotic. Doesn’t seem to matter. I hadn’t actually considered that what I have now is as good as it gets…..hmmm…..man, that’s a hard pill to swallow. I think I’m capable of my normal BM, since I had 3 of them a couple of months ago. They happened right after I first took Lubiprostone. Sadly then it did nothing. So, I’m hoping Linzess will help.

I guess I need to make a list and try everything I haven’t tried yet.

What I find striking is that my constipation happened suddenly. All was well and bam! Nothing. Out of no where. So bizarre.