I have tried several things for constipation. I have never taken Milk of Magnesia that it didn’t work well by the next morning. The only reason I avoid it is because my doctors aren’t big fans of it. They say Metamucil and Miralax are best. They work for me too, but make me mushy, which Milk of Magnesia does not. One Ducalax would work too.

I have tried squash, prunes, pears, etc. , but with serious constipation, they aren’t enough to get me going.

My veterinarian said to give my elderly cat pumpkin (puréed, no additives) daily for constipation, it works great. I have read it is given to dogs for diarrhea. Perhaps that is why it isn’t to my knowledge suggested for humans suffering from constipation, it could work either way(?).

Hi just to keep everyone updated, Like I said in my response to one of the comments a couple days ago I had my doctors appointment Wednesday 4/17/24 with my pediatrician and talked to her about seeing a GI. But for now I'm taking Colace(Docusate Capsules) .prescribed by her to see if it works. So far I have taken it for 2 days starting from Sunday twice a day and now it's 4/23/24 Tuesday. I still don't feel relief when I need to poop I can only push out gas I know some people say It takes between 12 and 72 hours or so .But. I idk maybe I'm just being impatient I mean it's only been two days since I have taken it, so I'm still hoping for a bowel movement .But I wanted to ask for anyone who has taken Colace how long did it take for it to kick in ?

Suggest trying Genestra HMF Intensive 500 Probiotic for a month. Also, consider looking at your diet and the usual suspects that are known to cause inflammation; ie, gluten and dairy. I’ve had constipation my whole life (40+ years) and the above probiotic has helped along with PEG3350 (polyethylene glycol). It’s a long process but an elimination diet works too which I have done. Red meat is also a known culprit. Good luck.

very very sorry about the difficulties.

I have very similar issues.

I have to do tons and tons of things to "get things moving."

First off - optimal hydration is super key. If you are not getting those 8 glasses of water and every single day...that alone can cause all kinds of havoc, maybe even every symptom you are experiencing.

The only way I can go is well, maybe a bit extreme. Its 12 ounces of prune juice daily, with a full dose of Miralax.

I also take senna, but not every day. I also take MetaMucil. And, on top of that, I try to generally eat a soft food diet.

My breakfast is usually some raisin bran cereal or a raisin bran muffin.

I also take probiotics.

I take ginger often, turmeric sometimes.

And, here's a weirder one....cola. When I was a kid, they used to sell cola syrup in the drug stores. Definitely settles my stomach and like little else. I actually do the diet version, because I don't want the sugar.

Some abdominal exercise definitely helps...but if the constipation is really bad, I don't do the exercises, I just massage the area.

Heating pad also seems to help.

And then into stress. If my stress levels are higher, constipation is definitely worse.

and, of course, the Squatty Potty. Device to raise your legs into the "squat" position. Has definitely helped my movements. They are not Beethoven movements, just movements.

There are different versions of those stools.

This is the one we use:
https://www.squattypotty.com/
Well, that is what I have for now.

again, very sorry about the difficulties.

I deeply and truly HATE my digestive problems, so I can sympathize...

take care

Same time period for me. Must be in the water....hahaa. I am now trying Linzess. It worked the first day and I am now awaiting for something to happen on the second day. God bless you and I pray that we will both find an effective treatment. Charles aka brotherchuckles80

I don't know the answer that. But if I were back to normal, I would hold off until the problem raises its head again. Then you would know that you have the problem that caused you to be introduced to Lizness. You cannot hurt yourself l by abstaining it for a day or two. That is what I \would do.
Because I have not had a BM today, I decided to take an additional 145mg tonight before dinner.
God bless you in your decision making Celia.
Charles aka brotherchuckles80

I can tell you I have constipation, smelly gas for the last 4 years. So bad I stay away from events it smells so bad. I’ve been to gastroenterologists several times with no avail. I was taking Metamucil also.
Now I’m taking a fiber called Frontier Fiber by Nutritional Frontiers. It’s a little pricey but I finally have some relief. I eat a lot of rice cakes for my sandwiches but not totally gluten free. I started getting the gas in college but it wasn’t until last four years were smelly. I’m in my 60’s. I’m convinced the gas and smelly farts are triggered by stress (I have anxiety). Do you? Best of luck. It’s horrible. I didn’t dare eat anything on the day of my daughter’s wedding🫤

I'm 55 years old and I finally fixed my lifetime constipation. I needing a gluten free corn-free legume free vegan Plus manuka honey diet.

If you want to try natural:
Disclaimer: This is only my experience. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the 1980's.
Helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found that these help prevent constipated. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to cause constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.

I found out the end of last year I had redundant colon which explained chronic constipation. It certainly would have been handy to find out earlier. I now am able to control my regularity naturally, with prunes, rhubarb, squash and sweet potatoes along with balancing my minerals. OptiMag, K2+Potassium, Real salt, even take some minerals in the middle of the night so osmotic gradient maintained in colon until morning. First thing in morning I drink a quart of hot water (boy scouts.) Soak ground chia and flax seed in prune juice - half for the next morning and half for that evening. Back up's Smooth Move and coffee – don’t like it (had to only use these about four times each this month).

Good luck and keep your osmotic gradient balanced and migrating motor complex charged!
@farmersmith