Does anyone have chronic constipation?

I am sorry you had to go to the ER. I had to do that in February because of severe constipation. It is not fun to have life revolve around bowel movements!

So I just had my doctors appointment Wednesday 4/17/24 my pediatrician I told my pediatrician about seeing a gastroenterologist to get tested for SIBO methane dominant .She told me she knows nothing about SIBO and said it's likely that I may not have it but she didn't give me a direct answer about referring me to a gastroenterologist . But She prescribed me with Colace this time because it's easier to take than Miralax and also because like I mentioned my stools have been hardening again.

I'm not surprised by this. SIBO is not something that a pediatrician would likely know anything about. When I was first diagnosed with it in 2018 it was at Mayo Clinic. I had been seeing a GI doctor for years and they never mentioned it. 6 years later much more is known and more doctors know about it but I doubt you'll be able to rule it out without seeing a GI. I also take Colace three times a day for many years and it helps some. But if you don't improve, I would press for a referral to GI. I brought up SIBO because you said that your symptoms came on suddenly and were something new for you. That's what happened to me in 2014, seemingly out of nowhere. I hope you can get some answers.

Very interesting. Maybe something in your healthy diet is causing constipation? I just learned I have been using way too much pea protein powder isolate. I cut it back for an unrelated reason and voila - no constipation! Separately, my adult child did a gluten challenge test and ate wheat products instead of gluten-free substitutes. He was less constipated during this time, surmising that the gum (or rice flour) in the gluten-free products was the culprit.

That is why, IMO, it is SO important to experiment with diet in treating constipation; you may not need OTC or prescription drugs. If you can find a food solution, I just believe it is better for your "whole health."

Update: I still haven’t taken anymore Miralax this week….and, I returned to my healthy diet. And, I’m going several times a day. It’s similar to the consistency of when I was taking Miralax! Could that stuff still be in me? Idk. It’s odd. I’ll continue on and see what happens. So bizarre.Now, I winder if this is a part of IBS. I had IBS-D, about 8 years ago that resolved on its own.

I have had IBS most of my life. Its not fun. Idt either be constipated or have diarrhea. I started taking my magnesium pills at night instead of the morning.. when I wake up, I go to the bathroom with no problem. Its loose, but I don't care, it's better than suffering and I go regularly
You might check out Sipos and possibly gastroparesis.. both are similar symptoms. They both may be rare but they are occurring more often now . Good Luck And feel better..

I used to suffer from constipation.
Stayed at a vacation home of a gastroenterologist, and watched him and his wife, who is also a doctor, take Matamucil daily.
Have done that ever since and did not have anymore problems.

Hello my name is Hikeemah and I also suffer from chronic constipation for years now. Be me pushing so much I have prolapse rectum. To solve your issue and what I do it's a medication called Senna it helps a lot. You can ask your gastrointolgist or primary doctor for the prescription. It works pretty good for me but everyone body system is different. Again Senna and you can get this over the counter. Don't push please don't push!! I know you feel miserable not able to move your bowels the way you used to trust me in know you pain and mental health because of this issue. I wish you well. Please update me when or if you try it out. May God give you complete healing in all areas of your life. God bless you.

Great! Sounds like you are in a good-enough place right now.
For me, getting it right (frequency/consistency) is like experimenting/working in a chemistry lab!

Yes! I can’t figure it out. I know I am capable of NORMAL bm, cause I had 3 back to back over the course of 2 days when I first took Lubiprostone several months sgo. (Completely normal) Stopped working after that though. So, now to try the Linzess. I’m so busy, I haven’t had a day I can spend near the bathroom. I work a demanding job and provide care for my senior parents. I really hope to get it regulated.