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Does anyone have chronic constipation?

Posted by anna17X0X @anna17xox, Apr 11 5:30pm

I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December so it's been 4 months. I am always gassy and the smell has been very foul so I've been scared and embarrassed to be around people lately because of how bad it smells, when I've tried to poop only gas comes out most of the time, sometimes my stomach feels stiff and I start to feel lethargic. And I've tried almost everything digestive drinks like meta Mucil, eating more fiber i live an active lifestyle and I drink plenty of fluids and water. I recently had an appointment with my pediatrician about this she made me do colon cleansing for a day . And take Miralax for a minimum of 3 weeks. My stools were watery during the cleansing but after a couple days it feels like my stool is going back to being hard and stubborn. I still don't poop completely sometimes and I'm still gassy but it's not smelly like it was before. She said I can stop taking Miralax when i feel like my stools are going back to normal after a few days or weeks and it's been a week or two and a few days. I know I still need to wait one more week but my follow-up appointment is next Wednesday. The Miralax seems like a temporary fix, I feel like it'' never go away the worst part is I cant figure out what the cause is. I don't think it's IBS because I heard IBS involves bloody stools and stomach cramps I don't have bloody stools and I don't think I get stomach cramps . It just feels like have some other serious digestive problem or something I don't really know. I don't want to be constipated for the rest of my life I feel miserable, my pediatrician said if the Miralax doesn't work as intended I may have to see a gastroenterologists.

Has anyone or is anyone dealing with chronic constipation ?,does it or did it ever go away ? and has anyone been experiencing the same symptoms as me ?.Do you have any recommendations on how they treat their constipation ?

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Kay Strand | @kaystrand | May 14 7:10am
In reply to @celia16 "I had to return to taking 1 cap of Miralax a day in order to go..." + (show)
@celia16

I had to return to taking 1 cap of Miralax a day in order to go at all. I had improved for a couple of weeks. And, that’s on top of my healthy diet of veggies, whole grains, beets, sweet potatoes, healthy fats, beans, fiber packed, plenty of water, daily cardio exercise, magnesium supplement, etc. My day is centered around promoting digestion,

Anyway, I also tried the Linzess I was prescribed. I took it 3 days with no effects. i went the same as I normally do with Miralax. How long to see a change? I had to stop, because I wasn’t sure when it would kick in and I had appointments in my office with clients and was on the road,…couldn’t risk potential BM incident during that time. I can’t just stay by a toilet for weeks waiting for results. I thought I’d get results the same day, but nothing. Some people report major diarrhea. Huh? Lol.

I’m doing ok with BM taking the one cap of Miralax. Maybe, I should just be content with that and stop searching for a way to be normal again. Hmmm…..I’m so tired of dealing with this.

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I’m with you. A cap of Miralax daily and maybe an occasional Ducolax or shot of milk of mag. And lots of veggies (cooked for me) really help but difficult to do daily.

Thanks… knowing others take Miralax daily is good to know. I do get tired of this and try to live my life as I’m 77 and want to enjoy what time I have!

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 14 7:16am
In reply to @brotherchuckles80 "Me too Joe. I am 80. Unfortunately, I also have neuropathy with balance issues. Therefore I..." + (show)
@brotherchuckles80

Me too Joe. I am 80. Unfortunately, I also have neuropathy with balance issues. Therefore I am unable to walk much in the way of distance. I am trying 295mg of Lizness every other day which seems to be working. However, it is in the $400-550 range for 90 day supply. Medicare will pay 80%, however, I am applying for the Manufacturer's PAP. BTW, I have gone though your same regiment with Ducolax and Miralax. They work, however it is always a diahrhea type event. Bummer. God bless you in your journey Joe. Charles aka brotherchuckles80

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Thanks Charles, and thanks for your attitude - lighthearted and encouraging!

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celia16 | @celia16 | May 14 7:26am

I am amazed that Linzess causes major event for many patients. Man…. I guess everyone is different, it did zero for me. Three days straight.

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brotherchuckles80 | @brotherchuckles80 | May 14 3:01pm
In reply to @celia16 "I am amazed that Linzess causes major event for many patients. Man…. I guess everyone is..." + (show)
@celia16

I am amazed that Linzess causes major event for many patients. Man…. I guess everyone is different, it did zero for me. Three days straight.

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It did not work about two weeks. When I spoke with Liz Ness customer support, they had told me that is the customary time frame. God bless you. Brotherchuckles80@gmail.com

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celia16 | @celia16 | May 14 8:06pm
In reply to @brotherchuckles80 "It did not work about two weeks. When I spoke with Liz Ness customer support, they..." + (show)
@brotherchuckles80

It did not work about two weeks. When I spoke with Liz Ness customer support, they had told me that is the customary time frame. God bless you. Brotherchuckles80@gmail.com

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That’s amazing. I can’t just wait around for 2 weeks waiting to see when it’s going to kick in. What if I’m with clients or in the car? Man…..I’m not sure what to do. Thanks for the info. At least now I know.

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brotherchuckles80 | @brotherchuckles80 | May 14 8:48pm

I can understand that Celia. God bless you on your journey. Charles brothechuckles80.

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reillyg1013 | @reillyg1013 | May 15 6:21am

Please try Australian black licorice- I have chronic constipation, currently 12 days without a bowel movement- I’ve been putting off eating my licorice because 1-I have high blood pressure & 2- I’m diabetic. I was in the drug trial for linzess,but side effects weren’t good. I stopped going out for dinner with friends because like you, within 20 minutes of eating, I would have horrible gas. I have given some of my licorice to patients undergoing chemo who get constipated always with warning in case they have high blood pressure - each has had great success with it to relieve constipation.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 15 6:42am
In reply to @reillyg1013 "Please try Australian black licorice- I have chronic constipation, currently 12 days without a bowel movement-..." + (show)
@reillyg1013

Please try Australian black licorice- I have chronic constipation, currently 12 days without a bowel movement- I’ve been putting off eating my licorice because 1-I have high blood pressure & 2- I’m diabetic. I was in the drug trial for linzess,but side effects weren’t good. I stopped going out for dinner with friends because like you, within 20 minutes of eating, I would have horrible gas. I have given some of my licorice to patients undergoing chemo who get constipated always with warning in case they have high blood pressure - each has had great success with it to relieve constipation.

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Thank you Reilly, and all the best to you.

12 days without a BM? Oh friend I am so sorry. I have to rely on miralax, lots of fresh fruit, muesli cereal, fiber bars, and I take Motegrity and occasionally Relistor. But every few days I have to give it all a push with dulcolax and I should not be doing that. But it's just miserable.

I hope you're better because 12 days is just unthinkable. Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 15 6:49am
In reply to @kaystrand "I’m with you. A cap of Miralax daily and maybe an occasional Ducolax or shot of..." + (show)
@kaystrand

I’m with you. A cap of Miralax daily and maybe an occasional Ducolax or shot of milk of mag. And lots of veggies (cooked for me) really help but difficult to do daily.

Thanks… knowing others take Miralax daily is good to know. I do get tired of this and try to live my life as I’m 77 and want to enjoy what time I have!

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Yeah same approach here Kay. If my diet weren't so rich in fiber and fruit, and if I didn't take a cap of miralax every day, I'd be in trouble. And even with all of those things, I still need to take dulcolax now and then.

I've also noticed that the vast majority of people on here are in their late 60s, 70s and 80s. Getting old is not for sissies.

Joe

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reillyg1013 | @reillyg1013 | May 15 6:55am
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Thank you Reilly, and all the best to you. 12 days without a BM? Oh friend..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Thank you Reilly, and all the best to you.

12 days without a BM? Oh friend I am so sorry. I have to rely on miralax, lots of fresh fruit, muesli cereal, fiber bars, and I take Motegrity and occasionally Relistor. But every few days I have to give it all a push with dulcolax and I should not be doing that. But it's just miserable.

I hope you're better because 12 days is just unthinkable. Joe

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Thank you Joe, but 12 days is not a record for me. Unfortunately , fiber makes things worse, so I actively avoid them. I hope you give the Australian licorice a try, much more natural way to relieve symptoms, provided your blood pressure is normal.

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