Leaky gut?

That's great to know Gigi, thanks so much! I've had a problem with the major rhomboid muscle on the right side of my back, next to the shoulder blade. Haven't found a long term solution, but maybe acupuncture?????

Thanks again. Joe

@candidough47 by Magnesium Stearate, do you mean Milk of Magnesia? If Milk of Magnesia, it should not be taken for more than a week.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10279

@gigi4 you are spot on!

@andrew7 what brand of probiotic+prebiotic do you take?

Excellent article on constipation and treatments, thanks for that Rashida. I deal with chronic idiopathic constipation, or CIC. "Idiopathic" means there is no known cause.

I also take some of the meds on the list in the article that contribute to constipation. I eat fiber, eat a lot of fruit, avoid sugar as much as possible, drink a lot of water with electrolytes, and workout every day - all at age 69. I still get constipated. I have been prescribed Motegrity, which helps "push" a little. I also take Dulcolax, which contains bisacodyl, a stimulant. I try to keep the bisacodyl to a minimum, but don't know what else to do.

Like Milk of Magnesia, as you note, these stimulants should not be taken on a long-term basis. And MoM, or Magnesium Citrate, cause mostly diarrhea and are used before a colonoscopy, so watch out.

It's a constant battle. I should not be taking as much bisacodyl as I do, so I don't recommend it.

@tabithawitch it has been about a year since you last posted, and you mentioned you had to vacate your apartment and that you were looking for a shelter.

I hope you have found somewhere permanent, to live. Please let us know how you are doing!?

The only downside I can see is if a patient has a problem requiring the help of a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

Why?

Acupuncture may be helpful. Also think about seeing a chiropractor who offers multiple types of therapies based on issues and also consider a seeing a Physical Therapist. Your doctor ought to be able to recommend a PT. I’ve seen both depending on what I’m dealing with.
Best to you!

I only say this because these Drs specialize in physical medicine, kinesiology. I might be wrong and they are MDs after all. I'm sure they could make a referral to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist if that was something they thought could help.

You are right. Drs. can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist but from my experience, my previous PCP just offered me all kind of medications. But due to my constant malaise while I was being treated for IBS, my GI referred me to a psychiatrist that was supposed to call me but she never did. I also called her office several times, left messages, but nothing happened. So, I went online to look for psychiatrists in my area, I had 2 Telehealth appointments, then I was referred to a psychotherapist. I received a list of them to choose. I researched online one by one, and theirs corresponding reviews. I made an appointment with an office with several psychotherapists. My therapist makes me do all kind of exercises and lists, then we prioritize issues, and works with me one by one. It is amazing. During my sessions and at home I realized how my dreams were trying to tell me something, but I was not able to decipher them. I now realize it is not only trauma the problem, it is when you are overwhelmed. All the things that our body accumulates and that we don't even remember affects us. The weakest area in our body reacts and there is no medicine in the world that cures you completely. I recommend to read "The body keeps the score." Right on the money.
We need to be our own advocate.