Chronic constipation

I was very constipated during oral chemo, so I was given a prescription for lactolose. I took it along with Senna-s for stool softener. Only once did I resort to magnesium citrate and it caused explosive diarrhea, but it certainly cleaned out my colon.

Sounds silly I know, but my doctor put me on Milk of Magnesia with warm water and that night I exploded... cleans you out at least.
Now, I take dried prunes and dried fruit before bed with a glass of water and it seems to work ok in the morning. No fun I know... good luck

It's just cruel to have CIC💩 I get x-rays every few months, for past 6+ yrs, only one time I was actually not on overload, every other time, the X-rays showed moderate to severe fecal load. I also have elevated calcium and Hyperparathyroidism (surgery is next month), it has really reduced my smooth muscle function in my intestines, small and large. So, I have to keep myself almost complete diarrhea, since I have no muscle contractions to push out the poop. I take miralax every day, 1-2x , 3 capfuls. I am terrified of getting a blockage in anus, where digital removal is required, by me, to dig out a hole big enough for the rest of the poop to come out. I also don't like having a small bowel partial obstruction, that nasal gastric tube is awful!!!!! At this point I consider diarrhea my best friend. Guess I am very lucky to be retired and not need to leave the house much.

I am the same way. GI doctor finally put me on Linnea’s. It has and is working wonders so far.

Sorry auto corrected the medicine is called Linzess.
I would ask for samples before the put in a prescription to make sure it works for you.

I was given Linzess samples for chronic constipation and it didn't work for me. I even tried 2 different strengths of it. It made me more constipated. It's very expensive, too. Some insurances don't even cover it.

I can recommend a home remedy for constipation that my mom always gave me. I'm 78 and still use it. It's natural but may be a little harsh. It's a teaspoon or more, if needed, of baking soda (the kind you cook with – Arm and Hammer) dissolved in a glass of water. Drink the whole glass. You may want to squeeze a little lemon juice in it to make it taste better. It tastes awful, but it works. Stay near the bathroom. It works fairly fast. By the way, this also helps get rid of gas and bloating. After it works, try and drink a lot of water to keep from being dehydrated.

Eating certain foods also helps such as prunes, fruit, nuts etc. But you probably already know that.
I hope this helps you.
PML

Have you tried prune juice three times a day? Or an enema. I have dealt with constipation over the years. And when nothing else works I use a saline enema. Works every time. Thank God. Good luck. Let me know how you make out. 😊😊😊😊😊

Hi @razelrosey,
Disclaimer: This is only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and bet that I would find what worked for me. I had a longer thank normal pipe that needed consistent moisture….
I have tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. And all say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if take continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work.
Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He could get through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I often take them when I go to bed and once if I get up to pee. Be sure to include prunes, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in your diet. I like to grind 2T chia, T of sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out, processed and refined foods and drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - Boy Scouts. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month.
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 balancing these help prevent constipated. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to encourage 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.
Good luck, @farmersmith

Thank you for the information that you sent to me many of the things that you’ve talked about. I have tried right now. I’m under control because I’m taking so much medication that if I wasn’t under control, I would be in serious trouble still working on my issues and will continue to work on my