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Problem with Chronic constipation
I have a history of hypothyroidism, severe endometriosis/treatment was a hysterectomy 17 years ago.I also have a hx of IBS. My thyroid hormone levels are stable. I eat like a rabbit(I poop like one too, LOL!!!!!!). I eat a large amount of fiber and drink almost every hour(nonalcholic).ONly prescription drugs I take are armour thyroid and my estrogen/prosterone troche. I make a coconut bread and I add psyllium husks,flax seed and chia seed to it. I eat it practically every am. I also eat a spinach salad for lunch daily with nuts and yogurt and eat a lean meat and veggie and more coconut bread at night. I do one cheat meal with a cheat dessert once per week. I am relatively active for my age of 60. I've been to a gastroenterologist and we have tried Linzess which didn't help at all. I take miralax, and a Super Cleanse tab one per day which has herbs to soften the stool and to stimulate the bowel and It barely works. I am at a loss. I have not tried Montegrity yet. I don't know if it will be helpful and the side effects scare me. I had a CT of my abdomen and it was ok, no obstructions. The gastroenterologist that I go to practically accused me of abusing laxatives. I would be impacted if I didnt use the miralax and the Super Cleanse. Diet/water and activity do not help. I had diarrhea from my late teens to the age of 36 when my intestines out of the blue just shut down completely. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I was put on Synthroid but the constipation didn't go away. So if there is any gastroenterologist out there that can help me, please let me know.I feel defeated and worry about my health.
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WOW, you got a prescription for miralax? Please tell me how, cuz it is expensive. This was very thoughtful of you to share this with me. With Your surgery and redundant flexure, maybe stay on the higher dose of miralax for longer than temporary and use gummies carefully until you see how your body responds. I cause diarrhea often, but I too scared of the HARD💩 & potential for obstruction in small bowels and/or blockage in anus, that requires digital removal, by me, both of these hurt really bad. Re:protein after your surgery. I eat little and easy solid foods. So I eat very little protein. I drink a meal replacement shake 2x daily. The morning one has pre & probiotics in it.Gluten free, I have celiac disease, my daughter, gratefully is only gluten sensitive. My hubby adds strawberries, fresh or frozen, and it tastes great. I trust this because my daughter (who unfortunately got too many bad genes from me) has done all the research. I don't not trust any supplements anymore but....She is extremely intelligent In asking the right questions. She even signed up to sell the whole product line, so she could get cheaper rates for her people circle. The brand name is Arbonne. I'm not her sales person, just giving you ideas. You could mix the miralax in the shake. Again thank you for the advice about miralax script. I'm afraid and excited at the same time re my surgery. If it doesn't help on a lot of my symptoms, I know I will have a breakdown. Enjoy your weekend Shelley
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3 ReactionsI was told to take 400 - 500 mg of Magnesium a day but not with carbonate since it can cause constipation. Yes magnesium can help with sleep. I have had insomnia since my earl 30’s and was on Xanax and Temasapan. I wanted off both . Now I take a CBD for sleep and it does help.
Shelley,
If I remember correctly, my PCP told me to take Miralax and offered to write a prescription since I needed to take so much and see if it was covered. My insurance paid for it without asking any follow up questions. I should mention it is the generic of Miralax hope that is okay.
Generic is fine, is it the exact same as miralax?
Thanx again for sharing this. Shelley
Shaylyn4, I could not find any information about magnesium carbonate, any level of doses, that cause constipation. I have taken it in much higher doses and it doesn't cause 💩for me.
Where did you find it?
I know that magnesium glycinate is sold in stores for constipation. I really don't like the taste of it and I never know when it will kick in, 24-48 hrs for me. It is so bloating and then super explosive. From what I've read the very best of any supplements that have several different types, is the chelated form. This is a mixture of all the types. I have not tried it, I think it is really expensive, not sure though. Maybe I will check it out. Enjoy your weekend Shelley
Yes it is. 😊
Misssuezq, it may seem like a little thing, but you sharing about your script for generic miralax is so much appreciated. I don't seem to ask my questions in the right way, I guess, cuz seldom does anyone offer something that might help me, with any of my many stupid health problems. ‼️🥰‼️Thanx so very much for your kind words and your precious time. Shelley
Shelley,
Of course! I’m glad I could help. I have a lot of stupid health problems too! 😂
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1 ReactionI read all the comments and don’t really know which one to reply to as everyone seems to have chronic constipation and a good suggestion for its relief. I must say I was glad to hear that someone else had a negative experience with Metamucil. My gastroenterologist swears by it and I can say it worked for the first week or two after my colonoscopy cleanse, but it then started to feel like it was actually backing me up more. I would take stool softeners to help and when I was finally able to go, there were mucousy looking chunks in my BM’s. I could only assume that is the fiber and Metamucil?? Has anyone ever experienced this because I would love to know if my assumption is right or not. My gastroenterologist is harder to get in touch with than the president, so I’m kind of on my own in this also. I am afraid to develop a dependence on laxatives and even stool softeners, but it gets so uncomfortable, as you all know. After the weirdness of the stool produced by Metamucil, I stopped taking it. I’m now eating so much fiber every day, I could fall into the “too much” category. I believe that’s over 70 g a day and I think I better start calculating because I am eating a lot! So, I know it’s an old remedy but I decided to try it nonetheless… Prune juice. I read start with 4 ounces but of course I started with the entire 7 1/2 ounce small can the first time. Honestly, it was blissful to go about five hours later with a little rumbling but little stomach pain and and be able to fully empty my bowels. That’s not something I feel often! This has only been for a week, and I have continued to take at least 6 to 7 ounces daily. After the first time, it hasn’t acted quickly, but within a day, I am having the closest to a normal BM I have had in years. I start the day Orowheat gut health bread that has 24 g of fiber in a two slice serving and then oatmeal with berries, walnuts and chopped dates. I can’t seem to keep fruit fresh unless I want to go to the store every day, so I’ve leaned more towards dried fruit, which is helping the bread and oatmeal to do the trick . If anyone has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them. I’m hoping with this concoction I’ve got going. I can keep going for a while! Good luck to everyone out there with whatever relief you are able to find. You would have to deal with this to know how miserable it is, and I’m excited for this group because this is not exactly something you can talk about with your neighbors.☹️
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6 ReactionsMetamucil (even though I drink plenty of water) makes me so gassy that I feel like I can’t leave my home. Prune juice I have tried, but just 4 oz gives me intestinal cramping, just too uncomfortable. Miralax seems to work but I can’t seem to get on a regular schedule with it. Taking it every third day is not enough and every other day is too much. Also the Miralax doesn’t do much for motility. Is a good stool softener but I really have trouble emptying my bowel.
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