1. < Digestive Health
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Problem with Chronic constipation

Posted by bb03 @bb03, Feb 1, 2021

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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Profile picture for helen1000
helen1000 | @helen1000 | Jul 24, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

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No problem. I also find a free/easy way to exercise. If you google "pulmonary rehabilitation exercise", you will find many videos with mild exercises so you can exercise at home at any time!!

Sorry for too many messages today. I hope they are not ovewhelming. Stay well and stay cool! 🙂

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waterlilly | @waterlilly | Jul 24, 2024
In reply to @carolinlv "I don’t know if you’ve already tried prune juice but it was, for some reason, my..." + (show)
Profile picture for carolinlv @carolinlv

I don’t know if you’ve already tried prune juice but it was, for some reason, my last go to after 10 years of misery. Users made it sound so simple and yet I didn’t try it until recently. I was truly shocked at its efficacy. Like I said, I did a full 7 1/2 ounce can on day one and it was just like taking a laxative. It worked within about five hours and that was it. The next day, I tried the recommended 4 ounces, but it didn’t do much for me. so I do a good 7 ounces a day and it’s really doing the trick. Maybe give it a try?? I resorted to the laxatives far too often so I’m glad I found something that’s healthier and gets results. Good luck!!

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Would it be advisable to take at night after dinner or before bed? If taken in the a.m., I'd need to be around a bathroom when it works which would mean I would have to plan my whole day around it. That could be difficult.

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carolinlv | @carolinlv | Jul 24, 2024
In reply to @waterlilly "Would it be advisable to take at night after dinner or before bed? If taken in..." + (show)
Profile picture for waterlilly @waterlilly

Would it be advisable to take at night after dinner or before bed? If taken in the a.m., I'd need to be around a bathroom when it works which would mean I would have to plan my whole day around it. That could be difficult.

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From what I read, it seems to have different affects, depending upon how much people drink and how their belly reacts. When I drink the least bit too much, there is some serious gurgling and discomfort going on. That could really disrupt your sleep! Seems safest to figure out the amount that’s good for you, and once you do, how long it takes to react. Some are lucky enough for it to just help with motility. I’m still working on getting to that point every day. Luckily, I am retired so I have the opportunity to play around with quantities and times. Not everyone has that option.

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waterlilly | @waterlilly | Jul 24, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

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Thank you! I'm retired, also. Even with Miralax, it takes many tries to get it exactly right and even then, I need to adjust it every now and then. I'll give the prune juice a try.

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rashida | @rashida | Jul 24, 2024
In reply to @shaylyn4 "Hi Shelley. I have the opposite issue of you. I have hypothyroidism and have been taking..." + (show)
Profile picture for shaylyn4 @shaylyn4

Hi Shelley. I have the opposite issue of you. I have hypothyroidism and have been taking Synthoid since my early 30’s. I have actually taken Citrate of Magnesium and that is a fast response but because of my EPI and Gastroparesis my GI is against that. I keep hearing about GI docs.that seem heartless or just don’t care because people have so many problems. I have a young GI now after the one I had for 40 years retired and he is open to whatever I think will help as long as it doesn’t affect me in other ways. I have really big problems having a colonoscopy so he did a much easier prep for a sigmoidoscopy which I tolerated and showed I had thickening of my bowel. He watches me carefully since Creon ( for my EPI ) can cause thickening of the bowel and obstruction ( which like you I had ) I now also have a new PCP internist who specializes in gerontology so he understands all the old age problems we have. I can call my GI in the morning and he will get back to me the same day even if he calls from home which he does frequently.
A support group is nice. You can talk to people with same problems and they don’t thick all you’re doing is complaining, etc.

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Lucky you, @shaylyn4, having such a good team of doctors! I gather you don’t live in Canada, where there is a dearth of physicians and specialists …?

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misssuezq | @misssuezq | Jul 25, 2024
In reply to @shelleyw "Misssuezq, 8/7...unless I jump off a bridge first (jk), A lot of my issues are flaring..." + (show)
Profile picture for shelleyW @shelleyw

Misssuezq, 8/7...unless I jump off a bridge first (jk), A lot of my issues are flaring big time all at once 24/7. OMG, I hope it relieves or at least tamps down the intensity of my buckets of issues that can be related to it. Hey, thanx for asking about this. It felt like a big hug when I read it. Truly, I am way down the dark rabbit hole, useless and negative . So many 🥰

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Well you have a lil bit of time before your surgery hopefully your other issues that are flaring calm the heck down. I will be sending you positive vibes.

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bkatz43 | @bkatz43 | Jul 25, 2024
In reply to @carolinlv "Shelley, I finally found your original post and realize my recent post with hopes of you..." + (show)
Profile picture for carolinlv @carolinlv

Shelley, I finally found your original post and realize my recent post with hopes of you "feeling better nowadays" seems unlikely. I truly hope there is a doctor somewhere that can help you. I am miserable but at no level that you must be feeling. Why is it so hard to get help for this problem? A good gastroenterologist seems impossible to find. They are readily available for endoscopies and colonoscopies but once those are done, I feel like they block my calls😭 I'm at my wits I'm just waiting for basic help. You must be ready to kill someone!😢❤️

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Oh my gosh! I have sent your above comments to several of my family/friends because this is my story as well. I am 1.5 years into G.I. madness. 5 G.I. docs later, with a large Amazon box of discarded pharmaceuticals and OTC drugs, I am working with a G.I. doc older and (wiser?) than me. We shall see. I am hopeful but extremely guarded. I now believe my contracting COVID (after 5th vaccine) had a role in my symptoms. So what? I need effective treatment to resume what used to be normalcy (pre age 65.5; I am now 67).

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farmersmith | @farmersmith | Jul 25, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

Jump to this post

Putting in my all natural regularity for redundant colon: Discovering last December explaining all the years of constipation here is my latest addition. A tablespoon of carob first thing in the morning with the ground seeds and even one before bed or with dinner is helpful. Also I make a non flour, with bananas carob brownies that are great. Good luck. Feeling great.

@farmersmith

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Profile picture for carolinlv
carolinlv | @carolinlv | Jul 25, 2024
In reply to @bkatz43 "Oh my gosh! I have sent your above comments to several of my family/friends because this..." + (show)
Profile picture for bkatz43 @bkatz43

Oh my gosh! I have sent your above comments to several of my family/friends because this is my story as well. I am 1.5 years into G.I. madness. 5 G.I. docs later, with a large Amazon box of discarded pharmaceuticals and OTC drugs, I am working with a G.I. doc older and (wiser?) than me. We shall see. I am hopeful but extremely guarded. I now believe my contracting COVID (after 5th vaccine) had a role in my symptoms. So what? I need effective treatment to resume what used to be normalcy (pre age 65.5; I am now 67).

Jump to this post

If I were a doctor, I would hope it would weigh heavily on me how much importance people place in us to return quality to their lives. Sadly, I’m of an opinion now that it’s not even a concern.

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Profile picture for shaylyn4
shaylyn4 | @shaylyn4 | Jul 25, 2024
In reply to @shelleyw "Shaylyn4, I must have said it wrong... I have hyperPARATHYROID. Why the brilliant 👎🏼 drs couldn't..." + (show)
Profile picture for shelleyW @shelleyw

Shaylyn4,
I must have said it wrong... I have hyperPARATHYROID. Why the brilliant 👎🏼 drs couldn't think of a better name is plain ignorance. The one and only one thing that the thyroid glands and the parathyroid glands have in common, is they are in the same place in our necks. Like you I have hypothyroidism, it has been left untreated for many years, cuz the dr. said, " just because you are tired and have weight problems (I weighed 145@ that time) doesn't mean you have low thyroid. All women want to blame their thyroid for their weight gain and tiredness. They need to exercise more and eat less." I swear a Dr. said that to me years ago. Now my thyroid is so screwed up that I'm not reacting to 2 different medications the "right way ". If you are willing, I would love for you to tell me about: EPI, problem with colonoscopy, do you have a redundant flexure, thickening of your bowel wall, how did it get found and how does it affect your pooping process. Also, how did you get to a gerontologist? What all does this type of dr. focus on. No rush, older age and health issues can dictate just about everything in our lives. Shelley

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Hi Shelly Nice to hear from you. Because of my gastroparesis I can’t eat all the fresh fruits & vegetables that I should eat since it can cause wicked diarrhea and or constipation. I had a heart attack in 2009, have an aortic arch aneurysm of 4 c.m. CAD high blood pressure ( controlled by meds. & high cholesterol ( controlled by meds & by diet ( ha ha!) I have a specialist for problems from my head to my toes. No one mentions age but I’m almost 79. I retired at 71 & have been sick since then.
My EPI - About 8 mos. I started with liquid diarrhea & was losing weight. Could it be Miralax - lower the dose - continued poop looked greasy- told my GI ( whom I love ). He did the testing and I was diagnosed with severe EPI & put on Creon ( which is 3 pancreatic enzymes. My pancreas doesn’t produce them, especially with fats & protein. If unchecked it can cause malnutrition. It’s quite expensive ( no generic )- $80/ 15 days. He gave me the samples he had. The med comes in like 5 different doses and the higher the dose the more expensive!! Problem is that it screws with my gastroparesis.
I couldn’t figure out why my pancreas is damaged since I never drank any type of wine, beer or alcohol. Both of our parents & grandparents were alcoholics. I googled pancreas damage and found it can be caused by many childhood diseases, meds. & Epstein Barr ( can cause mono- which I never had). Every winter I would have s&s of mono - swollen lymph nodes & fever + no mono but very high Epstein Barr.
The older We get the more things we learn that we wished we had known many years ago
Hope I didn’t bore you with all this info. Wei get back to you on the other thing which you asked me about.
Shaylyn4

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