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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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Oh no problem, it was just working in pleases with limited resources. I am sure most people in the military or civilian contracts had to deal with the same thing. I have often wondered if this did some damage that can't easily be identified; extensive testing did show evidence if coming in contact with unidentifiable viruses. The first time I had serious, ongoing incontinence was after a 2 week job in a remote area where I was hospitalized due to what was thought food poisoning, and then though to be colitis. It persisted to some degree for 8 weeks, and then mostly retreated. However it felt like things were never the same after that.
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1 ReactionThanks for your email razelrosey,
Sounds like you have the right idea for you. Some of my stuff may work when you get a chance to try it or visiting an integrative practitioner could be helpful.
I've added carob to my morning routine. After I have soaked the table spoon each of ground flax, sesame and chia seeds overnight in prune juice the next morning I add a tablespoon of carob powder and stir it well. Carob is chocolate like and helps regularity.
Best of luck and be well,
@farmersmith
Hi, It is possible that with all those viruses you had that they did cause some damage to your pancreas. I never thought much about viruses until I was told everything that could happen . The first time I had pancreatitis I was in shock! How could I have gotten it. I didn’t smoke or drink. I wondered what people would think of me.
That’s the same with liver damage. You don’t need to be a drinker to have a really sick liver. Many different medications can cause liver damage- - like Tylenol. NSAIDs can cause kidney disease and ulcers and bleeding. Nothing is guaranteed to be safe.
Shaylyn 4
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4 ReactionsRight, and different people have such different reactions to chemicals in the environment, just as they do with food allergies and meds. At some point I stopped looking for too many answers, much to the surprise of friends. But after two years of looking for answers to the reason for EPI and alternative treatments, I took a break from reading about it all the time. There is such a rabbit hole of information I can find myself wasting a ton of time yet the only thing I often find at this point is frustration.
With regards to meds, indeed nothing is safe. One doctor simply said "You don't get something for nothing" and I appreciate him being so forthcoming about the side effects, and that the constipation / diarrhea / uncontrollable flatulence.
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2 ReactionsAbout constipation. I have tried almost all the above. I’m now following suggestions from my acupuncturist and functional doctor: drink half my weight in ounces in water, eat clean, mainly organic, avoid processed food and eat the rainbow which has helped me a lot with being more regular, but eating daily 5-6 cups of vegetables per day is helping me to go everyday and feel really clean.
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6 ReactionsIt is available but it is very pricey. I’m on it due to IBS-C. For the first time in years, I am regular! It feels so much better. The first couple of days were rocky but now that I’m used to it, I go like clockwork. If you want to try something until you can get it, try two kiwis a day. It worked for awhile for me then stopped.
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1 ReactionGet your GI Dr to prescribe Linzess.
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1 ReactionCreondave,
WOW‼️ I have not seen this attitude of needing a break from the HARD NEGATIVE work of self research in any of the online forums I've tried. THANX for sharing, I have been in dark rabbit holes of research failure too. I have to take breaks from forums also. I let myself feel very guilty that I can't find the answers. You sharing helps to validate that my feelings are valid and real. Thanx, Shelley
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1 Reactionbb03, I have had Amitiza, Linzess, and Trulance(a cheaper version of Linzess), 10 years ago when I first started using these, it helped a pinch...now they do nothing for me. I hope it works well for you. Shelley
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1 ReactionAnyone ever tried traditional chinese medicine for chronic constipation? Apparently they treat the root cause instead of the symptoms.
https://www.meandqi.com/symptoms/chronic%20constipation
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3 Reactions