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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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I’ve tried acupuncture, which helped me feel better, but I’m not sure if I’d say it was highly effective. I think if I can/could have continued more sessions, it could have been better. There are also a few different approaches and it took some trial and error to for example determine I felt best when we focused on calming my central nervous system and stress response (to your point about identifying root cause).
I have not tried herbs, which seems like what you may be getting at, because I’m sensitive to medications and prefer focusing on more evidence-based data when I’m putting something in my body to consume (I’m just nervous about supplements because it’s hard to know what you’re getting and where it’s from).
But, I do agree and have gotten benefit from more natural herbs and supplements. I’m trying a supplement with Pro-digest in it now to see if it’ll help me. It has ginger extract and artichoke extract which has been shown to help some with IBS and FD. I’ve had positive experience with Iberogast and IBGard, but constipation is still a struggle.
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1 ReactionYes, I was mainly referring to the herbs. I found only 2 available online. Looks like you generally have to see a Dr. that specializes in TCM and get them thru the Dr. There are quite a few TCM clinics in my area and I'm considering a consultation. After all, these remedies have been around for thousands of years. Tired of hearing what laxative or fiber supplement to take from my Dr. I've tried most of them with not much luck. Thanks for the reply.
Coincidentally, I was looking into this too… I had found a list in a paper somewhere, but I can’t find what I did with it. But like you, I couldn’t locate the named herbs and combinations online very well either.
Sounds like you have a lot of TCM practitioners in your area, and they’d be a good resource. Many acupuncturists also have experience with herbs, but my doctor and I had told her we weren’t comfortable with that just yet.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy might also be something to look into if you haven’t yet, as it’s also meant to address one possible root cause (the brain/gut connection).
Good luck and hope you let us know how it goes or maybe there will be other replies.
doors4ever,
I have used acupuncture for body pain, not much help for me. My hubby is having great success with it for pain.
I have had CIC💩💩for 17 long painful years. If you find something that works, PLEASE SHARE , with all of us that are quite literally full of 💩 ShelleyW
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2 ReactionsI was looking at herbal remedies used for thousands of years in China. Will gladly share anything useful that I find.
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3 ReactionsA very interesting question. I have read the research on it and would be interested to hear how you go. I have used acupuncture before (to give up smoking 24 years ago) but it didn’t work and I needed strong medication and quit for good. I am also careful about ingesting supplements.
It would seem the best route is to find a very good TCM practitioner to start with. (The problem seems to be that TCM studies have been poor quality so have not been much help in assessing effectiveness).
Please do let us know how you go.
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know
Will do.
Thanks
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1 ReactionThank you, I would like that too! CC for 32yrs.
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1 ReactionHi
I’ve had 5 acupuncture treatments so far. My acupuncturist said to expect about 10 sessions before I would see any major change.
I’m going weekly right now !
I have both methane and hydrogen SIBO.
What’s TCM?