Problem with Chronic constipation

Traditional Chinese Medecine. Dates back thousands of years. Relies mainly on herbs and repairs the root cause of the problem. Usually have to find a TCM clinic and work with a TCM Dr.

I was told by a highly regarded acupuncturist that acupuncture has very little effect on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and since constipation is a common symptom of IBS, I didn't pursue acupuncture any further than the 2 appointments I had. (The acupuncturist said if I hadn't started feeling better by the 2nd appointment, there was no point in continuing.)

Has anyone here had excessive flatulence? Mine has flared up recently to an extreme degree. I am returning to see my GP and a Gastro specialist this week. Previously the Creon and Gas-X kept it manageable, but it has returned with a vengeance. It came on suddenly, and has not retreated.

Creondave,
I like to use activated charcoal with plenty of water to push it through my gut.
Also, I don't know the exact name, but I call it the doggie pose: get on hands and knees, lower your head and 1. Rock back and forth 2. Same position but lower the whole body, arms outstretched. How can gas/air be so painful?? ShelleyW

Baking soda in water or magnesium citrate in water. You will go within hours.

I’ll be following what your doctor advises since I seem to be having the same issue. Was doing fine with Miralax and Metamucil for almost a year, and suddenly the flatulence came on with no change in diet or lifestyle. It’s frustrating.

@xnkpr1 try Beano for flatulence. Two tablets before eating.

I have struggled with CC for many years due to an unusually long (redundant) colon discovered on colonoscopy. It’s even worse now that I have to take pain meds daily. I have not tried any Chinese remedies but will share what has worked best for me. I mix 3/4 generic Miralax with 1/4 generic Metamucil and take it daily. There’s also a tea at grocery stores called Smooth Move that tastes good and works! I love the cute name!

That's really interesting that your acupuncturist said that because my acupuncturist has always said that it can take at least a few weeks to notice a change because it can take time to re-balance your energy, as in 6-8 weeks, not just a few sessions. This sounded fair to me, but I suppose there can be different approaches.

My doctor shared with me studies that have captured clinically significant improvement in response to acupuncture. There seems to be less research on the herbs the original poster was referencing. It's notoriously difficult to capture "high quality" clinical trials for integrative treatments since it's hard to to do "sham acupuncture," so I'm comfortable with the risk, because even if it might not work, it's unlikely to harm me. I'm more comfortable with the risk that something might not work as long as it's unlikely to harm me (like acupuncture), as opposed to trying a medication or other intervention that might be more likely to make me feel worse. But that's a "me" thing. I have functional dyspepsia and a condition called abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia. Both can occur with constipation. There aren't many great options for treatment and the non-prescription treatments that are out there are difficult to access =/.

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but it's good that you tried.

mikaylar,
Oh, how I long for the days when these worked for me. The mag citrate, 2 bottles, will move some 💩💩 but it is SO explosive that it can cause more damage and bleeding to my lovely hemorrhoids
ShelleyW