What help is available for very slow motility?

Seventeen years! OMG, thats too long to suffer . I’ll just share what I know at this point, with the understanding that I am not certain the B12 deficiency was the culprit for my constipation. I’m working under the idea that it is, but….I’m not sure. O

I have no idea how long I was deficient, since it had never been tested to my knowledge. It could have been that way for years. My mom has deficiency too and we apparently do not process it well, so I take sublingual.

It was below 200 when it was tested and I went on injections at that time, for a short time, but didn’t realize that I needed treatment for much longer to replenish the body. My neurologist directed me to take 1000 mcg sublingual daily stating in April this year. It’s thought any excess is processed out of the body and no reason for concern, according to my doctors and all I’ve read about mega doses.

I was perfectly healthy in 2022, except for having gained some weight. My stress level was not nearly what it is now. More stress now. I developed a thrombosed hemorrhoid due to the first couple of weeks of the constipation which is the most painful thing I can recall. Sufficient motivation to get to a gastroenterologist and do anything necessary to avoid that situation again. So, urgent care, primary, gastroenterologist and endocrinologist said Metamucil and Miralax. So I took them daily for about 2 years, except for the breaks where I tried prescribed medication like Linzess and Lubiprostone. They helped only a day or two. Resumed Miralax only for months. If I missed it, I would not go..at all. Then, after the neurologist examined me, reviewed labs, emg, MRI (paresthesia in feet and stinging hands, smell/taste disorder, hair loss), diagnosed B12 deficiency. He explained the damage it can do, some people can’t walk and have permanent damage. It can cause a multitude of symptoms including neurological. He says I should stay on it for the foreseeable future. At some point, we’ll recheck. It may take a year or longer to see much change, though I have seen improvement in just a few months including with my tingling, numbness, smell/taste, etc. . I still am not certain it’s the B12. But, I started feeling motility, so I stopped the Miralax…..normal ensued, then regular. It’s a miracle for me. I have other issues that could be involved too, but I won’t go into that.

I take 300 mg of Magnesium daily with my primary’s ok and have for 2 years. It didn’t help my constipation. I didn’t realize there was any absorption issue with taking it with other meds. Thanks for the tip. I take it at same time as my Crestor! Will need to fix that.

Good luck with finding answers. I hope you find something to help! Don’t give up. I almost did.

Celia16,
Thanx. My B-12 over several years, little supplements, has been 800-1650.
I really hope it continues to be the answer for you.
Magnesium is supposedly helpful for sleep, relaxation of muscles, so you might try it at night. I often take up to 3000mg of magnesium carbonate daily, I don't think it does anything for me. Except I just learned that hyper magnesium can cause your calcium levels to either give false lower levels or actually reduce your calcium, now I don't remember...is this my brain fog rearing its ugly self 😶‍🌫️?
You mentioned that you found out you have absorption problems, would you tell me more about this, in your experience. I have late life, age 49, at diagnosis. So I have almost completely flat damaged villi in small intestines, where a lot of absorption occurs, so I don't absorb well, even after 17 years of GF eating.
You found the one neurologist that gives a 💩, about 💩issues. My ex-neurologist was good for only one thing, Botox for migraines. I have so much pins and needles everywhere, he just said oh, it's normal to have. Well, when your feet lose so much feeling that you fall, cuz your feet can't feel the floor, that's not normal to me.
Yep!! Constipation and hemorrhoids are a very painful mix. I am SO HAPPY THAT YOU found something, so simple, that has made such a huge difference for you. ShelleyW

Fortunately, my neurologist is trying to figure out the cause of my symptoms. He’s awesome. Rheumatologist still ordering tests. Have you been tested for autoimmune?

Celia16
Yep, Celiac disease, primary Sjögren's syndrome-it affects so much more than just dry mouth, drs don't tell us that
It's in my lungs, but the pulmonologist (about the only dr that has been helpful), the progression has slowed way down, Raynauds. I've yet to get seen by an ophthalmologist.
Probably axial spondylitis.
I'm jealous of you 🤪‼️🩵👍in the good way. ShelleyW

I am assuming you are talking about gastroparesis? Slow mobility truthfully I have had it for over 8 years. Constitpation I have had since the age of 14. I have not found anything except for eating two tablespoons of chia seeds a day help me go regularly. I put them in salads, eggs, overnight oatmeal and other foods.