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Replies to "gastroenterologist is no help, he says it's fine to take every day. I'm a healthy 75..."
The C is a mystery for me and there doesn’t seem to be any easy answers. Prescription meds worked a day or two then nothing for me. My next colonoscopy is October 31! Praying things aren’t too bad.
I get good results with Slippery Elm powder. I have only used the one made with the inner bark. It supports the mucosa and provides the "slip" and stool softening I need. It comes in powder form, which I prefer, but will also take it in capsule form. I get nausea from Miralax and Colace irritates (but I take it anyway if backed up when traveling). I have had no problems with the slippery elm inner bark powder. Note there is a less expensive "bark" tea sold; that may work also.
Yes, I have something kinda similar. I'm not on Miralax but Metamucil. I just started going to a functional Dr. You may want to look into that. They do more than treat the symptoms with meds. She says to not use Metamucil or Miralax.
They do labs to find out what is going on, what nutrients you are lacking etc. The gut is the main engine running everything. Mine is messed up. They figure out basically how your body can heal itself with the help of diet and supplements. Medical doctors do not like them because they say there is no proof. This is what they are taught. There are actually many studies - 3rd party studies. But yes supplements are big business as my primary Dr. states. (Like big pharma isn't)? I'm getting an EGD and HIDA scan. I already had an abdominal ultrasound. It showed some gallstones, but I guess nothing they think would cause my pains. And also a small spot on my liver. The EGD should be more thorough. The HIDA is more for gallstones specifically.
I feel like I can't eat much of anything. The FODMAP diet is recommended to help figure out what foods to avoid. But at the same time, eventually, this can be reversed. Going to an allergist to see if I am allergic to some foods is recommended also.
So far it is helping for me to go gluten free (my mom is also gluten sensitive). Also, no dairy, and no sugar. That's a lot to take out, and a challenge. I seem to have the same issues as my mom, so I'm using that info. I do have IBS and diverticulitis. But these are newer pains. Trying to heal, and not just throw meds at it.
Probiotics the live kind that you buy at a health food store. And if you can eat yogurt I would eat that also. Miralax is my life saver. I don’t care if I have to take it every day for the rest of my life. I’ve been constipated since birth. Good luck. The probiotics will regulate your gut.
I have been using HEAVY dosage (3 capfuls) of Miralax for about 6-7 years now. The reason I use so much is to avoid having to push at all. I am easily prone to hemorrhoids and do not want to ever have to have a surgery to correct such issues. The result of the heavy dosage basically leads to frequent bowl movements and always diarrhea. Over the past year my sodium levels in my body are extremely low, which can lead to various other issues in the body. I read that heavy use of Miralax could be the problem for low sodium. So, I am trying to wean off of the Miralax. It is not an easy task. I plan on visiting my GP for recommendations, but thought I would try here. After reading multiple stories of those who are trying to do the same, I am not sure where to start! I am going to try by gradually decreasing my dosage, but I am afraid of constipation which I have always suffered from in the past. Have any of you had great success in reaching the goal of easy weaning process from Miralax?
sounds like you told my story
Maybe this will be helpful? It sure has worked for me for at least the last year.
Disclaimer: Only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too.
I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient, He bet that I would find something that worked for me. Goal: how to keep a longer than normal pipe consistently moist…. My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now on.
I tried laxatives - not consistent + side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if taken continuously. I liked a response of a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up. It took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Dec 2023 the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He went through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. He showed me the redundancy. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up, at least as a test. OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once in the night (important to keep colon moisture consistent). I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T or two of carob now since it can help regularity. Take all in the morning. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boy scouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Have heard kiwi's are good but haven't tried them. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month. I depend on this for daily REGULARITY first "chore" each morning. I am an early riser and when off the farm I don't want to wonder if I will have REGULARITY.
Check out helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these help prevent constipation. I have to watch my calcium supplement intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
Oh and letting stress go is important too. I know how scary it can be. Golly it seems there is no hope for relief but it is worth looking at diet and trying lifestyle changes that can help. Good luck, @farmersmith
I have had multiple tests (catscans, ultrasounds, blood tests. stool tests, etc) over the past 2.5 years for what feels like chronic appendicitis/diarrhea) that comes every 1,2. or 3 days at a pain level of a "10". Everything tests so far as normal. The only thing that helps the pain is sunshine (like San Antonio weather in June). Experienced this on vacation where the pain went down to a "6". Last week I was put on Metagenics vitamin D recently (5000 IU) by my Dr. For four days I have not had the pain in my appendix/small intestine area- a small miracle. I am a 67 year old female living in the Buffalo, NY where with summers are short and bright sunshine is rare-especially this year. Posting this in the hope that if it helps even one person- to look into their Vitamin D status.
For a few years I had to rely on daily Miralax to prevent constipation. Then I started taking Magnesium Glycinate as a supplement to help relax for better sleep. It cured my constipation issues. About 2 hrs before bed, I take 250mg of magnesium glycinate. It's lower than the recommended daily dose for women, but if I take more than that, things are too loose. It's worth a try.
You got it right. The Mediterranean diet, exercising daily (45 min on the treadmill), Colace twice daily, water, Myralax have helped me greatly. I take flaxseed now and then , not daily. All of it has been helping me a lot thank God. My problem with hemorrhoids was taking care by my GI in his office (rubber band) and it was painless. I have stuck to all of these strategies to get better. Not all patients are the same but it has worked good for me. Stay healthy. Thanks.