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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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Have you tried a saline enema? I suffer with condtiiation very badly from some health issues. I take mirakax everyday. But sometimes if I’m in a bit of pain and haven’t pooped I do an enema. Works for me every time. Good luck to you. Hope you feel better!
Saline enema. Works every time for me. I take mirakax every day as well. Try to stay away from pasta rice potatoes. High fiber bread helps. Lots of fruit and veggies. If you can. But I’m on a very limited diet. So the enema really works for me when I’m blocked up. Good luck!!!!!
Regarding my flatulence and other IBS issues, I have gone on a low Fod diet, and it seems to be helping.
I have rice, so long as it is Japanese rice that they make rice balls with, as there is a cheap market near my house that sells them, and it seems to be OK. Strict on everything else.
I am taking Malox, and have gone up to three cups a day to regulate bowel habits. Currently, I am trying to reduce the dosage to two cups of Malox a day. The water intake is at three liters a day.
My bowel movements are more consistent, and the bloating and stomach pain is mostly gone. My issue of having an unbelievable amount of flatulence has improved, thank God. It was so severe that I had a constant fear of major accidents, not to mention the discomfort. It felt like rocks were moving around my intestines. No fun.
Today I am starting to take Vitamin D3. Hopefully, it will improve my energy in a month or so.
Currently improving, I will have a meeting with the doctor in a few more weeks to discuss other issues.
Thank you all for being so open on this site and sharing info.
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2 ReactionsI love your post, must say I laughed at “blow a carotid artery” because I’ve been there and you’re absolutely right. Well said. I’m not a nurse, I’m a retired social worker and spent most of my career with psychiatrically disabled adults in community mental health where we also provided primary care. I so relate to your comments about doctors failing to see the whole person and thinking critically about ALL of what is going on with a person. I was blessed to work with providers, both psychiatrists and internists, that were able to take the time with patients to provide integrated care for this medically fragile population. Our funding allowed them the “luxury” of time, and I see that as the major failing of our health system in general - the overscheduled providers always have constraints on their time with each patient. I spend a lot of my own time trying to educate myself so I can think critically and pose questions to my providers that take all of me into account. To get good care you truly must have a consumer mentality and think of yourself as your own case manager, like we do for people with disabling conditions who can’t always do it for themselves. At any rate, as a fellow GI challenged individual, I support everything in your post and appreciate your perspective as a medical provider. Thanks!
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1 ReactionI have posted before about my chronic constipation. I am happy to report that I think I have finally found at least part of my problem. I had to go to Urogynacologist. Spelling may be wrong!
They found Rectocele which I am scheduled for surgery to be repaired.
I will follow up after surgery.
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2 ReactionsI too have a rectocele but was told it was stage 2 & not a candidate for surgery. Was also told this surgery does not always last very long. Do you have any more information? I’m 70 & believe I will soon be too old for surgical intervention. Also, I live in Ontario, Canada.
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2 ReactionsTha Dr I saw did not give me a stage ony rectrocele she just suggested surgery. I am so glad to know that my pain can be reduced
I will follow up after surgery. I don't have date yet.
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2 ReactionsI wanted to post update as I have posted multiple times around here about my chronic constipation, improvements and relapses. I had the colonoscopy today and it was normal. So relieved. I do have to wait on the biopsy, but I feel confident.
Of course, this doesn’t help me in my quest to remedy my constipation, but it does relieve me from wondering if something in that area that needs treatment.
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4 ReactionsGreat news!!! Have you tried prescriptions for constipation. My son has severe constipation from long term opioid use for his diseases. He took linzess then mirakax. It helped for a long time. Now he’s on movantik Hope this helps!
Thanks! I tried both. Linzess worked for a couple of days then stopped. I was on daily Miralax for a long time that worked then didn’t. I also tried another prescription med that didn’t work at all. I’m very frustrated and scared.
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