1. < Digestive Health
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Problem with Chronic constipation

Posted by bb03 @bb03, Feb 1, 2021

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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researchmaven | @researchmaven | Nov 7, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

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@caw27. I am glad Dr. Schultz's Intestinal Formula #1 works for you. I am squarely in the low to zero FODMAP camp, but others who are not will like knowing of this product. Thanks!

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 8, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

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Jumping in here with a quick comment. In discussion with a fellow patient who also deals with multiple myeloma like I do, we are on medications that can cause constipation and/or diarrhea based on when they are taken in a calendar cycle for different things.

As my friend commented, she uses applesauce to control both the constipation and diarrhea concerns. Her husband makes homemade applesauce every week, and she supplements that with a good quality store-bought brand. I have been following her ideas, and found it works for me, too! In the mornings, Greek yogurt and a quarter cup of applesauce does the trick to help keep my gut happy. Guess there is something to that old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!"
Ginger

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1 reply
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farmersmith | @farmersmith | Nov 9, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

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Dear all,

So glad to hear the different natural ways to be regular. Thanks for sharing, @farmersmith

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diver126 | @diver126 | Nov 9, 2024
In reply to @gingerw "Jumping in here with a quick comment. In discussion with a fellow patient who also deals..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw

Jumping in here with a quick comment. In discussion with a fellow patient who also deals with multiple myeloma like I do, we are on medications that can cause constipation and/or diarrhea based on when they are taken in a calendar cycle for different things.

As my friend commented, she uses applesauce to control both the constipation and diarrhea concerns. Her husband makes homemade applesauce every week, and she supplements that with a good quality store-bought brand. I have been following her ideas, and found it works for me, too! In the mornings, Greek yogurt and a quarter cup of applesauce does the trick to help keep my gut happy. Guess there is something to that old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!"
Ginger

Jump to this post

Apples are great. I’ve also found high quality extra Virgin olive oil added to meals and even coffee help a lot. I also take a small shot glass at bedtime from time to time if I’ve skipped my fiber. Helps with digestion and regular movements.

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babswel1 | @babswel1 | Nov 10, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

Jump to this post

You might have an esophagus problem as well. Thus is what can cause constipation, I hv been to Mayo and another specialist. This is what I have. A lower esophagus which does not contract well. Food backs up and causes problems including constipation.
Both GIs told me to avoid meat as difficult to digest.
I drink tons of water, Senacot (2) and Colace at night. I am eating small meals as well. Lots of veggies.
I hope you find a good GI doctor soon.
Best wishes for a recovery.

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patriciaannmelt1 | @patriciaannmelt1 | Dec 13, 2024
In reply to @boxertc "For as long as Ican remember I have always had a constipation problem. Anyone out there..." + (show)
Profile picture for boxertc @boxertc

For as long as Ican remember I have always had a constipation problem. Anyone out there who can relate to this??

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My whole life…Linzess not working Lactulose not working miralax not working. I’m so tired of taking something every single day. Bowel is sluggish til I have to take a stimulant to move things along. First bet rich foods don’t help either. Help

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1 reply
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littlejohn | @littlejohn | Dec 13, 2024
In reply to @anna17xox "I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December..." + (show)
Profile picture for anna17X0X @anna17xox

I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December so it's been 4 months. I am always gassy and the smell has been very foul so I've been scared and embarrassed to be around people lately because of how bad it smells, when I've tried to poop only gas comes out most of the time, sometimes my stomach feels stiff and I start to feel lethargic. And I've tried almost everything digestive drinks like meta Mucil, eating more fiber i live an active lifestyle and I drink plenty of fluids and water. I recently had an appointment with my pediatrician about this she made me do colon cleansing for a day . And take Miralax for a minimum of 3 weeks. My stools were watery during the cleansing but after a couple days it feels like my stool is going back to being hard and stubborn. I still don't poop completely sometimes and I'm still gassy but it's not smelly like it was before. She said I can stop taking Miralax when i feel like my stools are going back to normal after a few days or weeks and it's been a week or two and a few days. I know I still need to wait one more week but my follow-up appointment is next Wednesday. The Miralax seems like a temporary fix, I feel like it'' never go away the worst part is I cant figure out what the cause is. I don't think it's IBS because I heard IBS involves bloody stools and stomach cramps I don't have bloody stools and I don't think I get stomach cramps . It just feels like have some other serious digestive problem or something I don't really know. I don't want to be constipated for the rest of my life I feel miserable, my pediatrician said if the Miralax doesn't work as intended I may have to see a gastroenterologists.Has anyone or is anyone dealing with chronic constipation ?,does it or did it ever go away ? and has anyone been experiencing the same symptoms as me ?.Do you have any recommendations on how they treat their constipation ?

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Just started motegrity 2mg and is starting to work unlike trulance or the linzess doesn't add more fluid to the intestines works by making contractions its made a little difference

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2 replies
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celia16 | @celia16 | Dec 13, 2024
In reply to @littlejohn "Just started motegrity 2mg and is starting to work unlike trulance or the linzess doesn't add..." + (show)
Profile picture for littlejohn @littlejohn

Just started motegrity 2mg and is starting to work unlike trulance or the linzess doesn't add more fluid to the intestines works by making contractions its made a little difference

Jump to this post

That’s what I need. Well….what I need sometimes. I fluctuate a lot. Last week I was taking Miralax, but his week I haven’t taken any and have gone multiple time a day! But, it won’t last long.

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patriciaannmelt1 | @patriciaannmelt1 | Dec 13, 2024
In reply to @littlejohn "Just started motegrity 2mg and is starting to work unlike trulance or the linzess doesn't add..." + (show)
Profile picture for littlejohn @littlejohn

Just started motegrity 2mg and is starting to work unlike trulance or the linzess doesn't add more fluid to the intestines works by making contractions its made a little difference

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Is it still working for you? I haven’t heard about that drug..

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bkatz43 | @bkatz43 | Dec 14, 2024
In reply to @patriciaannmelt1 "My whole life…Linzess not working Lactulose not working miralax not working. I’m so tired of taking..." + (show)
Profile picture for patriciaannmelt1 @patriciaannmelt1

My whole life…Linzess not working Lactulose not working miralax not working. I’m so tired of taking something every single day. Bowel is sluggish til I have to take a stimulant to move things along. First bet rich foods don’t help either. Help

Jump to this post

I am with you. Absolutely none of the "popular " Rx's for constipation work correctly for me. Only can barely handle 1 colace/day. Not cutting it. Certainly not with gastroparesis!

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