Severe Constipation

Yes, I use Linzess and drink Smoothe Moves ( Senna tea) every other evening. Doing abdominal massages every morning for 10 minutes has been very helpful for me. It has changed the timing and flow of my BMS, and I feel like I've made progress in the past month by consistently doing this and increasing my water intake. Although it hasn't cured me, it's definitely worth continuing as a part of my routine. Take care!

Hello. I have just been diagnosed with Gastric Paresis and don’t understand it yet. Any insight/ help is much appreciated! Could you please tell me which Magnesium form Mag7 is?

Hello @trippster and welcome to Mayo Connect. We do have several discussion groups on Connect regarding gastroparesis. Here is a link to one of those discussions:
--Recently Diagnosis with Gastroparesis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recently-diagnosed-with-gastroparesis/?
As this is your first post on Connect, please feel free to share, as you are comfortable doing so, a little about how this diagnosis came about. For example, what type of tests were used? Were you given any suggestions for an appropriate eating plan?

I look forward to hearing from you again,

Hello, klk464,
I am so sorry to hear of your severe constipation. I know first-hand how terribly it impacts one's life, and makes you question whether you want to go on. I am almost 73. I have seen 4 gastroenterologists. I have been told my problems are from a "lazy bowel," IBS-C, CIC, SIT, redundant sigmoid, hiatal hernia, pelvic floor disorder, diverticulosus, etc. I take three Senna pills and one Colace at 10:00 am. I wash it down with MiraLAX in 8 oz of warm water. I do the same at 9:00 pm. I have a modest BM around 4:00 pm and a pretty full BM around 6:30 am. The stool is in my rectum and above my sigmoid sphincter. I have to coax it out with my finger and lots of personal lubricant. The Squatty Potty bench helps. The Happy Baby yoga pose helps with gas, plus activated charcoal, simethicone. I gently rebound (bounce) on my trampoline at 10 am for 20 minutes and again at 8pm. I drink approximately 90 oz of water a day. I eat mostly fresh vegetables boiled, very little dairy, soy milk, mashed potatoes, long grain rice, sourdough bread. I use a heating pad for the back pain from the constipation. No pain killers since they slow down my digestion even more. I wish you the very best. I know how terrible constipation can be.

Sir, could you please explain what the initials IBS-C, CIC and SIT are for? It would be helpful for those of us new to this difficult journey. Thank you!

I am so glad I found these threads. I had never heard of Gastric Paresis until I was told last week I possibly have it. For over 3 months I had no appetite, a lot of painful bloating, and pain about 1 hour after eating. I then had my gallbladder removed (2 weeks ago) but lesser pain, bloating and no appetite continues.

Hello, Trippster,

Sorry for all the acronyms. IBS-C is Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Constipation (constipation as predominant feature versus diarrhea). CIC is Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (meaning they don't know what is causing the constipation). SIT is Slow Intestinal Transit, meaning your digestive system is abnormally slow.

I have consulted four gastroenterologists, and other than giving me colonoscopies and endoscopies they have provided no help for my problems. I hope you have much better luck!

Best wishes for good progress!

Hi klk464 @klk464

Disclaimer: This is 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. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and he bet that I would find what worked for me. It's how to keep a longer than normal pipe with consistent moisture…. My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now on.
I tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if taken continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up because it took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Last 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 figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out for a colonoscopy. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once when I get up to pee. I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I like to grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T of carob now since it can help regularity. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up. At least leave them out for a while. Drink lots 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. 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. Interesting it works backwards for some with coffee.
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 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.
I am overjoyed with my regularity but know if I get too stressed, don't drink enough fluid - dehydrated, don't exercise and or eat constipating foods like milk and cheese. I will need my back ups. Thankfully I seldom am irregular now. I have very ample regulars daily.
Good luck, @farmersmith

I posted in the redundant bowel group, but it may be helpful here also.
Several people report improvement starting the day with celery juice, with or without other ingredients (lime, cucumber, pineapple.) Cold-press juicer is needed for this. A well-reported one is NAMA J2 (I haven't bought yet, but many positive reports & a good friend loves hers.)

I have had remarkable success after 9 mos of agony, with 2 different smoothies - a blender or food processor that can accommodate liquids is needed. I'll copy the blends below. The keys are: fresh greens, fresh citrus, a few other seasonal fruits/veggies for nutritional balance. Drink a full 8 oz first in the morning, before the rest of breakfast.

½ c each cranberry juice & coconut milk
handful of spinach
½ pk raspberries (ripe)
slice green pepper
part of a mango (most went bad, so what I could salvage)
½ c coronation grapes
about 1 c peach slices (frozen)
½ lime, juice & pulp
1 orange, juice & pulp
tbsp or so chia seed
½ tbsp inulin
2.
½ c each coconut milk & cranberry juice
few leaves Red Russian Kale
larger handful spinach
1 celery leaf
½ container raspberries
slice each green & orange peppers (larger than first time)
about 1 c peach slices
½ c coronation
a very few bits of pineapple
~ 2” piece of zucchini
½ lime
1 orange
tbsp chia
1.5 tsp inulin

You can add or sub: pineapple, mango, pear, apple, if you like. Lemon can replace lime (I hate lemon).
Use local products, fresh or frozen, as much as possible.
Wash all produce well before using.
You can winter-grow greens under frost covers, in cold frames, or even indoors in large pots (spinach, kale, lettuces, parsley, cilantro) Good quality, no sprays, lower cost, if you can do it.