I too have had chronic constipation for most of my 77 years. Trialling Constella which is not yet readily available in Australia. It has to be imported from Canada and made into capsules by a compounding pharmacist at a cost of $AU300 p/m. I’ve been on it one month and find it preferable to taking 4-6 Ducolax p/n plus 34x2 mg of Osmolax before bed and again before breakfast. A massive amount of ‘draino’ as I call it, which most days gives me a good clean out. My gastroenterologist said to do whatever it takes to keep it moving, otherwise I get an impacted bowel necessitating a ‘pump out’ under anaesthetic. Constella does not work for me on its own, I add 2-4 Ducolax at night and one Constella before breakfast. This regimen has been quite successful although sometimes hit and miss. And much more preferable to the vast quantities of draino. However, I do experience a little pain occasionally, though less bloating than previously. I eat a very healthy diet, and exercise daily. Like some I have ‘a long and tortured’ bowel, and a lot of adhesions from too much abdominal surgery. I hate the fact that my bowel is constantly front and centre of my mind, so I took up meditation some years ago. Most helpful. Of course anxiety feeds constipation, and I have C-PTSD.
I’m interested to hear others’ experiences with Constella. My gastroenterologist is tracking my reactions in the hope that, if successful, it will be supplied by the hospital at a much reduced cost. And perhaps the Australian TGA will consider making readily available on prescription.