Constipation: What helps you?

IBSC is the pits! I’ve had it for at least 50 years and it’s no picnic! The only regime that I have is morales in my morning coffee. Then, I need at least 1hr. on the potty to get relief. This usually works. For me, it’s a “mind game!” My brain wants to control my movements. I also go to an acupuncturist and as corny as it sounds, he gives me some needles for constipation. My protocol is not perfect but I can lead a fairly normal life. Good luck to you!!

Hi,
I have been on linzess, amitiza and now Motegrity. I also see a pelvic floor therapist. I still have overflow diarrhea from constipation and am waiting to see a motility specialist. How did you get your doctor to prescribe both medication for you?

Thank you.
Lisa

My gastroenterologist saw that one alone wasn’t working so he prescribed both. I had an anal manometry in February performed by a colorectal surgeon to test for pelvic floor dysfunction but I don’t have the results yet.

I am a 68 year old female of normal weight, active and w/o new health issues. In January my bowel movements changed overnight; there has been no change in diet or hydration, activity level, meds (only Rx is beta blocker for a PSVT that appeared 3 years ago). I went from having normal looking stools to passing small “stones” (Bristol scale image 1). I went to see gastroenterologist who said, “Let’s start with colonoscopy.” That sounded reasonable as it was almost ten years since the last one which was 100% normal. Well, so was this one. I am almost two weeks past thar test, and my stools went right back to small stones. I poop on a regular time schedule, and there is no-strain to pass the stools. I am scheduling a follow up with the same doctor, but I am curious if any one has lived through this. Probiotics change nothing. Thank you.

I am a 68 year old female of normal weight, active and w/o new health issues. In January my bowel movements changed overnight; there has been no change in diet or hydration, activity level, meds (only Rx is beta blocker for a PSVT that appeared 3 years ago). I went from having normal looking stools to passing small “stones” (Bristol scale image 1). I went to see gastroenterologist who said, “Let’s start with colonoscopy.” That sounded reasonable as it was almost ten years since the last one which was 100% normal. Well, so was this one. I am almost two weeks past thar test, and my stools went right back to small stones. I poop on a regular time schedule, and there is no-strain to pass the stools. I am scheduling a follow up with the same doctor, but I am curious if any one has lived through this. Probiotics change nothing. Thank you.

IBSC is the pits! I’ve had it for at least 50 years and it’s no picnic! The only regime that I have is morales in my morning coffee. Then, I need at least 1hr. on the potty to get relief. This usually works. For me, it’s a “mind game!” My brain wants to control my movements. I also go to an acupuncturist and as corny as it sounds, he gives me some needles for constipation. My protocol is not perfect but I can lead a fairly normal life. Good luck to you!!

Hi Barb,

I sympathize with what you're going through. I'm 70 y/o now, but started to suffer from Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) when I was 68.

I too am very active, in the gym everyday, 5x/week spinning along with resistance training. Weight is normal. Anyway, I meet the "keep moving" part of the advice to deal with CIC. (And CIC is fancy medical jargon for - we have no idea why you are constipated.)

I've tried different approaches, some prescription drugs (Motegrity seems the best, but it is now cost prohibitive and there is not a generic). Now I rely on Dulcolax (bisacodyl) - an OTC stimulant that is not supposed to be used very long, or to only relieve "periodic" constipation. I know I shouldn't be taking it as much as I do, so please don't take this as advice for you. It isn't, just wanted to share my problem with CIC.

I'm sorry I don't have better news. I do take Miralax every night, and eat a diet with a lot of fresh fruit and a lot of fiber.

Please let me know any progress you make. Did your GI Dr have any suggestions? (The good news is the clean colonoscopy.)

All the best my friend. FWIW, you are not alone.

Joe

I am a 68 year old female of normal weight, active and w/o new health issues. In January my bowel movements changed overnight; there has been no change in diet or hydration, activity level, meds (only Rx is beta blocker for a PSVT that appeared 3 years ago). I went from having normal looking stools to passing small “stones” (Bristol scale image 1). I went to see gastroenterologist who said, “Let’s start with colonoscopy.” That sounded reasonable as it was almost ten years since the last one which was 100% normal. Well, so was this one. I am almost two weeks past thar test, and my stools went right back to small stones. I poop on a regular time schedule, and there is no-strain to pass the stools. I am scheduling a follow up with the same doctor, but I am curious if any one has lived through this. Probiotics change nothing. Thank you.

Had a recent test for C Diff, negative thank goodness. However very constipated. Have not gone for about 5 days. Tried every trick in the books, fiber drinks, stool softeners, prune juice, fleet enema and lots of water. No action yet. Any advice? This is unusual for me. I usually move along at a somewhat erratic pace but I do go. But not now.

Jerry, Have you tried binging on some citrus fruit? In one day eat two oranges, two clementines and a grapefruit. Something in the pectin, I think, helped me a long time ago when I was having a constipation problem. I had tried high fiber, prunes, bran, etc. to no avail.