Severe Constipation

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.

Hi klk464 @klk464,

"Beets" of luck working with natural stuff. It takes a while to figure out what works best and since we're unique what works for one person may not work for you. I am willing to bet, like me you can't just figure "oh a good day or two of regularity and I am good to go." It could be for the rest of our lives we have to observe and work our system just for us. So glad for my back ups coffee and Smooth Move. After rich Thanksgiving eating regularity was stilled so I took some coffee, other times I take a bit of Smooth Move. Warm to hot water first thing in the morning is a must for me too along with the assortment I shared. @4free looks great but for me I can't take the sugars in so much fruit. Still I may try some for variety and of course being a farmer I am grow and eat a lot of produce.
Again beets to yew,
@farmersmith

Are you still on Mayo, reach out please I suffer severe colon motility.

I also have slow motility but was also diagnosed with pelvic floor dyssenergia which is a huge factor in constipation. Have you had an anorectol mammography test?

Hi.. I suffer terribly with colon motility issues. Would love to hear what you are doing to manage. I am taking Motegrity , magnesium and MiraLAX and just completed 3 months of pelvic floor therapy with biofeedback and still having problems. Waiting to see a motility specialist. Thank you

Hi, I have done everything you have and so much more. I’ve even gone on trial run with IBSRELA the last drug to hit the market and it didn’t work.
My situation is quite unique. I had a very long surgery in June 2020 on my cervical spine and after that my bowels never woke up. I went through two years of testing in Boston and the conclusion remove my entire colon because a partial removal with motility disorder won’t work.
I actually was scheduled twice and two weeks before both, I canceled. I was terrified. Now almost 5 years later, I’m 70. I’m running out of time and both my PCP and Gastro want to have Mayo look at me.
I take 25-30 laxatives nightly. My am routine is a suppository followed by an enema. My doctors are completely aware. They are concerned push will come to shove and what then. I moved to Georgia and I probably wouldn’t make the one hour drive to the best hospital if I needed emergency surgery.
I did everything from what felt like 100 tests in two years to every medication. Even off label meds that cause diarrhea as a side effect and still nothing. Every 10-14 days my gastrointestinal orders a colonoscopy cleanse but no colonoscopy. I do this to clean out.
I work with a dietitian for food. I also developed gastroparesis. I don’t know if surgery is what I need to do or just keep pushing this as long as I can. It’s becoming harder and harder.

Yes, I’ve had two years of every test you can think of. I failed everything. Went to pelvic PT for two years, visceral message, acupuncture and more.
I had all this in Boston and after two years they wanted to remove my colon. It’s been 5 years since it began due to cervical spine surgery. My bowels never woke up.
Yes, I’ve done every med possible. Both my pcp and Gastro think I should have them get together with notes and get me into Mayo. I’m 70 now and my regimen is quite severe on a daily basis and they think I need to get another opinion.

My symptoms is when I have more meat or cheese with no vegetables can make me constipation, I try to stay die with less meat or spicy food and eat the veggies that help me a lot, the best one are Beets, Broccoli, okra , carrots I am eating everyday, it helps me feels great.

Oh my… it sounds like you are a warrior and have been so brave trying to get yourself well. The decision to have surgery must be so difficult given what’s happened to you after your previous surgery. I feel for you. I am close to your age and this is not how I planned to spend my retirement after working my whole life. There is a virtual support group once I attend here in MA but it’s open to anyone with a motility disorder. It’s small and couple of members also have gastroparesis. If you want information I can forward it to you. Thank you for sharing your story with me. I am hoping someone finds an answer for us. I am also in the Boston area.