Eat a high-fiber diet. Fiber adds bulk to stool and helps the stool hold fluids. These factors give stool the right shape and weight to move through the colon. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole-grain bread, cereal and rice. Increase dietary fiber slowly to prevent bloating and gas. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 25 to 34 grams of fiber a day depending on recommended daily calories.
I'm guessing you also have long-time constipation, llc69? If so, when did it start, and what else have you tried to treat it, if anything?
Eat a high-fiber diet. Fiber adds bulk to stool and helps the stool hold fluids. These factors give stool the right shape and weight to move through the colon. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole-grain bread, cereal and rice. Increase dietary fiber slowly to prevent bloating and gas. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 25 to 34 grams of fiber a day depending on recommended daily calories.
I'm guessing you also have long-time constipation, llc69? If so, when did it start, and what else have you tried to treat it, if anything?
Thanks but the issue is complex and surgery is the next option so we ere hoping to hear if anyone has been through this.
It is a bit confusing because the word constipation is correct but it alone does not give the whole picture. In other words it is not just a matter of the constipation but the cause and degree of it.
Basically her bowels do not move without the electric stim device and massive help from enemas high colonics and the newest prescription laxatives.
Surgery is the hope so we hope to hear from someone who may have had surgery or heard of a type that will help
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’m currently having this new issue & have an appt with Gastric doc at end of month. I believe thyroid can also cause this. I’m waiting to see. My primary told me to start MiraLAX as it isn’t an issue to use regularly.
I’m currently having this new issue & have an appt with Gastric doc at end of month. I believe thyroid can also cause this. I’m waiting to see. My primary told me to start MiraLAX as it isn’t an issue to use regularly.
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @sunshinebird. Sorry to hear you have this new constipation issue, but happy to hear you have an appointment coming up soon.
Hoping here you can connect with members such as @peggyp2@martyd@heyjoe415 and others who have dealt with constipation.
How is the PEG 3350 (Miralax) your primary recommended working so far?
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @sunshinebird. Sorry to hear you have this new constipation issue, but happy to hear you have an appointment coming up soon.
Hoping here you can connect with members such as @peggyp2@martyd@heyjoe415 and others who have dealt with constipation.
How is the PEG 3350 (Miralax) your primary recommended working so far?
Apparently, you have me mixed up with someone else. My problem is not constipation, per se. My problem is that it takes me 3 hours every morning to have a bowel movement. I have tried pelvic floor, biofeedback, etc. No answers.
I'm ready for a colostomy. No one has any suggestions.
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.
After almost 6 months of constant Bristol Scale #1 BMs, but no constipation, I started drinking non-sugar kefir (available at most supermarkets in dairy section). Kefir has a mother-load of active ingredients not found in yogurt. It only took a few days, but it solved my problem, and I am back to “normal.”
I had a colonoscopy in March to rule out issues, and nothing significant (anatomically) was discovered, so I felt my problem must be coming from my gut flora. While you wait for your office visit, be sure to eat healthy (no to low sugar), and you could try some non-sugar kefir. Good luck. However, my problem did not involved the most common constipation symptom: motility. I was always “regular” but all my stools were hard, small, round pellets. I thought I was morphing into a rabbit.
Apparently, you have me mixed up with someone else. My problem is not constipation, per se. My problem is that it takes me 3 hours every morning to have a bowel movement. I have tried pelvic floor, biofeedback, etc. No answers.
I'm ready for a colostomy. No one has any suggestions.
Hi - sorry for your miserable mornings. Have you been told that you must have a BM every day? I have read that people vary in the frequency of their BMs, and some people naturally go every other day, or even longer. (I have microscopic colitis and before being on Budesonide I was having diarrhea 7-10 x day, miserable. Now I go 1xday, normal BM)
Anyway, what happens if you were to go every other day? Would you be uncomfortable?
A colostomy sounds scary.
Margot
I’m currently having this new issue & have an appt with Gastric doc at end of month. I believe thyroid can also cause this. I’m waiting to see. My primary told me to start MiraLAX as it isn’t an issue to use regularly.
Hi sunshinebird. Yeah I would give Miralax a try. I take it about 3 or 4 times/week before. I go to bed. It's safe to use everyday I believe.
Your Dr will have other ideas I'm sure.
One observation, having dealt with CIC now for years, when results happen, it's over the top. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground. Watery stools or diarrhea can cause dehydration on the days when the steps I take work too well. Please be aware and drink an electrolyte water (Smart Water is what I use) to compensate.
It's very frustrating, that is for certain. All the best to you!
Connect
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Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @llc69. Thanks for the suggestion of what works for you.
This is similar to something Mayo Clinic suggests for treatment of constipation https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354259#:~:text=Eat%20a%20high%2Dfiber%20diet,happen%20with%20increased%20dietary%20fiber:
Eat a high-fiber diet. Fiber adds bulk to stool and helps the stool hold fluids. These factors give stool the right shape and weight to move through the colon. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole-grain bread, cereal and rice. Increase dietary fiber slowly to prevent bloating and gas. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 25 to 34 grams of fiber a day depending on recommended daily calories.
I'm guessing you also have long-time constipation, llc69? If so, when did it start, and what else have you tried to treat it, if anything?
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2 ReactionsI just noticed that after eating cherries, I had good bowel movements.
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2 ReactionsThanks but the issue is complex and surgery is the next option so we ere hoping to hear if anyone has been through this.
It is a bit confusing because the word constipation is correct but it alone does not give the whole picture. In other words it is not just a matter of the constipation but the cause and degree of it.
Basically her bowels do not move without the electric stim device and massive help from enemas high colonics and the newest prescription laxatives.
Surgery is the hope so we hope to hear from someone who may have had surgery or heard of a type that will help
G
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI’m currently having this new issue & have an appt with Gastric doc at end of month. I believe thyroid can also cause this. I’m waiting to see. My primary told me to start MiraLAX as it isn’t an issue to use regularly.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWelcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @sunshinebird. Sorry to hear you have this new constipation issue, but happy to hear you have an appointment coming up soon.
Hoping here you can connect with members such as @peggyp2 @martyd @heyjoe415 and others who have dealt with constipation.
How is the PEG 3350 (Miralax) your primary recommended working so far?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsApparently, you have me mixed up with someone else. My problem is not constipation, per se. My problem is that it takes me 3 hours every morning to have a bowel movement. I have tried pelvic floor, biofeedback, etc. No answers.
I'm ready for a colostomy. No one has any suggestions.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have been to multiple Gastos. My experience: A colonoscopy, an assortment of pills, try this, try this, try this. They have no clue!
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsAfter almost 6 months of constant Bristol Scale #1 BMs, but no constipation, I started drinking non-sugar kefir (available at most supermarkets in dairy section). Kefir has a mother-load of active ingredients not found in yogurt. It only took a few days, but it solved my problem, and I am back to “normal.”
I had a colonoscopy in March to rule out issues, and nothing significant (anatomically) was discovered, so I felt my problem must be coming from my gut flora. While you wait for your office visit, be sure to eat healthy (no to low sugar), and you could try some non-sugar kefir. Good luck. However, my problem did not involved the most common constipation symptom: motility. I was always “regular” but all my stools were hard, small, round pellets. I thought I was morphing into a rabbit.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi - sorry for your miserable mornings. Have you been told that you must have a BM every day? I have read that people vary in the frequency of their BMs, and some people naturally go every other day, or even longer. (I have microscopic colitis and before being on Budesonide I was having diarrhea 7-10 x day, miserable. Now I go 1xday, normal BM)
Anyway, what happens if you were to go every other day? Would you be uncomfortable?
A colostomy sounds scary.
Margot
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi sunshinebird. Yeah I would give Miralax a try. I take it about 3 or 4 times/week before. I go to bed. It's safe to use everyday I believe.
Your Dr will have other ideas I'm sure.
One observation, having dealt with CIC now for years, when results happen, it's over the top. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground. Watery stools or diarrhea can cause dehydration on the days when the steps I take work too well. Please be aware and drink an electrolyte water (Smart Water is what I use) to compensate.
It's very frustrating, that is for certain. All the best to you!
Joe
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction