Problem with Chronic constipation

I'm glad I am not alone. I have had the constipation issue for almost 3 years now. The past 6 months have been the worst. I am basically living on shakes and pureed foods. I have seen 4 different Drs and they have done countless tests and scans. I thought I was the only one with this problem. It is not a positive to have this issue but it is a relief to know I am not the only one dealing with the struggle.

Sorry to hear of your problem.
I'm 92 and have had problems with my lower Gi for the past 5 years. I still get by with a cap of in 4 0zs. of warm PJ on arising but can tell I'm heading toward the baby food and shakes as my digestive is definitely slowing down. When I have a problem I take 30 ML of Cherry flavored, Walgreens Milk of mag before bed. Usually works in an hour or two. Or not.
Doctors tell me I have an "elongated" colon and that's why I have a problem.
Yeah, And pigs fly south with the birds.

I also have had "C" stage CHF for the last 5 years .
Statistics say after 5 years you're 50% dead and after 10 you're 86% dead.
Which 14% is alive after 10 years is what I want to know?

Tadueo

I said the nearly the same words today as I left the house, throwing care to the wind, wanting to go to church!

I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your dog Barb.

And as for CIC, it's treated differently by different people. I've had it for years. I'm taking Motegrity now, along with Dulcolax (I take too much Dulcolax and do not recommend it) and get relief about every third day.

It's all or nothing for me. Frustrating and I wish I had an answer,

Joe

Get the Triphala with cabbage rose please which nullifies any of the negative effects of the triphala over time. https://maharishiayurvedaindia.com/blogs/wellness-need/triphala-for-constipation

Hi bb03 @bb03, Feb 1, 2021

I prefer no laxatives (they all say for occasional use which is an alert to me), instead I prefer adjusting lifestyle, supplements and organic food. Because I have a redundant (longer than average) colon and lifetime of constipation issues (73yrs old) I've learned the following for me:
- Not all fiber, food or laxatives work for everyone (psyllium and milk can both clog me)
- I watch oxalate in my food because nuts, rhubarb and sesame seeds, which aid regularity have high amounts which can contribute to backache from oxalic acid build up in kidney. Spinach and coconut are also high. Flax has low oxalate. Best to grind chia and flax and soak overnight
- Activity is paramount - great you keep it up
- Yogurt helps counter the oxalic acid
- I need to drink more than the average amount of water suggested
- I use big gulps of coffee or Smooth Move for emergency need for regularity
- Stress and not enough water = less than optimal regularity for me
- Your feelings of defeat and worry about your health, I know well = less than optimal regularity
- DO NOT GIVE UP - I AM FREE AND HAVE VERY AMPLE REGULARITY FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS
Check out the following:
- 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. If not enough water = constipation. Balancing minerals important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium bring water into the colon. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
What I do for me:
- Ample water throughout the day
- Ground (designated coffee grinder) and stir and soak overnight to eat morning and night: chia 1 part to flax seed 3 part (one to four T each) + 1 part carob (works for constipation or diarrhea + goat kefir or yogurt and prune juice + some water for slightly watery mix; place in refrig
- Eat foods that relieve constipation, avoid those that constipate
- Before bed I take 3 OptiMag XYMOGEN and Potassium and in the middle of the night I take one each again and a pinch of Real sea salt (electrolytes)
- Relax and in the morning along with the ground seeds drink a quart of warm water (build up to it) Boy scout suggestion
- add "gulp" coffee or that evening take Smooth Move for a back up - I only need these when I am dehydrated or stressed with worry a few times a month.

DON'T GIVE UP,
GOOD LUCK AND BEST TO YOU, @farmersmith

I totally understand you and your symptoms. Ditto for me, completely. I will not go to any more docs and have not since last year. I can research & experiment on my own. I do what I think best, and just accept the consequences. Eventually it comes out, but indeed it is a painful journey!

Best to you!

If I take Miralax or a pill to stimulate bowel movement for a long period of time, will it cause damage to my digestive tract?

Hi , @456 - here is some Mayo Clinic online information about polyethylene glycol 3350, oral route (Miralax), including side effect information like you were asking about:

- Polyethylene glycol 3350 (oral route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/polyethylene-glycol-3350-oral-route/description/drg-20523233

Thank you! We totally agree with each other ! I spend so much time on the computer looking for answers that it's dumb to seek help from doctors any more who know less than I do.