I have a long history of celiac disease and irritable bowel-C in addition to acid reflux. The constipation issue combined with cramping, gas and excessive bloating has become worse over the last 2 1/2 years. The last three months have been difficult in that I seem to be totally dependent on laxatives. Restoralax stopped being effective for me and I switched to senokot (not the best solution).
This week I saw the gastroenterologist. He thought it would be a good idea to try Constella. I did try it (only 2 pills) about 2 years ago, it worked but gave me pain. I had been able to cope reasonably well until mid Jan of this year. Now the 1/2 dose (72mg?) is available so I will fill the script today and give it a go. The gastro. felt no further testing was required since I had a ct colonography three years ago followed by a sigmoidoscopy to remove a nonserious polyp. I also had an endoscopy around that time. My last colonoscopy was 9years ago and he felt it was not necessary to do one now. He weighed me, said my weight was stable and bloodwork good and said, "no red flags"
I totally forgot to ask the doctor about SIBO.
Perhaps it is just the IBS-C with heavy emphasis on the "C".
My only other thought is that in the last two years I have gone from being on no medications to being on three drugs (metoprolol, Prolia and Repatha). My gastrointestinal issues have definitely gotten worse. (terrible upper g.i. pain from the metoprolol which lasted for ten months, and permanent constipation. Is it the medications? Maybe not SIBO. So, that's the whole long story.