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Problem with Chronic constipation
I have a history of hypothyroidism, severe endometriosis/treatment was a hysterectomy 17 years ago.I also have a hx of IBS. My thyroid hormone levels are stable. I eat like a rabbit(I poop like one too, LOL!!!!!!). I eat a large amount of fiber and drink almost every hour(nonalcholic).ONly prescription drugs I take are armour thyroid and my estrogen/prosterone troche. I make a coconut bread and I add psyllium husks,flax seed and chia seed to it. I eat it practically every am. I also eat a spinach salad for lunch daily with nuts and yogurt and eat a lean meat and veggie and more coconut bread at night. I do one cheat meal with a cheat dessert once per week. I am relatively active for my age of 60. I've been to a gastroenterologist and we have tried Linzess which didn't help at all. I take miralax, and a Super Cleanse tab one per day which has herbs to soften the stool and to stimulate the bowel and It barely works. I am at a loss. I have not tried Montegrity yet. I don't know if it will be helpful and the side effects scare me. I had a CT of my abdomen and it was ok, no obstructions. The gastroenterologist that I go to practically accused me of abusing laxatives. I would be impacted if I didnt use the miralax and the Super Cleanse. Diet/water and activity do not help. I had diarrhea from my late teens to the age of 36 when my intestines out of the blue just shut down completely. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I was put on Synthroid but the constipation didn't go away. So if there is any gastroenterologist out there that can help me, please let me know.I feel defeated and worry about my health.
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@h8bigbiz I missed the title of the book and how to find the podcast. Could someone repeat those please?
@cezanne Like you, I did wonder about some of her recommendations, but learned many things about how our lowest gut works…
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1 Reaction@cezanne The title is: You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy by Trisha Pasricha, MD, MPH
I gave it a lukewarm review here because I had already educated myself on some of the things she points out; a good book though for those who haven't. At least it's more hopeful than an article I read a few months back by a famous gastroenterologist--don't remember his name, sorry--who said as best I can remember:
"Look a lot of people aren't going to want to hear this" [he was right, I didn't at first] "but all of our latest research has led us to the realization that some poor people are just born with terrible digestive tracts about which not a darn thing can be done other than they should only eat very small amounts (2 or 3 bites) of food at a time and wait several hours before trying to eat anything else."
That's depressing but on the other hand, it was kind of a relief: all my life with this embarrassing problem all I've heard is that it's my fault. (Even though I was born with it and so was my mother and her mother.) "You're not eating right." "You're not eating enough fiber." "You're not drinking enough water." "You're drinking water at the wrong times." "You should exercise more." "You should take supplements." "You, you, you"! At least this guy realizes that it's not always our fault, that a lot of us have tried everything under the sun.
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5 Reactions@h8bigbiz some of us might be interested in the application for alpha-galact.
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1 Reaction@lauracbaker Not sure what you mean by "the application for alpha-galact."? I tried it by buying Beano--there are other brands of it--tried 2 bottles of it but it didn't work for me. I've heard it does work for some, though.
I got lost in the comments. What problem does the alpha-g treat?
@lauracbaker From the Beano--one brand--advertisement: "Digestive enzyme, preventative gas relief for adults."
CHIA SEEDS...You're not going to believe this, but Hallelujah!
After trying EVERYTHING under the sun discussed in here (medical/natural) - even the latest prune juice regimen was not what I had hoped - there was a suggestion about chia seeds. WOW, it worked! My stools seem to be more normal than ever in a very LONG time, and it does not aggravate my diverticulosis.
I soak about 2 TBS in kefir - the liquid yogurt - overnight (you can use water or milk, etc) for them to absorb into tiny pearls. I drank only a small cup and it seems to grab onto any stubbornness in my gut and viola, things start "moving along" as they should - no pushing, soreness or mess.
I have only tried this a few times now, but a HUGE THANKS to the poster in here who mentioned this idea. BJ's has a 2lb bag for less than $10 (much cheaper than Target, etc.), which will last for a long time.
Those who have been without hope forever, like me, try it as a last resort. I do not want to jinx it, as this is a pretty recent "miracle cure" for me, but I will keep gauging its success for now, and mention it to both my gastrologist and proctologist when I see them in a few weeks.
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4 ReactionsDanilo,
I find they go down much easier in OJ.
Tadueo
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2 Reactions@tadueo Cool...I'll have to try that. I just like the extra diverse range of probiotics kefir offers, but it is a bit thicker.