1. < Digestive Health
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Problem with Chronic constipation

Posted by bb03 @bb03, Feb 1, 2021

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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Profile picture for h8bigbiz
h8bigbiz | @h8bigbiz | Apr 16 7:33pm

I wonder if there are any other kind of seeds that would work? I'm allergic to chia since they're part of the Mint family.

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berekann | @berekann | Apr 17 7:36am
In reply to @danilo1m "CHIA SEEDS...You're not going to believe this, but Hallelujah! After trying EVERYTHING under the sun discussed..." + (show)
Profile picture for danilo1m @danilo1m

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.

Jump to this post

@danilo1m glad they helped you! My doctor said to take a small amount twice a day, but once works fine for me. Traveling for a few days, so not using until I’m back home & I can tell the difference.

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danilo1m | @danilo1m | 1 day ago

I also tried everything: Benfiber, Metamusil, prune juice, stool softener, Prucalapride (not a cheat prescription), etc, and nothing worked. My stools are hard and I have to force it by pushing my bladder to completely empthy my urine, which in turn aggravates my anus. In the past I had to have 4 hemmoroids banded. When I do finally have a bowel movement with much discomfort, I feel as if I lost a few pounds since so much is compacted up there.

BUT I did try chia seeds (big bag cheaper at BJs) someone in here suggested, and mixed 2-3 tablespoons in Kefrir yougurt drink over night to swell into tiny pearls, and it worked wonders (at first). My gastro Dr was very pleased and said kiwi also helps. BUT NOW it stopped working and I am back to the same symptoms as before. Had a proctologist probe, pelvic MRI, Sitzmark pill, and everything came back normal! Even the pelvic PT did not work. I am at a loss as this really affexcts my daily health.

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tadueo | @tadueo | 21 hours ago

I'm 93 and have tried all the usual treatments. While my condition isn't as severe as yours I'll tell you what ended up working for me.
First thing in the morning before I eat anything else I take a "Natures Bounty Probiotic" pill and a paper cup of
"Yoplait Yogurt".
This combination seems to keep my stomach digesting all the time and I have daily, medium strain BM's.

As an emergency backstop I take 40ml of "Cherry Flavored Walgreen's Milk of Mag" in 4 ozs. of warm PJ before
going to bed at night.
Good luck with it.
Tadueo

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danilo1m | @danilo1m | 19 hours ago

Thanks.
Yes, I also tried a probiotic and MOM, which shouldn't be relied on for the long term. Seems the Milk does not activate in a few hours for me, or even a day later! Maybe I need to add the warm water? I also forgot to add that I tried Miralex and both olive and mineral oils. It is very frustrating not to have normal bowel movements.

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danilo1m | @danilo1m | 4 hours ago
In reply to @h8bigbiz "I wonder if there are any other kind of seeds that would work? I'm allergic to..." + (show)
Profile picture for h8bigbiz @h8bigbiz

I wonder if there are any other kind of seeds that would work? I'm allergic to chia since they're part of the Mint family.

Jump to this post

@h8bigbiz My doctor says also kiwi.

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Profile picture for danilo1m
danilo1m | @danilo1m | 4 hours ago
In reply to @danilo1m "I also tried everything: Benfiber, Metamusil, prune juice, stool softener, Prucalapride (not a cheat prescription), etc,..." + (show)
Profile picture for danilo1m @danilo1m

I also tried everything: Benfiber, Metamusil, prune juice, stool softener, Prucalapride (not a cheat prescription), etc, and nothing worked. My stools are hard and I have to force it by pushing my bladder to completely empthy my urine, which in turn aggravates my anus. In the past I had to have 4 hemmoroids banded. When I do finally have a bowel movement with much discomfort, I feel as if I lost a few pounds since so much is compacted up there.

BUT I did try chia seeds (big bag cheaper at BJs) someone in here suggested, and mixed 2-3 tablespoons in Kefrir yougurt drink over night to swell into tiny pearls, and it worked wonders (at first). My gastro Dr was very pleased and said kiwi also helps. BUT NOW it stopped working and I am back to the same symptoms as before. Had a proctologist probe, pelvic MRI, Sitzmark pill, and everything came back normal! Even the pelvic PT did not work. I am at a loss as this really affexcts my daily health.

Jump to this post

@danilo1m Update - the chia seeds worked well at first, but now seem to have lost their effectiveness.

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1 reply
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tadueo | @tadueo | 2 hours ago

I had the same experience with them.
Tadueo

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tadueo | @tadueo | 2 hours ago
In reply to @danilo1m "@danilo1m Update - the chia seeds worked well at first, but now seem to have lost..." + (show)
Profile picture for danilo1m @danilo1m

@danilo1m Update - the chia seeds worked well at first, but now seem to have lost their effectiveness.

Jump to this post

I recommended Walgreen's Cherry Flavored Milk of Mag for emergency use only. Not as a daily as it's very powerful on the same level as a $90 enema at the ER. Never has failed me taken at bedtime.
Tadueo BSME BSEE CWG

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danilo1m | @danilo1m | 1 hour ago

Thanks, yes, I have already tried that. Maybe I need to take a double dose (2 swigs/capfuls)?

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