Severe Constipation

Hello @klk464,

Welcome to Connect. Here's more information about the treatment of constipation, from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354259

I'd like to introduce you to a few members who've shared their experiences with severe constipation. Please meet @sousou @dolan @subhi @clemlaa @delicht; I'm certain they will have more insights for you.

Here are a few discussions on Connect, which I also encourage you to view:
– Abdominal pain with severe constipation and weight loss https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/abdominal-pain-since-july-2017-with-severe-constipation-and-weight-los/
– Leaky Gut, Constipation and Gluten Free? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/leaky-gut-constipation-and-gluten-free/
– RLQ Abdominal Pain https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rlq-abdominal-pain/

if you would like to make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. You can also request an appointment online. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments

@klk464, have you made any diet changes, or added foods that might help relieve your symptoms?

@klk464, I have the same issue because of the pain medications I take and diabetes tends to dry you out pretty badly. I have four medications that I rotate whenever it seems something is not working; amitiza, linzess, movantik, and rellistor. Currently I take Rellistor and four docusates and add linzess on days that I take more medication than avg. If you have tried any of these and they worked short term, you may want to consider some type of rotation. Because of pancreatitis, I also have gastroparesis, so this is always gonna be an issue for me and I can gain or lose ten pounds in a couple of days routinely. I hope you can land on something that will work and alleviate the pain. Anyone else have this problem and found different ways of relief?

Please take me off this Mayo Clinic Connect! CANCEl!  Now. Thank you

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@klk464, I don't have severe; but I do have occasional bothersome constipation. About a month ago, I decided to start taking fish oil again after about 6 months. ( I didn't want to waste the extra bottle that I had purchased in a 2 for 1 sale). And, my system has returned to an amazing level of regularity. I just thought I'd pass this along to you.
Rosemary

Hello, Iv had chronic constipation since childhood and it had gotten worse after menopause. I was recently diagnosed with a redundant colon after doing a colonoscopy. My doctor told me to change my diet by adding more fibre etc and to use Orvilax which is a mild laxative(works overnight). Iv gotten to the point where Im using the Orvilax twice a week, but would definitely like to stop completely because I dont know what the long-term effect would be. Im thinking of starting fibre supplements...Benefibre or Metamucil. Which would be better and easier to digest in the long-term. I also have High Blood Pressure and Partial Epilepsy. And get acid reflux for weeks at a time. By the way can my constipation be causing the AR?
Right now Im at my wits end...thank you for any advice.

Hello @sherry59, Welcome to Connect. You ask some very good questions. I take a fiber supplement like Benefiber and do think it helps with my constipation issues along with drinking a lot of water. There is an another discussion you might want to read through and learn what others with similar diagnosis have shared.

Redundant / Tortuous Colon: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/redundant-tortured-colon/

Also, you might find the following information helpful:
-- Evidence-Based Approach to Fiber Supplements and Clinically Meaningful Health Benefits, Part 2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4415970/
-- Redundant Colon and Constipation Diet: https://www.livestrong.com/article/495984-redundant-colon-constipation-diet/
-- Acid Reflux and Constipation - Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/constipation

Have you discussed your concern with long term side effects of using Orvilax with your doctor or pharmacist?

Hello @sherry59,

I would like to add my welcome to you as you have recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect. I read, with interest, your question about chronic constipation. As I've had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract, I have a lot of experience with something called "slow transit constipation."

Your diet and activity level are most important. Fiber supplements are usually very helpful. Have you tried any probiotics? I make a smoothy with Kefir. Kefir is a liquid product similar to yogurt but with lots more probiotics. It has a very sour taste so it needs to be mixed with something else (I use half of an Atkins shake but you could use Ensure or other flavored protein drinks). Then I add to that half a banana (a frozen banana makes it very frothy) and other fruit that I may have on hand (including dried prunes). I mix all of this in a blender at a high speed. It makes a high protein, high fiber drink that works quite nicely for constipation.

There is also a powdered product called, "Calm." It is a powder that you mix in water and take at bedtime. It has a lot of magnesium which is very helpful for constipation.

I hope you have developed some new ideas for this chronic problem. Will you keep in touch and update on your progress in dealing with this?

Thank you for your response. Sorry to hear what you went through. I do take probiotics and Benefibre...Metamucil makes me gag...lol
Iv had kefir drinks a couple times...yes really sour. But I will use it how you suggested. I have cut out a lot of sweets and upped my intake of fruits and veggies and beans etc...so hopefully all of this will start helping in the poop dept. I guess its a lifetime change now and Im still coming to terms with having to watch everything I eat. Good luck to you and thank you again for your help.
Stay safe.

Hello John, thank you for your response. Yes I do take Benefiber and it does help a bit. And yes I know that I should be drinking more water, I sometimes forget to but plain water sucks....lol
So I do make cucumber and lemon water when I can and have that throughout the day.
I have questioned my doctors about the long term safety of the Orvilax and have been assured its fine.
Thank you for the links and I will check them out.
Stay safe.