Severe Constipation

Love water with cucumber and lemon! I have a water bottle with an infuser that holds fruit and veggies. I generally slice up part of a lemon and some small cukes and put them in the infuser, then cap and shake the bottle. I usually put in in the refrigerator for an hour or so and drink it the rest of the day.

I do the same with mostly apples and pears. I sometimes add a bit of ginger root. Tastes great.

@sherry59, and @hopeful33250 I agree with your statement that it's a lifetime change and that we have to watch everything we eat. I just posted a relevant message on Let's Go Walking which you might want to check out. I've had to learn the hard way that "we are what we eat". @hopeful33250, you're certainly on the right track! For myself, I've learned that I can't even tolerate smoothies that contain fruits, yogurt, veggies, etc., but with help from our hospital's dietician, I'm now on a very restricted diet specific to my IBD and OLP - but it's WORKING! We gotta do with we gotta do! Lol. Good luck in your quest for better health, @sherry59!

Good evening, thank you for reaching and your advice. I do know its an uphill battle and I would have to cut out a lot of foods I love but as the saying goes "it is what it is". Continued progress fighting your battles...I wish you all the best.
Stay safe.

@sherry59 @hopeful33250 I To am a longtime sufferer of chronic constipation which I think affects mood, back pain, and our nutrition.

I took a breath test for SIBO and it came back off the chart methane level. (I hope I’m saying this correctly) I was given antibiotics and that helped for a short while but I didn’t follow up with the FODMAP diet. I got so sick I snapped and got on the diet and the results were good. Now my challenge is to stick with 5 small meals a day. I set a timer on my phone and earnestly adhere.

It’s not easy but it works. I’ve had to make changes in my habits. That’s the difficult part. If I don’t snack often enough then I get hungry and want to eat more than my stomach can handle.

My stomach empties very slowly and I can’t eat the way I used to (or want to.) so I’ve had to adapt.

On the bright side, I’m an introvert, live alone with my darling rescue dog and we can do whatever we like. I’m also a writer and enjoy our quiet time.

That said, I do have family and events coming up that will surely challenge my balance. I’m full of apprehension because my son and his fiancée are community activists and have planned a 3 day wedding event in a national park with guests sleeping over in bunk houses. There will be a catered barbecue and ceremony and guided trail hikes and fishing events, and moderate drinking (really). And it will be hugely memorable (especially if it rains) and I know I’ll love it when it’s over. But right now not so much.

But to finish what I started here, maintaining my balance will be challenged if not upended, but I will survive. Please continue with this discussion. It’s not often we find this topic conversational, but Connect has a way of helping us all feel more normal about our issues.
Best, Suzanne

If it's any consolation, you're not alone. People just don't talk about bathroom issues. I, too suffer from chronic constipation. Finally found a Dr. who diagnosed me with tortuous colon and pancreatic insufficiency. I continued with a certified nutritionist, we'll see, too soon to see results, but I am feeling optimistic for the first time. Social events also causes anxiety because laxatives cause "surprises". I have spent the last two years a bit of a hermit, of course the pandemic helped me stay at home. Now its time to leave and socialize. Working on trying to still my mind with all the "what ifs". I totally understand!

@bgiddio Thanks for writing. You've given me some ideas, though, and I'm grateful. How were you diagnosed with tortuous colon? Colonoscopy? I've never had a doctor that looked for that, and I've always wondered. I did hear a doctor say, that's the longest colon I've ever seen. I'll seek that out. Good luck with your nutritionist. I think I have my diet under control. I was diagnosed with SIBO and I do pretty well with the FODMAP diet. I don't find it all that restrictive. I'm gluten-free, so I can have bread. I love ice cream and have either oat milk or soy or coconut milk IC. I love it. Fortunately, I don't have weight probs. I have to eat small meals/snacks every three hours which doesn't lend itself to eating out. But as an introvert, my favorite thing would be to go for coffee and nosh on a little GF treat with a friend.
Let's stay in touch. I'm interested in and hoping that good results come your way. Best, Suzanne

Hi, I had surgery planned September 29 2021 for total colectomy in Boston. I have not had a bowel movement in 14 months only passing liquid with laxatives, absolutely no life. I felt I was to sick and not in a good place for such a big operation. I just was severely getting sicker every day so the end of August I spoke with my surgery who is wonderful. We moved it to January next year to see if I can have more time to figure out why it completely stopped. I only past water never once formed stool. I’ve been getting help with pelvic floor PT. I would suggest trying that. You don’t want to loose your push muscle. She also teaches me breathing and stomach massage. I get acupuncture now twice weekly. Yes,it’s getting costly but I don’t want surgery. On September 8 out of the blue I passed stool. The best day ever. It continued for 5 days then came to a complete stop. I ask why every day. I have severe motility issues. When I had the sitz marker study I never passed one ring. I’ve had every test you can imagine and when I eat my colon doesn’t do what it should. Constipation is just awful. I’ve tried all the prescription drugs and nothing worked. I’m trying one for at a time cause many of those diets some foods great others are not. I’ve decided to do it my way for now. I’m not giving up. I had a moment and that must mean something. Wish all good luck. Everyone has something they are dealing with. Stress doesn’t help so the acupuncture helps and also she specializes in digestion. I’m not throwing in the towel. Something or someone must be out there to help us.
Blessings, Joanne

Hi Suzanne, well, I went to 4 of the Dr's in the Gastro group, all they did was suggest laxatives, I asked for tests and they said, wasn't necessary, I found Dr. Hsu in Princeton NJ, and he said "I will find out what's going on". He did a colonoscopy and endoscopy same time. Diagnosed with tortuous colon, sometimes referred as a long colon. Mine twists and turns, and said "no wonder you have constipation". Also, pancreatic insufficiency, only 50% of pancreas working, and a lot of inflammation. He put me Mesalamine for inflammation, etc.
Now, working with a certified nutritionist who specializes in digestive issues, IBS. etc.
Finally, after 10 years, some answers! it's all about keep trying, and finding the right Doctor.

@bgiddio Got it. Self-advocate and find the right doc. Sounds like a plan. We’re some of your symptoms pointing to pancreatic issues? If so, what were those symptoms? And does your insurance cover a nutritionist?
Thanks 🙏 for your help.