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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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hi just tossing out a couple of ideas. anyone ever tested for gastroparesis? it affects the motility of the stomach and gi tract. also celiac - doesn't always cause diarrhea, can present with constipation due to inflammation. i take 3 senna and 3 colace daily. my gi doctor doesn't want me to develop a mega colon. i recently started taking probiotics. i don't go always go everyday but go on a regular basis.
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3 ReactionsAfter months of constipation, I did the “smart pill”. It showed extremely slow motility from my stomach all the way down, with my colon taking twice the normal time to push stool through. I have no stomach issues, just the constipation. I use the Motegrity and Miralax. It is a constant struggle. I also have a tortuous colon. Is that the same as a Mega colon? I do have sleep issues but never thought they could be related to the Motegrity which I do take st bedtime. I’ll have to consider that.
Hi, I’ve been on this site forever but you are more similar to me. I was told and scheduled for a total colectomy last September. I couldn’t do it. I had cervical spine surgery March 2020 with 3 fusions when my bowels completely stopped. I’ve tried every drug and I’ve had every test. I’m also clinical hypothyroidism . When I was 40, now 67 they found a pituitary tumor. So for years on and off thyroid meds. My tsh slightly was elevated. Some docs thought don’t need meds others disagreed so on and off. Well now on because of constipation. I hate it. Never gained weight before the meds but always gain when on so if it doesn’t stop I’m going off. Due to colon severe motility I’m no sugar, no dairy and no grains. No reason to gain weight. I walk, ride an recumbent bike and jump on a trampoline. I was told it could get things in my colon moving, absolutely nothing. I get colonic cleanses, visceral massage and pelvic floor PT, nothing.
Weekly I do a cleanse as if I’m going for a colonoscopy. Yes, I hate it. It takes away two days from me. I’ve tried all prescription drugs, nothing. I’ve tried OTC drugs, very little success. I did get recommended Mag07 which is a natural form of mag with potassium. I take it nightly, 4 pills. I have some days it does work. I only pass diarrhea never passing formed stools since 2020 but I will never have the surgery. Maybe try mag07. I was hoping thyroid med would help but since November on the med my tsh is elevated. Makes no sense. Hope you find something because I know how you feel. My life is wrapped around taking my laxatives before I find myself in trouble. All the best, Joanne
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2 Reactionsi do not think a tortuous colon is like a mega colon. tortuous to me means it has a lot of areas that twist, mega means very oversized giving it way too much holding capacity. for me, reglan at bedtime creates a lot of stimulation to my gi tract. enough to keep me awake. i'm not familar with motegrity but it is prolly similar. miralax is too slow to work for me. i respond to it in about 3 days. it's a long wait. have you ever tried probiotics?
Thank you for sharing. My new primary physician whom I met last week suggested that during my surgery 5 years ago nerves may have been severed that serve the colon.
That is the first logical explanation I have received since meeting my gastroenterologist.
Like you, I plan when I will take a natural laxative and stay home the next day.
I see my GI on April 4th, I will post what he says. He is rather dismissive. My new PCP put in a request to my insurance for a second opinion referral to a different GI . So frustrating. Like you, I work out, hike, drink lots of fluids, eat fruits and vegetables, etc., etc. Nothing! So frustrating. Doctors don't get how much this changes quality of life.
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3 ReactionsCurious, I take Align probiotics, Colace 1xdaily and they do not stimulat my colon. So I take Prunelax at night every 5 days. This causes diarrhea so I have to stay home the next day.
It is such a pain! And when I have bacterial overgrowth flare I take antibiotics. Ugh!
i take 3 senna and 3 colace daily unless i have frequent bowel movements. my gi doc is ok with that. i take physicians choice probiotics daily. i have heard align is good but a bit too pricey for me.
On your regimen how many times a week do you have a bowel movement?
My colon is also very long. That is the reason it twists, turns and loops, because there is not enough room inside of me. The question seems to be if I was born that way or if all the years of constipation caused it. No way to really know. I have tried numerous probiotics and never saw any real impact.
My understanding is that Reglan helps with emptying stomach contents so is given for nausea. Motegrity increases bowel peristalsis to help move stool through. Miralax draws water into the bowel and yes, it is a cumulative effect.