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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 2, 2022

In reply to @mothermary1 "After so many tests, pills, OTC meds the only thing left was to remove my entire..." + (show)

I am so sorry. I also plan trips and social activities around my constipation. Before it was diarrhea from bacterial overgrowth, now back to chronic constipation. Ugh. People don't understand. And the chronic constipation gives me fatigue, and nausea along with all the other frustrartions. My GI just says "of course you will feel ill, your body isn't suppose to have waste stay in your body." I think to myself, 'Thanks, like I didn't know that?"

Joanne Narna | @mothermary1 | Apr 2, 2022

Boy, so many of us out there with the only answer for me was total colectomy. I’ll never do it. I hate the always wondering if I’m impacted. I think for me it was an error with my acdf surgery. I get anything possible but exactly after that I couldn’t move my bowels. I just want to be looked at from my surgery down my entire spine. Maybe I have compression someplace. I can’t get anyone to take me. I swear every medical doc just thinks lawsuit. I can’t be bothered. Just help me.

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Apr 3, 2022

In reply to @rocknrobbn "My current GI said Motegrity or other drugs would give me diarrhea. Ugh:(" + (show)

@rocknrobbn - I have taken Motegrity for 6 weeks now- no diarrhea. Sometimes I take it with Amitiza. Definitely not perfect, but there is better action than before.
There still are times with total standstill- then I take Motegrity and Senokot. Usually works well, but there will be cramps. My goal is also to avoid SIBO - keep things moving.

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 3, 2022

In reply to @astaingegerdm "@rocknrobbn - I have taken Motegrity for 6 weeks now- no diarrhea. Sometimes I take it..." + (show)

I am afraid SIBO kicked in today. I have been having bone pains, and muscle tenderness and fatigue for a week and today diarrhea kicked in. Well at least I had 2 marvelous weeks. And I bumped up Colace to daily and was happy I had had BM 4 days in a row. But the other symptoms of bone pain, fatigue and muscle weakness are sure signs of SIBO. I will request antibiotics at my gastroenterology appointment tomorrow. He said I would need antibiotics intermittently. 🙁

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Apr 4, 2022

In reply to @rocknrobbn "I am afraid SIBO kicked in today. I have been having bone pains, and muscle tenderness..." + (show)

I hope you’ll get antibiotics- to get rid of that sick to the core feeling that SIBO can cause.
Feel better!

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 4, 2022

Thankfully, I see my GI in 2 hours and can start this morning. We leave for vacation in 3 days!

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 4, 2022

In reply to @astaingegerdm "I hope you’ll get antibiotics- to get rid of that sick to the core feeling that..." + (show)

I just got home from seeing my GI. He ordered a round of Flagyl for me. He continues to tell me SIBO does not cause bone pains, muscle tenderness, weakness and fatigue. Do any of you experience this before a flare of diarrhea secondary to right hemicolectomy with removal of the ileocecal valve? He asked me if I had any autoimmune diseases. I said Hashimotos but my thyroid labs were checked recently and are normal.

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Apr 4, 2022

Your doctor doesn’t know that different people respond differently to an infection.
Whenever I get sick with either SIBO or sinusitis I get fibromyalgia symptoms. I also feel like I’m falling into a dark hole.
Hope you’ll feel better in a few hours!

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 5, 2022

In reply to @astaingegerdm "Your doctor doesn’t know that different people respond differently to an infection. Whenever I get sick..." + (show)

I appreciate your responses. I feel less alone. Thank you.

darcystaples | @darcystaples | Apr 6, 2022

After 5 days on laxatives of different kinds, I’m now having diarrhea and severe cramping and gas so I’ve cut out food except yoghurt. As long as I sleep I don’t have pain . When I get up it all starts over again.the pain is draining. Stomach massage, heating pad helps. Thinking of getting an enema bag , never done that. I had an eating disorder in my teens , wonder if that is how this all started?