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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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"Normal" thyroid levels are not normal. The amount of thyroid hormones regular endocrinologists say we need is usually not enough. You need to see a holistic dr. Not all holistic drs treat it but have a phone consultation with one before making an appt. You need reverse t3 tested too. Reverse t3 is something our bodies naturally make. It blocks t3 from entering our cells. This is why you can have a normal amount if t3 in your blood and still have symptoms.
You need reverse t3 tested. Our bodies convert the thyroid hormone t4 into t3. Many people have a conversion issue where too much reverse t3 is made in this process. Reverse t3 blocks t3 from entering our cells. This is why you can have normal amounts of t3 in your blood and still have symptoms. Even if you do not have high reverse t3, you may not have enough t3. The levels endos say we need is not enough. Holistic drs can help with this. I am on Cytomel which is just the thyroid hormone t3. Sometimes regular endos will agree to prescribe cytomel.
Thank you for your input. I am pretty tired of the whole mess right now and not able to advocate for myself at this moment because I am so frustrated.
I will keep in mind your suggestion.
Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover holistic providers and I cannot afford physicians or providers that do not accept insurance.
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1 ReactionI cannot afford them either!!:( however I recently found a primary doctor who did the same testing like reverse t3 that holistic drs did. My advice is find a primary dr that is not under a main hospital branch. My primary is a private dr and she accepts Medicaid.
Also sometimes insurance won't cover consultation with holistic drs but some times covers tests and meds ordered by holistic drs
I had the feeling of indigestion off and on for many years. I found that 1/4 tea of baking soda in a small amt of water stops it.There is a lot of research about the negatives of omeprazole, my husband knows it all. Has that hernia as well and has opted not to take it because of the negatives. I wish I could say what they are but his doc switched him to famotidine but he really tries not to do either. I know if my gut is moving along as it should that I never have indigestion. I also eat no animal fats. The last hamburger I ate took 3 days to digest - my body just doesn't tolerate it and seems as if my digestion is really slow. We love the Impossible Burger meat alternative because it tastes amazing and without the consequences. I have to eat vegan and about 8 years ago I became lactose intolerant which is a bit of a bummer since I do love lattes from Starbucks. Like Mr Rogers said, "I don't eat anything that has a mother." There is protein in fruits, vegetables and nuts plus I get to eat so much more food.
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1 ReactionI see you’ve realized which diet works for you .. that’s wonderful.
I’m into my second week without using omeprazole, so I’m beginning to see which foods are troublesome. I’m trying Lactaid on yogurt days. That helps.
I’m bad with taco chips or potato chips. One handful is usually too much..
I wish Lactaid worked for me but it didn't. I love love love the Affogado at a restaurant nearby where they put a scoop of vanilla gelato then pour espresso over it but oh boy! I just can't do the lactose without trouble and a rumbling gut but I have had lactose intolerance for a long time. Corn and potatoes are vegan so I can do both corn chips and potato chips except that I don't like the oils much. Isn't this the pits?
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1 ReactionInteresting. I will look into that. Thank you so much! Enjoy your Sunday.
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1 ReactionYes! My fave foods are in the top dozen bad ones LOL
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