Problem with Chronic constipation

I use Linzess. It sometimes works. I have IBS-C. I’ve had a Sitz study which confirms sluggish colon. I still have to take Magnesium by mouth, and a dose of miralax each evening. I also have to drink 4 large glasses of water when I take the Linzess and eat exactly half hour after taking it. Say good by to eating breakfast out ever! Also, it may not kick in for 1-3 hours later. It’s hard to get to work on time and I’m up at 5am and take my Linzess then and eat at 5:30 am. Im having a repeat Colonoscopy and an EGD next month and I will ask my GI Dr if he has some samples of Montegrity to try. My reservation to Trying Montegrity is the possibility of psychiatric side effects. They can be severe!

Hi again - Thanks for the reply and warning about Motegrity. I was unaware of its possible psychiatric effects (active thoughts of suicide). I told my gi I was feeling very depressed about my future. I hope she wasn't trying to reduce her caseload by nudging me toward "leaving". Motegrity's headache, nausea, and abdominal pain side effects sound bad enough for me to delay taking it until the gi makes clear she knows what my risk factors are.

Your regimen sounds challenging. Drinking a quart (?) of water in one sitting takes some fortitude. But apparently the Linzess now works for you, unlike on 2/1/21. If you continue to have the lean meat and some yogurt you mentioned in your 2/21 post, might it affect your sluggish colon?
If you decide to try the Motegrity, let us know what happens.

Miralax did not help for me! I have been dealing with chronic constipation all my life since I was a little child had multiple procedures for impacted colon! I have tried everything out there but after multiple trips to the ER a two week stay in the hospital for severe constipation and Pernicious Anemia it was discussed to have a Colostomy bag put in place but my husband said no we need a second opinion so I was sent to a motility specialist and she figured it out for me! This was back a medication called Amitiza first came out! She explained to me that the inertia in my colon was from the over usage of harsh laxatives and enemas over a long period of time it somehow messed up the motility of my colon and that the only way that my bowels could or would move was to have something constantly stimulate it . So she put me on the Amitiza and that medication saved my life! I tried the Miralax, Linzess, Sennecot, Swiss Criss, Colace , Metamucil but nothing worked like the Amitiza! Until I started that medication I could go for 2 weeks and no bowel movements but now I go everyday like normal! It’s the best medication I have found for my chronic constipation! If you can’t afford it there is also a generic of the same medication called Lubiprostone as well. It’s expensive but so worth it if you have good insurance. I think it’s $1500 without and insurance but with a Good RX coupon sometimes you can get a little cheaper. With my insurance it’s $80 but I have been on this medication for many years now and I need it to survive so it’s worth every penny! If you have diagnosed with IBS-C or IBS -ICC this could be the ideal medication for you! Good luck!

Thanks for the detailed reply. It is very hopeful to hear when you and others eventually find a good solution!

I haven't been diagnosed with IBS-C but it think it applies to me, no matter the cause of my obstipation whether it be tortuous colon, adhesions or overuse of laxatives. Actually the last few days have been ok maybe due to the very ripe fruit I have been eating. Did you try any dietary approaches to relieve your constipation?
How do you manage the side effects of the Amitiza, if there are any?

I did try to bulk up my fiber but nothing was working fruits did nothing the only thing I didn’t do was drink lots of water because I got choked every time I would try to chug it down! That was all due to my Jack Hammer Esophagus which I’ve had since I was born it’s a rare disorder of the lower esophageal sphincter I just had surgery for that last Sept 3rd I no longer get choked on anything and I can eat without worrying that I’m going to get choked. So the future is looking brighter for me!

What a lot of challenges you have vanquished!
So glad to hear you have a brighter life ahead.

I am in the same boat but not as nbad as you. I can easily go a couple of weeks without a movement. I drink a fair amount and eat fresh fruit especially plumbs and the like when I can. It usually helps at first then stops working. Walking helps stir things up but I can't get from A to B without my bowels moving and I don't know I've already gone because I can't feel it until it's too late. Now I take a suppository before I go to the gym 4 times a week and a 5 mile walk at least once a week, so thats 5 a week I take. I know it may ruin me in the future but that's the only way things work for me today. I'm almost 77 and in very good shape for my age.

I am a 71 year old female with tortuous intestine and have suffered with constipation all my life. In the last year, someone from this site recommended Prunelax to me. It has been wonderful! I started out with the mini tabs, having to take 4. I have now switched to Prunelax Max and take 2 every evening. It is THE BEST I have felt all my life. I conferred with my gastro. doctor and was given approval to continue with the Prunelax. It will eventually change the interior color of the intestine because of the senna but there is no harm. The colonoscopy doctor even say this is better to see polyps. I do not plan on any more traditional colonoscopies because it is so incredibly hard on my body. It's painful and I run the risk of tearing my colon because of it's length and twists and turns. I have much more intestine than normal for a person my size. 5'2" and 100 lbs. I would highly recommend the Prunelax. I hope it helps you as it has helped me. Best wishes. Jacque

I am a Canadian and have not heard of this but I will check it out. Thank you so much. Joyce

Has this check up been done by hospital? What kind of process in it? I will wait for your reply?