Severe Constipation

Posted by klk464 @klk464, Feb 28, 2018

I have had severe constipation for a long time. I drink lots of water and have had almost every test possible done and tried many prescription medications. These medications work for a little bit then stop. I currently take 3 docusate in morning and at night I will take 2 senna/docusate. I still dont have a daily BM. So i get bloated crampy and back pain from this.

I was told I could go to the Mayo Clinic as they may have ideas for me because they are out of options for me here.

Anyone else suffer from this?

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Profile picture for sisyphus @sisyphus

Plant based foods -- good for the planet, good for general health including absence of health problems -- from not restful sleep or Constipation.
Food:
- Start my day with two to three cups of cold water
- Eat plenty of variety of fruits
- Most food are steamed (potatoes, carrots, and Kale or the wrinkly kind)
- Mostly vegetable oil

Physical Activity:
- Start my day with yoga / Pilates stretches
- Stand many hours each day, especially on long phone calls
- Do pull ups (upto one and a half! Yes that my limit in my 8th decade)
- Dips in stairwell and walking often all 12 floors
- Walk briskly each day at least 30 minutes; an hour+ about once a week

Intellectual Activity:
- Serious reading about mental health issues; Top disability issue (WHO)
- Solve for fun Sudoku or Wordle games
- Each day I start with what's most important work in my Life today

Thank goodness, no need yet for any meds, tests, doctor visits

Good luck, my friend!

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Very good advice, thank you.
I have syringomyelia along with a few other health problems.
Unfortunately I'm not in as good as health as you are, and I'm probably 20 years or more younger than you.
But they say it's never to late to get on the right track.

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Profile picture for howardm @howardm

What works for me isn’t for everyone, but it does work. I eat approximately the same food or types and amounts every day, so I went online to buy some fiber pills. I take a mix of general fiber, fine fiber, and extra-fine fiber with every meal. My mix is down almost to a “science” in that often times I wipe only once, there’s nothing on the toilet paper! Which is a blessing for me; it might work for you as well.

Oh yeah, I also drink a lot more bottled water than I used to. They say over 75% of people are close to dehydrated, but I don’t drink it cold, just at room temperature, because you will naturally drink more than if it’s cold.

God bless you.

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Thank you very much for the advice!

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Profile picture for gastrochic @gastrochic

What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid, helped me, but since the recall, there is none. It bums me out, because it would help me once in a while. I did get the fiber capsules, but I'm still backed up. Going to ask Dr maybe to increase my Reglan (sp)? The constant bloating just sucks. And honestly watch the water. I think the levels of chlorine they are putting in the water are hurting a lot of people's digestive systems, because it's poison. My water is so bad at my house, the city won't do anything but call the cops on me, while my health deterriates. And now have to pay culligan for safe drinking water for my family and pets. Just be careful. Stomach pills is a huge money maker. Any advice on being more regular would be helpful. I'm only taking 2 capsules a day, maybe I need more? It's the one with the phylum husks (sp).
Thank you and God Bless.
Gastrochic

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I live on a plant based diet except for salmon once a week. Magnesium Oxide will help, 1000mg in over the counter versions containing it, but I just took the vitamins. I eat oatmeal with 4 prunes and a TB of ground flax for breakfast. My smoothie mid morning is Fage fat=free yogurt, 1 TB ground flax, 1 TB almonds, 2 Dried figs, and 1/2 c almond milk. My lunch is a Dr. praeger black bean burger on a WASA cracker with avocado and salsa. My afternoon snack is homemade gluten free pumpkin/chocolate chip muffins with ground flax in them. My dinner is an all raw veggie salad. No bread or flour products except for the muffins I make and the WASA crackers. So gluten free plant base diet. I take 2 docusate sodium after dinner and 2 Senokot before bed. My colon became non-functional after 3 occurrences of Ovarian Cancer, 4 abdominal surgeries, and all the chemo.

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Profile picture for John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop

@pml I remember my mom telling me about using baking soda but I'm not sure I would give it a try based on possible rare side effects and there's not much evidence that it works. If I tried it, I would really be careful on how much and often. You might want to check out the rare side effects of using it listed here:

--- Using Baking Soda for Constipation Relief: https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/baking-soda-for-constipation

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Hi John,
Interesting article! However, did you notice that the rare side effects result from using too much baking soda? I don't think that 1 teaspoon or so would be considered too much which is what I use. I've used baking soda and water for constipation for 70 years and have never had any of these side effects. Plus the way baking soda and water tastes is awful; even with lemon juice! No one would want to use it too often. I certainly don't want to use it anymore than I have to because of the taste! However, it is natural and it does work!
PML

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Profile picture for cipnsue @cipnsue

I live on a plant based diet except for salmon once a week. Magnesium Oxide will help, 1000mg in over the counter versions containing it, but I just took the vitamins. I eat oatmeal with 4 prunes and a TB of ground flax for breakfast. My smoothie mid morning is Fage fat=free yogurt, 1 TB ground flax, 1 TB almonds, 2 Dried figs, and 1/2 c almond milk. My lunch is a Dr. praeger black bean burger on a WASA cracker with avocado and salsa. My afternoon snack is homemade gluten free pumpkin/chocolate chip muffins with ground flax in them. My dinner is an all raw veggie salad. No bread or flour products except for the muffins I make and the WASA crackers. So gluten free plant base diet. I take 2 docusate sodium after dinner and 2 Senokot before bed. My colon became non-functional after 3 occurrences of Ovarian Cancer, 4 abdominal surgeries, and all the chemo.

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Is that safe to take Senokot every nite?? I also have constipation problems probably due to Famodidine. I will try your ideas
Thanks!

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Profile picture for gastrochic @gastrochic

What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid, helped me, but since the recall, there is none. It bums me out, because it would help me once in a while. I did get the fiber capsules, but I'm still backed up. Going to ask Dr maybe to increase my Reglan (sp)? The constant bloating just sucks. And honestly watch the water. I think the levels of chlorine they are putting in the water are hurting a lot of people's digestive systems, because it's poison. My water is so bad at my house, the city won't do anything but call the cops on me, while my health deterriates. And now have to pay culligan for safe drinking water for my family and pets. Just be careful. Stomach pills is a huge money maker. Any advice on being more regular would be helpful. I'm only taking 2 capsules a day, maybe I need more? It's the one with the phylum husks (sp).
Thank you and God Bless.
Gastrochic

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So, solving constipation is an individual journey. I would say, start with the plant diet and Magnesium Oxide - 250 mg and increase until it works, up to 1000 mg. Famotidine can cause constipation, so it will take experimentation. My situation is very different because of all the surgeries and adhesions and neuropathy and a tortuous colon have resulted in no "natural" stimulation for bowel movements. I am 73 and gastroenterologists have said to take whatever works. There just isn't one answer for chronic constipation. Even the Linzess advertised on TV does not phase me.

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Profile picture for gastrochic @gastrochic

What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid, helped me, but since the recall, there is none. It bums me out, because it would help me once in a while. I did get the fiber capsules, but I'm still backed up. Going to ask Dr maybe to increase my Reglan (sp)? The constant bloating just sucks. And honestly watch the water. I think the levels of chlorine they are putting in the water are hurting a lot of people's digestive systems, because it's poison. My water is so bad at my house, the city won't do anything but call the cops on me, while my health deterriates. And now have to pay culligan for safe drinking water for my family and pets. Just be careful. Stomach pills is a huge money maker. Any advice on being more regular would be helpful. I'm only taking 2 capsules a day, maybe I need more? It's the one with the phylum husks (sp).
Thank you and God Bless.
Gastrochic

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Try Magnesium Oxide. It is in several of the "laxative" types of products. I get it at Walmart as a vitamin. Try it in 250 mg increments up to 1000mg.

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Profile picture for gastrochic @gastrochic

What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid, helped me, but since the recall, there is none. It bums me out, because it would help me once in a while. I did get the fiber capsules, but I'm still backed up. Going to ask Dr maybe to increase my Reglan (sp)? The constant bloating just sucks. And honestly watch the water. I think the levels of chlorine they are putting in the water are hurting a lot of people's digestive systems, because it's poison. My water is so bad at my house, the city won't do anything but call the cops on me, while my health deterriates. And now have to pay culligan for safe drinking water for my family and pets. Just be careful. Stomach pills is a huge money maker. Any advice on being more regular would be helpful. I'm only taking 2 capsules a day, maybe I need more? It's the one with the phylum husks (sp).
Thank you and God Bless.
Gastrochic

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I suffered from constipation after completing chemo and radiation, sometimes going more than two weeks without a bowel movement. I started taking a spoonful of Metamucil (fiber) daily and am now regular. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Good luck!

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Profile picture for sallyw133 @sallyw133

Apparently an old midwife remedy for constipation for expectant mothers.

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I have read that fat in the morning can trigger a favorable colonic response.

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Profile picture for gastrochic @gastrochic

What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid, helped me, but since the recall, there is none. It bums me out, because it would help me once in a while. I did get the fiber capsules, but I'm still backed up. Going to ask Dr maybe to increase my Reglan (sp)? The constant bloating just sucks. And honestly watch the water. I think the levels of chlorine they are putting in the water are hurting a lot of people's digestive systems, because it's poison. My water is so bad at my house, the city won't do anything but call the cops on me, while my health deterriates. And now have to pay culligan for safe drinking water for my family and pets. Just be careful. Stomach pills is a huge money maker. Any advice on being more regular would be helpful. I'm only taking 2 capsules a day, maybe I need more? It's the one with the phylum husks (sp).
Thank you and God Bless.
Gastrochic

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Interesting. I’ll have to try that!

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