Problem with Chronic constipation

I'm 20, very young to be having problems this bad. When I was younger I had severe depression and anxiety, still do, but I've only ever had the occasional constipation with a quick fix solution then I was fine for years.

Around my birthday I had a severe, and sudden, bout of constipation. It went on for weeks, and when I say constipation I mean ZERO bowel movement, not even a sliver. So, I went to the hospital. I got stigmatized, they told me it was just constipation and I'd be fine, handed me a few packets of laxatives and sent me off.

The laxatives worked, at first, but deep down I knew it wouldn't solve the issue, so I used them sparingly as I saw my family doctor. 6 months later and the issue is still persevering, in fact, it got worse. Now my digestive system is struggling to digest food, I am constantly hungry despite the fact that my digestive system is too slow to eat food normally anymore, if I eat it won't come back out.

I had a small few weeks of no severe issues, and suddenly it got twice as bad recently, as I write this my stomach is screaming at me to eat, as if it's starving. Mind you, I never felt this way before when I woke up until all of this began happening. I considered if food could be a trigger, but none of it makes sense, because I've constantly switched my foods and never had stomach pain, gas or bloating unless I haven't had a bowel movement for days on end.

I have no idea what's wrong with me, other than sharp gut pain, usually around the lower abdomen/belly button, and the fact that I usually I can't have a bowel movement at all unless I bomb my gut with laxatives. I'm at a loss, I'm terrified, and I've been to the ER 3 times and the Urgent Clinic once along with my family doctor 3 times. When I call helplines (yes, I'm that desperate) they tell me to go to the ER, but the ER never takes me seriously.

I've had a CT x-ray, an ultrasound, and I'm stuck waiting until December 22nd for a specialist. I'm at a loss, I don't know if I can wait that long anymore before I start digging out my own stomach. What do I do?

Yeah the frustrating part of the GI Drs is they all say the same thing - fiber, hydration, exercise, sleep, manage stress, diet - I've tried all that!!!!!! I'm a 68 y/o male, in shape and in the gym 6 or 7 days a week, twice with a trainer. Had both knees replaced last year and I feel good and am in the the best shape since my marathon days in the 80s and 90s.

I finally settled on Miralax before bed, every night, and then setting an alarm for 12pm to take Dulcolax every other night. This has been called "gush and push" - but it mostly works. I haven't seen any signs of tolerance to the bisacodyl in Dulcolax. I'm 68 and don't want to do a shit load (pardon the pun) of tests only to get nowhere. I'm doing what works. If there are consequences, I'll have to deal with it.

!'m 90 and take a diuretic, Furosemide, for blood pressure and CHF. I take Miralax but it has recently stopped working cause the diuretic dries out my colon and the Miralax needs water to work. Is there another laxative that will work for a dry colon?
Gastroenterologists have been no help and I battle constipation every day and it can only end badly unless I find a laxative that works.
tadueo

For some people to much fiber can be a problem. I'm one of them. I have to stay on a low fiber diet and use laxatives. If I want fresh vegetables I have to use the "french" method. I shock them and put them in the fridge. You can google the method. I'm still trying to find the perfect combo of stool softeners and a nonstimulant laxative like miralax or magnesium. Working with a nutritionist is helpful. Hope this helps you.

!'m 90 and take a diuretic, Furosemide, for blood pressure and CHF. I take Miralax but it has recently stopped working cause the diuretic dries out my colon and the Miralax needs water to work. Is there another laxative that will work for a dry colon?
Gastroenterologists have been no help and I battle constipation every day and it can only end badly unless I find a laxative that works.
tadueo

Try a lubricant laxative -- mineral oil or olive oil at bedtime. A well-structured study shows that olive oil works as well as mineral oil.

Mineral oil works by coating the bowel and stool with a waterproof film that provides slip. Olive oil may do the same. I have used both and both seem to provide similar benefit. Miralax doesn't work for me.

Experiment with the dosage. I take just shy of 1 teaspoon of olive oil but have a sensitive gut. Olive oil is safer -- try that first. My mineral oil bottle says the dose is 1 T - 3 T, so it should be the same for olive oil. Before trying mineral oil, check with your doctor.

Tip: I keep the oil in my mouth for 20-30 seconds so it can mix with my saliva, to make it easier to swallow. Then I do a water chaser.