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.

@oanaionica

I suffered by the same issue. If you go n line on FB you will find Reforma Pro Sanatate, Emanoil Cosma, his diet saved my life. I recommended. No more drugs. It is not easy to follow but after the first 2 weks you feel the difference. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thanks. Going to FB.
tadueo

REPLY
@bb03

Any psychiatric problems from Montegrity?

Jump to this post

@bb03
No, I have not noticed anything. I know what you are talking about- I have also read about it being a side effect.
I don’t take a whole tablet at night anymore- it worked too well! I will take 1/2 tablet a couple of times a week. In between I may use Senna-S. This may not work, that’s where Motegrity comes in handy.

REPLY

I eat prunes and drink prune juice. It works for me. I also eat meat and have a beer or two.

REPLY

I do the prunes and also figs but still need MiroLAX daily. It's pretty mild stuff. I take the MX at 8am and always have a BM before 9am.
2 weak Martini's before sleep don't hurt. Toss and turn for 2 or 3 seconds.
tadueo

REPLY
@heyjoe415

Thank you. I'm a 68 y/o male and constipation has crept in over the last few years. Currently I use "gush and push" - once daily Miralax and every other day Duloclax (bisacodyl). I know regular use of biscodyl is discouraged, but I'm desperate and this works, a little too well at times.

I've tried magnesium citrate and never found the right dose. Thanks for this suggestion.

Jump to this post

Change of diet? Walking enough?Eat less fiber for a week and 500 magnesium 2 times a day. I have IBS and chronic spastic colitis. Common with Fibromyalgia. I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. Chicken and fish. Fried food is a treat but I pay for it.

REPLY

One of my friends was eating too much fiber and it caused blockage in his intestines. He started eating less bread and more protein and vegetables. Also 400 magnesium citrate morning and night.

REPLY
@wendyhobbie

One of my friends was eating too much fiber and it caused blockage in his intestines. He started eating less bread and more protein and vegetables. Also 400 magnesium citrate morning and night.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the info.
I'm doing fine right now on MiraLAX and prunes. I also eat much veggies, all steamed. Broccoli, green beans, brussels sprouts, asparagus and carrots. A large bowl of one or in combination every day. MX at 8am, BM by 9am.
I do a little walking and a therapist prescribed exercise routine twice daily.
tadueo

REPLY
@tadueo

Thanks for the info.
I'm doing fine right now on MiraLAX and prunes. I also eat much veggies, all steamed. Broccoli, green beans, brussels sprouts, asparagus and carrots. A large bowl of one or in combination every day. MX at 8am, BM by 9am.
I do a little walking and a therapist prescribed exercise routine twice daily.
tadueo

Jump to this post

I had to stop the mag. citrate and just use Miralax and prunes as I was having 2 BM's per day.

REPLY
@tadueo

I had to stop the mag. citrate and just use Miralax and prunes as I was having 2 BM's per day.

Jump to this post

Trying to find the right dose for mag citrate is like finding the right amount of C4 explosive to use....... It works alright, but for me at least results in diarrhea. I have found a pill form and I'm gonna try that.

I do use Miralax nightly but need Dulcolax bisacodyl every other day - it's called "gush and push". I know, TMI. I don't like using the stimulant laxative that often and know my GI doc would not approve.

As for exercise, I'm in the gym 6 days a week. I used to run marathons, and running always kick started peristaltic motion. I was never constipated, quite the opposite. I find rowing helps now. It gets my knees up above my waist and that seems to help.

REPLY
@wendyhobbie

One of my friends was eating too much fiber and it caused blockage in his intestines. He started eating less bread and more protein and vegetables. Also 400 magnesium citrate morning and night.

Jump to this post

Good point Wendy. Yeah too much fiber can have the wrong affect. I eat quite a bit of fruit and raw veggies, mostly carrots and sweet peas.

And thanks for your other suggestions. I am in the gym 6 days a week and rowing seems to help, getting my knees above my waist while rowing.

But I still need Miralax nightly AND Duclolax bisacodyl every other day and I know my GI guy says don't do that. But it's about the only thing that works. I've also cut out all refined sugar. I was stunned to learn a can of regular soda has seven teaspoons of sugar. I do feel better when I eat well.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.