Chronic constipation

I have tried every drug on the market for severe chronic constipation. Ibsrela is brand new. My Gastro in Atlanta has me on the list to try next new drug availability. I’m waiting. It hasn’t been made yet I guess.

I have had chronic constipation for several years and I also have what is called a redundant colon. The redundant colon can be the culprit for the chronic constipation but I firmly believe that my constipation was also triggered by high dosages of PPI's for acid reflux. I was on Miralax for a while but absolutely hate that stuff (for reasons I won't go into here) and I told my gastroenterologist that I won't take it. So he put me on Linzess but that wasn't doing the trick so he told me to take a Senna laxative, 3-4 tablets every other day. He said the Senna is a vegtable laxative and it is safe to take. I wasn't happy that expensive Linzess wasn't enough without the Senna, so I stopped taking Linzess. Then I heard about a magnesium supplement called Cleanse More and my doctor said it was safe to take every other day. So now I take Cleanse More and Senna and alternate it every other day. It has been over a month and is working! I go every day and feel so much better!

Has anyone use Prebiotics before, such as Benefiber? It seems to work for me but I just started about 2 weeks ago so who kows the future...

Oh no problem, it was just working in pleases with limited resources. I am sure most people in the military or civilian contracts had to deal with the same thing. I have often wondered if this did some damage that can't easily be identified; extensive testing did show evidence if coming in contact with unidentifiable viruses. The first time I had serious, ongoing incontinence was after a 2 week job in a remote area where I was hospitalized due to what was thought food poisoning, and then though to be colitis. It persisted to some degree for 8 weeks, and then mostly retreated. However it felt like things were never the same after that.

Thanks for your email razelrosey,
Sounds like you have the right idea for you. Some of my stuff may work when you get a chance to try it or visiting an integrative practitioner could be helpful.

I've added carob to my morning routine. After I have soaked the table spoon each of ground flax, sesame and chia seeds overnight in prune juice the next morning I add a tablespoon of carob powder and stir it well. Carob is chocolate like and helps regularity.

Best of luck and be well,
@farmersmith

Hi, It is possible that with all those viruses you had that they did cause some damage to your pancreas. I never thought much about viruses until I was told everything that could happen . The first time I had pancreatitis I was in shock! How could I have gotten it. I didn’t smoke or drink. I wondered what people would think of me.
That’s the same with liver damage. You don’t need to be a drinker to have a really sick liver. Many different medications can cause liver damage- - like Tylenol. NSAIDs can cause kidney disease and ulcers and bleeding. Nothing is guaranteed to be safe.
Shaylyn 4

Right, and different people have such different reactions to chemicals in the environment, just as they do with food allergies and meds. At some point I stopped looking for too many answers, much to the surprise of friends. But after two years of looking for answers to the reason for EPI and alternative treatments, I took a break from reading about it all the time. There is such a rabbit hole of information I can find myself wasting a ton of time yet the only thing I often find at this point is frustration.

With regards to meds, indeed nothing is safe. One doctor simply said "You don't get something for nothing" and I appreciate him being so forthcoming about the side effects, and that the constipation / diarrhea / uncontrollable flatulence.

About constipation. I have tried almost all the above. I’m now following suggestions from my acupuncturist and functional doctor: drink half my weight in ounces in water, eat clean, mainly organic, avoid processed food and eat the rainbow which has helped me a lot with being more regular, but eating daily 5-6 cups of vegetables per day is helping me to go everyday and feel really clean.

It is available but it is very pricey. I’m on it due to IBS-C. For the first time in years, I am regular! It feels so much better. The first couple of days were rocky but now that I’m used to it, I go like clockwork. If you want to try something until you can get it, try two kiwis a day. It worked for awhile for me then stopped.

Get your GI Dr to prescribe Linzess.