Chronic constipation

Creondave,
WOW‼️ I have not seen this attitude of needing a break from the HARD NEGATIVE work of self research in any of the online forums I've tried. THANX for sharing, I have been in dark rabbit holes of research failure too. I have to take breaks from forums also. I let myself feel very guilty that I can't find the answers. You sharing helps to validate that my feelings are valid and real. Thanx, Shelley

bb03, I have had Amitiza, Linzess, and Trulance(a cheaper version of Linzess), 10 years ago when I first started using these, it helped a pinch...now they do nothing for me. I hope it works well for you. Shelley

Has anyone here had excessive flatulence? Mine has flared up recently to an extreme degree. I am returning to see my GP and a Gastro specialist this week. Previously the Creon and Gas-X kept it manageable, but it has returned with a vengeance. It came on suddenly, and has not retreated.

Creondave,
I like to use activated charcoal with plenty of water to push it through my gut.
Also, I don't know the exact name, but I call it the doggie pose: get on hands and knees, lower your head and 1. Rock back and forth 2. Same position but lower the whole body, arms outstretched. How can gas/air be so painful?? ShelleyW

I’ll be following what your doctor advises since I seem to be having the same issue. Was doing fine with Miralax and Metamucil for almost a year, and suddenly the flatulence came on with no change in diet or lifestyle. It’s frustrating.

@xnkpr1 try Beano for flatulence. Two tablets before eating.

I can understand. I have been in same place. I finally found GI specialist, she suggested I could have a (rectocele) I am looking for Dr to treat this. If anyone has had this I would appreciate your help.

Disclaimer: This is only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and he bet that I would find what worked for me. How to keep a longer than normal pipe with consistent moisture…. My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now.
I tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if take continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up because it took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He could get through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once when I get up to pee. I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I like to grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T of carob now since it can help regularity. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boyscouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month.
Check out helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these help prevent constipation. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced. Good luck, @farmersmith

Please try Magnesium Serene which you can buy from Amazon. It's a powder...most tasty is BERRY. You mix it with hot water.
Just be careful not to take too much ..... start with 1 teaspoon daily, no more than that.
Works for my wife and I. Blessings to you!

I had a rectocele and surgery to correct it.. I went for my last pap smear when I was turning 65 and the gynecologist said I had one. You need to be examined, an internal. It can be a cause of constipation. The symptoms are you never feel emptied after a BM and it is difficult to pass a BM. You try and go several times a day due to the feeling of not being empty. The surgery isn't bad at all. I had no pain after. I also had my bladder put back in place at the same time. Think that is called a cystocele.
I've had chronic constipation my whole life. The surgery did help some but I still get constipated. I don't know anything different. Ever since I had a serious bowel obstruction, my G.I. doctor put me on Miralax. After 5 yrs, I'm trying to wean myself off of it and having a hard time. It's been almost a month and still struggling. It has given me diahrrea for 5 yrs. Before that, I was on Metamucil for over 30 yrs. Neither is good for me. Get yourself checked for the rectocele. I went to a eurogynecologist for the surgery. Though, a regular gynecologist found it.