Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC): Diagnostic Experiences

Yay! I am so glad to hear this good report on you! Congrats on finding what works and passing it along to us!

Have you tried miralax

Yes @mumsa48 . I tried PPIs(doc said as diagnostic), miralax, Metamucil, Linzess, hyoscyamine, senna…..I’m not sure if that covers it. These were all before the GI evacuation program so a lot has changed since. Right now, it helps to make sure to eat foods with vitamin C with every meal and snack. I’ve heard and believed, “food as medicine”, but fully comprehend what it means now.

@bouli What have you decided about testing?

Thank you, @jsee for the earlier overview of how figuring out how constipation can be addressed. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1206626/

I have progressed ruling out obstructive causes, anatomical problems, transit time impacts, confirming pelvic floor strength, and now a follow-up round of pelvic floor therapy to continue improving coordination. I am learning there can be several contributors, not always one go-to reason/cause.

What are you finding out? I am reading through this conversation with a new lens now that I have learned more. I can’t say my problems are fixed but I can say I am encouraged to have made some progress. I am also including @bouli @celia16 @bxavier1 @hogan2 for updates.

How are you doing? What is impacting you day to day, your quality of life? What is helping, what are your next steps?

Hello. Does pelvic floor exercise help?
Thanks

Hi, we are working on helping my 12 yr old autistic granddaughter who has severe constipation for years. All they give her is tons of Miralax and it isn't really helping. Wondering how often you are doing that mixture?

I had an anal manometry test but still don’t have the results. I take one Trulance tablet and one Motegrity tablet each day and occasionally take one or two capfuls of MiraLAX at night as needed. When I get the anal manometry results back I’ll determine if I do more tests and/or the pelvic floor physical therapy.

Pelvic floor therapy really has helped me, @bxavier1 . It was a leap of faith for me since I didn’t understand much about it. My provider that recommended it was confident it would help and I needed help, so I tried it.

After my testing I went to a local therapist and didn’t make much progress. In fact, she told me she could give me some relief but couldn’t do anything to fix it. Then, I went to Mayo Clinic and went through their bowel evacuation program. It was not the end-all to solve my problems but definitely part of it. I wish there was a magic pill or easy button.

Are you thinking about pelvic floor therapy? How are you doing, what is your biggest struggle right now?

Hi @muggle731, how difficult this must be for your granddaughter.

I notice on Mayo Clinic Bowel Evacuation Program site they mention pediatrics.
“Pediatric pelvic floor therapists work with physician partners to improve regular bowel evacuation for children and adolescents.”

This may be a wonderful program for your granddaughter. My experience at Mayo Clinic has been receiving super compassionate care. I posted this above but here is the link again so you can read the program summary: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/bowel-evacuation-disorders-program/overview/ovc-20467190

You could contact them here for an appointment: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63