Severe Constipation

Posted by klk464 @klk464, Feb 28, 2018

I have had severe constipation for a long time. I drink lots of water and have had almost every test possible done and tried many prescription medications. These medications work for a little bit then stop. I currently take 3 docusate in morning and at night I will take 2 senna/docusate. I still dont have a daily BM. So i get bloated crampy and back pain from this.

I was told I could go to the Mayo Clinic as they may have ideas for me because they are out of options for me here.

Anyone else suffer from this?

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sue225 | @sue225 | Nov 19, 2022

In reply to @heyjoe415 "Did Prunelax work? I think that contains Senna leaves. Thanks! Joe" + (show)

I only used the Prunelax once. Senokot is still my #1 go-to.

gastrochic | @gastrochic | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @jsp68 "I have had chronic constipation since birth. I am now 54 years old. I have ran..." + (show)

What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid, helped me, but since the recall, there is none. It bums me out, because it would help me once in a while. I did get the fiber capsules, but I'm still backed up. Going to ask Dr maybe to increase my Reglan (sp)? The constant bloating just sucks. And honestly watch the water. I think the levels of chlorine they are putting in the water are hurting a lot of people's digestive systems, because it's poison. My water is so bad at my house, the city won't do anything but call the cops on me, while my health deterriates. And now have to pay culligan for safe drinking water for my family and pets. Just be careful. Stomach pills is a huge money maker. Any advice on being more regular would be helpful. I'm only taking 2 capsules a day, maybe I need more? It's the one with the phylum husks (sp).
Thank you and God Bless.
Gastrochic

sjw6358 | @sjw6358 | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @gastrochic "What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid,..." + (show)

i have had my problems too with constipation. what has helped me is... morning; Bigelow green tea with ginger and probiotics, senna stool softener -2 pills, nature valley magnesium citrate 2 pills, Colace- 2pills, then at night before bed i mix powder MiraLAX and Bigelow lavender chamomile probiotic tea ...plus my dietician has me drinking around 100 oz of fluid every day...i try to exercise everyday-walk, go to gym twice a week, SOMETHING...i was going every 3 or 4 days between poops but in the last 3 weeks i go almost every day

phkershner | @phkershner | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @gastrochic "What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid,..." + (show)

I hate to be simplistic, but having dealt with this all my life, I find that I can keep it largely under control with 100 oz. of liquid a day (that includes the milk you put in your cereal), fairly strenuous exercise (i.e. not a gentle walk) for an hour, six days a week, and once a week take Phillips Milk of Magnesia (yeah... I know it's gross, but have something like pretzels or crackers nearby to take immediately after swallowing the nasty stuff and the taste doesn't seem to linger - do try to swallow it all at once and try to take the maximum dosage). Good luck!

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Dec 31, 2022

In reply to @gastrochic "What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid,..." + (show)

I've had luck with Dulcolax (bisacodyl) - but have to limit the times I use it because it is habit forming. I do avoid hard stool by taking Miralax each night before bed. It's a battle....... Days where nothing happens, and then one day when too much happens. I'm sure you know what I mean.......

I've also tried magnesium citrate in liquid form in a bottle. That does the trick, but it is NOT gentle! The powder magnesium citrate, like Calm, I would avoid. Way too strong. That stuff is just for colonoscopy prep.

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Dec 31, 2022

In reply to @gastrochic "What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid,..." + (show)

You can get magnesium citrate liquid again. Search for the Bluebonnet brand.

sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Dec 31, 2022

In reply to @gastrochic "What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid,..." + (show)

I noticed that you mentioned taking Reglan. I would avoid that. Very constipating.
You can also try some type of oil at bedtime. Mineral, olive. I do 1 tbsp. Not as bad as you would think. Pretty much tasteless.
Smooth Move Tea will also do it for me. How long you let it steep determines how strong it will be. I’m pretty resistant and it works for me in a matter of hours. If I’m really backed up, I’ll drink a cup of warm prune juice with a pat of melted butter first. Gag! But, between those two things I can almost guarantee, you will definitely have relief soon!

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jan 1, 2023

In reply to @gastrochic "What more do you have to do. I suffer from this a lot. Magnesium citrate, liquid,..." + (show)

Gastrochic,

I know what you're going through. One thing that helps is Miralax - one dose every night with water at bedtime. It won't work miracles, but at a minimum I think it prevents hard stools and lessens the need for stimulant laxatives. I wait about 5 days between taking a stimulant. I'd like to stop that but don't have much of a choice. anyway, things go more smoothly if you take my meaning.

Good luck. It's very frustrating.

Joe

mikayla | @mikaylar | Jan 2, 2023

In reply to @heyjoe415 "Gastrochic, I know what you're going through. One thing that helps is Miralax - one dose..." + (show)

You can also take a stool softer every day so at least if you get backed up it won't be so hard. Magnesium is my go-to. You can regulate it yourself and keep adding some until you go. Also warm prune juice. Find a fruit that makes you go - usually the "P" fruits- pineapple, prune, plum