I need to say this so that there is a better understanding of what people are talking about here. This discussion is not about normal constipation that can be alleviated with a laxative, or more fiber, or whatever. This is a serious problem that the alleged doctors don't seem to have a clue as to how to treat. They all go through the same routine of trying this, trying that. Actually, nothing works. THEN WHAT?
Enter pelvic floor. We are advised to go for pelvic floor therapy... Useless! THEN WHAT?
Here I am. It takes me 3 hours to complete a bowel movement. I'm always uncomfortable, and the alleged doctor says, I'll see you in three weeks. THEN WHAT?
I’m 65 and my gut literally shut down over a period of one year. I was severely constipated eating a bean diet and active and drinking loads of fluid. My thyroid low but even when my levels were normal still constipated. I have a history of endometriosis and thus a total hysterectomy at age 42 but the damage was done. Scar tissue in my gut and on my I testiness this limiting my gut peristalsis( movement). Stupid GYN after my hysterectomy just put me on estrogen so I continued to grow endometriosis in my gut on my organs. As of 5 years ago I had vaginal bleeding, he took me to surgery was endometriosis( dah) caused by the estrogen and thus more scar tissue. I asked him to add progesterone and after 4 days bleeding stopped but about same time went to a Gastroenterologist, had a positive Sitz study of coursr( slow transition gut) and put in Linzess. It didn’t work for me and I read a blog that you have to take it everyday at same time with a lot of warm water them half hour later I eat breakfast. I get up at 5 and about 5:10 take Linzess 290 mg.I have already started heating the water in a 4 cup glass container. I drink about 1.5 cups then take it followed by another 4.5 cups water. I eat religiously at 5:40. It causes forceful contractions in your gut and since I have kinked parts the water forces my intestines to open. I also take at 7:30 pm every night a dose of miralax and powdered Mg citrate. Probably 1000mg. Helps you sleep and pulls water into your gut. I also drink with that about three-4 cups of water. I have to be religious with all this or it doesn’t work. I also eat extremely healthy and take supplements and am active . I only eat junk food a little every Saturday my cheat day.
I’m 65 and my gut literally shut down over a period of one year. I was severely constipated eating a bean diet and active and drinking loads of fluid. My thyroid low but even when my levels were normal still constipated. I have a history of endometriosis and thus a total hysterectomy at age 42 but the damage was done. Scar tissue in my gut and on my I testiness this limiting my gut peristalsis( movement). Stupid GYN after my hysterectomy just put me on estrogen so I continued to grow endometriosis in my gut on my organs. As of 5 years ago I had vaginal bleeding, he took me to surgery was endometriosis( dah) caused by the estrogen and thus more scar tissue. I asked him to add progesterone and after 4 days bleeding stopped but about same time went to a Gastroenterologist, had a positive Sitz study of coursr( slow transition gut) and put in Linzess. It didn’t work for me and I read a blog that you have to take it everyday at same time with a lot of warm water them half hour later I eat breakfast. I get up at 5 and about 5:10 take Linzess 290 mg.I have already started heating the water in a 4 cup glass container. I drink about 1.5 cups then take it followed by another 4.5 cups water. I eat religiously at 5:40. It causes forceful contractions in your gut and since I have kinked parts the water forces my intestines to open. I also take at 7:30 pm every night a dose of miralax and powdered Mg citrate. Probably 1000mg. Helps you sleep and pulls water into your gut. I also drink with that about three-4 cups of water. I have to be religious with all this or it doesn’t work. I also eat extremely healthy and take supplements and am active . I only eat junk food a little every Saturday my cheat day.
I’m 65 and my gut literally shut down over a period of one year. I was severely constipated eating a bean diet and active and drinking loads of fluid. My thyroid low but even when my levels were normal still constipated. I have a history of endometriosis and thus a total hysterectomy at age 42 but the damage was done. Scar tissue in my gut and on my I testiness this limiting my gut peristalsis( movement). Stupid GYN after my hysterectomy just put me on estrogen so I continued to grow endometriosis in my gut on my organs. As of 5 years ago I had vaginal bleeding, he took me to surgery was endometriosis( dah) caused by the estrogen and thus more scar tissue. I asked him to add progesterone and after 4 days bleeding stopped but about same time went to a Gastroenterologist, had a positive Sitz study of coursr( slow transition gut) and put in Linzess. It didn’t work for me and I read a blog that you have to take it everyday at same time with a lot of warm water them half hour later I eat breakfast. I get up at 5 and about 5:10 take Linzess 290 mg.I have already started heating the water in a 4 cup glass container. I drink about 1.5 cups then take it followed by another 4.5 cups water. I eat religiously at 5:40. It causes forceful contractions in your gut and since I have kinked parts the water forces my intestines to open. I also take at 7:30 pm every night a dose of miralax and powdered Mg citrate. Probably 1000mg. Helps you sleep and pulls water into your gut. I also drink with that about three-4 cups of water. I have to be religious with all this or it doesn’t work. I also eat extremely healthy and take supplements and am active . I only eat junk food a little every Saturday my cheat day.
Been an issue for me, for 20 or 25 years. Many problems. And was in the ER once with a diverticulitis attack. Almost had to have major colon surgery.So, I used prune juice, a senna formula (Ex-Lax is senna, but I use a different brand), Miralax (very helpful. It's a stool softener. Until I started using it, almost nothing worked). I also, you know, eat meals like bran muffins and yogurt, I eat a soft food diet often, I also use Metamucil. Sometimes coffee seems to help. Of course, plenty of hydration, abdominal exercises too...Anyway...a couple of things that have helped me.And I have used that wooden stool, that elevates your legs. Well, we actually have a plastic one called "Squatty Potty."have to get the height of it right. and if you have some problems with your knees or hips, can be an issue.the Squatty Potty has a truly hysterical ad, if anyone wants to check in with it. A bit gross, you know, re subject matter. But if the scatological humor doesn't bother you, it is worth a look: This Unicorn Changed the Way I Poop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbYWhdLO43Q
I am so sorry. In hindsight I had constipation issues going back to my 20s. I am 64. One thing I am looking at for myself is stress. I have ptsd. I am working more on stress management plus working on my diet.
Are you working with a gastroenterologist and proctologist? Have you had testing for motility and digestive issues in addition to endoscopy and colonoscopy? Have they done biopsies?
Have you had testing for allergies to foods? Have you tried working with a nutritionist/dietitian? You may be at risk for being malnourished due to suffering so long and not properly digesting foods.
Hi abdullahdev,
Sorry this is so long but I feel so happy to have regularity after having problems most of my life!!! Best of luck. Stick with it and you can find what fits for you! I am so glad I didn't even consider surgery. You can form fit the changes you need for just you. Be sure to be active too. Keep a notebook and record timing, menu, changes, appearance etc it really helped me.
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.
I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient, He bet that I would find something that worked for me. Goal: how to keep a longer than normal pipe consistently moist…. (but even if you don't have a redundant colon this is the mechanics of our our bodies work) My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now on.
I tried laxatives - not consistent + side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if taken continuously. I liked a response of a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up. It took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Dec 2023 the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He went through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so 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. He showed me the redundancy. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up, at least as a test. OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once in the night (important to keep colon moisture consistent). I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T or two of carob now since it can help regularity. Take all in the morning. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boy scouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Have heard kiwi's are good but haven't tried them. 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. I depend on this for daily REGULARITY first "chore" each morning. I am an early riser and when off the farm I don't want to wonder if I will have REGULARITY.
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 supplement 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.
Wheat can be an allergen like all grains with gluten so is hard on the gut. I gave it up years ago and eat cooked millet and buckwheat occasionally or use the ground flour. Also it might be best to eat veggies cooked + consciously chew each bite at least 30 X. I also soak my seeds at least overnight - chia, flax, sesame after I grind them in a coffee seeds only grinder. I soak nuts I eat overnight too and even steam my carrot sticks lightly.
Oh and letting stress go is important too - I know how scary it can be to have irregularity. Golly it seems there is no hope for relief but it is worth looking at diet and trying lifestyle changes that can help. Good luck, @farmersmith
I've suffered from constipation all my life.. now 71..and really been thru it.. tortuous colon.. ulcer..leaky gut.. finally after trying everything including Linzess and Amtisia (sp?) I am on Trulance- 1 pill in the morning.. and Miralax every evening... and watch what I eat..
Have you had a gastric emptying test?? And allergy and food intolerances tests..??
One thing that really plugs me up is sucralose..hidden in soo many things.. even in English muffins..I eat 1 Thomas multigrain English muffin a day 8 grams of fiber.. and drink 2 Vanilla plant based Ensures (on Amazon) to keep my vitamin levels up..(got scurvy from lack of vitamin c) The Plant based ensure has plant protein..not whey which is a milk protein.. drink alot of water!! Kinderlite is like pedialite but no sucralose and will help hydrate you.. I feel your frustration.. constipation is nothing to mess with and so uncomfortable.. I pray you find a good gastroenterologist ..ask about the gastric emptying.. praying you get relief!! I hope this helps some!!
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I’m 65 and my gut literally shut down over a period of one year. I was severely constipated eating a bean diet and active and drinking loads of fluid. My thyroid low but even when my levels were normal still constipated. I have a history of endometriosis and thus a total hysterectomy at age 42 but the damage was done. Scar tissue in my gut and on my I testiness this limiting my gut peristalsis( movement). Stupid GYN after my hysterectomy just put me on estrogen so I continued to grow endometriosis in my gut on my organs. As of 5 years ago I had vaginal bleeding, he took me to surgery was endometriosis( dah) caused by the estrogen and thus more scar tissue. I asked him to add progesterone and after 4 days bleeding stopped but about same time went to a Gastroenterologist, had a positive Sitz study of coursr( slow transition gut) and put in Linzess. It didn’t work for me and I read a blog that you have to take it everyday at same time with a lot of warm water them half hour later I eat breakfast. I get up at 5 and about 5:10 take Linzess 290 mg.I have already started heating the water in a 4 cup glass container. I drink about 1.5 cups then take it followed by another 4.5 cups water. I eat religiously at 5:40. It causes forceful contractions in your gut and since I have kinked parts the water forces my intestines to open. I also take at 7:30 pm every night a dose of miralax and powdered Mg citrate. Probably 1000mg. Helps you sleep and pulls water into your gut. I also drink with that about three-4 cups of water. I have to be religious with all this or it doesn’t work. I also eat extremely healthy and take supplements and am active . I only eat junk food a little every Saturday my cheat day.
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2 ReactionsCorrection I ate a vegetarian diet.
Wow! My constipation can be stubborn, but not that severe.
I am going off Trulance stouffers candies work better just two pieces at night
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1 ReactionI have tried laxatives, healthy food , prucalopride, colonoscopy, hypothyroidism, almost from stool to blood test all.
I empty my bowl using water enema by my own.
I want to know is it risky
I am unable to digest or breakdown vegetables. Vegetable pices comes out same as I eat.
I can digest wheet, chicken but it also slow.
My life is restricted mostly in my house and store.
I want to improve my life. Is there any one suffer lik me. Please guide me.
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7 ReactionsI am so sorry. In hindsight I had constipation issues going back to my 20s. I am 64. One thing I am looking at for myself is stress. I have ptsd. I am working more on stress management plus working on my diet.
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6 ReactionsMy mother suffered all her life with constipation. She tried and did everything.
Are you getting plenty of exercise and fluids?
Besides diet these are 2 of the main things that help with digestion and constipation.
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3 Reactions@abdullahdev
It is risky to do regular enemas.
Are you working with a gastroenterologist and proctologist? Have you had testing for motility and digestive issues in addition to endoscopy and colonoscopy? Have they done biopsies?
Have you had testing for allergies to foods? Have you tried working with a nutritionist/dietitian? You may be at risk for being malnourished due to suffering so long and not properly digesting foods.
1. https://www.everydayhealth.com/constipation/gut-check-should-you-use-an-enema-for-constipation-relief/
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/enema-benefits
3. https://forum.facmedicine.com/threads/the-hidden-dangers-of-enemas-what-every-doctor-should-know.85146/
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3 ReactionsHi abdullahdev,
Sorry this is so long but I feel so happy to have regularity after having problems most of my life!!! Best of luck. Stick with it and you can find what fits for you! I am so glad I didn't even consider surgery. You can form fit the changes you need for just you. Be sure to be active too. Keep a notebook and record timing, menu, changes, appearance etc it really helped me.
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.
I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient, He bet that I would find something that worked for me. Goal: how to keep a longer than normal pipe consistently moist…. (but even if you don't have a redundant colon this is the mechanics of our our bodies work) My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now on.
I tried laxatives - not consistent + side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if taken continuously. I liked a response of a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up. It took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Dec 2023 the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He went through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so 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. He showed me the redundancy. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up, at least as a test. OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once in the night (important to keep colon moisture consistent). I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T or two of carob now since it can help regularity. Take all in the morning. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boy scouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Have heard kiwi's are good but haven't tried them. 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. I depend on this for daily REGULARITY first "chore" each morning. I am an early riser and when off the farm I don't want to wonder if I will have REGULARITY.
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 supplement 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.
Wheat can be an allergen like all grains with gluten so is hard on the gut. I gave it up years ago and eat cooked millet and buckwheat occasionally or use the ground flour. Also it might be best to eat veggies cooked + consciously chew each bite at least 30 X. I also soak my seeds at least overnight - chia, flax, sesame after I grind them in a coffee seeds only grinder. I soak nuts I eat overnight too and even steam my carrot sticks lightly.
Oh and letting stress go is important too - I know how scary it can be to have irregularity. Golly it seems there is no hope for relief but it is worth looking at diet and trying lifestyle changes that can help. Good luck, @farmersmith
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI've suffered from constipation all my life.. now 71..and really been thru it.. tortuous colon.. ulcer..leaky gut.. finally after trying everything including Linzess and Amtisia (sp?) I am on Trulance- 1 pill in the morning.. and Miralax every evening... and watch what I eat..
Have you had a gastric emptying test?? And allergy and food intolerances tests..??
One thing that really plugs me up is sucralose..hidden in soo many things.. even in English muffins..I eat 1 Thomas multigrain English muffin a day 8 grams of fiber.. and drink 2 Vanilla plant based Ensures (on Amazon) to keep my vitamin levels up..(got scurvy from lack of vitamin c) The Plant based ensure has plant protein..not whey which is a milk protein.. drink alot of water!! Kinderlite is like pedialite but no sucralose and will help hydrate you.. I feel your frustration.. constipation is nothing to mess with and so uncomfortable.. I pray you find a good gastroenterologist ..ask about the gastric emptying.. praying you get relief!! I hope this helps some!!
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4 Reactions