Constipation: What helps you?

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @sunshinebird. Sorry to hear you have this new constipation issue, but happy to hear you have an appointment coming up soon.

Hoping here you can connect with members such as @peggyp2 @martyd @heyjoe415 and others who have dealt with constipation.

How is the PEG 3350 (Miralax) your primary recommended working so far?

Apparently, you have me mixed up with someone else. My problem is not constipation, per se. My problem is that it takes me 3 hours every morning to have a bowel movement. I have tried pelvic floor, biofeedback, etc. No answers.
I'm ready for a colostomy. No one has any suggestions.

I have been to multiple Gastos. My experience: A colonoscopy, an assortment of pills, try this, try this, try this. They have no clue!

After almost 6 months of constant Bristol Scale #1 BMs, but no constipation, I started drinking non-sugar kefir (available at most supermarkets in dairy section). Kefir has a mother-load of active ingredients not found in yogurt. It only took a few days, but it solved my problem, and I am back to “normal.”

I had a colonoscopy in March to rule out issues, and nothing significant (anatomically) was discovered, so I felt my problem must be coming from my gut flora. While you wait for your office visit, be sure to eat healthy (no to low sugar), and you could try some non-sugar kefir. Good luck. However, my problem did not involved the most common constipation symptom: motility. I was always “regular” but all my stools were hard, small, round pellets. I thought I was morphing into a rabbit.

Hi - sorry for your miserable mornings. Have you been told that you must have a BM every day? I have read that people vary in the frequency of their BMs, and some people naturally go every other day, or even longer. (I have microscopic colitis and before being on Budesonide I was having diarrhea 7-10 x day, miserable. Now I go 1xday, normal BM)
Anyway, what happens if you were to go every other day? Would you be uncomfortable?
A colostomy sounds scary.
Margot

Hi sunshinebird. Yeah I would give Miralax a try. I take it about 3 or 4 times/week before. I go to bed. It's safe to use everyday I believe.

Your Dr will have other ideas I'm sure.

One observation, having dealt with CIC now for years, when results happen, it's over the top. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground. Watery stools or diarrhea can cause dehydration on the days when the steps I take work too well. Please be aware and drink an electrolyte water (Smart Water is what I use) to compensate.

It's very frustrating, that is for certain. All the best to you!

Joe

My gastro doctor has said that women who had a large baby during childbirth with or without an episiotomy often have constipation later in life!

Redundant colon

For me what helped was the correct diagnosis, which was Hashimoto's.

Yep. I had an emergency forceps delivery of my son who was almost 9 lbs. and had his shoulder stuck. I ripped all the way back to my rectal area. Since then I have struggled with recurring constipation episodes that used to be resolved with the usual over-the-counter laxatives and stool softeners, plus Fleet enemas. (My diet has always been healthy with plenty of fiber and water plus exercise). No dietary suggestions helped - not prunes, Kiwi, coffee, tart cherry juice, yogurt, etc. that everyone keeps recommending because "it works for them". Now, 35 years later, I have chronic idiopathic constipation with little relief from even the most expensive of the new constipation drugs (Linzess, lubiprostone, Motegrity) or magnesium citrate supplements like CALM. My obstetrician seemed to think the nerve damage could be repaired, but I haven't found any doctors who say that would be possible. Going to a gastro motility specialist next, but no openings until December.