Does anyone have chronic constipation?

Posted by anna17X0X @anna17xox, Apr 11 5:30pm

I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December so it's been 4 months. I am always gassy and the smell has been very foul so I've been scared and embarrassed to be around people lately because of how bad it smells, when I've tried to poop only gas comes out most of the time, sometimes my stomach feels stiff and I start to feel lethargic. And I've tried almost everything digestive drinks like meta Mucil, eating more fiber i live an active lifestyle and I drink plenty of fluids and water. I recently had an appointment with my pediatrician about this she made me do colon cleansing for a day . And take Miralax for a minimum of 3 weeks. My stools were watery during the cleansing but after a couple days it feels like my stool is going back to being hard and stubborn. I still don't poop completely sometimes and I'm still gassy but it's not smelly like it was before. She said I can stop taking Miralax when i feel like my stools are going back to normal after a few days or weeks and it's been a week or two and a few days. I know I still need to wait one more week but my follow-up appointment is next Wednesday. The Miralax seems like a temporary fix, I feel like it'' never go away the worst part is I cant figure out what the cause is. I don't think it's IBS because I heard IBS involves bloody stools and stomach cramps I don't have bloody stools and I don't think I get stomach cramps . It just feels like have some other serious digestive problem or something I don't really know. I don't want to be constipated for the rest of my life I feel miserable, my pediatrician said if the Miralax doesn't work as intended I may have to see a gastroenterologists.

Has anyone or is anyone dealing with chronic constipation ?,does it or did it ever go away ? and has anyone been experiencing the same symptoms as me ?.Do you have any recommendations on how they treat their constipation ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

jp9 | @jp9 | Apr 11 8:06pm

Interesting because I belong to a chronic constipation group online. If you want to search in groups on Facebook, the name is Reversing Chronic Constipation. You would be surprised how large this group is with new members every day.
First of all, Miralax does not work for me. I've been dealing with this a long time but has increased to the point that I and other members have found something could help a long or short time and then stop helping and trying.
That happened to me
with Milk of Magnesia.
I had very short success with Miralax. Then short success with Ducolax.
I have had a script for Linzess that did not work. as well as Amitra (spelling).
I will be back yet tonight to assist more important info.

stlandrypt | @stlandrypt | Apr 12 8:15am

Go see a gastroenterologist. They specialize in GI issues including constipation. I personally have chronic constipation from meds I take for migraines. I also have gastroparesis which is slow motility. They put me on motegrity which helps.

Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Apr 12 8:37am

I would like to invite @tadueo, @tam1964, and @oliveoyl123 to this discussion. They have shared some of their experiences and what they tried for chronic constipation in another discussion titled, "Problem with Chronic Constipation" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/problem-with-chronic-constipation/, and may be able to share some more insights of their experience with you as well.

reillyg1013 | @reillyg1013 | Apr 12 9:42am

I have been dealing with chronic constipation since childhood- unfortunately, for me it never was resolved with fiber supplements or meds. My symptoms are similar to yours- to the point where I stopped going out to dine with groups of friends because I would have to leave the table due to the amount of gas. I was even in the drug trial for Linzess, which worked while taking but didn’t have any lasting effects when you stopped. My go to solution is Australian black licorice- works within a day to relieve the constipation- but again, only a temporary fix. I have done the whole route with gastrointestinal doctor and they just want to give meds- so I prefer the licorice to that. Best of luck, hope your issue resolves.

anna17X0X | @anna17xox | Apr 12 9:58am

In reply to @reillyg1013 "I have been dealing with chronic constipation since childhood- unfortunately, for me it never was resolved..." + (show)

do you remember the exact age you were when you first experienced chronic constipation.And does your stomach also give you a weird feeling sometimes.

reillyg1013 | @reillyg1013 | Apr 12 11:00am

In reply to @anna17xox "do you remember the exact age you were when you first experienced chronic constipation.And does your..." + (show)

My earliest recall was age 5, and the reason I remember is because we were at the shore for 2 weeks and my mom kept giving me castor oil because I hadn’t had a bowel movement the whole time we were there. As far as my stomach, it just gets very hard and bloated, as an adult I have gone as long as 2-3 weeks without a bowel movement- so bad that I get to the point where I can’t urinate because I’m so blocked up. I’m 68 now, so I’m very used to this, but I sympathize with you because of how uncomfortable and embarrassing it can be.

anna17X0X | @anna17xox | Apr 12 2:16pm

In reply to @reillyg1013 "My earliest recall was age 5, and the reason I remember is because we were at..." + (show)

Thank you for sharing, and im sorry that you have been dealing with this for a long time.don't know if I'll be to get rid of it sooner or later but I hope It goes away somehow.

anna17X0X | @anna17xox | Apr 12 2:18pm

In reply to @jp9 "Interesting because I belong to a chronic constipation group online. If you want to search in..." + (show)

Are you still taking any medication for constipation that you have found most effective ?

skim3737 | @skim3737 | Apr 12 5:38pm

In reply to @anna17xox "Thank you for sharing, and im sorry that you have been dealing with this for a..." + (show)

I would also recommend seeing a gastroenterologist. You mentioned that the constipation and excess gas came started in December and that this was something new for you. Check into being tested for SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), particularly methane dominant version of SIBO.

celia16 | @celia16 | Apr 13 10:22am

I got chronic constipation suddenly in summer of 2022. I had never experienced it before, except once when I drank too many protein shakes.

I’ve tried most all of the recommendations…..fiber, water, exercise, prunes, etc. I’ve also tried prescription med (Lubiprostone) worked well for 2 days and stopped. Getting ready to start Linzess. I’ve been following the instructions from my primary and gastroenterologists for over a year and that means it works and I go everyday. But, it’s not normal. If I didn’t take the Miralax, I would not go at all. Until recently, I took one glass if Metamucil AND one cap of Miralax daily. I found the Miralax works alone, so I just do that. It causes a lot of air…not gas, but air and I hate it. Plus, it’s like jello. I don’t like that either. The gastroenterologists have no idea why. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy next month, after a normal one in 2020.

I hope you can find relief. I’m so tired of dealing with it. I intend to utilize more online support. I think that is important.

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