1. < Digestive Health

New constipation issues

Posted by barbaradh @barbaradh, Apr 4 9:03am

I am a 68 year old female of normal weight, active and w/o new health issues. In January my bowel movements changed overnight; there has been no change in diet or hydration, activity level, meds (only Rx is beta blocker for a PSVT that appeared 3 years ago). I went from having normal looking stools to passing small “stones” (Bristol scale image 1). I went to see gastroenterologist who said, “Let’s start with colonoscopy.” That sounded reasonable as it was almost ten years since the last one which was 100% normal. Well, so was this one. I am almost two weeks past thar test, and my stools went right back to small stones. I poop on a regular time schedule, and there is no-strain to pass the stools. I am scheduling a follow up with the same doctor, but I am curious if any one has lived through this. Probiotics change nothing. Thank you.

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peggyp2 | @peggyp2 | 5 days ago
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hi Peggy and thanks for your reply. Did either Trulance or Linzess help ease constipation? I..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Hi Peggy and thanks for your reply. Did either Trulance or Linzess help ease constipation? I tried Linzess a few years ago with no luck.

Thanks Peggy.

Joe

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Tried linzess and trulance but still have buildup. Best laxative is stouffers candy. Still have build up and bloating dr only answer is a pill not why or how to avoid

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barbaradh | @barbaradh | 5 days ago
In reply to @barbaradh "As a non-medical person, it would seem that chronic constipation may be a symptom of something..." + (show)
@barbaradh

As a non-medical person, it would seem that chronic constipation may be a symptom of something else not working correctly. In other words, there may be a reason the GI doc cannot figure it out. Maybe another type of specialist is the key? What else can constipation be a symptom of? (Rhetoric question, but I bet Dr. Google has tapped out on that.)

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Weird that we cannot edit our own submissions here, so I will have to add another comment. What I neglected to write is that: I am wondering if Ayurvedic medicine has a different approach to digestive problems—or if they would even consider constipation problems as related to digestive health. For my own sake, I am trying to think outside the box.

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martyd | @martyd | 5 days ago
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hi Peggy and thanks for your reply. Did either Trulance or Linzess help ease constipation? I..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Hi Peggy and thanks for your reply. Did either Trulance or Linzess help ease constipation? I tried Linzess a few years ago with no luck.

Thanks Peggy.

Joe

Jump to this post

Both cause terrible diarrhea.

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1 reply
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 5 days ago
In reply to @martyd "Both cause terrible diarrhea." + (show)
@martyd

Both cause terrible diarrhea.

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Thanks Marty. That's what I was afraid of. All or nothing. And the "all" can be very unpleasant.

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standinginfaith | @standinginfaith | 4 days ago

Oh my dear!!! That is beyond horrible!! As of now.. all I can think of is 2 things .. try a different gastro.. and pray!! I will be praying for you!! Big hugs!!And prayers!!

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 4 days ago

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Please review the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

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bb03 | @bb03 | 4 days ago
In reply to @martyd "I need to say this so that there is a better understanding of what people are..." + (show)
@martyd

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?

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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.

REPLY
2 replies
bb03 | @bb03 | 4 days ago
In reply to @bb03 "I’m 65 and my gut literally shut down over a period of one year. I was..." + (show)
@bb03

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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Correction I ate a vegetarian diet.

REPLY
celia16 | @celia16 | 3 days ago
In reply to @bb03 "I’m 65 and my gut literally shut down over a period of one year. I was..." + (show)
@bb03

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.

Jump to this post

Wow! My constipation can be stubborn, but not that severe.

REPLY
peggyp2 | @peggyp2 | 3 days ago
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hi Peggy and thanks for your reply. Did either Trulance or Linzess help ease constipation? I..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Hi Peggy and thanks for your reply. Did either Trulance or Linzess help ease constipation? I tried Linzess a few years ago with no luck.

Thanks Peggy.

Joe

Jump to this post

I am going off Trulance stouffers candies work better just two pieces at night

REPLY
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