Problem with Chronic constipation
I have a history of hypothyroidism, severe endometriosis/treatment was a hysterectomy 17 years ago.I also have a hx of IBS. My thyroid hormone levels are stable. I eat like a rabbit(I poop like one too, LOL!!!!!!). I eat a large amount of fiber and drink almost every hour(nonalcholic).ONly prescription drugs I take are armour thyroid and my estrogen/prosterone troche. I make a coconut bread and I add psyllium husks,flax seed and chia seed to it. I eat it practically every am. I also eat a spinach salad for lunch daily with nuts and yogurt and eat a lean meat and veggie and more coconut bread at night. I do one cheat meal with a cheat dessert once per week. I am relatively active for my age of 60. I've been to a gastroenterologist and we have tried Linzess which didn't help at all. I take miralax, and a Super Cleanse tab one per day which has herbs to soften the stool and to stimulate the bowel and It barely works. I am at a loss. I have not tried Montegrity yet. I don't know if it will be helpful and the side effects scare me. I had a CT of my abdomen and it was ok, no obstructions. The gastroenterologist that I go to practically accused me of abusing laxatives. I would be impacted if I didnt use the miralax and the Super Cleanse. Diet/water and activity do not help. I had diarrhea from my late teens to the age of 36 when my intestines out of the blue just shut down completely. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I was put on Synthroid but the constipation didn't go away. So if there is any gastroenterologist out there that can help me, please let me know.I feel defeated and worry about my health.
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That sounds interesting! I also find exercise and diet unhelpful....i walk plenty and even did a 24 mile walk yesterday....longest walk of my life and im 69 now....but zero help to my bowels. I live in Europe and got a product called depurlax in a natural health store .....its based on Senecot and is best thing I ever used. Take it every second day.
chocolate ex lax, silymarin complex, collard greens cooked, fresh red cherries, bran cereal, green grapes, asparagus, MOVE chews etc. exercises. heat pad to open up area. good luck!
I am boiling water with teaspoon of salt nd sugar adding lemon and drinking first thing in the morning,it’s working!!
Thx Barb, and I agree. Too many GI Drs who treat CIC don't appreciate how very life changing it can be.
Joe
So true!!
Hi Barb
Another worth trying that I use for backup is Walgreens Cherry Flavored Milk of Mag., 30 ml at bed time. Always works for me.
Tadueo
Yes ! And I am tired of medical people telling me not to rely on Dulcolax because it's dangerous to do so. Well, if it works, I am going to take it. I think some of these medical people have never had constipation ever and don't realize how much it can disable you. Until there is another way, Dulcolax is my go-to for now.
I’m so similar to you in your healthy fiber-filled diet and thyroid issues. Been on thyroid medication for almost totally shrunk to nothing thyroid but it’s not connected to my CIC. I started Motegrity yesterday and it is cleaning me out. It’s caused diarrhea (I am not unhappy about this since at least my colon is working again) but also a headache and nausea so I am couch-bound. I’ll update this site once I am more acclimated to this drug.
It's amazing how our furry friends actually do become family members. It's glorious to have them, and just like life, heartbreaking when their time comes.
And I have tried every constipation-busting Rx and none really work. I have to combine Motegrity with Dulcolax, something I should't do and don't recommend.
CIC is just miserable.
It is regular. I drink a glass of it around 6am and I void around 9am. It is soft but formed.