Problem with Chronic constipation

Posted by bb03 @bb03, Feb 1, 2021

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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h8bigbiz | @h8bigbiz | Sep 7, 2024

In reply to @busylady "I’ve only know Beano to work for gas (flatulence), not constipation." + (show)

I know :-); I was using it for gas but it didn't work. I know people for whom it did work, but not me unfortunately.

busylady | @busylady | Sep 7, 2024

In reply to @h8bigbiz "Same here; Beano didn't work for me either. I even used most of a bottle to..." + (show)

I’ve only know Beano to work for gas (flatulence), not constipation.

h8bigbiz | @h8bigbiz | Sep 7, 2024

In reply to @creondave "Thank you I appreciate that. Regreattably that didn't work for me. Drs seem to be all..." + (show)

Same here; Beano didn't work for me either. I even used most of a bottle to give it a chance but no help. When I told people it didn't work, I was asked "Did you keep the bottle in the refrigerator?" "Uh, no, it doesn't say anywhere on the bottle to do that." "Well, do it anyway." So I bought another bottle, kept it in the fridge, gave it a try 'till the bottle was almost gone; still no luck.

waterlilly | @waterlilly | Sep 6, 2024

In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)

I knew you meant that. Yes, I had that feeling, also. For the constipation, I've been weaning of Miralx. Too early to tell but 5 Senna S once a day, 1/2 capful of Miralax(small am't. for me) once a day, magnesium oxide 425mg., prunes and prune juice twice a day is showing some results. I have a G.I. dr appointment next week. I need to ask him if I can take Senna S indefinitely!

shelia49 | @shelia49 | Sep 6, 2024

In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)

Sorry throbing!

shelia49 | @shelia49 | Sep 6, 2024

In reply to @waterlilly "I had a rectocele and surgery to correct it.. I went for my last pap smear..." + (show)

Thank you so much. I have a throwing pressure pain in my bottom and want to try to relieve this pain in addition to constipation.

creondave | @creondave | Sep 6, 2024

In reply to @rashida "Chew two Beano tablets before eating meals or large snacks. Helped my husband tremendously. He never..." + (show)

Thank you I appreciate that. Regreattably that didn't work for me. Drs seem to be all concerned suddenly, doing tons of testing and saw 5 drs this week. Only eating on the low Fod map, if at all. Fingers crossed.

rashida | @rashida | Sep 6, 2024

In reply to @creondave "Has anyone here had excessive flatulence? Mine has flared up recently to an extreme degree. I..." + (show)

Chew two Beano tablets before eating meals or large snacks. Helped my husband tremendously. He never goes anywhere now without the Beano.

waterlilly | @waterlilly | Sep 5, 2024

In reply to @shelia49 "I can understand. I have been in same place. I finally found GI specialist, she suggested..." + (show)

I had a rectocele and surgery to correct it.. I went for my last pap smear when I was turning 65 and the gynecologist said I had one. You need to be examined, an internal. It can be a cause of constipation. The symptoms are you never feel emptied after a BM and it is difficult to pass a BM. You try and go several times a day due to the feeling of not being empty. The surgery isn't bad at all. I had no pain after. I also had my bladder put back in place at the same time. Think that is called a cystocele.
I've had chronic constipation my whole life. The surgery did help some but I still get constipated. I don't know anything different. Ever since I had a serious bowel obstruction, my G.I. doctor put me on Miralax. After 5 yrs, I'm trying to wean myself off of it and having a hard time. It's been almost a month and still struggling. It has given me diahrrea for 5 yrs. Before that, I was on Metamucil for over 30 yrs. Neither is good for me. Get yourself checked for the rectocele. I went to a eurogynecologist for the surgery. Though, a regular gynecologist found it.

speechprof44 | @speechprof44 | Sep 5, 2024

In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)

Please try Magnesium Serene which you can buy from Amazon. It's a powder...most tasty is BERRY. You mix it with hot water.
Just be careful not to take too much ..... start with 1 teaspoon daily, no more than that.
Works for my wife and I. Blessings to you!