Problem with Chronic constipation

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

Hi @creondave I was diagnosed with EPI Nov.2023 because I had horrible diarrhea and it looked greasy. The tests were done & I was put on Creon. I also gastroparesis ( stomach empties way too slowly - special diet needed )I was also diagnosed with atonic bowel back in my early thirties. Many people who have it end up having repeat surgery on the blocked segment of the bowel. No way!, I have been in the hospital a few times for, it but still have all of my intestines.
After Iwas on =Creon for less than a week I became quite constpated and it took a lot to have a good poop. Dr. stopped the med. People who have history of bowel obstruction, thickening of the colon or with kidney disease shouldn’t take it but.he was monitoring me well. Then in Jan. the wicked diarrhea started again and I lost a lot of weight. Back on Creon but lower dose. No more greasy poop,gained wgt. I didn’t want and I need to keep my Miralax somewhat more than I was taking. If I feel sluggish I’m to take 2 Dulcolax ( which I hate because it makes me very crampy).
I didn’t mention - I have never drank anything stronger than a coffee and I have never smoked. My parents died from cancer and and I come from a long line of, alcoholics.
I was just to try more foods that I couldn’t eat because of my gastroparesis a nd then I get EPI. I was told that my pancreas was damaged over my life ( 78 ). If you google causes you will see that herpes infections ( cold sores ), mono, elevated Epstein Barr and many childhood diseases can cause EPI. I grew up having cold sores and then warts.
I hope I helped you.
Shaylyn4

I'm curious, as I am on Creon, and the pancreas expert told me that my pancreas looked fine (I had a ton of various exams on it). However, it simply isn't functioning, as if it stopped making enzymes, and there is no visual damage from anything such as drinking wine . I did drink several glasses a day in the Covid lock down, but am a non-smoker, and am not a heavy drinker relate to my French and Italian co-workers, an I stopped drinking immediately when told to do so. I also do not smoke. Perhaps the doctor didn't mention the visual quality of the pancreas...but he told me he had seen 70 year old alcoholics that had a pancreas that functioned better than mine, and that their pancreas had significant visual damage from drinking. It's so odd to hear that their pancreas works better than mine.

As far as the Creon goes, it does help with the diarrhea, but often results in constipation and the issues associated with that.

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

Hi @razelrosey,
Disclaimer: This is only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and bet that I would find what worked for me. I had a longer thank normal pipe that needed consistent moisture….
I have tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. And all say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if take continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work.
Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He could get through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I often take them when I go to bed and once if I get up to pee. Be sure to include prunes, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in your diet. I like to grind 2T chia, T of sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out, processed and refined foods and drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - Boy Scouts. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month.
Helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these help prevent constipated. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
Good luck, @farmersmith

Hi Shelly Nice to hear from you. Because of my gastroparesis I can’t eat all the fresh fruits & vegetables that I should eat since it can cause wicked diarrhea and or constipation. I had a heart attack in 2009, have an aortic arch aneurysm of 4 c.m. CAD high blood pressure ( controlled by meds. & high cholesterol ( controlled by meds & by diet ( ha ha!) I have a specialist for problems from my head to my toes. No one mentions age but I’m almost 79. I retired at 71 & have been sick since then.
My EPI - About 8 mos. I started with liquid diarrhea & was losing weight. Could it be Miralax - lower the dose - continued poop looked greasy- told my GI ( whom I love ). He did the testing and I was diagnosed with severe EPI & put on Creon ( which is 3 pancreatic enzymes. My pancreas doesn’t produce them, especially with fats & protein. If unchecked it can cause malnutrition. It’s quite expensive ( no generic )- $80/ 15 days. He gave me the samples he had. The med comes in like 5 different doses and the higher the dose the more expensive!! Problem is that it screws with my gastroparesis.
I couldn’t figure out why my pancreas is damaged since I never drank any type of wine, beer or alcohol. Both of our parents & grandparents were alcoholics. I googled pancreas damage and found it can be caused by many childhood diseases, meds. & Epstein Barr ( can cause mono- which I never had). Every winter I would have s&s of mono - swollen lymph nodes & fever + no mono but very high Epstein Barr.
The older We get the more things we learn that we wished we had known many years ago
Hope I didn’t bore you with all this info. Wei get back to you on the other thing which you asked me about.
Shaylyn4

I'm curious, as I am on Creon, and the pancreas expert told me that my pancreas looked fine (I had a ton of various exams on it). However, it simply isn't functioning, as if it stopped making enzymes, and there is no visual damage from anything such as drinking wine . I did drink several glasses a day in the Covid lock down, but am a non-smoker, and am not a heavy drinker relate to my French and Italian co-workers, an I stopped drinking immediately when told to do so. I also do not smoke. Perhaps the doctor didn't mention the visual quality of the pancreas...but he told me he had seen 70 year old alcoholics that had a pancreas that functioned better than mine, and that their pancreas had significant visual damage from drinking. It's so odd to hear that their pancreas works better than mine.

As far as the Creon goes, it does help with the diarrhea, but often results in constipation and the issues associated with that.