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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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Shaylyn4, I could not find any information about magnesium carbonate, any level of doses, that cause constipation. I have taken it in much higher doses and it doesn't cause 💩for me.
Where did you find it?
I know that magnesium glycinate is sold in stores for constipation. I really don't like the taste of it and I never know when it will kick in, 24-48 hrs for me. It is so bloating and then super explosive. From what I've read the very best of any supplements that have several different types, is the chelated form. This is a mixture of all the types. I have not tried it, I think it is really expensive, not sure though. Maybe I will check it out. Enjoy your weekend Shelley
Generic is fine, is it the exact same as miralax?
Thanx again for sharing this. Shelley
Shelley,
If I remember correctly, my PCP told me to take Miralax and offered to write a prescription since I needed to take so much and see if it was covered. My insurance paid for it without asking any follow up questions. I should mention it is the generic of Miralax hope that is okay.
I was told to take 400 - 500 mg of Magnesium a day but not with carbonate since it can cause constipation. Yes magnesium can help with sleep. I have had insomnia since my earl 30’s and was on Xanax and Temasapan. I wanted off both . Now I take a CBD for sleep and it does help.
WOW, you got a prescription for miralax? Please tell me how, cuz it is expensive. This was very thoughtful of you to share this with me. With Your surgery and redundant flexure, maybe stay on the higher dose of miralax for longer than temporary and use gummies carefully until you see how your body responds. I cause diarrhea often, but I too scared of the HARD💩 & potential for obstruction in small bowels and/or blockage in anus, that requires digital removal, by me, both of these hurt really bad. Re:protein after your surgery. I eat little and easy solid foods. So I eat very little protein. I drink a meal replacement shake 2x daily. The morning one has pre & probiotics in it.Gluten free, I have celiac disease, my daughter, gratefully is only gluten sensitive. My hubby adds strawberries, fresh or frozen, and it tastes great. I trust this because my daughter (who unfortunately got too many bad genes from me) has done all the research. I don't not trust any supplements anymore but....She is extremely intelligent In asking the right questions. She even signed up to sell the whole product line, so she could get cheaper rates for her people circle. The brand name is Arbonne. I'm not her sales person, just giving you ideas. You could mix the miralax in the shake. Again thank you for the advice about miralax script. I'm afraid and excited at the same time re my surgery. If it doesn't help on a lot of my symptoms, I know I will have a breakdown. Enjoy your weekend Shelley
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3 ReactionsThank you for letting me know. I have CIC probably from a redundant colon and several medications I’m on. Also I had bariatric surgery and have to eat protein first and am not able to eat much so the protein is my main source which can be constipating. I’m going to try the Metamucil gummies the powder is so gross. The dose of Miralax I’m on works for the most part but there are times I haven’t gone for 3-5 days and it is extremely painful so increasing dose temporarily may help. My doctor wrote a prescription for Miralax and I’ve met my out of pocket so I don’t pay anything for it right now. Obviously everyone has different medical insurance etc. but thought I would mention it to you. Praying your surgery is a great success!
Shayln4, for me I use 2-3 capfuls of miralax , 1-3x day and 5 Metamucil gummies per day. Like you, I have been on all the medications. I also take 6 500mg tablets of Magnesium carbonate daily, I honestly don't know if it helps but it also supposedly helps with sleep, so I figure it can't hurt.
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4 ReactionsMisssuezq, My GI did recommend the extra dose of miralax, but he wanted me to stop the Metamucil, too much fiber he said. Well, by that time my GI had lost interest in helping me. He was with Kaiser. I had to leave Kaiser 3/29 of this year, cuz i turned 65 and live out of their territory, so he is my ex-GI. So I'm on my own now. I a on Trulance, a cheaper version of Linzess still. So, I take what I need to take to not be constipated or both bowels potential for partial obstruction or blockage. I have found that when I drink the miralax over a short period of time, rather than chug it, it is better for me, same with the Metamucil gummies (I take 5). With the Metamucil powder you have to chug it or it gets too thick. I drink lots of water around the same time. Does the smaller dose work for you? Do you know the reason for your constipation? Mine is probably related to: total lack of energy to exercise, I use a pedal machine, two accidents in 2005, a redundant splenic flexure, and elevated calcium levels with HPTH. I am having 3 1/2 of the 4 glands and adenomas removed in about 3 weeks, I am praying that this will help immensely with several problems. My smooth muscles needed to push out the poop, seem completely dead. All that comes out of me is by explosive air pressure and diarrhea that I never know if it will be all liquid or have some sort of semi solids. I have been told by other people that I am dad wrong to use so much of both; I have had a few drs raise their eyebrows at it, but say if that's what it takes to move the poop out, it is fine. Shelley
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6 ReactionsI have not. I seem to be doing ok with everything that I am taking. I hope my good luck continues
I have had chronic constpation since I was about 10 years old.By the time I was 30 I had taken every laxative & softener on the market.I finally saw a GI doc. & he started me on Linzess but I was allergic to that & all the other ones he tried.In 2014 I was finally diagnosed with gastroparesis ( the reason for chronic constpation ) and now I take Align for older women. CVS probiotic with 24 billon CFU and miralax 1 scoop twice daily. They don’t always work.Have any of you been diagnosed with gastroparesis or tested for it?