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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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Right on thanks for the hug, don't give up our bodies have lots of ways to heal. Hugs count too as you know!
@farmersmith
Thanks, don't give up our bodies have lots of ways to heal and cope,
@farmersmith
I was given Linzess samples for chronic constipation and it didn't work for me. I even tried 2 different strengths of it. It made me more constipated. It's very expensive, too. Some insurances don't even cover it.
Mineral oil is sold in the laxative aisle of drug stores. I think it works overnight. Take it at night, No taste (that is cod liver oil). Experiment with any quantity, including under the recommended dose. Works for lots of people!
(Some mineral oil is for handiwork, not for ingestion, so stick to the laxative aisle.)
Sorry auto corrected the medicine is called Linzess.
I would ask for samples before the put in a prescription to make sure it works for you.
I am the same way. GI doctor finally put me on Linnea’s. It has and is working wonders so far.
Another helpful tip: Mayo Clinic has a book out called Digestive Health. It’s a great book that talks about healthy ways to eat, and good tips to keep your digestive tract functioning. It’s worth a read!
No taste really. Just oily. I take it mid afternoon. And depending on how full my body is with waste, will depend on how long it will take to work. For me, it takes a day or two to work. Often I even need to take a second dose the next day or two. This is the only remedy that works for me. But please be careful with it.
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1 ReactionDisclaimer: 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 he bet that I would find what worked for me.
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 (like me) 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.
Good luck, I so much appreciate my regularity even though my output is way bigger now. I feel much better and am able to relax and not worry about regularity. Like my ND said however, it is a condition I need to attend to.
@farmersmith
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2 ReactionsI agree! Find a GOOD Gastroenterologist!
I am working with Mayo GI in Jax.
MRI showed a large stool load in the ascending and transverse colon.
Colinoscopy showed patchy active colitis, my GI wants another look with a Sigmoidoscopy to confirm the colitis.
Also schedule for a manometry to see if pelvic floor dysfunction is part of the problem.
When I cant stimulate a BM with all if the concoctions: Mira lax, Metamucil, colace with senna I go to a half bottle if mag citrate… magic!
Also very helpful is the squatty potty which gets your body into the correct anatomical position to evacuate the bowel.😅
Definitely a GI will get to the bottom.
I have adrenal insufficiency ( liw cortisol) and that has a huge impact on bowel function!
A work in progress…
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