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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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When I complained of same issue, very thin stool, my GI MD insisted on benefiber daily, I started at 1/4 teaspoon. I think it helps some. I won't go over a teaspoon of benefiber because it exacerbates my constipation. I went very slowly from a 1/4 teaspoon to a full teaspoon,
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1 ReactionOh my! I’m sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.
96 years tells me you are doing a lot of things right! I’m impressed. I understand about the colonoscopy. My last one in October went fine, but the prep was horrible. I won’t do that one again. It was rough on my body and I’m much healthier and strong than I was back in 2021 when I had my first one.
The "shoelace" (also called "pencil") bowel movements can sometimes be indicative of diverticulosis/diverticulitis (as are black & sticky and small, hard "pebble" BM's). I've been diagnosed with diverticulosis--suspected for years I was developing it and was eventually diagnosed--and have all the above mentioned BM's, but practically never a normal one. Might be worth checking if you have it. It's usually diagnosed through a colonoscopy, sometimes with an abdominal CT scan. Good luck.
Thanks, Celia. Isn't it too bad so much of our time is spent dealing with abominable abdominal
issues?
I'm 96! and I don't think they do colonoscopies on OLD people -- something about the gallon of fluid you have to drink (or the after effects) or any meds you need to take to put you half under.
I've had a pretty healthy life, really, so can't complain. I just lost a son-in=law to Crohns (short bowel syndrome) last week. He was 73.
GOOD LUCK AGAIN WITH YOUR SIBO.
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2 ReactionsI should add that when I take my Linzess I also take a probiotic at 0330. I really don't think probiotic is doing anything but I started taking them before I got the prescription for Linzess that's why I just kept taking it.
As far as PRUNES - I haven't had to eat prunes in a while but if I ever feel like I am feeling constipated and need to "evacuate", then I will sit down and eat 18 prunes or so with a big glass of water and within a few hours though be emptying myself out. If I eat one or two prunes it doesn't do anything at all. I like Prunes so it's pretty easy. Just don't plan on going anywhere for a couple of hours. Works really well and it's a fairly gentle.
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1 ReactionI had a similar type thing happen a couple of times since my chronic constipation. It boggles the mind really. But, for me it did turn around. And, since then it looks more normal. Gradually, it’s getting better. I know I’m capable due to my normal colonoscopy.
I am curious what my SIBO test will reveal.
This morning, I had the most unusual bowel movement which I have never had before.
It was long (about 12") and very thin (1/4"). I have not been taking the linzess at all and have been drinking "light doses" of Miralax.
Has anyone ever experienced "shoelace" movements.
It's very discouraging since it really seems like gastroenterologists aren't much help sometimes.
I've lost several pounds recently and I'm sure it's because I lose whatever it is I eat, and the constipation (sometimes more like diarrhea) doesn't give up.
IBS M fluctuates between C and D.
The Overactive Bladder doesn't help either. I feel as if I have to empty my bladder but it almost seems like the bladder promts the bm.
HOPEFULLY, my internist might be able to suggest something, or might recommend a different gastroenterologist.
My stool, according to the Bristol Stool Chart doesn't seem to have made the chart.
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/poop-chart-bristol-stool-scale
I always knew I was a bit "different" but I don't' see where I fit on the Bristol Chart.
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2 Reactionshave had same issue for 20 years. Have been to gastroenterologist, meds they have tried quit working within a week. Miralax helpful off and on but if I take it daily, I get nauseous. Want to be sure you know that there is a diagnosis of IBS-C for the constipation symptoms. Here are the things that have helped my Physicians Formula probiotics I get on Amazon, I don't take it daily. Akkermansia is a probiotic that is very helpful, I take it daily for 3 weeks then a break. Most important things I do is drink 12 oz of cold water on awakening. They recommend 16 oz as it will stimulate the gastro-colic reflex to poop. Another very helpful thing is Sunsweet makes a bag of prunes that are individually wrapped. I sometimes eat 2-3 prunes, other times I cut them up and put them in Trader Joe's Organic Raisin Bran Clusters, along with blueberries. The RB cluster cereal has 10gr of fiber. It has more calories than I would like so I only use 1/2 cup. Laying on my stomach doing deep slow breathing and focusing on relaxing my lower abdomen seems to be of help. There are exercise videos on YouTube for constipation. I take 2 stool softeners every night and 400 mg Magnesium oxide capsule, have done this for years. I found Metamucil just compounded my issue. I finally realized it was the dosage. My GI MD likes benefiber so I told her I would start with 1/4 TEAspoon. I gradually built up to 1 teaspoon and can't go higher because it seems to increase my constipation. I avoid broccoli and (sadly) cabbage, both vegetable are gas producers and this seemed to exacerbate my issues. I find that an apple helps more than just about anything. There are exercises I do for my back that help expel gas, I read one article that said squatting was best exercise for constipation, hence the squatty potty. Netflix had a documentary in last year about your gut, 1 thing I got from it is laying on L side helps expel gas. Very occasionally I use Magnesium Citrate. They used to have you drink a bottle of it (6 oz. I think) to clear your bowel for colonoscopy. The liquid is clear, as is the bottle. It costs like a dollar, you can get it at grocery store. I usually take a few ounces, it works within 6 hours. It's strong so a few ounces works, I make sure I am home for it. There is a tea you can buy at Target or grocery stores called Smooth Move, occasionally I drink a cup of tea. A Hospice nurse told me about the tea. Another medication that I find very helpful is Pepcid complete. Check the ingredients, it has 160 mg of magnesium. Some of the Pepcid products don't have magnesium. It also has benefit within an hour to relieve gas. I hope this was helpful. I feel confident that you can manage this enough to get out of house. Obviously I drink a lot of water during the day, I avoid any drinks with bubbles because the bubbles are gas.
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3 ReactionsThank you for taking the time for your comments and advice. I know this sounds hard to believe, but not everyone can walk fast enough or far enough to help. I used to be a long distance runner, but arthritis changed that - now I'm lucky to hobble to the mailbox. Can still do some exercises, just not much. Thanks again for help.
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1 ReactionFiber daily (Google fruits and vegetables high in fiber) and add chia seeds to yogurt or smoothies, drink water but with electrolytes added twice a day ( drink at least 8 glasses of fluid every day (for every cup of coffee, drink a glass of water, for every alcoholic drink, drink a glass of water (coffee and alcohol are dehydrating), take magnesium - I take 4 pills at bedtime plus it helps with sleep. And EXERCISE if you don’t at all - even if it’s just walking. Sitting most of the day is a killer. We were not meant to sit all day. Walk 2-3 miles a day ( you don’t have to do it all at once. You can break it up to 1.5 two times a day or 1 mile 3 times a day.) And if you are not used to walking, just start and start small- go around the block and keep adding a block every couple of days until you’ve worked your way up to 2-3 miles. Your body will thank you!
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