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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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You're welcome Barb.
We're cat people and have had to put several of these cherished, loving creatures to sleep. IMO, it takes one year to properly grieve after a loss. Please be kind to yourself.
And as for CIC, certainly this doesn't help. FWIW I've had limited success with a drug called Motegrity. Problem - it doesn't have a generic so it's expensive. Because I'm on SS I get the drug for free, based on annual income.
All the best to you Barb.
Joe
Thank you very much, research-maven,
All the best.
Hi 456,
I think the others' suggestion that fat, maybe meat fat is useful for constipation. Other things to consider and that I use (I cannot tolerate much fat) is:
1-2 kiwi at night
Rhubarb at night
A more liquid diet (soups, hot cereal)
Less meat and other food that is dense
Beans if you can tolerate them
Spinach and other leafy greens
Magnesium supplement (I take Hilma Gentle Bowel Support)
Slippery Elm Inner Bark Powder
Drinking more plain water
Physical Activity
Floor stretching to ensure things 'move' in your gut
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5 Reactionswhat is PJ?
Maybe the key is using it only a couple of times a week. Daily use gave me jello. I didn’t like that.
A doctor told me those High Protein drinks were guaranteed to cause constipation.
For reluctant colon you'll find Mirralax, 1 cap in 4 ozs. of warm PJ, an excellent influencer. I've never had any harmful effects in that it is quite mild. I may use it once or twice a week at the most.
Tadueo
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1 ReactionYeah, I foolishly binged on protein drinks many years ago and ended up with a terribly inflamed hemorrhoid. Ouch! Learned to avoid protein drinks.
My sluggishness seems to be a matter of lack of motility. The texture and consistency is normal. So apparently I drink enough water. It just seems lethargic. Usually, if I just try to go, I will. It’s there and waiting. Just doesn’t let me know.
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3 ReactionsThank you Lisa, I'd greatly appreciate any non medical advise that has helped other people suffering from constipation. For a period of time prunes helped. Then for a long period of time steamed beets helped. Then becoming vegetarian helped. Then for a short while one tablespoon of chia seeds helped. Then for a short while one tablespoon of flax seeds helped. I'm out of ideas.
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4 ReactionsDon't underestimate the importance of fat. Fat combined with green beans and/or asparagus can do wonders. When I was eating lean meats, eggs and high protein drinks I experience terrible blocked colon. Rock hard.
I switched to meat with fat, stopped the protein drinks and switched to whole milk for additional fat. Once in a while I use a cap of Miralax in 4 ozs. of warmed PJ but seldom necessary now.
The high protein drinks, 30gm, can cause serious constipation. ER for a $90 enema.
Good luck.
Tadueo
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6 ReactionsI’m seriously reconsidering my diet. My diet has been pretty tight, I’ve even consulted with 2 nutritionists. One in Endocrinology and the other gastroenterology. I’ve included what I thought were healthy fats. Idk. One more thing to deal with. Lol.
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