Problem with Chronic constipation

Posted by bb03 @bb03, Feb 1, 2021

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for anna17X0X @anna17xox

I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December so it's been 4 months. I am always gassy and the smell has been very foul so I've been scared and embarrassed to be around people lately because of how bad it smells, when I've tried to poop only gas comes out most of the time, sometimes my stomach feels stiff and I start to feel lethargic. And I've tried almost everything digestive drinks like meta Mucil, eating more fiber i live an active lifestyle and I drink plenty of fluids and water. I recently had an appointment with my pediatrician about this she made me do colon cleansing for a day . And take Miralax for a minimum of 3 weeks. My stools were watery during the cleansing but after a couple days it feels like my stool is going back to being hard and stubborn. I still don't poop completely sometimes and I'm still gassy but it's not smelly like it was before. She said I can stop taking Miralax when i feel like my stools are going back to normal after a few days or weeks and it's been a week or two and a few days. I know I still need to wait one more week but my follow-up appointment is next Wednesday. The Miralax seems like a temporary fix, I feel like it'' never go away the worst part is I cant figure out what the cause is. I don't think it's IBS because I heard IBS involves bloody stools and stomach cramps I don't have bloody stools and I don't think I get stomach cramps . It just feels like have some other serious digestive problem or something I don't really know. I don't want to be constipated for the rest of my life I feel miserable, my pediatrician said if the Miralax doesn't work as intended I may have to see a gastroenterologists.Has anyone or is anyone dealing with chronic constipation ?,does it or did it ever go away ? and has anyone been experiencing the same symptoms as me ?.Do you have any recommendations on how they treat their constipation ?

Jump to this post

You might also ask for them to look at your liver and pancreas enzymes. The root cause may be not enough bile salts or other being produced to break down food as productively as should be.
Perhaps that is the definition of SIBO or gastroparesis-I am going to ask ! Hope you find the answer and post!

REPLY
Profile picture for anna17X0X @anna17xox

Hello,do you know if peanut butter is a constipation trigger ?

Jump to this post

I don't know if peanut butter is a constipating food from direct experience. Healthline says for most, no, but if you are intolerant of it, yes, it could cause constipation. As far as IBS goes, Monash says it is not a trigger in a 2 Tablespoon serving size.

I would suggest foregoing peanut butter for a week and see what happens. If you see improvement, also consider the food item you put the peanut butter on.

REPLY
Profile picture for hikeema123 @hikeema123

Hello it's a generic brand but you can get the product over the counter. Ask you GI or primary doctor if the can give a prescription you take to pharmacy. Prayfully it's free but it's also inexpensive. I wish you the best. I take 20 mg in the morning and a night. May the Lord be with you all ways .

Jump to this post

Thank you ,I'll try it out if my stools aren't back to normal after the Colace treatment.

REPLY
Profile picture for anna17X0X @anna17xox

I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December so it's been 4 months. I am always gassy and the smell has been very foul so I've been scared and embarrassed to be around people lately because of how bad it smells, when I've tried to poop only gas comes out most of the time, sometimes my stomach feels stiff and I start to feel lethargic. And I've tried almost everything digestive drinks like meta Mucil, eating more fiber i live an active lifestyle and I drink plenty of fluids and water. I recently had an appointment with my pediatrician about this she made me do colon cleansing for a day . And take Miralax for a minimum of 3 weeks. My stools were watery during the cleansing but after a couple days it feels like my stool is going back to being hard and stubborn. I still don't poop completely sometimes and I'm still gassy but it's not smelly like it was before. She said I can stop taking Miralax when i feel like my stools are going back to normal after a few days or weeks and it's been a week or two and a few days. I know I still need to wait one more week but my follow-up appointment is next Wednesday. The Miralax seems like a temporary fix, I feel like it'' never go away the worst part is I cant figure out what the cause is. I don't think it's IBS because I heard IBS involves bloody stools and stomach cramps I don't have bloody stools and I don't think I get stomach cramps . It just feels like have some other serious digestive problem or something I don't really know. I don't want to be constipated for the rest of my life I feel miserable, my pediatrician said if the Miralax doesn't work as intended I may have to see a gastroenterologists.Has anyone or is anyone dealing with chronic constipation ?,does it or did it ever go away ? and has anyone been experiencing the same symptoms as me ?.Do you have any recommendations on how they treat their constipation ?

Jump to this post

Hello it's a generic brand but you can get the product over the counter. Ask you GI or primary doctor if the can give a prescription you take to pharmacy. Prayfully it's free but it's also inexpensive. I wish you the best. I take 20 mg in the morning and a night. May the Lord be with you all ways .

REPLY
Profile picture for hikeema123 @hikeema123

Hello my name is Hikeemah and I also suffer from chronic constipation for years now. Be me pushing so much I have prolapse rectum. To solve your issue and what I do it's a medication called Senna it helps a lot. You can ask your gastrointolgist or primary doctor for the prescription. It works pretty good for me but everyone body system is different. Again Senna and you can get this over the counter. Don't push please don't push!! I know you feel miserable not able to move your bowels the way you used to trust me in know you pain and mental health because of this issue. I wish you well. Please update me when or if you try it out. May God give you complete healing in all areas of your life. God bless you.

Jump to this post

Hello, thank you so much for your kind words I and I also wish you healing and wellness with your constipation journey. I wanted to know how many times a day you take this medication and if you take it from a specific brand ?

REPLY
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

I don't have bloody stools or pain and I have IBS-C. If I don't eat right, my stool is hard and it passes in dribs and drabs (or not). all day long.

Food and anxiety are my triggers.

Regarding food intolerances, read up on food intolerances and how to do a DIY test for what may bother you (if it is food).

DIY test(s) that you could try are 1. eliminate garlic and onion, big IBS offenders, which are also in many processed foods. 2. eliminate sugar, honey, agave, etc. and instead try pure stevia or pure maple syrup, but with a light hand. 3. Drop all fruit but kiwi (an amazing laxative) and papaya (ditto for some). 4. Drop meat and egg yolks and stick with egg whites and fish. 5. Eat cooked vegetables and not raw. 6. Try Lactose-free milk.

Do it all together or in stages. If you find any relief, then your situation may be caused by a food intolerance.

I could go into more details if you think you have food intolerances.

Jump to this post

Hello,do you know if peanut butter is a constipation trigger ?

REPLY
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

Great! Sounds like you are in a good-enough place right now.
For me, getting it right (frequency/consistency) is like experimenting/working in a chemistry lab!

Jump to this post

Yes! I can’t figure it out. I know I am capable of NORMAL bm, cause I had 3 back to back over the course of 2 days when I first took Lubiprostone several months sgo. (Completely normal) Stopped working after that though. So, now to try the Linzess. I’m so busy, I haven’t had a day I can spend near the bathroom. I work a demanding job and provide care for my senior parents. I really hope to get it regulated.

REPLY
Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

Update: I still haven’t taken anymore Miralax this week….and, I returned to my healthy diet. And, I’m going several times a day. It’s similar to the consistency of when I was taking Miralax! Could that stuff still be in me? Idk. It’s odd. I’ll continue on and see what happens. So bizarre.Now, I winder if this is a part of IBS. I had IBS-D, about 8 years ago that resolved on its own.

Jump to this post

Great! Sounds like you are in a good-enough place right now.
For me, getting it right (frequency/consistency) is like experimenting/working in a chemistry lab!

REPLY
Profile picture for anna17X0X @anna17xox

I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December so it's been 4 months. I am always gassy and the smell has been very foul so I've been scared and embarrassed to be around people lately because of how bad it smells, when I've tried to poop only gas comes out most of the time, sometimes my stomach feels stiff and I start to feel lethargic. And I've tried almost everything digestive drinks like meta Mucil, eating more fiber i live an active lifestyle and I drink plenty of fluids and water. I recently had an appointment with my pediatrician about this she made me do colon cleansing for a day . And take Miralax for a minimum of 3 weeks. My stools were watery during the cleansing but after a couple days it feels like my stool is going back to being hard and stubborn. I still don't poop completely sometimes and I'm still gassy but it's not smelly like it was before. She said I can stop taking Miralax when i feel like my stools are going back to normal after a few days or weeks and it's been a week or two and a few days. I know I still need to wait one more week but my follow-up appointment is next Wednesday. The Miralax seems like a temporary fix, I feel like it'' never go away the worst part is I cant figure out what the cause is. I don't think it's IBS because I heard IBS involves bloody stools and stomach cramps I don't have bloody stools and I don't think I get stomach cramps . It just feels like have some other serious digestive problem or something I don't really know. I don't want to be constipated for the rest of my life I feel miserable, my pediatrician said if the Miralax doesn't work as intended I may have to see a gastroenterologists.Has anyone or is anyone dealing with chronic constipation ?,does it or did it ever go away ? and has anyone been experiencing the same symptoms as me ?.Do you have any recommendations on how they treat their constipation ?

Jump to this post

Hello my name is Hikeemah and I also suffer from chronic constipation for years now. Be me pushing so much I have prolapse rectum. To solve your issue and what I do it's a medication called Senna it helps a lot. You can ask your gastrointolgist or primary doctor for the prescription. It works pretty good for me but everyone body system is different. Again Senna and you can get this over the counter. Don't push please don't push!! I know you feel miserable not able to move your bowels the way you used to trust me in know you pain and mental health because of this issue. I wish you well. Please update me when or if you try it out. May God give you complete healing in all areas of your life. God bless you.

REPLY
Profile picture for anna17X0X @anna17xox

I don't know what's going on with my digestion ,I have been chronically constipated since December so it's been 4 months. I am always gassy and the smell has been very foul so I've been scared and embarrassed to be around people lately because of how bad it smells, when I've tried to poop only gas comes out most of the time, sometimes my stomach feels stiff and I start to feel lethargic. And I've tried almost everything digestive drinks like meta Mucil, eating more fiber i live an active lifestyle and I drink plenty of fluids and water. I recently had an appointment with my pediatrician about this she made me do colon cleansing for a day . And take Miralax for a minimum of 3 weeks. My stools were watery during the cleansing but after a couple days it feels like my stool is going back to being hard and stubborn. I still don't poop completely sometimes and I'm still gassy but it's not smelly like it was before. She said I can stop taking Miralax when i feel like my stools are going back to normal after a few days or weeks and it's been a week or two and a few days. I know I still need to wait one more week but my follow-up appointment is next Wednesday. The Miralax seems like a temporary fix, I feel like it'' never go away the worst part is I cant figure out what the cause is. I don't think it's IBS because I heard IBS involves bloody stools and stomach cramps I don't have bloody stools and I don't think I get stomach cramps . It just feels like have some other serious digestive problem or something I don't really know. I don't want to be constipated for the rest of my life I feel miserable, my pediatrician said if the Miralax doesn't work as intended I may have to see a gastroenterologists.Has anyone or is anyone dealing with chronic constipation ?,does it or did it ever go away ? and has anyone been experiencing the same symptoms as me ?.Do you have any recommendations on how they treat their constipation ?

Jump to this post

I used to suffer from constipation.
Stayed at a vacation home of a gastroenterologist, and watched him and his wife, who is also a doctor, take Matamucil daily.
Have done that ever since and did not have anymore problems.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.