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.

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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 ?

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I have had IBS most of my life. Its not fun. Idt either be constipated or have diarrhea. I started taking my magnesium pills at night instead of the morning.. when I wake up, I go to the bathroom with no problem. Its loose, but I don't care, it's better than suffering and I go regularly
You might check out Sipos and possibly gastroparesis.. both are similar symptoms. They both may be rare but they are occurring more often now . Good Luck And feel better..

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Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

Very interesting. Maybe something in your healthy diet is causing constipation? I just learned I have been using way too much pea protein powder isolate. I cut it back for an unrelated reason and voila - no constipation! Separately, my adult child did a gluten challenge test and ate wheat products instead of gluten-free substitutes. He was less constipated during this time, surmising that the gum (or rice flour) in the gluten-free products was the culprit.

That is why, IMO, it is SO important to experiment with diet in treating constipation; you may not need OTC or prescription drugs. If you can find a food solution, I just believe it is better for your "whole health."

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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.

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Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

I am in shock, because I forgot to take my daily Miralax yesterday…however, I still went today several times!!! I have no idea why. I didn’t eat very healthful food yesterday, like I normally do. I had a Cesar fried chicken wrap with homemade chips! I never eat that way, but did for a special occasion. I am going to refrain from taking it again today and see what happens…….praying it’ll be good.

Jump to this post

Very interesting. Maybe something in your healthy diet is causing constipation? I just learned I have been using way too much pea protein powder isolate. I cut it back for an unrelated reason and voila - no constipation! Separately, my adult child did a gluten challenge test and ate wheat products instead of gluten-free substitutes. He was less constipated during this time, surmising that the gum (or rice flour) in the gluten-free products was the culprit.

That is why, IMO, it is SO important to experiment with diet in treating constipation; you may not need OTC or prescription drugs. If you can find a food solution, I just believe it is better for your "whole health."

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Profile picture for anna17X0X @anna17xox

So I just had my doctors appointment Wednesday 4/17/24 my pediatrician I told my pediatrician about seeing a gastroenterologist to get tested for SIBO methane dominant .She told me she knows nothing about SIBO and said it's likely that I may not have it but she didn't give me a direct answer about referring me to a gastroenterologist . But She prescribed me with Colace this time because it's easier to take than Miralax and also because like I mentioned my stools have been hardening again.

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I'm not surprised by this. SIBO is not something that a pediatrician would likely know anything about. When I was first diagnosed with it in 2018 it was at Mayo Clinic. I had been seeing a GI doctor for years and they never mentioned it. 6 years later much more is known and more doctors know about it but I doubt you'll be able to rule it out without seeing a GI. I also take Colace three times a day for many years and it helps some. But if you don't improve, I would press for a referral to GI. I brought up SIBO because you said that your symptoms came on suddenly and were something new for you. That's what happened to me in 2014, seemingly out of nowhere. I hope you can get some answers.

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Profile picture for skim3737 @skim3737

It can be treated with the low fodmap diet and antibiotics, Xifaxan and neomycin or flagyl but is a bit of a journey. It can recur but with patience and determination it can be knocked out.

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So I just had my doctors appointment Wednesday 4/17/24 my pediatrician I told my pediatrician about seeing a gastroenterologist to get tested for SIBO methane dominant .She told me she knows nothing about SIBO and said it's likely that I may not have it but she didn't give me a direct answer about referring me to a gastroenterologist . But She prescribed me with Colace this time because it's easier to take than Miralax and also because like I mentioned my stools have been hardening again.

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Profile picture for billjudis @billjudis

Hello! So sorry you are suffering with this! I have had many gastric issues, one being gastroparessis. I see my gastro doctor tomorrow for similar issues and severe constipation that landed me in the ER last weekend! I had surgery in October 0f 2021 for gastroparesis and I am afraid that it has recurred:( Take care and I hope they find out what's wrong soon!

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I am sorry you had to go to the ER. I had to do that in February because of severe constipation. It is not fun to have life revolve around bowel movements!

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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 am in shock, because I forgot to take my daily Miralax yesterday…however, I still went today several times!!! I have no idea why. I didn’t eat very healthful food yesterday, like I normally do. I had a Cesar fried chicken wrap with homemade chips! I never eat that way, but did for a special occasion. I am going to refrain from taking it again today and see what happens…….praying it’ll be good.

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! So sorry you are suffering with this! I have had many gastric issues, one being gastroparessis. I see my gastro doctor tomorrow for similar issues and severe constipation that landed me in the ER last weekend! I had surgery in October 0f 2021 for gastroparesis and I am afraid that it has recurred:( Take care and I hope they find out what's wrong soon!

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 ?

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Has pelvic floor therapy ever been recommended and has anyone tried it. I have tried every type of laxative and they work for awhile but then just quit working. I have curtailed activities because of the severe bloating. It is very frustrating. It is hard to discuss with family because the attitude seems to be I am not eating properly. I have seen a gastroenterologist but nothing seems to work for very long.

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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.

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I don't think I have a food intolerance, but I also don't experience pain or bloody stools , maybe I'll give it a try, thanks for suggesting.

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