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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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I do suffer from constipation, mostly from the opioid I take daily. I really have to prevent it due to Diverticulitis I get periodically. Fruit usually helps me and I take Slippery Elm supplement also.
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3 ReactionsI started a new medication that is helping me, Ibsrela (Tenapanor). It is helping along with 2 colace twice a day . It has a different main
ingredient than Linzess and Trulance.
Hopefully it will continue to work.
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3 ReactionsI tested positive for SIBO (they said I was "off the charts" I have such a severe case). So I paid $1,900.00 for a prescription that didn't do a thing, even though I took it all as directed. Very discouraging.
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5 ReactionsIt 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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3 ReactionsThank you i'll see if I can get tested for SIBO, do you know if SIBO methane dominant is curable and does it ever recur or can it go away permanently ?
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2 ReactionsI 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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7 ReactionsI got chronic constipation suddenly in summer of 2022. I had never experienced it before, except once when I drank too many protein shakes.
I’ve tried most all of the recommendations…..fiber, water, exercise, prunes, etc. I’ve also tried prescription med (Lubiprostone) worked well for 2 days and stopped. Getting ready to start Linzess. I’ve been following the instructions from my primary and gastroenterologists for over a year and that means it works and I go everyday. But, it’s not normal. If I didn’t take the Miralax, I would not go at all. Until recently, I took one glass if Metamucil AND one cap of Miralax daily. I found the Miralax works alone, so I just do that. It causes a lot of air…not gas, but air and I hate it. Plus, it’s like jello. I don’t like that either. The gastroenterologists have no idea why. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy next month, after a normal one in 2020.
I hope you can find relief. I’m so tired of dealing with it. I intend to utilize more online support. I think that is important.
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2 ReactionsI would also recommend seeing a gastroenterologist. You mentioned that the constipation and excess gas came started in December and that this was something new for you. Check into being tested for SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), particularly methane dominant version of SIBO.
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1 ReactionAre you still taking any medication for constipation that you have found most effective ?
Thank you for sharing, and im sorry that you have been dealing with this for a long time.don't know if I'll be to get rid of it sooner or later but I hope It goes away somehow.
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