Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
Doesn't do a thing for me, neither does most other products others swear by. Sigh.
Get a gastroenterologist, get a Sitz study, Colonoscopy, X-ray and maybe a CT. Get labs, especially make sure your thyroid level is normal, find someone that looks at your t3 and t4, not just your TSH! I after 30 years have a good thyroid Dr and even though my thyroid levels are for the first time stable in 30 years my colonic inertia has not improved. Make sure your eating clean, no fast food and drinking plenty water and moving. Some people talk of Pelvic floor therapy and massage but that’s for people who have mild not severe constipation like some of us. It is also an easy income for some to make money off of desperate people. Sometimes there are no explanations if all test negative and your diet and fluids are pristine and your moving etc. If that is the case and you don’t have any medical or mechanical problems then they call what you have IBS-C. Meaning the Drs just can’t figure out “why” you have constipation and if that is the case and you have tried all over the counter med suggestions then the Dr can justify prescribing Linzess and there are a few others. If your insurance doesn’t cover ( it’s expensive)there are programs to enroll in. Read reviews and blogs and see what people who take it do to make it work. A Dr who never had constipation has no idea that some of us do everything right and still can’t go. I do have scar tissue in my gut that greatly decreases motility.I have managed to keep myself from having a totally blocked colon but it takes lots of work. I am 63 and I pray that God gives me the wisdom to manage my constipation as I get older. It’s hard now so I just don’t see me being able to stay on top of it as an 80 plus year old one day, but I have faith that God will provide for me as I rely on him for all things. I guess the anti God people will block me for voicing my love for God. Well, their bad! No man is a mountain, I know I’m not. Life can be tough and I’m thankful I have someone to rely on and not just myself. Don’t be afraid to seek help. Your health is important. How you take care of yourself now when you are young will effect you years to come.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
9 ReactionsThanks for the tip. I'll try it.
tadueo
I used to have constipation until I started drinking organic Smooth Move Tea by traditional medicinals. I sip like 1/2 cup before bed as needed and you are ready to go in am.
Thanks for the info.
Exercise is tough when you're 90.
I eat one Dove Bar a day as a treat. My mom says it's OK.
tadueo
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionGood point Wendy. Yeah too much fiber can have the wrong affect. I eat quite a bit of fruit and raw veggies, mostly carrots and sweet peas.
And thanks for your other suggestions. I am in the gym 6 days a week and rowing seems to help, getting my knees above my waist while rowing.
But I still need Miralax nightly AND Duclolax bisacodyl every other day and I know my GI guy says don't do that. But it's about the only thing that works. I've also cut out all refined sugar. I was stunned to learn a can of regular soda has seven teaspoons of sugar. I do feel better when I eat well.
Trying to find the right dose for mag citrate is like finding the right amount of C4 explosive to use....... It works alright, but for me at least results in diarrhea. I have found a pill form and I'm gonna try that.
I do use Miralax nightly but need Dulcolax bisacodyl every other day - it's called "gush and push". I know, TMI. I don't like using the stimulant laxative that often and know my GI doc would not approve.
As for exercise, I'm in the gym 6 days a week. I used to run marathons, and running always kick started peristaltic motion. I was never constipated, quite the opposite. I find rowing helps now. It gets my knees up above my waist and that seems to help.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had to stop the mag. citrate and just use Miralax and prunes as I was having 2 BM's per day.
Thanks for the info.
I'm doing fine right now on MiraLAX and prunes. I also eat much veggies, all steamed. Broccoli, green beans, brussels sprouts, asparagus and carrots. A large bowl of one or in combination every day. MX at 8am, BM by 9am.
I do a little walking and a therapist prescribed exercise routine twice daily.
tadueo
One of my friends was eating too much fiber and it caused blockage in his intestines. He started eating less bread and more protein and vegetables. Also 400 magnesium citrate morning and night.