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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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Apr 4, 2022

In reply to @rocknrobbn "I am afraid SIBO kicked in today. I have been having bone pains, and muscle tenderness..." + (show)

I hope you’ll get antibiotics- to get rid of that sick to the core feeling that SIBO can cause.
Feel better!

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 3, 2022

In reply to @astaingegerdm "@rocknrobbn - I have taken Motegrity for 6 weeks now- no diarrhea. Sometimes I take it..." + (show)

I am afraid SIBO kicked in today. I have been having bone pains, and muscle tenderness and fatigue for a week and today diarrhea kicked in. Well at least I had 2 marvelous weeks. And I bumped up Colace to daily and was happy I had had BM 4 days in a row. But the other symptoms of bone pain, fatigue and muscle weakness are sure signs of SIBO. I will request antibiotics at my gastroenterology appointment tomorrow. He said I would need antibiotics intermittently. 🙁

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Apr 3, 2022

In reply to @rocknrobbn "My current GI said Motegrity or other drugs would give me diarrhea. Ugh:(" + (show)

@rocknrobbn - I have taken Motegrity for 6 weeks now- no diarrhea. Sometimes I take it with Amitiza. Definitely not perfect, but there is better action than before.
There still are times with total standstill- then I take Motegrity and Senokot. Usually works well, but there will be cramps. My goal is also to avoid SIBO - keep things moving.

Joanne Narna | @mothermary1 | Apr 2, 2022

Boy, so many of us out there with the only answer for me was total colectomy. I’ll never do it. I hate the always wondering if I’m impacted. I think for me it was an error with my acdf surgery. I get anything possible but exactly after that I couldn’t move my bowels. I just want to be looked at from my surgery down my entire spine. Maybe I have compression someplace. I can’t get anyone to take me. I swear every medical doc just thinks lawsuit. I can’t be bothered. Just help me.

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 2, 2022

In reply to @mothermary1 "After so many tests, pills, OTC meds the only thing left was to remove my entire..." + (show)

I am so sorry. I also plan trips and social activities around my constipation. Before it was diarrhea from bacterial overgrowth, now back to chronic constipation. Ugh. People don't understand. And the chronic constipation gives me fatigue, and nausea along with all the other frustrartions. My GI just says "of course you will feel ill, your body isn't suppose to have waste stay in your body." I think to myself, 'Thanks, like I didn't know that?"

brendaharvey | @brendaharvey | Apr 2, 2022

In reply to @rodeo2step "Yes, I've heard of that " power pudding" recipe. Recently I've had a lot of cramping..." + (show)

I can’t have fiber. However, this recipe was given to me by a Physical Therapy group my Motility Clinic doctor had me see. With a small amount of Milk of Mag it has kept me out of the ER.
I do still have flares of the Gastroparesis from time to time. I take IBGUARD Prior to first food of the day along with Culturelle probiotic. I am better than I have been in the past 3 years.

darcystaples | @darcystaples | Apr 2, 2022

In reply to @rodeo2step "I so feel your pain and frustration. I have redundant tortuous colon, constipated all my life..." + (show)

Some of the worst aspect to this is the isolation

rodeo2step | @rodeo2step | Apr 1, 2022

In reply to @brendaharvey "You might want to try what have been using. 1 cup applesauce 1 cup oat bran..." + (show)

Yes, I've heard of that " power pudding" recipe. Recently I've had a lot of cramping with too much fiber. Probably IBS C. But I will try it. Thank you.

brendaharvey | @brendaharvey | Apr 1, 2022

In reply to @rodeo2step "I agree, Miralax takes several days, at least 3 for me, too sometimes more. My GI..." + (show)

You might want to try what have been using. 1 cup applesauce 1 cup oat bran mixed with 1/4 cup prune juice. Two tablespoons before bed with small amount of milk of magnesia saline.
This works for me better than Linzess or Miralax or Motegrity.

rocknrobbn | @rocknrobbn | Apr 1, 2022

In reply to @rodeo2step "I just bought CVS's version of IB Gard. It also has Fennel oil and Ginger. I'm..." + (show)

Fingers crossed.

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