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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 researchmaven
researchmaven | @researchmaven | Nov 4, 2024
In reply to @mark1952 "Hello, razelrosey, I have chronic constipation. I take maximum dose Senna at night. Sometimes I divide..." + (show)
Profile picture for mark1952 @mark1952

Hello, razelrosey,
I have chronic constipation. I take maximum dose Senna at night. Sometimes I divide the dose 10 am and 10 pm. Stopped the MiraLAX because it made me more bloated and gassy. About every two-three weeks I take a dose of Dulcolax. I drink about a gallon of water a day. I keep my rectum and colon as well lubricated as I can. I usually have to manually assist defecation with my finger. I jog on trampoline 20 minutes a day. I hate all of it but what else can I do? Best of luck to you!

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mark1952 - try slippery elm (inner bark) powder with every meal. It provides slip. I can't believe how useful it is for me.

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1 reply
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dfloyd1133 | @dfloyd1133 | Nov 4, 2024
In reply to @mark1952 "Hello, Donna, I use the 8.6 mg sennosides. Maximum dose is 8 tablets for adult. Your..." + (show)
Profile picture for mark1952 @mark1952

Hello, Donna,
I use the 8.6 mg sennosides. Maximum dose is 8 tablets for adult. Your "torturous colon" is the same thing as my "redundant sigmoid." I could more easily accept my redundant sigmoid causing my constipation if the constipation did not start immediately after my surgery, but I suppose both the surgery and the redundant sigmoid could be giving me a double whammy... I could deal with the constipation so much better if it did not block my body from passing gas. When you can't pass gas, you are in a world of hurt with distension, bloating, abdominal/stomach pain. Really awful. Sometimes the gas traps for a couple days. That is when I supplement with Dulcolax. Best of luck to you!

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mark1952 Hello, I left u a previous message, but I forgot to ask u if u use the sennosides every day. Ty

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1 reply
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graceym1 | @graceym1 | Nov 4, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

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My son has severe constipation as well from opioid use because of a rare painful disease called avn He was prescribed from his gi Dr a medicine called movantik. Don’t know if I spelled correctly. But it helps tremendously. Have you been to a gi Dr? Or just your pcp? Good luck to you. Hope this helps!

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mark1952 | @mark1952 | Nov 4, 2024
In reply to @dfloyd1133 "mark1952 Hello, I left u a previous message, but I forgot to ask u if u..." + (show)
Profile picture for dfloyd1133 @dfloyd1133

mark1952 Hello, I left u a previous message, but I forgot to ask u if u use the sennosides every day. Ty

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Every day for the last three years, unfortunately... I was doing better for a long while, but was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and have been on a testosterone blocking med for five weeks, Orgovyx. It has made my constipation much worse. I believe I will have to stop it and take my chances with the cancer. Good luck to you!

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2 replies
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celia16 | @celia16 | Nov 4, 2024
In reply to @mark1952 "Every day for the last three years, unfortunately... I was doing better for a long while,..." + (show)
Profile picture for mark1952 @mark1952

Every day for the last three years, unfortunately... I was doing better for a long while, but was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and have been on a testosterone blocking med for five weeks, Orgovyx. It has made my constipation much worse. I believe I will have to stop it and take my chances with the cancer. Good luck to you!

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I hope you can find a solution.

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Profile picture for dfloyd1133
dfloyd1133 | @dfloyd1133 | Nov 4, 2024
In reply to @mark1952 "Every day for the last three years, unfortunately... I was doing better for a long while,..." + (show)
Profile picture for mark1952 @mark1952

Every day for the last three years, unfortunately... I was doing better for a long while, but was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and have been on a testosterone blocking med for five weeks, Orgovyx. It has made my constipation much worse. I believe I will have to stop it and take my chances with the cancer. Good luck to you!

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I’m so sorry to hear that.

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genocurt | @genocurt | Nov 5, 2024
In reply to @researchmaven "mark1952 - try slippery elm (inner bark) powder with every meal. It provides slip. I can't..." + (show)
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

mark1952 - try slippery elm (inner bark) powder with every meal. It provides slip. I can't believe how useful it is for me.

Jump to this post

How much slippery elm powder do you use in each meal? And do you just mix the powder with the meal?
Have you ever tried dragon fruit (the yellow one)? It helps with constipation.
Thanks,

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researchmaven | @researchmaven | Nov 6, 2024
In reply to @razelrosey "For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other..." + (show)
Profile picture for razelrosey @razelrosey

For the past year or so my rib cage area is like really painful the other day I had a small backache that radiated around to the front and I went to ER and they discovered which I have had problems before that I had backed up constipation so I have been taking MiraLAX Fiber supplement magnesium citrate stool softener, and I still have not evacuated like I should have a gastrologist a new one in a month. I hope I don’t explode before the month is over. Any suggestions out there?

Jump to this post

genocurt, I have experimented and found that one serving a day (for me 1/2 teaspoon) isn't the answer. I benefit from 1/8 teaspoon with a meal. I add it to hot milk teas and weak hot chocolate, smoothies, pancakes, any food that seems palatable, or just hot water. Note that my gut is really sensitive to everything. Another person may need or benefit from more. I like Frontier Co-Op Slippery Elm Inner Bark Powder. It is the inner bark that is slippery. I haven't tried to chunky tea style, that may have outer and inner bark in it.

Good to know about dragonfruit! I rely on kiwi (there is a study), leafy greens like spinach and collards, as well as rhubarb.

REPLY
2 replies
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caw27 | @caw27 | Nov 6, 2024
In reply to @researchmaven "genocurt, I have experimented and found that one serving a day (for me 1/2 teaspoon) isn't..." + (show)
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

genocurt, I have experimented and found that one serving a day (for me 1/2 teaspoon) isn't the answer. I benefit from 1/8 teaspoon with a meal. I add it to hot milk teas and weak hot chocolate, smoothies, pancakes, any food that seems palatable, or just hot water. Note that my gut is really sensitive to everything. Another person may need or benefit from more. I like Frontier Co-Op Slippery Elm Inner Bark Powder. It is the inner bark that is slippery. I haven't tried to chunky tea style, that may have outer and inner bark in it.

Good to know about dragonfruit! I rely on kiwi (there is a study), leafy greens like spinach and collards, as well as rhubarb.

Jump to this post

Also, something else that worked fir me after over 20 with constipation is Formula 1 from Dr. Schultz. All natural products that work.

REPLY
Profile picture for genocurt
genocurt | @genocurt | Nov 6, 2024
In reply to @researchmaven "genocurt, I have experimented and found that one serving a day (for me 1/2 teaspoon) isn't..." + (show)
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

genocurt, I have experimented and found that one serving a day (for me 1/2 teaspoon) isn't the answer. I benefit from 1/8 teaspoon with a meal. I add it to hot milk teas and weak hot chocolate, smoothies, pancakes, any food that seems palatable, or just hot water. Note that my gut is really sensitive to everything. Another person may need or benefit from more. I like Frontier Co-Op Slippery Elm Inner Bark Powder. It is the inner bark that is slippery. I haven't tried to chunky tea style, that may have outer and inner bark in it.

Good to know about dragonfruit! I rely on kiwi (there is a study), leafy greens like spinach and collards, as well as rhubarb.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the reply. I have tried kiwi but it does not work for me. When I need help, I make a smoothie with yogurt, half of a dragonfruit and papaya and that works, for the most part. I am going to try the Inner Bark Powder because they say it may protect the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity, which is my main problem.

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