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 tadueo @tadueo

A doctor told me those High Protein drinks were guaranteed to cause constipation.
For reluctant colon you'll find Mirralax, 1 cap in 4 ozs. of warm PJ, an excellent influencer. I've never had any harmful effects in that it is quite mild. I may use it once or twice a week at the most.
Tadueo

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what is PJ?

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Profile picture for 456 @456

Thank you Lisa, I'd greatly appreciate any non medical advise that has helped other people suffering from constipation. For a period of time prunes helped. Then for a long period of time steamed beets helped. Then becoming vegetarian helped. Then for a short while one tablespoon of chia seeds helped. Then for a short while one tablespoon of flax seeds helped. I'm out of ideas.

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Hi 456,

I think the others' suggestion that fat, maybe meat fat is useful for constipation. Other things to consider and that I use (I cannot tolerate much fat) is:

1-2 kiwi at night
Rhubarb at night
A more liquid diet (soups, hot cereal)
Less meat and other food that is dense
Beans if you can tolerate them
Spinach and other leafy greens
Magnesium supplement (I take Hilma Gentle Bowel Support)
Slippery Elm Inner Bark Powder
Drinking more plain water
Physical Activity
Floor stretching to ensure things 'move' in your gut

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Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

Hi 456,

I think the others' suggestion that fat, maybe meat fat is useful for constipation. Other things to consider and that I use (I cannot tolerate much fat) is:

1-2 kiwi at night
Rhubarb at night
A more liquid diet (soups, hot cereal)
Less meat and other food that is dense
Beans if you can tolerate them
Spinach and other leafy greens
Magnesium supplement (I take Hilma Gentle Bowel Support)
Slippery Elm Inner Bark Powder
Drinking more plain water
Physical Activity
Floor stretching to ensure things 'move' in your gut

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Thank you very much, research-maven,
All the best.

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Profile picture for phxbarb @phxbarb

Thank you Joe. I am still grieving and probably will be for a while. Whether or not his passing is connected to my GI problems is uncertain. Yes, it is frustrating not knowing what causes this problem when other people never have to worry about it. Thanks again.

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You're welcome Barb.

We're cat people and have had to put several of these cherished, loving creatures to sleep. IMO, it takes one year to properly grieve after a loss. Please be kind to yourself.

And as for CIC, certainly this doesn't help. FWIW I've had limited success with a drug called Motegrity. Problem - it doesn't have a generic so it's expensive. Because I'm on SS I get the drug for free, based on annual income.

All the best to you Barb.

Joe

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Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

You're welcome Barb.

We're cat people and have had to put several of these cherished, loving creatures to sleep. IMO, it takes one year to properly grieve after a loss. Please be kind to yourself.

And as for CIC, certainly this doesn't help. FWIW I've had limited success with a drug called Motegrity. Problem - it doesn't have a generic so it's expensive. Because I'm on SS I get the drug for free, based on annual income.

All the best to you Barb.

Joe

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Cats or dogs, doesn't matter. It's just as bad either way. Thanks for understanding.
I also had Motegrity, worked for a week, then quit. So sick of all these pills! Can't someone find us a cure that works? Take care, Barb

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Profile picture for tadueo @tadueo

PJ is prune juice.
Tadueo

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Yuk !!!

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Profile picture for tadueo @tadueo

Sorry to hear of your problem.
I'm 92 and have had problems with my lower Gi for the past 5 years. I still get by with a cap of in 4 0zs. of warm PJ on arising but can tell I'm heading toward the baby food and shakes as my digestive is definitely slowing down. When I have a problem I take 30 ML of Cherry flavored, Walgreens Milk of mag before bed. Usually works in an hour or two. Or not.
Doctors tell me I have an "elongated" colon and that's why I have a problem.
Yeah, And pigs fly south with the birds.

I also have had "C" stage CHF for the last 5 years .
Statistics say after 5 years you're 50% dead and after 10 you're 86% dead.
Which 14% is alive after 10 years is what I want to know?

Tadueo

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Hopefully things will turn around do you. I have found some relief by mixing a bottle of magnesium citrate (lemon flavor) with 50/50 lemonade-ices tea (Brisk has it in a liter bottle). I drink an 8oz glass in the morning and another before bed. Not the perfect solution but it is working enough to keep the pain and bloating at a minimum.

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Thanks Kristin.
Tadueo

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Oh my goodness, drinking hot water after breakfast (but not so hot you can't take a big swallow) that someone suggested speeds up my normal motility and eases it. Two days in a row now. No more "waiting around." What a gift!

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