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Severe Constipation

Posted by klk464 @klk464, Feb 28, 2018

I have had severe constipation for a long time. I drink lots of water and have had almost every test possible done and tried many prescription medications. These medications work for a little bit then stop. I currently take 3 docusate in morning and at night I will take 2 senna/docusate. I still dont have a daily BM. So i get bloated crampy and back pain from this.

I was told I could go to the Mayo Clinic as they may have ideas for me because they are out of options for me here.

Anyone else suffer from this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for jefck
jefck | @jefck | Mar 15, 2024
In reply to @ess77 "@crazykbl, @annalyzethis and all... Hello, my constipated friends. I have IBD and for decades dealt with..." + (show)
Profile picture for ess77 - Elizabeth @ess77

@crazykbl, @annalyzethis and all... Hello, my constipated friends. I have IBD and for decades dealt with diarrhea with sudden attacks throughout the day. I used Lomotil to slow things down for years. Now, the last couple of years, I've met constipation for the first time in my life. Partly, I think, due to the slowing of my gut with autonomic neuropathy, and partly due to low ferritin and iron supplementation orally and by IV infusions.

I'm now taking an iron supplement referred to me by my hematologist and having less difficulty, but still very constipated. My gastroenterologist hasn't been a bunch of help, suggesting MiraLAX and leaving it at that pretty much! Pooh! Not for me...

MiraLAX causes me painful bloating and gas and takes a couple of days to work then works at the worst times. So, nope.

I use good ole' Milk of Magnesia several times weekly and it works like a dream. It's gentle, easy on the body, no gas or bloating, and works overnight like clockwork. No downside as I can tell so far, so this is my solution. I'm thrilled~

Blessings, Elizabeth

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Elizabeth do the tablets work as good as liquid and if they do how many and how often do you take ?
Thank you so much
Jefck

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2 replies
Profile picture for ess77 - Elizabeth
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Mar 15, 2024
In reply to @crazykbl "Yes I was on miralax and they said two capsules and I said it was causing..." + (show)
Profile picture for crazykbl @crazykbl

Yes I was on miralax and they said two capsules and I said it was causing me very bad stomach pains and bloating and make me throw up and then they said for me to go to one cap of miralax and I said I was still calling me to blow his stomach pain and more more stomach pain and thrown up and then they said go to half a cup and then they said go to every other day and finally I just told him I'm going to stop it because I'm having pain and bloating and throwing up.my ferror sulfate was at 13 nine and a half years ago and I'm still at now when they checked it 3 weeks ago and I just started the supplement 3 weeks ago

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@crazykbl and all... The iron testing I now have includes Ferritin levels that at Mayo labs they suggest I have above 100 numbers to stay healthy and improve my restless leg syndrome, fatigue and other anemia symptoms. Even with my normal CBC iron levels at a good normal range, my Ferritin levels dropped a couple years ago when first tested!!!! to 25. After an iron infusion, I felt like a new woman within a couple of days and couldn't believe the improvements in my clarity of thinking, weakness, walking/lifting my legs, and so much more. Ferritin...not normal iron testing. It's a separate and specific test with supporting tests for storage, absorption, etc. Be sure to have this specific testing that's not usually ordered.

My hematologist at Mayo regularly tests all my levels since I appear to have absorption difficulties re my nutrition and minerals, vitamins, etc. I take multiple supplements, including ferritin, Calcium. C that's requited for iron absorption, B Complex, a bi-weekly injection of B12, Centrum Silver for women, magnesium, probiotic-Probulin, potassium... and ov course, Milk of Magnesia. BTW: Probulin was referred to me by my Mayo doctor for gut control rather than an over-the-counter probiotic I was taking. This I purchase online, and it is a miracle. If I'm taking an antibiotic and begin to suspect diarrhea or other intestinal issues, I take an extra Probulin in the morning, 2X daily instead of 1X at bedtime and ward off any potential issues. I figured this out myself and ran it by the doctor who agreed it's a good idea. It works!!! If needed I add a Lomotil every day until I'm through taking the antibiotic.

Some ideas I've learned as I walk this crazy journey. I hope you benefit from my years of learning...Blessings, Elizabeth

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Profile picture for ess77 - Elizabeth
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Mar 15, 2024
In reply to @jefck "Elizabeth do the tablets work as good as liquid and if they do how many and..." + (show)
Profile picture for jefck @jefck

Elizabeth do the tablets work as good as liquid and if they do how many and how often do you take ?
Thank you so much
Jefck

Jump to this post

@jefck and all... Jefck, I take the liquid Milk of Magnesia, peppermint flavor. It's not offensive and the liquid is best for me. I had limited help from stool softeners, but I know folks do. I'm thrilled MOM works with no side effects...
Blessings, Elizabeth

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 15, 2024
In reply to @jefck "Elizabeth do the tablets work as good as liquid and if they do how many and..." + (show)
Profile picture for jefck @jefck

Elizabeth do the tablets work as good as liquid and if they do how many and how often do you take ?
Thank you so much
Jefck

Jump to this post

Hello @jefck and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see that this is your first post on Connect. If you are comfortable sharing a bit about yourself, what brought you to Connect and to the Digestive Health support group?

REPLY
Profile picture for crazykbl
crazykbl | @crazykbl | Mar 16, 2024
In reply to @annalyzethis "I developed severe constipation after having a large sarcoma remove from the posterior side of my..." + (show)
Profile picture for annalyzethis @annalyzethis

I developed severe constipation after having a large sarcoma remove
from the posterior side of my left leg. So, after trying most everything
on the drugstore shelf I experimented and came up with this: I take
2 Colace before bedtime, nothing happens the next day. That night
I make a cup of "Smooth Move" , an organic tea with Senekot as the
base as well as other organic herbs.....The next morning it's go time!
That night I do not take Colace, I decide to rest my colon and start
the process again the following night. When I said rest I didn't mean
for it to sound like this is a harsh or uncomfortable process, it's not.

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I have a weird question I've been pooping out green and yellow poop and it's been coming out really watery. Have not put no food in my food I have not ate in any broccoli or any green foods are spinach raw or could because of my gastropriosis.Should I be concerned about it and I've been having but lower side pains to get back tonight lower side pains and it goes to my back to my shoulders. some nausea and bought a lot of nausea and vomiting.🤮🤣. The pain becomes really bad after I eat. Is this is a form constipation or should I be worried about it.

REPLY
Profile picture for crazykbl
crazykbl | @crazykbl | Mar 16, 2024
In reply to @annalyzethis "I developed severe constipation after having a large sarcoma remove from the posterior side of my..." + (show)
Profile picture for annalyzethis @annalyzethis

I developed severe constipation after having a large sarcoma remove
from the posterior side of my left leg. So, after trying most everything
on the drugstore shelf I experimented and came up with this: I take
2 Colace before bedtime, nothing happens the next day. That night
I make a cup of "Smooth Move" , an organic tea with Senekot as the
base as well as other organic herbs.....The next morning it's go time!
That night I do not take Colace, I decide to rest my colon and start
the process again the following night. When I said rest I didn't mean
for it to sound like this is a harsh or uncomfortable process, it's not.

Jump to this post

I'm at I know put no color in my food no food dies. Should I be worried.

REPLY
Profile picture for phillygirl1000
phillygirl1000 | @phillygirl1000 | Mar 16, 2024

Yes, I do. As directed by my GI doc I take Miralax at night and Citrucel in the morning. They do not help so after 3 days I take a Ducalax and it works.

REPLY
1 reply
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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Mar 16, 2024

I was prescribed Relistor for OIC. With insurance, the cost was over $500/month. My prescriber had me send in my social security proof of income, and I got a one year prescription for free. So check with your Dr's office on expensive meds w no generics. Very helpful if you're retired or otherwise dependent on a fixed income.

REPLY
Profile picture for heyjoe415
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Mar 16, 2024
In reply to @phillygirl1000 "Yes, I do. As directed by my GI doc I take Miralax at night and Citrucel..." + (show)
Profile picture for phillygirl1000 @phillygirl1000

Yes, I do. As directed by my GI doc I take Miralax at night and Citrucel in the morning. They do not help so after 3 days I take a Ducalax and it works.

Jump to this post

Thanks PhillyGirl. Yeah I take Miralax every night, exercise every day, eat plenty of fiber and fruit, and take Motegrity and Relistor. I still have to use Dulcolax every two days or so. I've read that this is overuse of Dulcolax. Maybe that's right, but it's still working.......

REPLY
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sassy1 | @sassy1 | Mar 16, 2024

Yes, I use Linzess and drink Smoothe Moves ( Senna tea) every other evening. Doing abdominal massages every morning for 10 minutes has been very helpful for me. It has changed the timing and flow of my BMS, and I feel like I've made progress in the past month by consistently doing this and increasing my water intake. Although it hasn't cured me, it's definitely worth continuing as a part of my routine. Take care!

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