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 jsp68 @jsp68

I have had chronic constipation since birth. I am now 54 years old. I have ran out of laxatives to try. I went to a gastroenterologist a couple of years ago who did a marker test (nothing moved) and then attempted to do a colonoscopy but I told him beforehand that the solution did not clean me out so of course it came back inconclusive because it wasn’t cleaned out. He diagnosed me with colonic inertia and prescribed Linzess which sort of worked for a while then it started making me nauseous and not working. I started taking Miralax every day at the suggestion of a different doctor, that worked for a while and now it just makes me sick and doesn’t work either. I have an appointment with yet another gastroenterologist next month. I go weeks without a bowel movement sometimes 4-6 weeks and of course I feel miserable. Anyone else have the same issue?

Jump to this post

Have you tried Trulance..?? It worked for me.. Linzess didn't and Amtiza didn't.. I also take a dose of Miralax nightly if I need it.. and VSL3 probiotics...I drink 2 Vanilla Plant based Ensures every day (on Amazon) 5 mg fiber each and eat 1 Thomas multigrain English muffin with plant butter every day..(the wheat has sucralose. ..a good gut bacteria killer)..and am really careful about what I eat.. lots of water.. and prayers.. praying you'll find a solution!!

REPLY
Profile picture for jsp68 @jsp68

I have had chronic constipation since birth. I am now 54 years old. I have ran out of laxatives to try. I went to a gastroenterologist a couple of years ago who did a marker test (nothing moved) and then attempted to do a colonoscopy but I told him beforehand that the solution did not clean me out so of course it came back inconclusive because it wasn’t cleaned out. He diagnosed me with colonic inertia and prescribed Linzess which sort of worked for a while then it started making me nauseous and not working. I started taking Miralax every day at the suggestion of a different doctor, that worked for a while and now it just makes me sick and doesn’t work either. I have an appointment with yet another gastroenterologist next month. I go weeks without a bowel movement sometimes 4-6 weeks and of course I feel miserable. Anyone else have the same issue?

Jump to this post

My wife has this and must have colonics even with every new laxative, it does not work
she went to a surgeon who said a ostomy is the answer but she refused this as she will not wear a bag.
Her issue they say is pelvic floor dysfunction and of course-constipation. Strange but that word does not really show how bad it is. Everyone gets constipated now and again but she is at another level.
Keep trying the new one's maybe it will work if not see a colorectal and see if anything can be done.

G

REPLY
Profile picture for dshers @dshers

Hello. I had a similar situation and went to Mayo in Jax. I was diagnosed with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction by their wonderful Gastroenterology team. Prior to Mayo, I saw some of the top specialists in my state and they couldn't figure it out. Mayo prescribed pelvic floor therapy which really turned things around. Now I take measures such as using a toilet stool, drinking detox teas like Hyley Slim tea and Epsom salt in warm water to help my bowels move consistently. My new tool is a high fiber cereal called "Poop like a Champion" or something like. It's kinda expensive but it works like clockwork every day. I know how you feel and I hope any of this information is helpful. God bless you.

Jump to this post

@dshers
My wife has gastro perisis caused by stomach surgeries.

Can you pass on what Pelvic Floor Dsyfunction is and the therapy you do for it that you mentioned.

My wife is a patient of Mayo Jacksonville also and under the care of Gastroenterolgy team, endocrinologists (diabetic), and neurologist

REPLY
Profile picture for jc76 @jc76

@dshers
My wife has gastro perisis caused by stomach surgeries.

Can you pass on what Pelvic Floor Dsyfunction is and the therapy you do for it that you mentioned.

My wife is a patient of Mayo Jacksonville also and under the care of Gastroenterolgy team, endocrinologists (diabetic), and neurologist

Jump to this post

I would Google it and find out. I am not sure if you are asking me or another.

Briefly, my wife also had surgery for peritonitis and that might have contributed to her constipation.
Bottom line is that she can no longer eliminate in a normal way and what they diagnosis is pelvic floor.
Treatment may include excercise and the "old chestnut" diet! but she is at a point that nothing short of surgery is going to help so she is destined to have to pay for colonics or self treat which is not easy and it is very costly.
Sad to say we have not found a solution other than have a ostomy

Really tough deal

REPLY

I have tried everything! I have been constipation so serve that they have been talking about a surgery to remove it! I am 36 w crohns disease and sometimes go a whole month w no bowel movements. I usually only go 2 3 a month

REPLY

In NYC they have clinics for colonics

REPLY

Apples, plums, prune juice, liters of water, hot sips of water first thing in AM. then Miralax, then pills stool softener and stimulant, day2 or 3, oil enema at least two in a row ( warm water and mineral oil) I use a red hot water bottle, not the little OTC Fleets.

REPLY
Profile picture for gwenrn74 @gwenrn74

Apples, plums, prune juice, liters of water, hot sips of water first thing in AM. then Miralax, then pills stool softener and stimulant, day2 or 3, oil enema at least two in a row ( warm water and mineral oil) I use a red hot water bottle, not the little OTC Fleets.

Jump to this post

These suggestions are fine for maybe the vast majority but some like my wife who has suffered for decades and has tried each new medication and has gotten as far as having a stimulator implant, mere diet and enema and such are mildly helpful but her last hope is surgery short of having to wear a bag.

REPLY

Yes!! and I tried everything... (I've even been hospitalized and almost died from constipation..really) then I found Trulance..Linzess and Amtiza did not work..the Trulance in the morning and Miralax at night make me go 2-3 times a day!! I also eat a Thomas multigrain English muffin with pant butt daily (8 grams of fiber) and drink 2 vanilla pant based ensures (5 mg plant fiber each) ..I dont know if this will help you..and also.. a recent discovery..dark chocolate..unbelievable!! Just 2 pieces of Lindt squares in the PM and VSL-3 Probiotics ..one per day.. I hope some of this will help you.. I went thru the ducloax for about 3 months last fall.. and was going to a surgeon to see about the tortious colon.. but 15 days before the appt..GOD..opened my system.. the DR said "I don't know what you're doing.. biofeed back or what " but whatever it is, it's working and don't let anyone cut one you.. I told him "The Word works!!" Standing on His stirpes!! and No Nahum 1:9 "What do ye imagine against the Lord?He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time"(KJV)..not a second time.. I'll pray for you!!

REPLY
Profile picture for gbear1953 @gbear1953

These suggestions are fine for maybe the vast majority but some like my wife who has suffered for decades and has tried each new medication and has gotten as far as having a stimulator implant, mere diet and enema and such are mildly helpful but her last hope is surgery short of having to wear a bag.

Jump to this post

Didn't read correctly re decades of sffering....so the nacupuncture and their herbs? You can even look up acupressure points on line and start pressing away. Does she have a nerve injury? The pudendal nerve control the vagina, perineum and anus...It's a peripheral nerve.

It would be interesting to see where her chi is out of balnance in the eyes of an acupuncturist.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.