Severe constipation 7 mos post-op from robotic sigmoidectomy.

Posted by lwood55 @lwood55, Jan 12 3:50pm

Anyone having severe constipation several months after surgery? I've been doing all the right things; eating fiber, exercising, over 2L water daily and still have this issue. My surgeon today suggested fiber supplement, i.e., metamucil, benefiber. Anyone out there with a similar experience?

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bb4eternity | @bb4eternity | Jan 15 5:42pm

I had similar experience. Ate fiber, drank tons of water and took Benefiber daily. Still had problems and now am told I have IBS-C. Still drink lots of water and but now my GI doc prescribed Linzess 290mcg. At first, it caused diarrhea and thought I wouldn't be able to leave the house but after about a week, my system adjusted. Stool is still a bit runny with solids passing too but no longer urgent dashes to the bathroom, Having my stools a little watery sure beats being constipated! Also, I make sure not to eat anything too fibrous i.e. carrots, raw broccoli etc. Cooked is fine but raw was hard for my system to digest. It cramped me up and made the constipation worse.

lwood55 | @lwood55 | Jan 16 1:07pm

I'm glad to hear things have straightened out for you using Linzess but unfortunate you were diagnosed with IBS-C. I have heard that is one of the side effects of this drug, but sounds like you have it under control. The metamucil is working for me so I'll stick with this...at least for now. Fingers crossed!

bb4eternity | @bb4eternity | Jan 16 1:18pm

IBS-C is NOT a side effect of Linzess. Linzess helps with the "C" constipation. Helped me tremendously! Metamucil/Benefiber - those things did not work for me but good that it works for you.

keeg1010 | @keeg1010 | Jan 18 3:59pm

@lwood55
My son struggled with constipation for over 2 decades. We finally found a gastroenterologist who told us about prunelax. It is an OTC drug, that resolved the problem for my son. Our gastroenterologist started us on Miralax (which we had tried many times but did not help) and Prunelax. We started with 1 tablet a day but were advised we could go up to 2 a day. Well, Prunelax worked, a bit too well. We had to cut the dosage to 4 tablets a week, combined with Miralax daily and ever since he started the Prunelax, and we made the adjustment, he is able to go to the bathroom daily, with no issues. I will say we tried everything prior to Prunelax. I had never even heard of it but it has been a HUGE blessing. Another thing our gastro said is to keep magnesium citrate liquid on hand. You can buy the magnesium citrate liquid almost anywhere (Walmart, Amazon, Grocery stores). Magnesium citrate liquid is for immediate relief. The dose was to drink half a bottle and wait a 1/2 hour. You should be able to use the restroom by 1/2 time. He said if you still couldn't go, finish the rest of the bottle and within the hour, you should be able to use the bathroom. I hope this helps! Good luck!
Kerry