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Severe Constipation after small intestine surgery

Posted by bearose @bearose, Nov 12, 2025

I have IBS-C, but since I had emergency surgery to remove part of my small intestine in Sept., anything I tried is not effective: Linzess, Miralax, stool softeners, Citracel, Milk of Magnesia, tons of water, fiber, etc. Any suggestions? Going to see GI nurse practitioner next week.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Nov 15, 2025
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@nycmusic, I have found that a spoonful of olive oil in my morning coffee is very..." + (show)
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@nycmusic, I have found that a spoonful of olive oil in my morning coffee is very helpful as well.

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@hopeful33250 glad it works for you..interesting, but not in my coffee…prefer to have use it generously with foods-veggies, pasta, bread, etc…however one uses it, I think it eases food along its journey in our GI tract.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 15, 2025
In reply to @nycmusic "@hopeful33250 glad it works for you..interesting, but not in my coffee…prefer to have use it generously..." + (show)
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@hopeful33250 glad it works for you..interesting, but not in my coffee…prefer to have use it generously with foods-veggies, pasta, bread, etc…however one uses it, I think it eases food along its journey in our GI tract.

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@nycmusic
Yes, whatever way you use it, it does help food move through the digestive tract!

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jlstjohn | @jlstjohn | Nov 16, 2025
In reply to @crystalena "@nycmusic Drinking lots of water due to phlem from emphysema. I am fairly inactive.. so that..." + (show)
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@nycmusic
Drinking lots of water due to phlem from emphysema. I am fairly inactive.. so that is a factor - meds too . I am reading on them, and know they can be a cause.
'GERD meds especially Omeprazole.
I cant eat prunes ,( cant have Fructose) or I sure would.
Been eating Bacon. But it makes my phlem worse.
Ducolax same as Ducosate?
Thanks for the input , Crystalina

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@crystalena I am a pharmacist who also lost a large portion of my small intestine almost 5 years ago. Docusate is a stool softener, Dulcolax is the brand name for bisacodyl, which is a stimulant laxative. The latter is a more aggresive treatment, it stimulates the intestines to contract. I have used it occassionally. I am on Miralax, senna, magnesium, and Motegrity. I definitely run on the loose stool side, but this is what "works" for me currently. I also have pelvic floor dysfunction, which adds another layer of complexity. Best wishes to you.

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crystalena | @crystalena | Nov 17, 2025
In reply to @jlstjohn "@crystalena I am a pharmacist who also lost a large portion of my small intestine almost..." + (show)
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@crystalena I am a pharmacist who also lost a large portion of my small intestine almost 5 years ago. Docusate is a stool softener, Dulcolax is the brand name for bisacodyl, which is a stimulant laxative. The latter is a more aggresive treatment, it stimulates the intestines to contract. I have used it occassionally. I am on Miralax, senna, magnesium, and Motegrity. I definitely run on the loose stool side, but this is what "works" for me currently. I also have pelvic floor dysfunction, which adds another layer of complexity. Best wishes to you.

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@jlstjohn Thank you for your input . I contracted C Diff during surgery to remove a 10” part of colon . I had diverticulitis . Still do . I notice changes if I ingest fructose . I avoid it like the plague . It has been 18 years since I ate a peach or most fruits . I hesitate to take a laxative and worry about it making changes in my colon genome. ( I hope that’s the right word). So I take the softener . It took about a week to work with any sort of regularity . I live in Gaylord, Mi. The amount of medical service here is very limited . One will find Health care Companies here . But what they really do is very limited . My pcp is good for a 20 minute appt once or twice a year . If I am ill or have any concerns I call that clinic . They try to find a PA or an NP that I can see . Twice in 2 years I have tried to see my pcp with it being refused . The last time , I was asked to drive 110 miles to see one . I went to the ER instead . My pcp ‘s clinic again refused to let me see her for an ER follow up. So your answers do help me a lot. I read about other drugs I take and try to identify any side effects . Thanks for listening . Blessed Be, Crystalena

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