Stimulant laxatives no longer work for my severe chronic constipation

I'm 75, have gastroparesis. I do not like taking any kind of drug, altho' I've had to take levothyroxine and metformin for the past decade. If you haven't tried these two things before, consider: Take 1 tablespoon of EVOO daily (I take after my small breakfast). Or eat magnesium citrate gummies (gummies are better absorbed than pills, allow to dissolve in the mouth) in the evening before bedtime - 400 mg works for me.

@lauracbaker - will you share more about how the magnesium citrate gummies help you?

@kaypee - I like Amatiza. Lubiprostone (Amitiza). Your doctor may suggest this drug if you have chronic constipation or constipation brought on by opioids. It's also used to treat IBS-C (which means that constipation is the main symptom) in women. The drug softens the stool by putting more water into it, so the stool can pass easily. You take this medicine twice a day with food. Some possible side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

For me, it works better than Linzess, though insurance may not cover it. But get the doctor to push for it/ you have nothing to lose. I also like magnesium citrate, and Citrucel powder. Best wishes - hope you find something that works better for you.

I take Linzess and it rarely works now BUT I also take miralax one dose and Mag Citrate every PM. I take a higher than normal dose so ck with your Dr first and my labs are monitored. I also started on the Vibrant Capsule about two months ago. Prior to that my stool hardly moved in my colon due to adhesions( endometriosis HX) and I had only passed hard rock stool for over 40 years. After starting linzess 5 yrs ago and drinking seven cups of warm water with it and doing my miralax and mg citrate it worked mostly but when I pooped I passed very soft liquid. Tells me I had some adhesions. I had an exploratory Lap with LOA but the adhesions were to many and they fears cutting something then I’d would up with a colostomy or other. I’ve also had MRIs and I always have a distended cecum area full of poop! Way backed up! Well after a few yrs Linzess rarely is working for me either. I have to get up at 5 am take it with 7 cups warm water and move around and eat at 5:30 on the dot. I also have to supplement with electrolytes but expensive so I make my own. I have excellent kidney functions but of course my sodium was right below low. Well I still do the miralax, mag combo and the mag about 6:30 pm and take my Linzess every am but with only 3.5 cups of warm Water now because I started taking the VIBRANT CAPSULE. Out of pocket of course! 89 dollars a month. I just started getting my Linzess for free through Abvie. Vibrant is a battery powered METAL capsule with after initiated in a pod you swallow. It is turned on and is time sensitive since it comes on in your colon and it Vibrates. This vibration stimulates peristalsis the Normal movement which I lack. It doesn’t stimulate like regular BUT it sure helps. I actually now pass a somewhat normal looking stool most days. It helps stimulate to push my poop from my small intestine in my colin and then in the colon also is vibrating and helps with normal colon activity. It doesn’t help when I eat white bread and cheese which I love so maybe 1-2 days I need a laxative and I take an Alolatex or a triphala capsule. Just one. Now between all three this gets me by. I could have all of my colon removed but my mom did and she doesn’t have a colostomy but she cannot control her bowels. She is 88 and has a lot of accidents and she hates it. I will do what I have to do until I can’t manage without surgery. I also have my labs monitored frequently so you need to stay on top of your blood work called a CMP, and I get Magnesium levels. I see a gastrointestinal Dr frequently. It’s a pain in the A.. and controls my life but what can I do but be proactive. If I don’t no one else will. I feel your pain and understand what your going through. Also, insurance will cover a man’s ED meds but not a med or meds for La k if peristalsis in your colon. Such a shame. Linzess without insurance is 700 bucks a month plus 89 for the Vibrant and don’t forget the cost of the mag and MiraLAX and the other extra supplements I have to take and the trips to the Dr.

Hi @bb03, I am hopeful after reading your comments about things that are helping you. I have triphala that I am going to try and might order Vibrant as I just read about it. But can you tell me what is Alolatex? Cannot find info about it, maybe a typo?

Aloe latex is a powerful stimulant laxative. Don’t use it if you have kidneys that don’t work properly. Look it up. Like I said I use just one tab but my kidney functions are exceptional. I only use it when I have to. I take one pill only. The latex has not been removed. If all that I do meaning, the miralax, mag and Linzess and now Vibrant hadn’t been working after three days I take one aloe latex and it gives that extra push because I have narrowed parts in my colon and it barely moves on its own. I also drink electrolytes in my water daily. Always look up whatever you take and ask your Dr about it. I am a retired medical professional and I keep up with my labs and know my body. It is not something you use I. A regular basis and neither is triphala.