Chronic Constipation

sarabeth9114
sarabeth9114 Posts: 9
in Health and Weight Loss
Going out of my comfort zone a little by posting this, but i am desperate for some help. I have struggled with GI problems since i was 13 (i am 21 now). At first it was my gall bladder that i had removed at the age of 14 and thing settled down for awhile. Then when i was 17 things started back up and i had chronic diarrhea for two years. All of a sudden my body stop going and i became constipated i had hemorrhoid surgery. Along this path they have found i have a paralyzed muscle that helps the colon relax so pushing out stool is almost impossible for me. Pretty much it sucks if i dont have diarrhea.

Anyways i have been in chronic constipation for two years and counting...i have been put on massive amounts of laxatives.
7 does of mirlax daily..failed prescription amitiza 3 times daily with 3 mirlax..failed and made me incredibly sick. now there is a new laxative on the market called lizness that i am on and its not doing its job either. i go once a week and im bloated and miserable most of the time.

so after all this basically i am asking does anyone struggle with constipation and have any advice about what works for them?

Thanks :)
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Replies

  • R_Bedard
    R_Bedard Posts: 94 Member
    This sounds simple BUT have you ever tried upping your fibre? I find once I added a LOT more fibre to my diet I felt much better. Flax seed, chia seed, kashi products, strawberries, pears, raspberries, blackberries have a lot of fibre.
  • MandaJean83
    MandaJean83 Posts: 675 Member
    Hey girl! First off, I looked at your profile and I'm a nurse in the Baltimore area as well! So that's cool!

    As far as your constipation goes, here are my thoughts. First off, what is your diet like? Are you overly sensitive to binding foods, perhaps? Dairy and bananas can be extremely binding for some people. Secondly, do you get enough fiber? And if so, are you drinking plenty of water along with it? One thing that works for my patients (crazily enough) is WARM prune juice. I've seen it do wonders even for the chronically constipated.

    If the problem is with your colon not being able to relax, have they ever considered a muscle relaxant? If the muscle is always tense, obviously you won't be able to bear down enough to push it out (sorry if that's gross LOL). So if you had a relaxant on board, would you be able to bear down more effectively? I'm no doctor, but this is the thought that came to mind!

    Sorry for what you're going through. I have a LOT of issues with constipation as well, so I can somewhat relate to your dilemma. I hope you find something that works.
  • sarabeth9114
    sarabeth9114 Posts: 9
    thanks guys! such a small world!

    i consume at least 30 grams of fiber a day. I try to add flax seed as much as possible to my foods. i drink smoothies often in the morning and always add in some. I drink on average 80 oz of water and at one point i upped it to 100 oz. They have talked about sending me to the motility clinic at John's Hopkins..the doctor they want me with wasn't accepting new patients at the time they were going to send me.

    i might have to try the warm prune juice..taking laxatives and not going everyday is not only frustrating but uncomfortable.
    this constipation i feel like really interferes with my weight loss
  • vidasana87
    vidasana87 Posts: 75
    Sara- Please try Magnesium Biglycinate. 3 capsules per day, minimum.
    I am curious to see if this works for you like it did for me. Your post sounded like ME 2 years ago!
  • sarabeth9114
    sarabeth9114 Posts: 9
    Is the Magnesium BIglycinate an over the counter type supplement?
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    I'm glad you're getting enough fiber and water. Have you tried different kinds of fiber? Also, what about probiotics?

    For me, probiotics usually do the trick. Either some Activia yogurt or the pills like Align or Philips Colon Health work nicely.

    I rarely have to resort to actual laxatives. I know how uncomfortable being constipated is though. Have you also tried cutting out dairy? Sometimes people can react to lactose or certain cheeses. Also, certain types of meat, like beef, are known to digest slowly, compared to other types of foods. You might want to try avoiding that too and see if it helps.

    I hope that you find relief! Being backed up is miserable.
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    PS, Magnesium supplements do cause movement in some folks, so what the previous person mentioned is probably worth a shot.
  • endoftheside
    endoftheside Posts: 568 Member
    Natural Calm (magnesium citrate) is very relaxing, and this includes relaxing the bowel muscles, though I don't know if it would work if you have a paralyzed muscle. This and a high-powered probiotic are my go-tos for the problem.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I hear you. I've seen GI docs. I've been told to "up my fiber". I've been told everything.

    For me? Taking a magnesium CITRATE supplement helps to soften things and move them along.
  • ssl0905
    ssl0905 Posts: 57 Member
    Sorry you have to go thruough this....I'm not to familiar with chronic constipation issues since usually an OTC laxative works for me but I love to research and I found a post where someone comented that they use a concoction of an herbal mixture for a drink given by a Chinese Medicine doctor which helped her with the problem....she mentions it also comes in pill form so I looked up some stuff and apparently there is an herbal Rhubarb pill that helps with the symptoms....I have however, tried chinese laxative tea (not the name of it) and it works great, its called "Golden Slim Tea", you drink it at night and it works wonders in the morning, it does cause some cramping but not to bad, I dont know how easy it is to get where you are but I know they sell it online as well. It is suppose to be for weight loss but im sure if you use it when you need it it should be fine. Oh, one more thing, it taste awful but im sure thats the least of your worries :) I dont know how much help this is for you, I also think the prune juice is a great idea...here are the sites I found the info on, hope this helps

    http://www.medicinenet.com/constipation/patient-comments-51.htm

    http://www.drshen.com/herbsforconstipation.htm
  • craigmandu
    craigmandu Posts: 976 Member
    Please don't try any "remedies" that you don't discuss with your doctor first. It sounds like you have a medical condition that even your local GI doctors are having problems getting under control, if they want to send you to Hopkins.

    Not putting down anyones advise, it just seems you need more controlled monitoring of your condition.
  • Mtleiker
    Mtleiker Posts: 160
    Same here... im so glad you posted this. im open to many things. bella vi is a diet pill all natural that had me going everyday !!! i only have a bowel movement once ( twice if im lucky ) every week. i quit the bella vi because i felt it was just masking a bigger problem. i have candida in my gut... which many people have and i just started taking probiotics which you can buy over the counter. with it i drink tons of water and after 2 days i could feel my bowel moving. of course im not going everyday like every other person i know. but it helps better than miralax and laxatives alone. ive had candida since i was little so its probably gnna take me time to regulate. ill inbox you whether or not i become normal and need not rely on laxative or miralax anymore. i've been taking the probiotics for 3 days and today i finally had a bowel movement
  • sarabeth9114
    sarabeth9114 Posts: 9
    I am going back to my GI doctor next week so everything will be discussed with him before doing it!

    I have taken mag citrate for bowel clean outs that unfortunately i seem to be doing about once every other month if i'm lucky.. i have heard about the teas. i might check that out and prune juice is gross but if it works then i'm okay with that!

    I have looked into the probiotic pills but havent done any
    i was on an activa diet type thing per doctors orders before but it didn't work too well and i had a hard time sticking with it.

    glad i am not the only one in this boat...stinks though! feel all your guys pain
  • vidasana87
    vidasana87 Posts: 75
    Yes, it's over the counter. Citrate doesn't seem to be as effective over the long term, compared to Biglycinate.

    Magnesium Biglycinate and "smooth move" senna tea are my saving grace!

    I hope you give it a try and I hope it works for you too!!

    :)
  • skinnylynnie74
    skinnylynnie74 Posts: 154 Member
    I just bought a book called Fiber Menace. Check out the website www.gutsense.org. It has saved my butt, literally! I had a colonoscopy on Friday, to figure out my constipation, along with hemmorhoids and bleeding from straining.

    I ignored the doctors, read the Fiber Menace book and placed myself on a low fiber diet with plenty of fats (animal fats, as well) that helps my ca-ca stay small and soft. I feel like a new person after a few days of making changes.

    I also have been put on desiccated thyroid because constipation is one of the symptoms of under active thyroid. Might want to get your levels checked.

    Good luck!
  • sarabeth9114
    sarabeth9114 Posts: 9
    Never thought about getting my thyroid levels check! i probably should! thanks!!
  • ssl0905
    ssl0905 Posts: 57 Member
    Yes, it's over the counter. Citrate doesn't seem to be as effective over the long term, compared to Biglycinate.

    Magnesium Biglycinate and "smooth move" senna tea are my saving grace!

    I hope you give it a try and I hope it works for you too!!

    :)
    Senna tea..I read thats good aswell and the magnesium..the tea I suggested has Senna and Orange peal as its only ingredients....Sorry if some dont like natural remedies, dont mean to offend any one by suggesting them, but its a suggestion that may help
  • raegan1215
    raegan1215 Posts: 89
    one of my best friends has had constipation problems since we were in middle school (i'm 34 now) and is finally getting some relief from working with a homeopath. might be worth a consultation with one! good luck.
  • jmv2012
    jmv2012 Posts: 15 Member
    This is a great topic. I have constipation problems, as well. I have damage from years of IBS, stress, food sensitivities to the point that my colon doesn't move well at all. My GI dr put me on a regimen of probiotics, enzymes, and Miralax.
    /jmv/
  • Trilby16
    Trilby16 Posts: 707 Member
    One word: senna tea. You'll thank me!
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    up th e fiber drink water drink prune juice
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Yes, it's over the counter. Citrate doesn't seem to be as effective over the long term, compared to Biglycinate.

    Magnesium Biglycinate and "smooth move" senna tea are my saving grace!

    I hope you give it a try and I hope it works for you too!!

    :)
    i try to avoid the stimulant laxatives, but if you gotta, you gotta.

    Magnesium daily keeps me going, and has for a couple of years now.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    in, for hilarious recommendations on how to take a dump the normal way .....
  • 4given4life
    4given4life Posts: 81 Member
    My son has issues with chronic constipation and I have a little trouble myself. I take 2 magnesium tablets a day and it helps me go every day. My son has great success with magnesium glycinate. I'm trying the Natural Calm with him right now and it doesn't seem as effective as the glycinate. Hope some of these suggestions help!
  • blleadon
    blleadon Posts: 187 Member
    I know this answer sounds simple and I haven't read through the responses, but when I find myself constipated I increase my water for a few days to try to flush it out and look at my fiber intake. Otherwise I use an herbal colon cleanse pill but not too often as to not become dependent on them.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    try a package of exlax ..if that does not work then you have a serious problem that requires unblocking surgery...
  • KaraAlste
    KaraAlste Posts: 168 Member
    I just read something in Parents magazine (for a child w/this problem) and the cure was as simple as one glass of Welch's Grape juice a day. It was reccomended by the pediatrician. Worth a try, she did emphasize Welch's. :smile:
  • DeserveVictory
    DeserveVictory Posts: 133 Member
    A friend of mine has a chronic constipation problem too. I'm not sure if its cause by her Cystic Fibrosis or the medication. Either way, she has found that certain exercises are helpful in getting things moving.

    1) Certain Yoga positions
    http://yoga.prevention.com/constipation/

    2) Lay on your back, hug your knees to your chest and rock back and forth. (It seems silly, but I've found it to be helpful too)

    3) Walking - not speed walking or anything strenuous. She just goes for long (~2hrs or more) leisurely strolls.

    4) Steady intake of liquids and fibre. (Sounds like you have this covered!)

    Good luck! I can't imagine how horrible this must be!
  • janimei
    janimei Posts: 105 Member
    Please check senna tea and all the other suggestions out with your doctor before trying. I've heard something negative about senna but can't remember what it was! Hope you can get the specialist you need, and that he/she is kind as well as knowledgeable.
  • nucgirl13
    nucgirl13 Posts: 56 Member
    Wow, so many ideas on here already! I never knew so many people suffer from a similar problem as its not something people like to talk about. I used to only go about once or twice a week but no I'm using the Phillips colon health probiotics, a fiber one bar and 1-2 yogurts a day and find myself going everyday or every other day.

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