Advice for chronic constipation

[Sunflower117]

My symptoms are so much better since my laparoscopy 9 months ago but I’m still constipated all. the. time. My surgeon has told me repeatedly that he’s very confident he removed all present endo and that there was none on my bowel.

I’ve had a colonoscopy and MRI which have come back fine, aside from being ‘backed up’. I eat a healthy diet with plenty of fibre. But I haven’t had a ‘normal’ bowel movement in 2 years. I’m lucky if I go once a week and I sometimes have rectal bleeding when trying. I feel bloated and gassy a lot with pelvic pain, I can’t find a pattern regarding certain foods either.

Has anyone else experienced this? What can you suggest to get things moving? I’m losing my mind !!

[Mindfullness4791]

You poor thing. I am always constipated and it's horrible. What have you tried? I use Laxido

[Sunflower117 in reply to Mindfullness4791]

Bless you, isn’t it just! I use Laxido daily which helps a little but not as much as I was hoping for. I hope you find a solution too 💗

[AllthatGlitters]

This is a new symptom for me, I take Dulcolax and even that doesn’t work sometimes. Have you tried these pills? X

[Sunflower117 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

I haven’t tried those but I was prescribed Constella for a while which helped! but my symptoms came back as soon as I finished the course

[MyStar86]

I would ask to be referred to a gastro all my symptoms were put down to endo but my endo specialist referred me to a gastro after I had gone through all my endo surgeries and had a total hysterectomy. A gastro can do specific tests to help find out what’s going on that a gynaecologist wouldn’t you can get your gp to refer you xx

[OlgaSz]

Have you tried elimination diet? Many women with endo are gluten intolerant, dairy can also flare up symptoms and cause indigestion. I would recommend to start with that, as pills can again give new side effects.

[Sunflower117 in reply to OlgaSz]

I haven’t tried a strict elimination diet yet so that is next on my list. I don’t want to keep taking pills so if I can fix it with diet that would be the best outcome! Thank you for the advice x

[irishwife93]

I have struggled with constipation for years and have found a combination of eating kiwi fruit with flaxseeds every day, magnesium supplements and probiotics (I take symprove), keeping hydrated as well as daily exercise/movement to be most effective. I hardly ever suffer anymore but it does come back if I don’t stick to the above routine.

[Sunflower117 in reply to irishwife93]

Thank you so much for the advice! Going to order all of these now and give them a go

[OlgaSz in reply to irishwife93]

Excercise! That's what I forgot to mention above as well! I found that it is impossible to be constipated while regularly working out! What an amazing advice!

[Tulip1983]

I can totally identify with your post. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as well as endo in Nov. I decided to try going to a herbalist. With his help, I've identified various food intolerances including dairy, wheat and gluten. I've cut these foods out of my diet entirely and have been prescribed various things including pro- and pre-biotics. These have helped so much and I cannot recommend this option enough. I hope you find some relief as I know how horrible this can feel.

[Sunflower117 in reply to Tulip1983]

Thank you for the advice, I’m so glad you’ve found a solution that works for you! I’ve always put it down as a symptom of my endo but now I’m not so sure. It could be an intolerance so I will definitely get this checked out

[Rainbow2468]

Hi I found giving up beef, lamb, pork and gluten solved my constipation. I'm so sorry you are going through this, as I know how horrendous it is, sending you a big hug too 🤗

[Thecraftyadder]

I would definitely second the suggestion to get referred to gastro. I have also suffered episodes of rectal bleeding and I found gluten severely effected my bowel function (though the opposite way- going 11-12 times a day). Once they have checked you out for bowel conditions if nothing is found ask for a referral to a dietitian. I got referred to a community dietitian who worked with me to try and normalize my bowel function. I work as a dietetic assistant but it was still really helpful to me, such as learning there are different types of magnesium which helped me pick the right supplement.

[Nowaytoday]

Stop taking any vitamins that you're taking and see if it makes a difference.

[Tiff22]

Hi, I’m a week after my laparoscopy so still early days for me but I struggled with constipation before it. Drinking peppermint tea helps relieve bloating a bit when you are backed up so maybe try that. Maybe get your hormone levels checked as hormone imbalances or conditions like pcos can cause constipation.

Hope you find a solution soon ❤️

[Kieraface]

yeah I’d ask for a referral to gastro. Sounds like you may have another issue at play along with endo. Good luck hun! X

[Cocoacupid]

hun I advise to get the bowels moving have something like that black sweet licorice and also laxido or lactulose I suffer really bad with constipation but now it’s gone more the other way where I’m running to the toilet but I have started taking mebervrine tablets again and that has helped x