Constipation

[Wheelof]

I've been suffering this for years and it's getting worse. Thankfully my doctor finally believed me after I had to go to the emergency room for an enema. She gave me a prescription for lactulos solution UPS. It works great but I can see why it was hard to get because it would be easy to over use.

[lbenmaor]

I'm glad your Dr. could help. Leslie

[AquaZumbaFan]

I’m really glad you have found some relief!

[oudie]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with constipation, too. It is a tough condition to live with, that's for sure. I haven't been able to poop on my own since 2006, and suffered greatly until Linzess came available. Even with Linzess 290 daily, I still need Misoprostol 400 mcg (off label) and senna tablets (4 1/2 of the 8.6mg), and to drink tons of water. At times I use Fleet enema, and mini doses (1/2 t.) of Miralax too. Lactulose was a very short chapter in my treatment. It worked on a temporary basis, but is too sugary for long term use... later doctors advised me to use several doses of Miralax and enemas promptly at the outset of a backup, to prevent an ER visit, saying it is much easier on your body. I have learned to treat backups aggressively. For a once in a while alternative, I use 1 T of organic castor oil, that works in 8 hrs. The other thing that worked very well is Mag07 supplement made by Aerobic Life. 5-7 capsules with a big glass of water on an empty stomach. For this one, being sure to not taking other magnesium supplements. Mag07 is pricey however. I used to use magnesium citrate in the little soda bottle for a backup, but that one disappeared from drug store shelves in the pandemic and never came back.

I hope you find long term relief. In my worst years, I got a lot of help and support from the Inspire.com site, in the gastrointestinal disorders section. This helped so much because it seems that severe constipation isn't that common that you'd find a local in-person support groups for it.

BTW, it is a scandal that your doctor, and many others don't take this condition seriously. I think that from their point of view, constipation is so common in the general population, that they can be quite dismissive. of a severe case. When I do a colonoscopy, I need to do two consecutive preps or I cant clear and the test is thrown off. It took me tears to force my g..i. office at that time to finally listen to what I was telling them...

[CatsandCars in reply to oudie]

I'm with you on doctors not always taking constipation seriously. Considering that you can get megacolon, where your colon gets stretched out and won't work efficiently anymore, or you can rupture your colon, I'm a big fan of advocating for yourself with your doctors - and finding new doctors if necessary- to manage constipation proactively.

[grammyshay]

My significant other uses lactulos because of constipation issues. He has had MS for almost 43 years. But his constipation issues are caused by chronic pancreatitis and a surgery that he had to relieve that where they removed his pancreas and rerouted his bowel.

It does work for him (most of the time). Plus it helps relieve him of the terrible bloating and gas.

[Tazmanian]

My neurologist put me on dolcolex and drink water and exercise by the way he never doubted it

[mrsmike9]

Eating cashews helps as well. If you eat too many it will help to much!

[Cag51]

magnesium supplements do wonders for me. Also broccolini and broccoli sprouts.