hey

[evans2016]

hello everybody im Llinos ive suffered with constipation from a young age been in a out of hospital and doctors they just kept giving me lactose! the other week couldnt move off the sofa in that much pain felt like someone was pouring acid inside my belly i was in tears.. and today got the same pain it horrible

[patientj]

I assume you mean lactulose rather than lactose? Either way, have you been back to your doctor and asked if you can try a different laxative - there are several out there and one might work without the side effects that you're experiencing. For a chronic condition like yours, the medication isn't supposed to reduce the quality of life.

Also, what have you done to explore dietary changes to help manage your constipation?

[Kerry1971]

I had the same problem. Have you had your thyroid levels checked as I was severely under active which causes constipation. I have since been diagnosed with slow transit constipation and had surgery last year to remove my sigmoid colon as I kept being rushed to hospital with bowel obstruction. I now take laxido daily to keep things moving.

[sickandsore]

Hi same as you have suffered since childhood. I was diagnosed at 18 with a spastic colon. Have also been into hospital several times over the years, had colonoscopy, scans etc nothing definitive picked up. I was urged to see a dietician, she recommended trying the low fodmap diet..its well worth a look just to identify which foods give you problems, its not a lifelong diet either. For instance I now know that I cannot eat anything from the onion family at all, spicy foods and no garlic. i love pasta and rich sauces but they don't like me!! you get the drift. I, like most people have the odd day where i'm desperate for a curry of course, so i have to dose up with pain relief, buscopan is great for cramps but can slow the bowel down so don't use it long term just occasionally.

However even putting these things in place i was still getting constipated. Im now 43 and tried many things, expensive probiotics, cleansing juices etc etc what works for me is lots of water,at least 1.5 litres, exercise daily (walking) and movicol powders one a day sometimes 2 if im gripey and cant go. you can buy movicol from boots the chemist, try it see how you get on and if it works see the gp and see if they will prescribe it. Lactulose gives me a gripey tummy too, if you take lactulose you must drink plenty of fluids as well. Senakot is a more natural remedy don't know what you have tried so far. Also have you tried suppositories? they can help your bowel to release, just not that pleasant to use at first but they can be super helpful if you get the feeling you need to go but you just cant pass it! sorry to be graphic but i know how flipping awful this feels and the impact it has on your life. Best of luck hope some of the suggestions here do help. If they don't nag the gp for more tests.