Chronic Constipation Nothing is Working

I have literally tried EVERYTHING on the market - and virtually everything offered by the GP. I basically have slow transit (though undiagnosed) - likely i have a distended bowel following years of impaction.

The trouble for me is that many of the options are short-term. I need something I can take daily.

Food-based does not work; nor does fibre-based, nor seeds, nor psyllium Movicol/Laxido/Macrogol seems to do nothing, magnesium can make me very lightheaded; probiotics do not produce bowel movement.

I AM DESPERATE! Any thoughts?

[Hather]

Hi, my sympathy with your problem, I am hoping to have second PRolapse bowel repair next week,for this problem which makes very uncomfortable ..slow evacuation tell me about it..well I haven’t a cure but I only too happy to tell you a few things that help me as well as tablets..I Senna and ducosate at night and sometimes in the morning..

Some medications I take for other things may be one if the reasons for the problem..

Before breakfast I have a mug of warm water, then some fruit..Melon helps then Cereal with raisens, two cups of weak tea, a few balance exercises .i am retired so there is no rush at all for me.

Followed a little later by more warm water /cold water..I have a radio on with music in the bathroom To try and relax, sometimes rest my legs on stool..I,know this sounds funny ut you ask, I need to massage my back and tummy ..even when things happen on a bad day i am in the bathroom more than 8times, even tho often there is only a small amount,,, gas is horrendous through the day so luckily I live near a town so am at least able to walk their most days. Smaller and more frequent meals is best for me..I am losing weight..big meals are a not good..my main meal is at tea time and in the evening I have a large apple and maybe a little more melon ....and water right through the day, otherwise I am in real trouble..

Steaming new potatoes with skins on and steaming vegetables is also necessary most days. I don’t know whether repairing the PRolapse will cure anything it didn’t last time, but I was caring for a sick husband at time, lifting etc. I am not sure I have been of much help to,you, ut I understand the very real problem, which even friends and family can’t quite understand that it’s almost a disability..having said I purchased a key for disabled toilets, which I don’t always use them, but it gives another option?.nest wishes Hather

[Hidden]

Constella (Linaclotide) has been life changing for me.

I have the same problem - probably relating to slow transit as part of a rheumatic disease, Sjögren’s, in my case. Nothing I ate made any difference to it apart from certain foods aggravating the bloating and pain even further. After a few years of trying everything possible I was finally referred by my rheumatologist to a gastro to assess me for possible gastroparesis. He confirmed slow transit relating to my autonomic neuropathy and suggested we try Constella - a newish treatment for IBS-c. And I haven’t looked back to be honest - although very occasionally I have a few days of not going or a few days of the other extreme. But with no abdominal pain at all now. And I can cope with a few days of either every now and then.

If you can get to try this relatively new constipation drug then my tip is to try to take the single capsule early morning, about an hour before eating breakfast. I don’t need any other laxatives now at all and have been taking it on repeat prescription since the beginning of January. Best of luck.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Dear Twitchytoes,

I have tried almost everything but not Constella - I have seen very mixed (mostly poor) reviews saying it is too effective and results in loose stools and people could not leave the house! I work in education and cannot run out to use the loo! I wondered how yo experienced it and doses - some say a half dose is the way to go - around 145mcg rather than 290mcg.

I suppose I am looking to learn/hear your experience of it - in all its graphic glory as I do seem to react badly to many things e.g. magnesium which make me extremely dizzy.

Thank you so much - and to all the others who have responded to me. I am so grateful for the kindness and support of everyone!

CB

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well I do understand your concerns because I had these too at first - and the problem started for me with not taking my laxatives because I didn’t want to risk accidents.

However I’m self employed and suffer from mobility issues and severe fatigue so can’t work in the way you do anyhow - but can imagine that it would be my main concern if I did.

So being honest yes I have been caught out a couple of times when I ate breakfast too soon after taking it. And also because I have been on very powerful immunesuppressant meds for an autoimmune disease so my constipation may have different causes to yours.

The drug I was previously on was a kidney transplant anti-rejection drug, used also as a disease modifying drug for me and it didn’t always react well with Constella if I took them too close together - and so that’s when a few mishaps occurred.

It’s all about good planning I’ve learnt but it very rarely gives me diarrhoea - just a bit of a spontaneous ooze (😬😱😝) if I have taken my capsule a bit too late or near to food. It says on the container to take at least 30 minutes before food and for 90% of the time it acts slowly for me and just normalises my bowel movements without causing any tummy pain or discomfort in the process.

Just occasionally the urge to go floors me- when I’m walking the dogs or out and about and suddenly know I need to go. So good planning is everything I’ve found.

Also it depends how severe your constipation is as I would describe myself as pretty severe and I still suffer from awful constipation if I take any pain meds at all.

But at least nowadays the tummy pain caused by constipation and laxatives is a thing of the past for me. I take 290 capsule at 7am daily and usually pass a normal BM at around 9am and another later around mid afternoon.

Maybe you could try it during a weekend or school holiday period and see how you get on? I have to say that today wasn’t good because I have visiting family and this distracted me and forgot to take it early enough so I have needed the loo rather a lot today. Just a bit more sticky and not full evacuation in one go - not the runs though - very rarely does it cause the runs for me.

[Kaspinallsgr8]

I know you have tried everything but if you haven’t yet tried Lactulose maybe it would be worth a try along with the Docusate Sodium. Both absorb water into the bowels and aren’t laxatives. Lactulose is sweet tasting and isn’t absorbed by the body.

Also for dietary fibre try pineapple and papaya that both contain bromelain which is considered an anti inflammatory. Bromelain is also used as a meat tenderiser so maybe helpful in this area and has other benefits.

I prefer Oats a grain for fibre because it has anti inflammatory properties and it helps move things along. I found psyllium to be torturous and senna made me vomit

For myself, I have IBS D/C and I find when I’m feeling like my bowels are inflamed that’s when I have more issues with C and or D. Maybe these suggestions could also help others too, like Hather who has responded to this post.

[Eliana5]

Hi, yes, I too suffer from the same thing..nothing seems to work..fiber, fruit, fiber supplements work for some people, but not for many with severe constipation. It can actually make things worse. I tried pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, flaxseed oil, Olive oil, fish oil, peanut butter, coconut oil (virgin), it seems like the strawberries, fiber etc..just sat in my rectum/anus..I would feel it, push, strain, but my sphincter muscle too weak. I guess perhaps from years of straining, impaction, ER visits and having to have enemas from hospitals (over the counter ones are not strong enough for me), my age, (I'm in my 50's). I don't know. Only thing that works is I take Senna-Lax once a week just to flush. It's a stimulant laxative, and I have to take the maximum dosage 4 on a Saturday Night. (8.6mg each). And after 5 years of being on it, no longer having "stools" but loose bm's and now I am panicking as it is losing it's effect. All of this though came at a cost. I am severely underweight. My hair has fallen out alot. My skin looks like it has aged from severe weight loss, I have most likely damaged my intestines, although I take it once a week only and some people take laxatives everyday, with no weight loss. Not sure how this works. I hate how I look. I was prescribed Linzess, and had severe loose stools. Dose was lowered, keep hearing how good this medication is..I don't know.

I have done some research..and have seen that blackstrap mollasses is very effective for constipation..even severe constipation..people have been using it for centuries. I think you can take a teaspoon in the morning and at night, or some people mix it in a little water with honey. I guess you have to get the raw kind. Another remedy is Apple Cider vinegar. (Braggs)..so, I am looking into this..again, this has been used for a long time for severe constipation. Also Kyotec aged Garlic supplements. Some people for severe constipation eat 5 cloves a day, I can't swallow something that big, so will buy the capsules online or at health food store. You can take up to 5 tablets a day for severe constipation. Hope this helps a bit.

[0126]

Yes!! I have very severe Ibs-c on Disability from it lost 40 lbs and there is a great medicine in the states called Linzess 290mcg. It’s a powerful pro kinetic laxative you take 30 minutes before breakfast every day and you will have a good BM! Ask your dr about it and I promise you will get relief I have been using it everyday for 4yrs as I need it. Make sure 290mcg dosage. Good luck. And there is an herbal product in California by Dr Schulze look up his website and order the intestinal Clean out max formula #2 get one bottle that will remove EVERYTHING in your colon. And then for daily use get the intestinal formula #3 for daily relief. It’s not expensive but 100% worth it. And it works wow does it work and take pure psyllium husk powder not any other brands. Good luck

Ron

[ARLEN]

Mag 07 is brilliant Only thing that works for me No pain or bloating Expensive but worth it