I’ve been suffering from constipation since the age of 9 years old (currently 19). It has always been on and off. It’s terrible as the symptoms I get with the constipation are extremely painful. I always have stomach pain and gas pain and this usually leads to chest pain too.
Evey time I go to the Dr, they prescribe me with laxatives which I try to take however, I have issues with swallowing medicine as medicine in general makes me feel sick. I can’t swallow tablets at all so any medication I have is soluble.
The Dr briefly told me I probably have IBS but didn’t really give me anything else to help. I have done some research and my symptoms to match with IBS-C (what the dr said I probably have).
Does anyone have any tips on how to manage this? Especially the pain and constipation? I’ve been drinking plenty of water and have been trying to put some fibre in my diet. I’m a very picky eater so not many vegetables are to my liking but I do eat plenty of fruit.
Thank you.
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sparkle557
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I have IBS-C and have been prescribed Linaclotide for it and I am also taking Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS and is available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org. These in combination have reduced the pain I am in considerably and I have been able to tolerate more foods so that I am able to consume the extra fibre I need to have a BM without laxatives including 4 tablespoon oatbran, 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 8 prunes, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and 3 shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) for breakfast, plus quinoa, wholewheat bread and whole grain pastas at other meals. These fruits are particularly high fibre and can help with BMs: hard pears, dried apricots, raspberries, oranges (contain a natural laxative) & 2 kiwi. In some people the Linaclotide also helps a lot with BMs which is its primary purpose.
There is some good advice about constipation here:
Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week. I also have a bit of a walk around straight after breakfast to get things moving.
You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).
Yes. I started with Miralax( l live in the US) and I now have a daily movement. I have a dosage with my morning coffee. It takes a few days to kick in but much better than laxatives.
I have had a long term problem with this which has worsened significantly in the last 3 years after some very stressful things in my life, which I ma sure haven't helped.
I was unable to eat properly for about a month and lost a stone in weight very quickly. This is when I sought more help. After investigations including various blood test to rule out coeliac for example, gut transit study , colonoscopy , gastroscopy and CT scan, all of which found nothing very nasty , thank goodness, the conclusion is IBS-C. I've tried laxatives of
various types, linaclotide which didn't really help me (as it empties the stomach to the intestine and bowel but then doesn't help with elimination) and settled on prucalopride which helps with peristalsis. I was lucky and had a very good consultant.
I was also recommended to try low FODMAP as saw a dietician. After trial and error it seems I can't tolerate much insoluble fibre, gluten or lactose. It just seems to wreck the digestion and transit. I have now adapted to this regime and things have improved. I don't think I could do without the prucalopride and can tolerate the occasional lapse of a biscuit or a piece of cake but don't push it. I eat small meals and drink lots of fluid. I hope this helps- its my story but something in it may help you to seek support and give you more questions to ask. I wish you luck.
Hello, I have had IBS C, for over 7 years and have only recently found a way of controlling the constipation.
Before Breakfast: take 2 prunes before DVD exercise video (Rosemary Colney) or any form of exercise to get the bowels moving.
Then have a peach, with Honey Cornflakes (gluten free) with a chopped banana.
Tea: 1 prune before tea and then 2 prunes afterwards with my jelly and soya vanilla pot (tastes like custard and found in the gluten free isle), really yummy.
Also at least 3 pints of water a day (drunk from a pint glass as easy to remember how many pints I've drunk).
Have one more piece of fruit in the evening, for me, its either a pear or a banana.
Avoid fatty food.
I have tried lots of other remedies, weetabix, all bran, milk of magnesia, syrup of figs, prune juice, psylium husks, metamucil, senokots, which were all either too much or not enough.
Good luck on resolving your problems. Kind regards.
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