10 years of chronic constipation - what help is there in the UK? What treatment is there? Please help!

[health2712]

I have been suffering from chronic constipation for 10 years with no relief. I have tried every laxative, natural remedy and made many diet and lifestyle changes, but nothing has helped in the long term. I have been back and forth to my GP so many times and they don't seem to know what to do with me. I have seen consultants but again they are not listening to me. I am desperate for help and treatment! Please, any advice or recommendations will be so helpful! Are there any constipation specialist doctors in the UK anyone know about?

[Kim_Hazell]

Hi health2712. I really wish I could help and give some advice but I can’t. I’m in exactly the same position but it’s been nearly 17years for me. It’s the worst thing thinking you have to live with this and that no one listens. I really hope someone will reply and give you some answers as I’m still searching also. There must be something that helps we just need to keep trying… Iv recently bought a tens machine as Iv read that this can stimulate the bowls and kick them into movement. I will let you know how I get on. All the best xx

[health2712 in reply to Kim_Hazell]

Hello! Thank you so much for replying I hope we can both find some help very soon! Please do let me know if the tense machine works at all. Best xx

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Kim_Hazell]

I’ve looked at the this treatment but there doesn’t seem to be much online about it or where you can get advice on it .

It’s called Interferential electrical stimulation , if you google it , I’ve got a Tens machine but I wonder if you need something stronger or being shown exactly how to use to stimulate the bowel into action .

[edwangy]

Have tou tried milk of magnesia?

[health2712 in reply to edwangy]

No, I haven't. Does it work? I've actually just ordered some Magnesium supplements online, do you know if that's the same thing?

[edwangy in reply to health2712]

Milk of Magnesia is magnesium hydroxide, if you've ordered magnesium citrate tablets they also work apparently, but I've never tried them. If they don't work, I recommend milk of magnesia, start with 15 ml before bed and see how you go. Up the dose if you need to, but higher dose can cause diarrhoea and cramps as you would expect. Hope this helps and you find relief.

[health2712 in reply to edwangy]

Thank you for this, I will definitely give it a try!

[edwangy in reply to health2712]

You're welcome.

[Iggls]

Constipation can be managed but at a cost. My consultants have told me to keep things moving, whatever it needs, or risk a nasty blockage. So it’s Fodmap, gluten-free, vegetarian ( fish once a week, eggs ditto), 8x Senna, Milk of Magnesia 30 ml and Picolax weekly. It all increases the bloating but the alternative is worse and I’ve tried everything else. Certainly no fun, life is pretty limited and people don’t understand.., do they..?

[edwangy in reply to Iggls]

Do you have slow transit? That seems an awful lot of laxatives to take, you must get awful cramps.

[Iggls in reply to edwangy]

Obviously the result of that is a couple of hours of intermittent diarrhoea but the cramps are less than the alternative. Both are unpleasant... and greatly limit my life...my top consultant is tearing his hair out!

[health2712 in reply to Iggls]

I completely understand and sympathise with what you're going through. I agree, no one (especially doctors who are supposed to help) understands just how much your life is affected by this horrible condition.

[Kimmiejo]

I use natural calm which helps me have you tried that one from the health food stores ?

[health2712 in reply to Kimmiejo]

I've never heard of it. What ingredients are in it?

[BillThielen]

Linzess! But with side effects. Must choose between the lessor of various “inconveniences.” Cleaning oneself up and, occasionally, the toilet is the choice I made….

[health2712 in reply to BillThielen]

I've never heard of linzess, do you have to have it prescribed by a doctor?

[oldfog]

How many cups/mugs/glasses of tea/coffee/squash/water do you drink per day? I have IBS-C mostly and I have to force myself to keep drinking cups of tea all day, even though I never really feel thirsty - because that seems to keep stools soft.

I have been on a low FODMAP, gluten free and lactose free diet for nearly 2 years, although I have reintroduced avocado, dates and mushrooms without any serious problems

[health2712 in reply to oldfog]

I keep hearing mixed views about the low FODMAP diet. How are you finding it? Did you see a nutritionist to get started?

[oldfog in reply to health2712]

Hi, the low FODMAP diet is very restrictive and you're not supposed to keep eating only low FODMAP foods indefinitely. But no, I have never seen or even spoken to a nutritionist about it because, since Covid-19, people can't even get treatment for life threatening illnesses like cancer, let alone 'just' IBS! The nurse practioner at my GP surgery suggested I try it and just left me to look it up online and figure it out for myself, which is what I have done. And it works for me because although I still get a bit bloated if I eat something classed as high FODMAP, I haven't had diarrhea for 2 years

Gluten free bread is dry, breaks up easily and is sold in really small loaves, which cost at least £1.80 each and I hate having to have it - but I like not getting belly ache every day. Gluten free pasta doesn't taste toooo bad And lactose free doesn't taste much different to ordinary milk - even in tea and coffee But all the 'free from' foods are sooooo expensive compared to ordinary food stuff

[penelope2]

Hi health2712Although I have not got chronic constipation, have suffered with ibs c and d all of my adult life and do know about transit workings.

Unfortunately if anyone relies on constant medication the gut will become over time used to this so a multi point approach might be needed.

Firstly obviously remove all sensitivities which can cause both d and c. Have a private food sensitivity test done, this will be expensive and also interpretation of results.

Relaxation and meditation can take weeks to show improvements, they don't call the gut the second brain for nothing.

If offending foods are removed re tests ( I personally followed the FODMAP diet for several years and it did not do the trick) now eat legumes, a lot of fruit and veg, nuts and seeds etc, all banned on FODMAP but works the gut, eating both soluble and insoluble fibre.

Finally add in some probiotics and prebiotic foods. This process can take months but you will be proactive and it can give you back quality of life. I am now gluten free, dairy free and buckwheat free, which all were identified by the private blood test. All of this does not come cheap and the NHS will not follow this course of treatment. Their labs are not sensitive enough and doctors do not believe in this approach.

If you decide to take this course of action you will need a very experienced nutritional therapist, it cannot be done alone. So do do lots of research and choose them carefully because it can and will change your life!

[health2712 in reply to penelope2]

Thank you for your reply. What prebiotics and probiotics would you recommend? How do you get tested for these intolerances?

[Gardenlover2020]

Have you tried Prucalopride for the constipation? I take it as well as Bisacodyl to keep things moving as best as possible .

Have you tried the FODMAP diet ?

I’ve been doing it for quite a few months now & found a few things that suit better than others but I’m so up & down it hard to pinpoint exactly what my triggers are .

What tests & scans have you had ?

I haven’t found a brilliant gastroenterologist unfortunately & I’m currently getting advice & a transit scan from a consultant at Burton Hospital who was recommended for chronic constipation by another consultant x

[health2712 in reply to Gardenlover2020]

I tried prucalopride recently for 2 weeks and had horrible side effects (extreme sickness, headaches, etc) Does prucalopride work for you? As wella as the side effects I found it didn't actually help at all, so I stopped taking it after 2 weeks. How are you finding the low FODMAP diet? I've heard mixed views about it. How did you get started?

[Iggls in reply to health2712]

I’ve tried Prucalopride at the lower dose, not strong enough so needed Senna as well. Linaclotide not allowed as over 65.. have tried almost everything mentioned and now stick rigidly to Fodmap as possibly the worst problem is massive bloating so any legumes, etc, disaster. The bloating is greatly aggravated by walking and drinking and both cause pain which is a mystery to the doctors. Have also recently had a laparoscopy but nothing abnormal found, all now running out of ideas😥

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to health2712]

Hi , Prucalopride worked like magic when I first started taking it last December, but gradually over time it has become less effective and I now have to take Bisacodyl at night as well as the Prucalopride in the morning, I don't get any side effects from it , but I have wondered if it’s still doing anything , but after stopping taking it today for a few days until Friday as I’m having a transit scan , I think it is still working to a certain extent as I’m in a lot more discomfort today , despite having a bowel movement this morning , my gut is very gurgly & full of trapped wind ☹️

The FODMAP diet was great at first , it too seems to have become less effective & I’m so up & down each day , it’s hard to tell what my trigger foods are and I’ve ended up cutting out gluten & lactose & quite a few other things as I’m not sure if they’re making things worse ? So I’ve ended up eating less & less food choices when I’m not sure if I really need to or not ?

I got started by following advice from Julie O hara at Calmbellykitchen , she simplified the diet a lot & made it easier to understand and I got the a Dietican’s help for the reintroduction part of the diet .

I think it’s worth you trying it , it helps a lot of people x

[alicemarsh]

Do try probiotics / see what helps you - I take Yakult which is very good there are also others that get good reviews. Have a look online. It could improve things / plus if you need more fibre fibogel is very good - natural fibre plant product.

[IBS-]

Hi there,

I’m sorry to hear your suffering. Has using laxatives ever helped you before? Or have they stopped working?

[Beempty]

I have IBS with constipation and I use laxado. When I get anxiety, I chant lots of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, it helps me deal with any problems I have. Read The Lotus Sutra, English translation by Burton Watson. It explains why we suffer from illnesses and other problems. You can find it on the internet under Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism.