slow transit constipation

[Rumours]

hi everyone hope you’re all enjoying the Easter break- I’m just looking for some advice - I have had slow transit constipation and IBS/C for many years and recently prescribed Linaclotide which I’ve been taking for a few weeks all this seems to have done is caused severe bloating but not helped with my severe constipation-I have reverted back to taking Resolor together with Dulcolax to get some relief but am really struggling to cope with this condition and GI doctors don’t seem to take it seriously or acknowledge how debilitating it is- I’ve been increasing fibre and also wondering if this has made everything so much worse and now wondering if a lower fibre diet is better tolerated with this condition as the bowel is so sluggish that more fibre seems to bung me up even more - any advice would be much appreciated many thanks x

[Wallace-s]

Good Morning,

Can only advise from my own experience and that is also of slow transit.

There are 2 types of fibre - soluble and non-soluble, so consider which may/may not help!

For me I have found a low fibre diet tends to actually aid my symptoms of bloating because I guess the bowel&intestines are having to work less hard to move & push the food/waste around.

Lactolose (kind of a syrup) has always been my go-to for when things become difficult to “go”

Unfortunately as is too often the case: trial & error

Good luck!

[Orchid99]

Hi, yes for me lower fibre and soluble fibre is best, my gastro put me on movicol, 1 sachet a day the last 3years which helps a lot. I've now learned that I have a uterus full of fibriods which is retroverted and that my bowel is being compressed on the left side, this may be the reason for my slow transit issues the last 4years. I got told I had slow transit and nothing could be done, it took me to not give up and go private in order to find the other issue out, I'm due to have surgery this week to remove the fibriods etc so I will soon see. Make sure you rule everything else out that can cause chronic constipation if you can.

[edwangy in reply to Orchid99]

I was told the same, I had a 9cm fibroid that they said was pressing on my colon and causing pain and constipation, I had a hysterectomy in June2021 but it has made my pain and constipation worse.

[Orchid99 in reply to edwangy]

Did you have open hysterectomy or laproscopic, it could be that you have formed adhesions

[edwangy in reply to Orchid99]

I had a laproscopic

[Orchid99 in reply to edwangy]

From your posts you have diverticulitis and narrowing of the bowel and that would be a factor most likely in your continued constipation, hence why a hysterectomy didn't help in your case. I don't have any other issues besides the slow transit constipation which is worse in my sigmoid/descending colon but I know the fibroids are pushing on that part, and I have 4 large plus multiple fibroids growing on the inside and outside of my uterus with some endo as well. For me the hysterectomy is the first place to start to see if this relieves the constipation and then I will go from there.

[edwangy in reply to Orchid99]

Yes that's what they said to me. good luck

[Morzine]

magrogol I find is good two sachets in water seems to help, and thrn maintenance sachets , I do find it hit and miss, I know how u feel.

Those huge dates I forget theur names one a day helps

Sue

[Krisbetty in reply to Morzine]

Medulla dates

[Morzine in reply to Krisbetty]

ah yes! And thry work!!

[Krisbetty]

I take laxido once a day and found that magnesium citrate helps with my slow transit constipation

[Trec]

Fibre does need a lot of water to be drunk to be effective, otherwise it just clogs up the system even more. I have ground flaxseed with porridge every morning but need to remember to drink water afterwards as well as the usual cup of tea but often forget. I often need extra help too but as I have IBS -M, I am wary of causing an over reaction which is worse!

[Rumours in reply to Trec]

thank you all so much for your advice and support I really appreciate it x

[Ruby1]

I've never been formally diagnosed, but believe this is what I have. I've recently discovered that my niece's child had an extra loop of bowel which has now been removed. It made me wonder if this may be my case too.

I have to drink loads of water. I've also learned recently, that coffee is a good source of soluble fibre so I now try and drink more coffee. Grapes seem good to get me moving, but also cause me some bloating and discomfort. Also Frusli bars, though they don't work if I have them regularly. I also use lactulose sometimes.

I've found keeping a record of my movements helps me know when I need to take preventative action.