Constipation

[NewEnglander]

It seems like every 2 weeks there are more facets to this problem. I take Miralax every day, Colace every other day - drink constantly - and now I have huge BM feelings and go to the bathroom and feel like I''ve accomplished something - then I look and it is not at all what it felt like - smallish, yellowish and a lot of yellow-orange mucus. Then the pains go away and I feel ok, but my belly is full feeling.

The ONLY think that gets things going has been coffee and ONLY in the morning. Now, that is being unproductive. It's been weeks and I feel as though I'm just getting out the very essential to create more room - and I am sooo sorry for the TMI, but I guess this is the place to do so.

All my doctor says is we need to do a colonoscopy. I had one five years ago and it was "perfect" except for some diverticulosis, lower left. I have about 1 diverticulitis attacks a year. Nothing severe enough to go to the hospital.

The last bout, however, resulted in all this. My rectum feels as though it is blocked. I don't know what to do. I'd appreciate any advice.

Enema? Maybe?

[JuneRose]

I you need to se your doctor and get referred on. Taking laxities so often is making your bowl lazy you need to be eating a balance diet with good fibre

[Hidden]

I constantly have been taking laxatives for 10 years. After all the 'oscopies I ever want there is nothing but some plaque to show for it. I find if I don't have a BM daily I need to take everything I know can move the blockage along. If I don't the fecal matter can become impacted, then you can get flow past. You think you have cleared the bowels but the blockage remains and you feel like you need to go still.

The state of your colon can change many times in the 5 years since.

Enema, next to last resort , last resort having to have it cleared by hand. I would consider suppositories first. Attack it from the bottom!

Cheers

[xjrs]

You may be able to improve constipation by increasing fibre rather than relying on laxatives. I have some dietary advice on constipation below.

****However, this advice will need to be adapted for diverticulosis******

For instance, seeds and seeded fruits may be problematic for diverticulosis. You will need to seek separate advice on this via dietitian referral via your GP - they should be able to give you advice on how to increase fibre safely with diverticulosis:

To improve constipation in the short term you can try ground flaxseed (ASK A DIETITIAN) on your breakfast, starting at 1 teaspoon and increasing at 1 teaspoon every 2-3 days - you'll need to consume extra water with it.

These foods are also high fibre:

8-9 Prunes

2 tablespoon chia seeds (soaked for 10-15 mins in milk or non dairy milk with cereal or water) - THIS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOU - PLEASE ASK A DIETITIAN

Shredded wheat (or if GF: Nutribrex)

60g Quinoa

Wholewheat bread

75g Whole grain pastas (if GF: Buckwheat)

2 Hard pears

5 Dried apricots

90g Raspberries THIS WILL NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOU - PLEASE ASK A DIETITIAN

1 orange (contain a natural laxative)

2 kiwi. THIS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOU - PLEASE ASK A DIETITIAN

I find that I need to have 1 orange or 2 kiwi a day and then another high fibre fruit later in the day to help with BMs. Introduce new foods and any fibre increases slowly, starting with one new thing at a time, waiting for 2-3 days for a response and keep a food diary. You may not need to consume as much fibre as I do.

For breakfast I make a porridge of 4 tablespoon of oat bran and 4 tablespoon all bran (wheat bran), 2.5 small cups of water and microwave for 10 mins. I then mix in 2 tablespoon of chia seeds (SEE ABOVE) and 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (ASK A DIETICIAN) and leave to stand for 15-20 mins since the chia seeds need to form a gel. On top of that I place 8 prunes and eat. The best thing to do is to start with normal oats in similar quantities and, if needed, replace one of the tablespoons of oats with oat bran for a couple of days, carrying on doing this every couple of days until you get to 4 tablespoon of oat bran and 4 tablespoon of oats. Then start replacing with wheat bran in the same manner. You can then add the other ingredients one at a time. You might find you do not need the complete 'recipe' to have a BM. All these individual components are down to tolerance e.g. you may not tolerate wheat (see later about Alflorex), so it is best to keep a food diary (I do this on a spreadsheet) recording symptoms for up to 2-3 days after each change.

I also take 30 drops of ginger extract before bedtime to aid motility. You may need to work up the dose to say 7 drop increments each night.

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).

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

There are also medications that help IBS-C (constipation dominant IBS). I suffer from IBS-C and have been prescribed Linaclotide for it. I also take Alflorex probiotic which has made me more tolerant to taking in the extra fibre I need for a BM.

Failing dietary measures, you can try Optifibre, which needs to be worked up to a dose according to instructions. You may not need the full dose - watch out for gas and increment to a level that is acceptable for you.

Some people are more prone to constipation due to their intestinal anatomy. Through colonoscopies I have been told that I have a long loopy (redundant) colon. This means that food takes longer to pass through and in the mean time the intestines have more time to suck out water from the stool, drying them out and causing constipation. I have found that I need to consume much more fibre than other people to have regular BMs.

I have also found useful having most of my food at meal times, leaving 4-5 hours of not eating between meals, eating my fruit snack before a meal. This means that your digestive system has time to process each meal. It also allows something called the MMC (migrating motor complex) to run which sweeps food waste from your small intestine into your large intestine. This only happens when you have an empty stomach. When people snack regularly, it prevents the MMC from working properly. I also find the larger meals help to push things along better than drip feeding through snacking.

[NewEnglander in reply to xjrs]

Thank you. I did not know about the MMC process. Very helpful info

[Rumours]

Hi I’ve suffered with IBS/C and slow bowel transit for many years and am currently on Dulcolax and Prucalopride which help somewhat but still struggle. I don’t know if these are available in the States though. Fibre seems to bung me up even more and I did have a faecal impact ion once. My consultant gastroenterologist advised me to take above laxatives every day they won’t harm the bowel. Hope you get sorted soon

[Matrix]

Hi there I suffer from severe constipation and for the last couple of weeks I have been sprinkling 2 dessert spoons of lineset seed or flaxseed it’s worked I have a normal bowel movement every day .I hope that helps you .🤗🤗

[NewEnglander]

trying everything. Thank you!! Someone else mentioned it. Makes sense!

[Trudijane]

I understand what you’re saying.

The first thing my Dr recommended was Miralax - and that it was safe to use as much as I wanted to - in water….I was hoping it would help -but it didnt. I also took Colace, dulcolax and it sees none of those option worked for me….I have never been a water drinker but I changed to drinking water throughout the day…(vitamin water); that does help (but not always)….

My colonoscopy was fine as well. I have a problem with starting out OK - but not being able to finish!! Which leaves me with a ‘stuck’ feeling that makes it impossible to get comfortable - sitting; can’t sleep

Sometimes I feel as if I have to re-learn how to go to the bathroom again. I can’t read my body signals…As for an enema, my Dr. Told me it was very safe — and at first I was so frightened to give myself an enema but at times, I find it to be such a relief, even though it leaves me exhausted; also, I have too wake up in the middle of th eight - and there is more that didn’t come out which is also not pleasant.

I wish you luck…Keep on trying. Sometimes Drs. Just suggest the best things that have worked for most people, it everybody is different.