Could this be IBS-C or slow transit?

[Bazh]

I'm 79 and suffered with constipation on and off for more than 10 years and got to the stage where I only have a movement by using bisacodyl, nothing else works for me, I take 3 every 5days, which clears me out I feel well, appetite is good and have not lost any weight. Had FIT and blood tests both within normal limits, I take regular exercise and eat healthily, also take electrolyte capsules.

Last saw my GP 2 weeks ago, he did not seem very concerned about the use of bisacodyl, I think his opinion is as long as I have found something that works, use it.

Is anyone in the forum in a similar situation?

Thank you.

[Ginnie2018]

hi Bazh . I’m also suffering from a similar problem.. but mine started with a bowl resection from 2018 and was not as bad fir many years after till the covid shots came along .. and Covid itself made it very difficult to deal with . I was also dealing with mine in a controlled way using Constella on and off till my recent Covid in January 2024 , which made the blockage worse … I had 3-4 weeks of severe impactions and nothing was working , peg powder plus Constella plus suppositories.. finally had some improvement by April before my 4th colonoscopy which showed nothing significant. Basically, have a lot of adhesions plus IBS , and because of short bowls , now have motility problems as well . I’m also very active and just 60 this year . .. haven’t found a real solution yet .. it just gets better and worse . Unfortunately, worse f it r most times . I hope you can find a solution that really works for you . Please share if you ever do . Sendings you positive thoughts.

[Bazh in reply to Ginnie2018]

Thanks for your positive thoughts Ginnie, and for sharing your problem. I also hope you can find something that works for yourself. Having to take stimulant a laxative on a regular basis concerns me, but if this is the new normal, I may have to accept it.

[Jacpaulis1 in reply to Bazh]

Have you tried drinking prune juice regularly or eating prunes with your breakfast cereal?

[Bazh in reply to Jacpaulis1]

Hi Jacpaulis1, I have tried canned prunes, but not dried., will try juice on it's own. My problem being, I don't know if I should be on a high or low fibre diet.

[Angrybelly]

Maybe you should ask your doctor to prescribe you Linzess. Too must stimulatnt laxatives make your bowels dependant on them.

[Bazh in reply to Angrybelly]

Hi Angrybelly, Yes I have read the bowel get's lazy. I don't know much about Linzess, GP never mentioned it, maybe too expensive. I see in the USA $500 for a month's supply.

[Angrybelly in reply to Bazh]

Yes it's very expensive but I know friends that cannot use the loo without this. I have ibs-d so I'm not aware of the side effects. These pharm companies are killing people with their greed.

[HealingArtist]

The only thing that works for me is psyllium husk, known commercially as Metamucil. I thought I was eating healthy too, but realized I was having problems with wheat and gluten.

If your doctor is okay with it, and it works for you, keep on keeping on.

[Bazh in reply to HealingArtist]

Hi HealingArtist, I'm not sure if I should be on a high or low fibre diet, medical profession always say eat more fibre, but it does nothing for me. I tried bran which is wheat, now back on oats.

[HealingArtist in reply to Bazh]

I complained to my dietitian about how fiber constipates me. She told me to drink more water. I have to be reminded of that since I tend not to get thirsty. It's a balancing act with me. Too much psyllium gives me the runs, while too much fiber from food either gives me gas or binds me up. I learned to like oatmeal.

[Meleber]

Maybe a transit study could be done to exclude problems with bowel transit? Low fat and low fibre works the best for me till now. I use bisacodyl regularly, daily, to keep the chyme, the food I did eat / can eat without upsetting my bowel too much, flowing through my intestines. For functional bloating I'm currently trying simethicon /simeticone and it seems to help a little to alleviate symptoms. Probably will try FODMAP diet too, after I have seen a gastroenterologist. Want/need a specialist dietician to help me with the FODMAP diet.