Chronic constipation ruining my life

[Puel]

Had CC for years. I’ve had all the blood tests, had the camera up the bum - no reason ever found. If I take movicol I end up looking 9 months pregnant and passing small amounts of diarrhoea. I’ve upped fibre - this causes bloating and no result. Drink shit loads of water - no difference. The only thing that works is bisocodyl which I have to take once a week just to make sure I have at least one poo a week - however you’re not supposed to take it regularly so I worry I’m doing even more damage to myself. I’m so fed up. Dr isn’t interested, says all tests are clear.

Anyone else had CC with no cause??

Do you use a squatty potty or anything to raise your feet when pooing? A change in position can make FAR more of an improvement over diet alone.

Have you ever tried taking magnisum citrate. I take magnisum for migraine and last year was put on a drug that made me constipated (I've always had a slow digestion anyway so the meds really didn't help). It's the only thing that helps keep me regular as well as plenty of fluids and fruit.

This is the only thing I’ve not tried - does it really make that much difference?

I’ve had success with the low fodmap diet, not permanently but to identify diet triggers. Laxatives, fibre and water didn’t work for me either, plus caused bloating, but low dairy helps.

Have you upped fibre gradually? Or all at once? I find sometimes when I go 0-100 as it were it doesn’t work at all! If I eat dried fruit as well it just makes everything stinky

Yes I’m taking 300mg a night from Holland and Barrett. Slight improvement in that I now have a few rabbit poos mid week inbetween the weekend bisocodyl treatment. Which ones do you take?

I don’t eat fruit, I eat plenty but of veg but no fruit. I’ll try adding fruit to my diet.

Definitely try magnesium - I also take it for migraines and have noticed an improvement in constipation. More fibre doesn’t help me at all, just ends up backed up I think. I’m actually better with a fairly low fibre diet.

Have you tried things like califig and other dietary changes eg:

• prune juice
• masses and masses of water - pints
• raw carrot
• kiwi

Avoiding things like rice, eggs, too much protein etc which can cause constipation.

Do you eat enough carbohydrate generally?

It won't cost you anything - just try it! IME it helps significantly.

I had the same for years. Was caused by a mildly underachievers thyroid.

The only thing that works for me is regular Movicol. You can buy it over the counter. You need to rake regularly and drink lots. Brilliant stuff.

Why don't you eat fruit? Surely as someone with chronic constipation you've been advised by now to eat fruit!? The sugars in fruit help draw water into your stool which softens it and helps it pass. Its extremely effective.

Go for "p" fruits - ripe pears, plums, peaches.

Kiwi is brilliant for constipation

Underactive!

Have you ruled out non-ige allergy to dairy? It won't show up on tests and can only be confirmed by an exclusion diet and then 'challenge' protocol.

allbran, and linseeds and lots of water

Absolutely it makes a massive difference IMO! It straightens the colon out!

You can use those plastic, kiddy steps, bricks or anything to raise your feet up as much as possible. There is an actual 'squatty potty' brand, but also lots of fold up versions which can be stored away till needed.

Oh yes some people swear by kiwi fruit but eating it skin and all.

I suffered with this in my younger days and had an anal fissure in my teens as a result—which was excruciating. After my second baby it was even worse than my labour pain. 😢
I am plant based now, whole foods as much as possible. Raw as much as possible. The more fresh fruit and salads I eat the better. Constipation is now a thing of the past.

Similar here OP. It's miserable. Movicol just bloats me and even 4 sachets a day barely works. Lactulose helps a bit but gives me terrible wind. Bisocodyl does work eventually.
I now have a daily glycerine suppository (prescribed) along with the lactulose and usually bisocodyl once a week. I never have any sensation of needing to go .. think probably nerve damage from childbirth.

I've finally managed to get a referral to colorectal consultant to see if there is anything they can do to help... frankly if they offered me a colostomy I'd be happy, it's that bad.

But I do second the squatty potty/step stool... it does help!

Relative was the same. Had to take fybogel and lactose daily plus watching diet.

Plenty of soluble fibre in your diet? Regular prunes or prune juice?

Squatty potty helps a lot imo. Most of the mass of poop is gut bacteria. You need good gut health to produce good poop so aim at it from that direction - lots of pulses, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fermented food like kimchi and kefir - but watch the dairy as high calcium can increase constipation. Lots of water. Chia pudding is good for fibre but chia seeds unsoaked can cause problems. Do you use ispagula husk or psyllium husk? ime these type of fibre supplement can make things worse if you don’t keep on top of water intake but are helpful if you do. Prunes help me enormously #traditional.

I always have hot water and lemon juice on an empty stomach first thing in the morning to trigger the urge to “go” or I can struggle.

I know it’s very basic advice - but it’s cheap and won’t do you any harm
so worth trying if you don’t already.

Underachievers 😂 I’ve got one of those thyroids too!

Surgeon friends recommend 2 tbsp linseed a day (soak a5 mins in boiling water first)

I find psyllium husk very helpful - a tbsp a day for me - but as above, ensure you're drinking lots of water

And agree with poster above - I've now got a very healthy gut from dietary changes - years since Ive had constipation

Two table spoons of chia seeds a day (soaked for 10 minutes in yogurt or some other liquid) helped me.

I also second the squatty potty recommendation.

But honestly, your constipation sounds extreme and probably needs quite extreme measures to fix. Have you gone down the gut microbiome rabbit hole? It might help.

Loads of fermented foods, cut out all processed food (including bread, pasta, sugar etc) for at least several weeks, take good quality probiotics, experiment with no dairy or no gluten.

You might even consider trying intermittent fasting. It can apparently help your gut and improve digestion.

Really hope you find something that works. Good luck.