Constipation

[Wotty]

Does anyone have any experience of chronic constipation improving (or even going away)?

I'm really in need of some positive stories. I've seen various gastroenterologists and tried many diets and drugs but little seems to work. Tests suggests no obvious reason for things not to work. Never used to have any issues but it has plagued me for the last few years. Feeling hopeless and I'd really love to hear from anyone who might have experience of this getting better (or just getting it under control).

You will probably be inundated with what works for other people now. For my mother who has slow transit constipation Ortis Fruit Fibre from holland and Barrett/Amazon is the only thing that works. I seem to have inherited her problem and I eat approx half a cup of pumpkin seeds a day and that works. Good luck constipation is horrible.

I've got surgical adhesions wrapped around my bowels courtesy of 2 c sections and I daren't vary from my routine. Fybogel sachets morning and night without fail, lots of water, lots of veg and I add flaxseed to my yogurt most mornings. If I don't eat well for a few days for any reason, it can take weeks to get back into any kind of rhythm. It's utterly miserable.

@Goatsanddogs Thank you so much for replying. If you don't mind me asking, did your mum try other (more "clinical" options) too but find that the Ortis Fruit worked best? I've tried all of the prescription meds on medical advice and sometimes wondered if my system is just overloaded and could benefit from going back to simpler solutions.

@Goatsanddogs Really pleased to hear that you (and your mum) have found things that work for you.

@MillWood85 Thanks so much for your reply. Glad to hear that you have a routine that works. I'm yet to find anything and it's miserable. If you don't mind me asking do you know what type of constipation you have (e.g. slow transit)? I'm trying to work out what might be best to try.

@Wotty Yes, absolutely no prescription drugs worked for her eg tried Lactulose, fibrogel, even picolax (which I had prescribed for me). Its weird because Ortis is basically figs but other forms of fibre have no effect whatsoever. She has plenty of water, a very healthy diet plenty of veg and fruit. Age over 85 and has suffered with chronic constipation since her 50's.

@Goatsanddogs So interesting! This does give me hope. I've tried all of the above too (they do nothing) as well as prokinetics. Might order some Ortis Fruit on Amazon.

Does anyone know if this is menopause related? Mine seems to have been an issues since I had perimenopausal symptoms.

Another vote for Ortis here, I tried lactose, senna, Dulcoease, psyllium husk etc and none of them were as good. Obviously drinking plenty of water and having fresh fruit and veg helps too. Hope you get it sorted out, it's such a miserable thing to deal with. 💐

Thats interesting thought, mine started around menopause.

I used to really suffer with constipation - nothing diagnosed although I saw a few doctors. What seemed to help was regular magnesium supplements.

@justinhawkinsnavalfluff yes mine started in my forties. I guess it’s just another fun side affect of perimenopause

I'm not (knowingly) menopausal yet - in my 30s, so I'm not too sure.

@JackieQueen So true but I have exhausted the water and fruit and veg options and been told instead to do a low fibre diet as fibre can be bad for slow transit. That said I may give Ortis Fruit a go. I've had so much conflicting advice from specialist doctors that I do just feel very desperate.

They are still laxatives

@mbernue are you referring to the Ortis? I think they are a more "natural" solution

What do the ortis fruit cubes taste like? I'm imagining fig and mud?? 🤮🙂

I may try them though as struggling a bit, unless I eat prunes EVERY day.
Never had issues, but I do now.

I'm in menopause though and suspect low In oestrogen present ( need to adjust my HRT).

@Wotty much the same. All work by adding bulk or stimulate the bowels. Senna is from a fruit but still a laxative.

@mbernue ortis is more gentle, I believe

@Wotty different ingredients etc. I've not heard of them before but im going to try.

Ortis cubes don't contain senna, it's just fruit so wouldn't cause any problems like using stimulant laxatives long term can.

Personally I've found having flaxseed (golden linseed) to be the miracle worker. I've got a rectocele and constipation can cause a lot of pain. Since I've added these to my yogurt every day it's been a game changer.

@VanillaImpulse Thanks, that's what I thought too re. Ortis. I've tried linseed but it didn't seem to do much for me sadly.

Have you tried movicol/laxido? You can take up to 8 sachets a day if you have an impaction but if you just need to move things along daily it is safe to be on long term. It's gentle and softens the stool and keep you regular. I get constipated from time to time whenever I have a change of routine and it ALWAYS sorts me out. I take 4 sachets a day for 3 or 4 days and then I reduce it to 1 or 2 sachets to maintain for a week or so and this helps me go once or twice a day. I would say they're worth a try

@Ginandtoxic I tried Movicol years ago but found the side effects quite horrible and it seemed to take a long time to work. Not sure if it's the best option if slow transit is the issue. Maybe I should give it another try

@Wotty oh really? Ah that's a shame, I don't have any side effects when I take it but yes I'd maybe leave that then if you've not had good experiences. It does take a few days to work, usually about two or three days but then it keeps me regular without having a laxative effect. I hope that you manage to find something else that works for you