Chronic Constipation

[Whenisitspring]

Anyone got any suggestions, this is driving me insane! Had lots of tests, slow digestive system and slight loss of nerve function meaning I don’t get the strongest urge to go. I need something that I can take regularly and long term so preferably something natural/food based. Please help if you have any suggestions!

Have you tried prunes/prune juice

I have to have a small portion of bean flakes for brekkie every morning. Even if I miss a day I get constipated. Do you eat enough fibre?

As well as food have you looked at your toilet seating position? Something like this might help.

I've been chronically constipated forever. I've been taking Movicol and acacia fibre for years. I eat a high fibre diet, drink 2 litres of water, and exercise. I don't think many people understand how bad it is. Having prunes, etc, just doesn't work for everyone.

I paid a lot of money for biofeedback overseas, but that didn't work. Also, they gave me Prucalopride, which was supposed to be a miracle drug, but made no difference for me.

I've just moved back to the UK and will discuss it with my GP, but I'm not hopeful.

You need a prescription for movicol or Laxido both are the same thing, it’s a powder that you add to a small amount of water and they work by drawing water in and keeping the poop moist which then allows you to pass it much more easily. You may need a loading dose to start with, then you can experiment to find your maintenance dose and then you can stay on that as long as you need.

Try inulin (chicory root) syrup or powder - a little on your cereal in the morning makes a huge difference. It’s a pre-biotic rather than a pro-biotic. So, rather than introducing new friendly bacteria, (which often don’t survive the journey into your gut), inulin feeds the existing good bacteria that’s in there. It’s made a massive difference to me. Start off small and build up until you can tolerate more, otherwise you’ll end up with
wind. Perhaps start at a weekend when you can be home and ‘release’ with freedom!

Movicol or laxido.

Or soaked chia seeds some swear by. Or prune or pear purée.

Eric website has good info.

Mind pelvic floor too, need to be on top of strength and relaxation there to avoid prolapse.

Consider whether dairy is part of the problem. It is in about 30% of cases.

Laxido from the chemist to help unblock you but not for continuous use.

Then 2 litres of water every day.

30g fibre everyday.

Lots of brisk walking or jogging everyday.

It’s the only thing that has helped me.

Two kiwi fruit a day, including skin, is proven to work.
Add lentils to any meals you can as they are also brilliant for digestive health.
10g of chia seeds daily, you can either have in yoghurt/on cereal or stir into warm water -but knock back quickly before they swell in the water.
5 x dates per day also.

Apparently chronic constipation is common is peri/menopause.
Doing all the above has worked brilliantly, but does take a couple of weeks of doing daily to kick in.

Glass of prune juice in the morning.

My daughter has chronic constipation. She has a sachet of laxido every day and lots to drink. Without the laxido the constipation comes back. She’s only 9 but she’s needed the laxido/movicol since she was a toddler. Possibly she’ll need it forever. I don’t know why though. With the laxido she is completely fine though. Prune juice etc helped but didn’t cure

I've been on Laxido for years, 2 sachets daily. No one has ever told me its not for long term use? Obviously stimulant laxatives shouldn't be used long term but it's just an osmotic

I've been taking a 3 in 1 magnesium supplement which helps.

OP if you're looking for food options then dates are quite good - I like medjool dates as they taste lovely.
Even one or two a day would help as they're quite high in fibre.

I have had chronic constipation for almost three decades and have had every investigation and treatment there is.

I used to feel so awful using various laxatives and enemas.

Biofeedback did help me somewhat. Hypnotherapy a little
i now use glycerin suppositories every day.
But what has been a real game charger is using an anal irrigation kit. You can get them on prescription but will need to see a pelvic health nurse first to approve it and show you how to use it. They are really designed for people with various neurological orders and I had to argue pretty hard to get it prescribed but it’s made such a difference. I really don’t see why it’s not standard for all sufferers of chronic constipation. I wasted a decade suffering when I didn’t need to It’s clean, works quickly and reliable. I’d recommend starting using it every day ( to help shrink your bowel if it’s become distended) for a few months, and then as needed. I used it every day when pg ( I had to) and my condition improved so much after that. The GP thinks as it shrank the bowel. It can cause bloating, that’s the only issue. But I find that only happens sometimes
I also use a squatty potty stool. Pelvic nurse recommended probiotics but I never tried them.

Good luck OP.

BTW, my kit is called Peristeen but there are now others on the market. With peristeen you can order online and get it delivered to your house ( once you have a prescription).

Fybogel sachet ( Amazon) every night…solved all my tummy aches, bloating,constipation in one go