Chronic constipation for fifteen years
The constipation it's driving me completely insane I do everything eating lots fruits vegetable daily exercise laxatives stool softeners enemas it's been going on for fifteen years keeping me up late feeling bad causing me excessive thirst I drink gallons of water every day for years bloating been to the ER cause it drove me so crazy. I'm at the point of wanting to drink a bottle of wine just to stop thinking about it also a crazy idea is the wine might help me go. Also my right leg has been turning numb and I have urinary retention frequently all the extra fecal matter I feel is messing with nerve pathways it's so bad.
That's so tough, I'm so sorry that you've been dealing with this for so long and that it's so bad. You're not alone. I hear that you've already tried so many things, it's so frustrating when nothing seems to work. I just wanted to share a couple of articles written by our contributors about how they treat their constipation, maybe you'll find something in there that you haven't tried yet? https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/self-massage-for-constipation - https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/food/meals-constipation - https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/vitamins-constipation - https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/food/constipation-food-tips - https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/prunes-dates-constipation - https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/food/prebiotics-probiotics-constipation. I hope at least some of these are helpful for you. Sending hugs, Karina (team member) I have had IBS .C FOR A LONG TIME Have you found any remedy/medication that helps over the years? -Karina
Hey there 🙁
Sorry to hear that.
Look at the links that Karina provided, they have some very good advice.Yes I have been slowing going through the information in my free time and am hopeful about one of the ideas. Have been fasting past few days but it's not a sustainable solution
strangely enough the chronic constipation progressed to diarrea. Now get diarrea episodes for a few days triggered by coffee and sometimes for no reason. I figure these issues people are having with their digestive systems are due to unnatural modern diets with pesticides preservatives other chemicals. i consider my diet to be healthy but plan to see doctor. my symproms resemble crohns disease. the bouts of diarea are relatively frequent I'm glad that you're going to see a doctor! It's always best to get changing symptoms checked out, especially when they go from one extreme to the other. How long has this been going on?
Coffee is a common trigger! We have this article about possible alternatives if you're interested: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/food/coffee-substitutes, although of course, nothing really replaces it.
I agree that pesticides and chemicals are probably bad for us... I've been doing a lot better since I stopped eating so many processed foods and mostly cook meals from scratch.
Please keep us updated on your situation and your doctor's appointment!
Wishing you quick relief, Karina (team member)
Commonly known and may have already been discussed, but I've been managing the constipation facet of my IBS with magnesium for about 20 years and it keeps me going. Have discussed with my gastroenterologist and she approves as long as I don't find that I need to increase the dosage (and I'm actually using a little less than previously).
Thank you so much for sharing! What type of magnesium do you use?
For anyone interested, our advocate Laura has written an article about using magnesium for constipation here: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/vitamins-constipation. She also found that adding Vitamin C helped her.
-Karina (team member)
As I suffer with chronic constipation, I'm reading this thread with great interest! According to my research, magnesium oxide is the kind that is used to treat constipation. I just ordered Nature's Bounty brand, 500 mg, 200ct, magnesium oxide, for 11.28 USD. Prices vary from this on up to 50+ USD.
I read Laura Kiesel's article on taking magnesium for constipation and she does not mention what kind she takes.
If anyone wants to research it for themselves, type "magnesium for constipation" into your search engine and read the labels on whatever comes up. Labels identify what kind of magnesium the bottle contains, along with recommended dosage.
My magnesium order will be delivered tomorrow and I can't wait to try it! So tired of taking 3 stool softeners and a Dulcolax every evening. It usually works, but can also be unpredictable.
Thanks for the suggestion, everyone! Big hugs, Kim, moderator
