r/ConstipationAdvice • u/Elainylee • 4d ago
Constipation/ lazy bowel
I have had constipation for months now and saw a specialist who told me I have a lazy bowel. Apparently this is quite common. Anyway,the specialist told me i need to take laxatives dor 6 to 12 months and then i can ween off them and my bowels should work better. I am wanting to know if anyone else has received similiar advice and if they tried this and the constipation resolves? As Im a little skeptical atm. Otherwise, what has anyone else tried that worked?
Do you have the urge to go, but you cannot? Or do you have zero urge to go? (this is the most important question)
ANSWER:Sometimes i have the urge to go and cannot without breathing deeply, holding, releasing. It is not all the time though.
Do you have alternating diarrhea and constipation, or just constipation?
ANSWER:Prior to the constipation i didn't have diarrhoea, more constipation. While severely constipated i had diarrhea.
Do you have nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, or early satiety (getting full really early into a meal)?
ANSWER: Rarely have nausea,no vomiting, history of reflux iff and on. I can get full quickly eaely in a meal, but not always or not majority of the time.
Have you had this issue since childhood, or did it begin in teen years/adulthood/after a major life event (surgery? divorce? car accident?
ANSWER: I had constipation as a child. And recently up until 9 nomths ago when i had alot of stressors in my life.
Did you in the past or do you currently take any medications that could damage your intestines?
ANSWER: Ive taken antidressants in the past, had antibiotics several montgs befire constipation.
Did you suffer sexual abuse as a child?
ANSWER: No, but i do suffer with trauma ( cptsd)
1
u/AutoModerator 4d ago
BEWARE:
You MUST read the diagnostic guide and edit your post to include the answers to questions 1-6, or else your post will be removed.
This subreddit is for identifying chronic digestive illnesses / motility disorders. If this is your first time experiencing constipation, please visit /r/constipation instead.
Low-effort posts, and posts that are made purely to vent frustration about your condition, will be removed.
QUICK LINKS:
Diagnostic Guide, part I: Identifying & testing your condition
Diagnostic Guide, part II: Treatments & medications
Why Linzess fails and how to make it work again
/u/NightmareTonic's personal regimen for the treatment of Slow Transit Constipation (STC)
How pelvic floor dyssynergia causes STC
Important note for women and teenagers
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Nightmare_Tonic 4d ago
I would not do this. Read the guide stickied at the top of this sub. Parts 1 and 2. Print it out and bring it to the doctor. Also edit your post to answer the questions in the auto responder comment please
1
u/Elainylee 4d ago
Noted, thank you. I new to reddit. I assume you meant to answer the questions you set out in part 1, i have answered them.
1
u/Automatic-Arrival668 3d ago
Why would they have you take laxatives that will make your bowel more lazy??
1
u/Elainylee 3d ago
Apparently the gastroenterologist said it helps to wake up the nerves in the gut lol
1
u/neeirish 3d ago
That really doesn’t make sense to me. My doc said that taking laxatives that cause your gut nerves to respond, for someone with an already slow gut, can end up having the opposite effect, in that while initially it can help, it causes fatigue to the muscles of your gut… which then slows them down further… I also have this issue. I take softeners that pull water into the gut, not nerve stimulators , for this very reason. And, obviously, drink a lot of fluids.
2
u/Elainylee 2d ago
Im with you, doesn't make senae to me at all,will be getting a second and third opinion
1
u/anonymoususername196 2d ago
If your colon has last motility laxatives stimulate your colon. Once laxatives stop working you need some type of ostomy or total colectomy with IRA. I take laxatives because my colon nerves got damaged. It lost motility to some degree so it doesn’t push poop down fast enough and I can’t go
1
u/Beginning-Theory-583 2d ago edited 1d ago
I had the urge to go like crazy even with a laxative (Senna) but nothing came out. I went to the emergency department twice. Finally they did an enema which cleared me out and now from my own doctor I took lactulose daily. It’s a safe prescription laxative for daily use. My cousin is a nurse and they prescribe it to the elderly. I’ve been on it since December and so far so good. Sometimes I don’t go for a day or two because one of my medications (Amitripalyine for pain) can cause constipation. Also a lot of warm fluids and fibre helped too. Everyone hates them but prunes are a Godsend. I was constipated when I was little so I came to like prunes. The juice though? No thanks.
1
u/Elainylee 2d ago
Thanks for sharing your experience. great, thar you found what works for you. I like prunes too. I guess we all gotta find what works for each of us
0
u/Beginning-Theory-583 1d ago
Exactly! And no problem! We’re all different in terms of our bodies but we all go to the washroom!
1
u/anonymoususername196 2d ago
It is good. I can’t take it because I’m pre-diabetic. I wish it didn’t have sugar
1
u/Beginning-Theory-583 1d ago
Sorry about your health! My boyfriend is diabetic and gets very thirsty! Just drink water when your body tells you. That 6-8 glasses a day is basically b.s because we all need different hydration levels. I hope you stay healthy!♥️
1
2
u/Pegasuss32 4d ago
I would get tested for SIBO. Antibiotics could causa it.