At my wits end with this constipation crud!

Yes i KNEW this could happen before my surgery. And YES i know a lot of it is probably diet and medication related. I take about 3 meds that all cause constipation.. opiods, anti depressant, anti nausea.. and to add to the FUN i had a RNY and i have hypothyroidism you guessed it ALSO CAUSES CONSTIPATION. Anyway my gastroenterologist has me on a regimen 3 capfuls miralax daily and i already take 3 colace daily. I am trying to taper down on the pain meds too but it's hard with my back and that pain as well. I also always have on hand milk of mag and enemas. In May i was in the ER with a bad impacted bowel. Now as of 4 days ago i didn't think i was backed up so i used an enema and walaaa backed up bad and another impaction only through an hour in tears, sweats, nausea, and a panic attack i managed to pass the largest of it and trust me NOT pretty. Here i am on day 4 and STILL GOING.. grrr i mean i am happy to get it out but how the heck do i manage to pass that much and still have more 4 days later?? So i have been doing my miralax and milk of mag... stool softners as well and i am not forcing because my internal hemmorhoids are kicking my butt literally hurts bad at this point. 

When is enough is enough i mean really?? Someone told me to try smooth move tea so i will be picking some up today. Apparently it's a laxative tea... never tried it before.. Will also continue with the miralax i missed a few doses last week wondering if that was the reason for the backup.. but i know i am not impacted anymore as i am going just not fully voiding and passing gas so that's good at least. Any suggestions for anyone dealing with chronic constipation post-op? And no i cannot do prune juice i gag.

Hi,

My doctor recommended adding a bit of fiber to my diet to help? I use Benefiber and limit laxatives as they may cause your bowels to "get lazy". I would ask for a consult to a Gasto doc who can help you with some additional treatments. My doctor sent me to Physical Therapy and that worked! I do a bowel massage twice a day along with walking and that seems to help. When all else fails, try the fiber.

The tea is good- works for me-

hope things "move along" soon !

Sorry for your pain Laura.  I hate constipation, but right now I'm at the other end of the spectrum with this liquid diet.  Hope you feel better soon.

How about making an appointment with a colorectal specialist?  Bathroom issues keep me home more than I care to....Miralax, fiber chews, WATER, walking...repeat.

I took a daily pill prescribed by my gastro called Linzess...... It worked really well for a while, but then stopped.  Maybe your experience would be better.

eta:  I was doing really well with the daily Miralax PLUS a handful of prunes, but I know not everyone could handle the sugar in the prunes....

My doctors wanted me to do Miralax instead of sennekot pills but sennekot 50 works so I may just go back to it. I almost has a trip to the er for constipation. If you find something that works, please post it.  Good luck. If they give you prescription misoprostol, be aware you may have heavy periods and there is disagreement for it as a treatment. I took it for three years before surgery and they do NOT want me to ever take it again.

Try upping your dietary fat intake or sneak a piece of SF candy in every now and then.  I've been fortunate that so far so good on not using the Miralax etc for over five years.  Have passed a few bricks on occasion but still...

I put ground flax seeds in my morning yogurt, then drink 300ml of water w/ 2 tsp of Benefiber and if I don't miss a day then this works for me.  Then once a week I take 2 Senekot pills and have myself a big blow out so i don't get an obstruction. This was recommended to me by my GP.  But it sounds like you would benefit from a specialist's opinion and treatment - and please do share what you learn!!! 

I am seeing a specialist a gastroenterologist. He has me starting initially with a bottle if magnesium citrate then doing 3 capfuls of miralax daily plus I do 3 stool softeners daily. Every do often I skip a day or two of miralax I need to stop doing that I obviously need it. I am also still working on more fluids haven't been good with that since day 1 plus I have an ulcer now so it makes it harder. I've been going little by little 4 days now so eventually it's gotta all pass right? Still passing gas, etc so that's good. Will call doctor if still not stopping after tomorrow meaning bowel movements. I did however buy smooth move tea today which I've heard amazing reviews on so will be trying that later.