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I have chronic fatigue and slow transit constipation

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patricia46418
patricia46418

I have had IBS for 20 years, was diagnosed with CFS 5 years ago after a series of infections and extreme stress, when I pushied myself over my limits. I was diagnosed then with slow transit constipation and the reason given was long term use of anti biotics for infection has interfered with the gut flora,

I have tried every diet there is, with no improvement, and every supplement recommended, as well as probiotics ( although not taken at the time ), but this seems to have improved the  good bacteria but not the chronic constipation.

I have seen top nutritionists who have tried all the diets and supplements. I am on  prucalopride (strong laxative to make the bowel work), bisocodyl  daily, picolax weekly and peristene kit (like an enema).

The only option I have left is surgery so wondered if anyone else had anything similar to this?

 

0 likes, 48 replies

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  • jackie00198
    jackie00198 patricia46418

    Posted

    Have you tried a plant-based diet? In other words, mostly fruit and veggies, and whole grains? I'm on such a diet, and have noticed I'm much more regular. Especially helpful is my morning meal. I take a bowl and fill it with the following: 2 kinds of whole-grain cereal, berries or sliced bananas, a handful of walnuts, raw oatmeal (not instant), and ground flaxseed (it must be ground to be absorbed), and soymilk. I've given up all dairy. I would try this kind of diet before surgery, and do some research on the Internet.
    • patricia46418
      patricia46418 jackie00198

      Posted

      Ok. Thank you for your reply

       I eat chicken a lot and fish but no other meats. I dont drink dairy only oat or rice milk.

      I know I could increase my vegetables more. I find it all so exhausting as I have CFS as well trying to eat the right food all the time.

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 patricia46418

      Posted

      I definitely know what you mean about having CFS and trying to eat right. It's very hard. I find it hard to eat a lot of veggies, because they have to be cooked. But I do eat a lot of fruit, which is easy. And the morning meal I mentioned just involves pouring stuff into a bowl. Just by doing those 2 things, you could increase your fiber intake by a lot. The ground flaxseed in particular is very good for promoting regularity. Diet can hugely help with your problem.
    • patricia46418
      patricia46418 jackie00198

      Posted

      Thanks. I have tried high fibre diet and it gets stuck inside  because of slow transit and I have a wonky colon so the specialist told me to eat fibre  but not extra fibre. I dont eat enough fruit or  veg tho. I have flaxseed. I eat no sugar muesli with berries and prunes and drink diluted prune juice.

      Thanks for replying.

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 patricia46418

      Posted

      Sounds like you're very well informed. Remember that for flaxseed to be useful, it has to be ground. I buy the flaxseed already ground, as I don't have the energy to do the work myself. Best of luck to you. I hope you get this all figured out.
    • patricia46418
      patricia46418 jackie00198

      Posted

      I buy milled organic flaxseed. Is that the same as ground? Actually none of this helps so I get very disheartened and think I may as well eat anything.
    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 patricia46418

      Posted

      I think milled is the same as ground. In other words, you don't see individual flaxseeds. It sorta looks like sand. I know how discouraging all these symptoms can be. I'm very sorry you're having this problem. I've read tons of posts on CFS over many years, and all I can say is, you're not alone. All kinds of digestive problems are common with this illness. I really hope you can find someone/something that can help.
  • Ajkulka
    Ajkulka patricia46418

    Posted

    Hi, have you tried a colonic massage? It helped me with the stomach crumping and other IBS 'pleasures' and definitely helped with constipation. The only thing is, I have a lot of muscle weakness and pain, so I ask my hubby to do it for me - even 5 minutes is good. I wish you find a solution that works for you.
    • patricia46418
      patricia46418 Ajkulka

      Posted

      Hi

      I saw the video colonic massage but it is hard to do that yoursrlf. You ate lucky you have a nice man.

  • vicky86416
    vicky86416 patricia46418

    Posted

    Patricia,

    i too have CFS and slow transit constipation or colonic inertia. I have a bowel resection and now the surgeon would like to remove my colon. A GI at the Mayo clinic has recommended Resolir and I am so very curious if you have tried this and with any luck or side effects.

    vicky

  • Caoimhemc1234
    Caoimhemc1234 patricia46418

    Posted

    Hey Patricia I have the same problem as you and I'm taking laxatives not working peristene wash isn't working or enameas aren't working they think I'm gonna need surgery

    • vicky86416
      vicky86416 Caoimhemc1234

      Posted

      My daughter had a rectal prolapse caused by constipation and recently had a biwel resection and rectoplexy which were both unsuccessful. Now recommending subtotal colectimy. Been to mayo and at Hopkins today. Mayo is running more tests next week and recommended prucsliptide. Any thoughts ir experiences with this med?
    • donna55267
      donna55267 Caoimhemc1234

      Posted

      Hi,

      I am curious to see how you are getting on. I seem to be in a similar situation, diagnosed with slow transit constipation, weak external sphincter and a small rectocele. About 8 years of strong laxatives which have gradually stopped working.

      Currently taking constella & reselor every day, docusate sodium and 6 movicol and recently started irrigation with the Braun iry pump, I feel like I am in a viscous circle the irrigation doesn't seem to be making any difference I feel tired, sick and have no appetite, feeling pretty drained! It is really affecting my homelife I have a full time job and young children to look after and Iv got to admit I am struggling xx

    • pat35683
      pat35683 donna55267

      Posted

      Hello Donna,

      No change unfortunately. It's another bad night which is why I'm up at 3am! We do seem to have lots in common. I wish I had a solution to pass on. I used to have colonic irrigation but it doesn't help much - I suppose if the waste isn't isn't in the descending colon then colonics won't help even though the water goes further than using the home enema type kits. Also professional colonics are expensive. I would have continued nonetheless if they were really helping but effectively it was money thrown away.

      I sssume you are in the uk too as you mention movicol which is miralax in the united states. I haven't found movicol any help. I use dulcolax pico liquid which helps sometime. Reselor didn't help but constella does sometimes. Hit and miss I'm afraid. It would be really good to find something which always helps even if it's expensive!

      I know this won't help you in practical terms but at least you are not alone. Do let me know how you get on. It is life controlling and not the sort of thing others can really understand even if you feel able to discuss it. 

      Bet wishes,

      Pat

    • fiona20816
      fiona20816 donna55267

      Posted

      Donna, hope this helps-have also sent this reply to other people----

      I'm hoping my experience will help anyone else out there that suffers from slow transit constipation. I know the frustration and anxiety you go through as I've had this condition for approx 20 years. I've had to rely on laxatives all that time. Apart from cutting out gluten, dairy and yeast products (basically just eat good unprocessed foods), the thing that has helped the most is chick peas. Yes, chick peas. I stumbled across this when I was reading an article that said chick peas contain something that helps the colon.  All I know is that it has certainly helped me. I haven't had to take laxatives regularly since i've used them and I can't believe it as nothing else has worked for me. Worth a try! I just take 2 desert spoons  in the morning then the same again in a salad or with other food later in the day. Would be really interested to know if it works for you. Good luck and all the best

       

    • halelur_93035
      halelur_93035 donna55267

      Posted

      Hi have u tried taking castor oil. Abt 1 1/2 tbls before u go to bed with a glass of warm water.
    • pat35683
      pat35683 fiona20816

      Posted

      Hello Fiona,

      I haven't heard of chick peas in this context so I'll definately try them. I have slow transit constipation by the way. Like you, I've had the condition for years.

      .How do you take the 2 desert spoons of the peas? Presumably with liquid - water or juice perhaps - or can you just eat them off the spoon as it were!

      Thank you and best wishes,

      Pat

       

    • donna55267
      donna55267 pat35683

      Posted

      Hi Pat,

      Yes i am in the UK, not really much change here I am still irrigating but find its not working I only seem to get feacal fluid and I can actually feel hard stool constantly on my left side. I have been taken off reselor now bit still take constella (that really helps with my bloating) I am taking 4-6 movicol each day, 2 docusate sodium and now milk of magnesia too!!

      I feel constantly drained, no appetite I am managing small meals but feel severe nausea most days. I am struggling a lot at the moment I don't sleep well it's just a complete nightmare. I have 3 young children and they are suffering because I never feel well.

      My other option is a total colectomy which I didn't want to put myself through such a major operation but I feel I am running out of options I can't go on like this for much longer.

      Have you considered surgery?

    • fiona20816
      fiona20816 pat35683

      Posted

      Hi Pat, just eat them off the spoon, I use tinned chick peas but you have to rinse them well. I've found it works better if I have them first thing in the morning before having any other food and then dont eat anything else for an hour or so after you've had them. Then I'll have the same ammount again later in the day (in a salad or anything) . I wish there was some way I could tell everyone about it as I'm sure that it would help a lot of people. Maybe it wont work if there are other bowel issues besides slow transit, I don't know, but certainly worth a try. I'm really excited to hear if it helps anyone else because as you know, once laxatives stop working, there's not a lot of other choices. I think it is also important to cut out certain foods which I've done by trial and error and the help of a very good specialist years ago. Let me know how you go. Pardon the pun!  (also important not to have too many because as you know,too much fibre can make constipation worse when you have slow transit)  I 'm in Australia by the way, good luck Pat

    • pat35683
      pat35683 halelur_93035

      Posted

      Hello Halelur,

      This is one thing I haven't tried so I'll give it a try!

      Best wishes,

      Pat

    • pat35683
      pat35683 fiona20816

      Posted

      Hello Fiona,

      Thank you again for your very full advice. I bought some tinned chick peas today so we'll see. All bodies are different so there are no guarantees - unfortunately! Chia seeds work for lots of people but they do nothing for me! I will let you know how I react. You're right about fibre in relation to slow transit and I definately won't exceed what you are taking. Water soluble fibre is supposed to be ok for us slowies!

      I had a good friend who retired to Manley in the 1980s and I visited her several times. She died a  few years ago but I have very happy memories of my holidays Down Under.

      Best wishes,

      Pat

       

    • pat35683
      pat35683 donna55267

      Posted

      Hello Donna,

      I have an excellent consultant colon/rectal surgeon and his view is that surgery wouldn't help me. I had corrective surgery as a baby - nearly 70 years ago now - and while everyone says the surgery was very good, the issues aren't straightforward for me. In any case, I would only go down the surgery route as a last resort. However good the surgeon, there can always be unintended consequences. The basic issue for me is really slow transit coupled with a long colon. The medicines and laxatives haven't stopped working for me completely but it's unpredictable and so life controlling.

      This probably won't help much if at all but at least you know you're not alone.

      Best wishes,

      Pat 

    • fiona20816
      fiona20816 pat35683

      Posted

      Sorry to hear about your friend Pat. Yes, let me know how you go with the chick peas, that would be great, take care

      Best wishes

      Fiona

       

    • pat35683
      pat35683 fiona20816

      Posted

      Hello Again Fiona,

      Sorry I forgot to ask before, do you eat the chick peas straight out of the tin after rinsing or do you cook them first? I ask because the instructions on the tin refer to using the peas in recipes to cook, it doesn't say you can eat them raw. Also can you tell me what foods you avoid or direct me somewhere to look? I haven't come across any specific advice on foods to avoid where the issue is slow transit other than the general advice to steer clear of non-soluble fibre. 

      Sorry to bombard you with questions and I really do appreciate your help!

      Best wishes,

      Pat

    • angelica96691
      angelica96691 Caoimhemc1234

      Posted

      Hi, Patricia. Did you have the surgery? I wanted to know if your doctor told you that you have pelvic floor dysfunction? There is Theapy for that to strengthen your pelvic floor. That has to do with muscle weakness to help you use the bathroom
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