Constipated for 5 months

I can most definitely relate. I am 55, and have suffered from Constipation since I was three years old. My parents had to give me enemas. I do remember straining alot when I was about 8, 9 years old, but my Aunt and Uncle who raised me gave me milk for meals. It may have aggravated the constipation. I was too busy playing with friends too think anything about it, I guess I would eventually go. In my twenties, thirties and forties, again, didn't think too much about it..too busy with bars, partying, dating. I guess back then constipation wasn't talked alot back then. Then when I reached my 50's, I really took notice, because I started having severe back pain and had to be put on opiates and Naproxen 500. I was constipated every day. I think at that time, I was taking Senna-Lax, or Benefiber. But I strained constantly and was always miserable. I would not take Miralax, because it is made from Polythene Glycol, (PEG) the same ingredients used to make Antifreeze and other household cleaners, toothpaste. Doctors prescribe it like candy which makes me mad. They treat the symptoms, not the cause and we are left to suffer. I am 3 years overdue for a colonoscopy, but I am on SSDI disability, and am drowning in medical debt from ER visits from fecal impaction and bowel impaction. It's very embarrassing. I was sexually abused as a child and cannot insert suppositories up my rectum. The benefiber has milk in it, so all it does, is give me has and discomfort/bloating. Now, I am going to try Citrucel. I too, am on a high Fiber diet. Lots of water. But it doesn't help. I eat alot of raisins at night, which is a natural laxative and that usually helps, but I have not have a BM in five days, so I took two Senna last night and drinking coffee Right now, and not even the Senna or raisins/coffee is working. I am so miserable and anxious and have terrible cramping so it may be another trip to ER. I have heard people having good results with Konsyl (made with Psyllum Husk). My Colon and Rectal Specialist recommended to me, but I hate to get dependent on laxatives. But, I also don't want toxic stuff sitting in me. Have you tried Ground Flaxseed? You can stir it in your water or coffee. Sometimes, I take a teaspoon of Olive oil once in morning and once before bed. Or some Apple Cider vinegar stirred in water. Some people find putting lemon juice in water first thing in morning gets things moving, or doing jumping jacks, or sitting on a heating pad. Well, so far no BM, so I guess I'm off to ER again. This stinks, no way to live. Doctor's have no answers. If you try something that works, please write back. I got off opiates cold turkey 1 year ago, so maybe it messed my digestive system up, or maybe like you, I have slow transit.

Also, have you had a Colonoscopy?

I've been constipated for 2 months now I've been to the hospital 4 times they keep saying to me you've got really bad constipated. They keep giving me meds and they are not helping me at all it's the most uncomfortable thing I'm going through I can't sleep at nights it's the pain full I'm only 18 I'm a really healthy fit young man. What should I do

Try mineral oil enemas,worked for me

I sympathise with you as I have suffered from constipation for many years and tried EVERYTHING recommended, including high fibre diet, exercise, drinking lots of water, various laxatives, etc etc. I was referred to a specialist by my GP and underwent lots of tests. The final diagnosis was slow transit, but of course this did not exactly resolve the situation. In the last year I have found a way of controlling the constipation without resorting to laxatives. I take 2 x 500mg Magnesium Oxide tablets before breakfast and 2 again at lunchtime. My understanding is that the magnesium draws liquid into the gut and keeps the stool soft, ensuring daily BMs. I buy these tablets in bulk from a reputable health supplement company. As a remedy, it has worked out to be both cheap and efficient. I have not resorted to laxatives once in more than a year. 

​It would be interesting to hear if others have tried this supplement and had similar results.

Hi, did it get any better? In case, you can try massaging your stomach clockwise with the circular movements pressing quite hard. You should do it before you eat and in 2-3h after you ate. Every day 2-3 times a day for 5-10min each time for at least few weeks. It should help to stabilize your digestion.

Hello all. Unfortunately, it has not gotten better. I feel as it has worsened. Laxatives are extremely painful to take now but it is my only option. Life is difficult.. 

I have an appointment again with my doctor soon. It’s  crazy to think I have spent so much money at the hospital in trying to resolve this, but they just can’t seem to figure what’s wrong. 

Hello . I am experiencing the same thing. Since Aug of 2017. Pebble like stool. Cant empty bowls with our a lax. Did you ever find a solution? I'm so depressed . I want my life back!

I used  to have this problem. Had to take tablets every night and still struggled but then I switched to a paleo diet. Within 3 day’s I was going regular it was wonderful. The problem for me was caused by eating grains, the very thing they recommend you eat. Not easy giving up bread and cereal but was a life changer for me. Good luck to you all. 

Hi everyone,

I have been constipated for the last 2 months or so and I'm finally finding some answers. I tried all the recommended suggestions. Drink lots of water, more fiber, etc... I already eat a very healthy vegan diet so I didnt understand my constipation issues. I googled up vegan and constipation and came across this website that said a lot of people who restrict themselves to a vegan diet sometimes discover they are gluten intolerant because they eat more pastas and breads. I cut out gluten and after 24 hours or so my body was back to regular bowel movements. I feel WAY BETTER! Hopefully this helps some of you. 

Hello everyone,

Still can not go on my own and it’s been over a year now. I am not stressed out about it as much anymore because I just learned how to deal with it. I now go every morning with the help of Miralax. I take Miralax in the morning and at night. In the morning when I wake up, I drink a cup of coffee and will have an urge to use the restroom in no less than 2 hours. I have gone everyday for the past 2 months as long as I’m taking miralax. It’s a relief, really. I’ve discussed this with my DR and she said it should be fine, it’s a pain to do everyday but if it works, it works. 

I was taking Dulcolax 1-2 a week before. I decided to stop taking it when I experienced the worst pain of my life one day. My stomach felt like it was twisting and cramping for 5 hours and I felt like I was going to die. I put a complete stop to hard laxatives, and switched to miralax, which never hurts my stomach. 

I had constipation for 12 years, try slippery elm. Research it on google. I just wrote a post about it and how how i found it, use it. If you can read my post it does probably be helpful to you. Maybe you can search my post through my I’d?