Wellness

[Little Way]

Same thing for me.  Normal colonoscopy.  Constipation always a problem.  What worked for me was VSL#3 - a probiotic recommended for people with serious gastrointestinal issues.  I swear by it.  You can order it online.  Some specialty drugstores carry it.  I recommend the capsules.  Don't bother with the powder.  The capsules are like taking a vitamin.  I take one at night now, but during rough patches I took two at night, two in the morning.  The other thing that helps me is taking Magnesium Citrate.  I use Solgar. 3 pills work for me, but that might be too much for you.  I take this when I am feeling sluggish due to something I ate or hormonal fluctuations.  I don't take it more than a couple of times a week because I don't want to become dependent on it.  Drink lots of water with it.  Are you drinking lots of water?  Are you taking any medication? - that can cause constipation, but I'm sure your doctor mentioned it.  And are you exercising - getting walks in?   If anything, try VSL#3.  It's the only probiotic that works for me.  

[colliemom4]

Our gastro doctor told my husband to use Benefiber in addition to eating a high fiber diet. He buys a similar brand at Costco, and says it works the same in his opinion. It's really helped him a lot. It's a powder and you can't taste it. You can put it in water, coffee, or mix into something you are eating.

[devalen]

The problem with IBS-C (Constipation) is that each person will react different to all the products, supplements, etc., suggested.  So it becomes a patient hunt for the right fiber, the right supplements, or the right fruits or vegetable that YOU can eat, etc.  I just received a book on IBS that I ordered that I put down immediately.  If I had taken the kind of fiber this author recommented (bran), or used Splenda in my foods, I would be one sick puppy (just an example of what I referenced above.)

Just a couple of things that work for me:  I use the fiber I order from Amazon (Heather's Tummy Fiber)... the best!  I also use Magnesium "oxide" to help with motility.  Be aware how you feel after eating your fruits and veggies because you may also have food intolerances - like fructose intolerance.  And last, but not least, experiment with the quantities of things you are trying and recognize that most doctors do not spend much time on this subject except to recommend a medication that might work or even antibiotics.  Ohhh, and don't forget a good quality probiotic!  Very important. 

[Tinkrbl44]

@Reever

There's a multitude of ways you can get more fiber ... you just need to try a few things that work with your schedule and stick with the one that works.

[mousiegirl]

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@Reever wrote:
The colonoscopy only turned up one polyp, however the cause of my chronic constipation remains a mystery. GI doctor only suggested I eat more fruits (?!?!?). I have to believe he missed something. He claims I do not need another colonoscopy for 5 years. I dont understand it and was considering getting a second colonoscopy but I have a high desuctible plan and had to pay over 2,500 dollars for the first one.

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@Reever  You may want to look into Andrew Lessman's Fibermucil.

[Chrystaltree2]

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@Reever wrote:
My point is the doctor provided no insights as to what is causing the constipation. For someone to go through medical school and board certifications you expect more than being told to eat more fruits. Our medical system has gone downhill since the 1960s back when doctors listened and provided insight. Now they rush you in and out. I believe he had 3 or 4 other colonoscopies the same morning I had mine.

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•         Ok, I'll try again.  Your ddoc couldn't provide any advice or suggestions because he doesn''t KNOW anything.  He only knows that the colonoscopy didn't show any any abnormalities.  That was step one for constipation, the nest steps are the tests I mentioned above.  Eating frruits and veggies isn't going to help because you probably tried that yourself already.  If you really want an answer and treatment, you are going to need diagnostic tests.  You might want to consider seeing a real GI specialist too.  

[Chrystaltree2]

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@Reever wrote:
Good lordie, the test sounds barbaric Crystalltree2. I find most of these tests just too invasive, certainly not something I want done. "This technique uses a balloon in the rectum to distend the rectum and a pressure sensor at the internal ****** sphincter to measure the presence or absence of the rectosphincteric reflex."

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         Yes, that's another test they do for chronic constipation but only after the other two, which sound worse than they  really are.  They ones i referred to are no more invasive than a colonoscopy.  

[NickNack]

My father has chronic constipation.  He's had a colonoscopy which didn't show anything.  His doctor, an internal medicine doctor, told him to try taking Konsyl twice a day and a stool softener.  That didn't work, so he told him to add Miralax once or twice a day.  That helps a lot, but he still gets constipated sometimes.  I would suggest discussing this with your regular doctor, too.  I doubt eating more fruit is going to work.

[maestra]

My GI specialist told me that fiber not onlyisnt a panacea for constipation, it may make things worse. Like the OP I've been dealing w/this for a long time.

I use Mralax a couple of times a week as recommended by the GI specialist.

Rx Linsess gave me diaharrea. (sic-I never could spell this anyway.)

[AngelPuppy1]

This is the same situation with me.  I go for the colonoscopy as requested.  i have had IBS and constipation for as long as I can remember.  I have an extremely sensitive system.  If I even take an aspirin or anything over the counter for pain, it will give give me constipation.  

I have to make sure I drink a ton of water.  Stress makes me worse.  I must eat fruits and salads daily.  Also, I take probiotics 2ce daly - Floristor - as recommended by doctor.  If still a problem, I use a stool softener.  At times in the morning I will eat a couple of prunes; this is helpful.  Also, eating a few nuts --- walnuts, etc, daily are a help.

As others have posted, everyone is different and it takes experimenting,  Those fiber powders that you add to water --- I have tried several and I find they make me very gaseous and uncomfortable so I try to avoid them.

Physical activity seems to help -- walking, yoga, etc.