What Causes Persistent Constipation Despite Taking Medication?

Posted on Tue, 29 Nov 2016

Question: I have been having trouble with bm's for a number of years. My Dr. put me on 2 doses of miralax a day appx 2 yrs ago. 3 months ago he put me on 1 cap of linzess with breakfast. The linzess works only occasionaly. This morning I took the linzess with no results, around 11:00 I took 4 exlax and tonight I have taken 5 doses of miralax (1 dose every 1/2 hr) all with no results. I'm having difficulites with every bm, last night I did 3 water enamas with no results and the night before I did a fleet enama and had a difficult time expelling it. My body will not expell any waste except with the aid of a laxative and when I strain I hardly ever get anything out. All the waste seems to come to my retcum and mushroom when I set down, It receeds when I lie down. Ihave also developed a pain in my lower abdomen, more of a burning sensation, it is not continual pain but I have it quite a lot. I'm also diabetic. I have a colonocopy schedule for 12/9/16, but I don't know if I can wait that long. Any help would be greatly appricated.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gut used to laxatives

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Miralax is a mild laxative and if it is working your gut is responding well. Where as Linzess (linaclotide) is helpful during IBS suffering from constipation. You can go back to Miralax and try.
Besides never forget to reset the way you move bowels when you were young and when you had not used Miralax. I suggest following ways:
1) Have 6 glasses of water.
2) Squat for 10 minutes
3) Try to massage circularly on the lower abdomen to initiate peristalsis.

If the waste is stuck at rectum level it can be removed with rectal suppositories at a clinic. However you can try the above especially water.

All the best.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar