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Constipation problems

I am a 76 yr old women who has had IBS for over 40 years, but last few months have had severe constipation relying on laxatives which sometimes don't work.  Started with left-sided abdominal pain, had a CT which was pretty much normal.  When I do have a bowel movement, the stool is long and narrow (not pencil thin) and very seldom feels like I have emptied.  Dr. gave me Lactulose which I have not yet taken as bowels starting to move since I have been taking aloe daily.  I do experience occasional nausea, but for the most part, appetite is somewhat normal.  MY Gi will not do another colonoscopy since I had one 2 years ago as he says it wouldn't be covered by Medicare.  I am concerned as my last and many previous scopes I have had polyps and I have a family history of colon CA.  Today had nausea which was somewhat relieved by a bowel movement.  I experience a lot of flatulence to every day.  Should I be concerned?
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15695260 tn?1549593113
Hello and welcome to MedHelp Forums.  I'm very sorry to read you are having a difficult time.  Your first thing to do is to again, speak to your doctor.  You have had a coloscopy that is recent and your findings at that time were not such to raise the suspicions of colon cancer then or now with your doctor.  Colon cancer is slow growing and that is why screenings are important because it allows it to be caught in treatable stages.  The family history you have has already been taken into consideration.  I would think a question for the doctor would be if the insurance company was not an issue, would they think you needed a colonoscopy right now?  

There is an alternative to the coloscopy called Cologuard  Here is some information on it https://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/home-test-colon-cancer-cologuard#1  It's an at home test that is easy to do and non invasive.  It provides fairly accurate results, however, if you test positive, you will then require the full colonoscopy.  It's less expensive than the colonoscopy and, thus, insurance companies do like it.  So, that may be an option to discuss with your doctor.

Since you've had IBS as a diagnosis and constipation, this could be more of that.  Hydration is really important.  Here is some other info on conquering constipation. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/for-women#1
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It's now been over 6 months since this all started and it's the same.  Stool is very soft and thin, flatulence is horrible.  Saw doctor again, but he still does not seem concerned even with my history.
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