Severely Constipated for the last 4 years.. Please help what to do next

[sval018]

Hi there,

I don't know where to start, but basically I am constipated for the last 4 years of my life and nothing seems to be working. I am only 29 y.o My diagnosis is lazy colon.  Family history - mother with colon cancer

All started after my mum passed away and I got so paranoid that I will get the same problem and then my natural BM has stopped.

Things that do not work for me anymore:
- water
- exercise (I am a runner and do yoga and stretches)
- senna
- prunes
- magnesium
- diet (I eat fruits and vegetables mainly and make my own yogurt and kefir)
- prescribed medications (only help during first two weeks)
- Movicol
- Psyllium husk
- Aloe Vera

I literally scared to eat anything as now I start having a problem with binge eating, because I restrict myself on food, so I don’t keep any food at home and I always crave nuts and dried fruits.  And when I see food – I can eat a loaf of bread at once, or cheese platter with crackers.

Lately, I also start getting bloated. Two days ago I went for a colon hydrotherapy, but only water came out.. why?  as I think I am over constipated and my stomach is huge and so hard? Maybe I was not holding water for long enough (I hold it for 60 counts and then released it).

I also think I don't have patience, as expect things to work now, two days without BM is so scary for me. I start having headaches, depression and so on and my stomach increases in sizes so incredibly, so I look like a 4 month pregnant and my weight fluctuates 7 kg per week.

What is it? Is it my liver, gold bladder, parasites?

I don’t have enough money for colonoscopy, in my region it is 5k.

How can I go back to normal? Is there a method or plan to follow, so I can just start doing things right and hope for the best?  I just hope it is not too late to get back to normal.  Thank you so much

[TheLightSeeker]

Save your money and forgo the colonoscopy...for now anyway.
Let's call your condition IBS-C, C for constipation.
It's a catch-all label for G/I and digestive symptoms which do not lead to a specific diagnosis and BTW the same goes for "lazy bowel" where the cause cannot be fully explained.
Here's my take :
While under emotional stress, the entire nervous system
goes into an alert mode and the nerves controlling G/I
function become much more sensitive.
If the stress is prolonged, this leads to the onset of chronic symptoms of IBS.
I would suggest the following:
1. Grief counselling
2. Meditation.
3.  Check  B vitamins status, specially Methylocobalmin B12 (you need an MMA test for this neurological form of B12)
4. Vitamin D3 levels must be high for healthy motility and general G/I function.
5. Have low thyroid function ruled out by getting Free T3, Free T4 and Reverse T3 thyroid tests.
All 3 are needed!
6. In the event you have adrenal fatigue ( prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue), your adrenals down-regulate thyroid function for their own recovery, so treating the adrenals first before the thyroid is vital!
7. Have your gastric acid levels checked.
There are self-tests you may want to consider, not diagnostic but indicative.
The baking soda burp test and the Betaine HCL challenge. Just look them up.
8. Magnesium citrate. Keep taking it, just take some extra water, specially when it will start working for you.
Low levels would be associated with higher risk of parasites, bacteria, bloating, indigestion deficiencies and other symptoms.
Any questions, post again any time!

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Niko

[sval018]

TheLightSeeker thank you so much for your response. It highlights some of the aspects that I am kind of aware and not following up seriously. First, stress level - even I say I am not stressed, I am always tensed and my current situation with unfinished PhD makes me think that I am a failure, also I lost complete interest in life, I just do not enjoy it anymore. Mum passed away 5 years ago, but I don’t think I recovered, every time I am constipated (basically every 2nd day) I think how it was for her fo 15 years and what was she going though and I am repeating her steps.
Also, you mentioned interesting observation about low thyroid function - every time I do a blood test, the results come up with a slight low activity in thyroid and a bit of misbalance for t3/t4.
Is there any difference between just magnesium and magnesium citrate vitamins?
I need to do another test for B and D vitamins levels, as well as gastric level acidity
Another question, I am struggling with my diet as I don’t know what to eat anymore. I eat lots of fruits & vegetables, I wonder sometimes if this can be a problem, but honestly I don't know what else to eat.  I also start practicing - intermittent fasting, but in a light form, so I try not to eat after 6pm and break the fast around 8.00am with 2 kiwifruits and one apple.  And then lunch around 12.00pm (veggies & protein and dinner at 18.00pm (also veggies & fruits).  Of course now and then I will get a bit of smth not appropriate, but overall I eat extremely green and clean. This is not when I am off track and start consuming bread and nuts and cheese (which is also good quality food). But I wonder If I am doing it all wrong. What is the best regime for constipation?
My daily routine - one broccoli, beetroot, 2 - 3 apples, 2 kiwifruits, 1 grapefruit a day. Is it too much fruits & veggies?  Sometimes, I will get meat or fish.
Thank you so much for your response and time

[TheLightSeeker]

Make sure you ask for tests exactly as I  mentioned, as this makes a night and day difference!
I don't want to sound like I know it all, but I've been around this territory for a while.
Also make sure you eat enough protein daily, taking in consideration inflammation,catabolism and other factors, which increase the need for additional protein.
How about healthy fats, like avocado,olive oil (for drizzling), coconut oil (forcooking, smoothies etc.) omega 3sand so on.
Should your cholesterol levels be too low, you're at risk of hormonal and neurotransmitter deficiencies and imbalances.
Low fat diets ,as well, set you back as fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients do not get properly absorbed.
The magnesium citrate is a laxative!
If you want to increase tissue magnesium, look into transdermal magnesium oil treatments.
Consume liberally vegetables and cut back a little on the fruit, since fructose is considered an "offensive" sugar, even if it's natural.
I get the sense that at the subconscious level your feeling  of
being a failure (false feeling) has manifested in your physical body.
You have feelings .bottled up inside you - whether you are conscious of this or not makes no difference-
which can be labelled as emotional constipation.
Consider some counselling for that.
Yoga might help with your constipation and to quite the mind.
Child's pose & chair pose seem appropriate. My daughter is a Yoga instructor.
I hope this helps,
Niko

[sval018]

Thanks again for your time and the informative response. I am sure you know more than I do with your experience.  Yes, Avocado and Omega 3 is on my list. On protein I am guilty - agree on this. But all the cleaning and detoxing is always about excluding meat. Nuts constipate as everyone says. Dairy as well, bread is big no (even wholemeal). So not much left?
So you would not recommend the magnesium citrate because it is a laxative? Have you heard of Slippery elm?  
I still think (hope) it is not too late for me to try to make it normal, teach my colon for every day motion. On this I don't even have any signals anymore. It might be stress (not too sure), but I can't do any business in public toilets. I am starting wok quite early and leave late, so it seems like I don't have time to sit and do my business properly. I have been also doing yoga and other exercises, but I guess it is all in combination.  
It is like a trigger, that need to be tuned on and I can’t find it.  Either diet, lifestyle, medication, stress level.

[TheLightSeeker]

You can detox while taking quality proteins, like pastured meat and eggs, no mercury wild fish and organic legumes.
I do cilantro,olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, sea salt detox pesto while still consuming quality protein daily.
Take  Mag. citrate as a laxative and do transdermal magnesium oil for tissue magnesium requirements.
Yes, I'm familiar with slippery elm.
I use it along other herbs and barks
for Essiac tea, a great immune system tonic and cancer preventative remedy.
I couldn't tell you which one is a better laxative for you, but the latter has more medicinal properties.  
Try doing the child and chair poses for longer time and more frequently.
I would also recommend you do meditation and hypnosis for your issues, every day for as long as you need, until things get much better.
You must take time to do the things
you need to do for your health, because if you don't choose this now, later you might HAVE to take time, without having a choice!
Best wishes,
Niko

[WillWho]

Yeup. Worry will mess with your digestion big time. Eat regular meals, just include plenty of fiber. When you have evacuated your bowels, it can screw with the rest of your body too. If you have not gone in 5 to 7 days, get some magnesium citrate. It is about $8 to $10 USD. It will clean you out out out. Just make sure you have sole access to the toilet, a full roll of TP, and no plans for the night. The only place you will be going is to the toilet. Oh, and do NOT wear 501 Levi's. You will not have time for the buttons.

[sval018]

I take 1000mg pe day of Magnesium and it does nothing... :(

[WillWho]

Not the supplement. This is in a bottle. Put it in the fridge and drink it when it is very cold. It is not the most pleasant tasting drink. Very cold it tastes like a Sprite knock-off generic.

This will clean the pipes. Guaranteed.

[sval018]

Thank you I will buy today then! Fingers crossed.

[TheLightSeeker]

Castor oil MUST be cold pressed and start at 1/2 ml per kg of body weight daily. Purchase highest quality possible and do not take it for more than a few weeks, since your bowel muscles might lose tone and not function well in the long term.

[Noneofyabusinezs]

Try eating organic coconut oil and castor oil