Chronic Constipation of the over 65s

Jane43

SynchroSwimmer

1 - 2 Tbsp of neat olive oil is the only thing reliably working for me - it takes 20 hours, but seems to nicely coat the bowel wall and eases transit.

Even drinking an entire pint of plum puree still takes 2 days to have any modest effect for me (6 plum trees - eek 😬)

Senno/Fybogel/Laxido/ dates / kiwi/ beetroot are all failing me .

That reminds me, my Mum used to give me liquid paraffin sometimes, that helped.

AI overview:

Modern osmotic laxatives (like lactulose, macrogol/Movicol, polyethylene glycol) and stimulant laxatives (like senna, bisacodyl) are safer and more effective.

👉 Summary: Liquid paraffin is not prescribed anymore because the risks (aspiration pneumonia, leakage, reduced vitamin absorption) outweigh its benefits, especially since safer and more effective laxatives are available.

Caleo

singingnutty

Since having part of my bowel removed last year because of cancer, I have found it very difficult to be 'regular' - there was talk of 'the new normal' but I haven't found it permanently yet.
At the moment I am eating loads of fresh figs because we have them growing in the garden and I think this is helping me but obviously once the fig season is over I will probably be back to going several times on one day and then 2 or 3 days with nothing. I did find that drinking lots of water and having a really good walk every day helped, but this didn't always guarantee relief.

I had terrible constipation after having my rectum (end of the bowel) removed and finally I went to my GP who prescribed Macrogol which is a laxative that makes the faeces softer. I have been taking a small dose daily for 20 years with no ill effects so far.

However I naturally need to empty the bowel much more frequently than before the operation as the bowel is shorter.

Singing Nutty, The Macrogol laxative is in addition to a good mixed diet with fruit veg and plenty of watery fluids.

singingnutty

Since having part of my bowel removed last year because of cancer, I have found it very difficult to be 'regular' - there was talk of 'the new normal' but I haven't found it permanently yet.
At the moment I am eating loads of fresh figs because we have them growing in the garden and I think this is helping me but obviously once the fig season is over I will probably be back to going several times on one day and then 2 or 3 days with nothing. I did find that drinking lots of water and having a really good walk every day helped, but this didn't always guarantee relief.

I had terrible constipation after having my rectum (end of the bowel) removed and finally I went to my GP who prescribed Macrogol which is a laxative that makes the faeces softer. I have been taking a small dose daily for 20 years with no ill effects so far.

However I naturally need to empty the bowel much more frequently than before the operation as the bowel is shorter.

SynchroSwimmer

1 - 2 Tbsp of neat olive oil is the only thing reliably working for me - it takes 20 hours, but seems to nicely coat the bowel wall and eases transit.

Even drinking an entire pint of plum puree still takes 2 days to have any modest effect for me (6 plum trees - eek 😬)

Senno/Fybogel/Laxido/ dates / kiwi/ beetroot are all failing me .

That reminds me, my Mum used to give me liquid paraffin sometimes, that helped.

theworriedwell

missdeke

I suffer from constipation caused by adhesions and exacerbated by daily use of cocodamol, the lowest dose. I used to use sodium docusate, then suddenly that stopped working, for the first 6 months subsequently I have been on lactulose at first that worked but the last few weeks I have had to increase the dose to the maximum and that has stopped working. I eat at least 3 pieces of fruit a day and 5 different veg, I have pumpkin seeds on my high fibre breakfast, I've tried chia seeds and flax seeds and nothing works. I am at my wits end with it all , my GP is very good and I visit him frequently I've seen specialists, had scans etc and the only option is to have the adhesions cut but they will come back as they always do. I will try anything that anybody comes up with that I haven't tried already. I sympathise with the OP so much.

None of those worked for me, I'd have to take dulcolsx at max dose and then be in agony as my bowels went into spasms.

Bromelain is the only thing that works for me. The bonus is it is also good for inflammation so helps with my arthritis.

It is natural, a pineapple enzyme, and Iro. Holland and Barrett. Don't know if it would help with adhesions but it has been life changing for me.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Thank you, that has never been suggested to me before. Due to all the other medications I have to take I would have to discuss this with the GP in case of interactions, but I will definitely investigate. Thanks again.

Coffee first thin in the morning helps to stimulate bowel movement. In addition, one tablespoon of flax meal….not seed..also helps with digestion. I have IBS. I know what I am talking about. Try not to get attached to medications..go natural. Flax can be sprinkled over anything you are eating. It tastes nutty and you benefit from the Omega 3’s. Avoid flax seed as it is not digested and you don’t get the same nutrients. Good luck!

I’m trying to stay away from dairy so I make my own water kefir, it’s really easy! I went to a class to learn how to do it but you can find tutorials online. It really helps with gut health and tastes delicious ( my favourite is ginger and lemon).

I get serious doses of constipation and now much better since starting the day with natural yoghurt, a handful of rolled oats, fresh fruit which always includes a few prunes and topped off with a spoon each of flaxseed and honey.

Definitely see the dr
For constipation could try sitting on loo with your feet apart and flat on the floor back straight …

Do you take codeine ?
I call it cement mix .
Eating lots of fruit and vegetables and ensuring that you drink enough will help .
Try massaging your tummy in the bath and going for a walk after a meal .
Both will cause movement in the intestines and a sure sign is passing wind - a good sign announcing a bowel movement .
Try not to rely on laxatives .
Using a cotton wool pad lubricate your anus with a little oil to avoid a possible tear .

Since having part of my bowel removed last year because of cancer, I have found it very difficult to be 'regular' - there was talk of 'the new normal' but I haven't found it permanently yet.
At the moment I am eating loads of fresh figs because we have them growing in the garden and I think this is helping me but obviously once the fig season is over I will probably be back to going several times on one day and then 2 or 3 days with nothing. I did find that drinking lots of water and having a really good walk every day helped, but this didn't always guarantee relief.

I have found that having a Colionic Irrigation treatment every six months helps me feel so much better and dont worry about the poo taking hold in side and the germs taking hold of my gut We all know that waste poo is poison and if it stays inside our colon Large and small will eventually cause issues
great if you can take fruit just of anything that helps you perfect but i think i have a twisted bowl born with or caused due to childbirth complications etc Its been the only thing thats helped me over the years Colionic Irrigation I bless the day i heard Prince Diana having a treatment or i would never have found a solution am sure
Have to have a trained proffesional to treat you remember !!!!

No-one has suggested this, but have you thought of asking for a colonoscopy? I think I would if constipation was a new thing.

missdeke

I suffer from constipation caused by adhesions and exacerbated by daily use of cocodamol, the lowest dose. I used to use sodium docusate, then suddenly that stopped working, for the first 6 months subsequently I have been on lactulose at first that worked but the last few weeks I have had to increase the dose to the maximum and that has stopped working. I eat at least 3 pieces of fruit a day and 5 different veg, I have pumpkin seeds on my high fibre breakfast, I've tried chia seeds and flax seeds and nothing works. I am at my wits end with it all , my GP is very good and I visit him frequently I've seen specialists, had scans etc and the only option is to have the adhesions cut but they will come back as they always do. I will try anything that anybody comes up with that I haven't tried already. I sympathise with the OP so much.

None of those worked for me, I'd have to take dulcolsx at max dose and then be in agony as my bowels went into spasms.

Bromelain is the only thing that works for me. The bonus is it is also good for inflammation so helps with my arthritis.

It is natural, a pineapple enzyme, and Iro. Holland and Barrett. Don't know if it would help with adhesions but it has been life changing for me.

I hope you find something that works for you.

I suffer badly from constipation and have always done so. The only thing that shifts it is Movicol, but then after taking it for a few days l get the runs so it's a fine balance to get right!
Good that you're seeing the GP though.

Welshy

missdeke

I suffer from constipation caused by adhesions and exacerbated by daily use of cocodamol, the lowest dose. I used to use sodium docusate, then suddenly that stopped working, for the first 6 months subsequently I have been on lactulose at first that worked but the last few weeks I have had to increase the dose to the maximum and that has stopped working. I eat at least 3 pieces of fruit a day and 5 different veg, I have pumpkin seeds on my high fibre breakfast, I've tried chia seeds and flax seeds and nothing works. I am at my wits end with it all , my GP is very good and I visit him frequently I've seen specialists, had scans etc and the only option is to have the adhesions cut but they will come back as they always do. I will try anything that anybody comes up with that I haven't tried already. I sympathise with the OP so much.

Do you also get a lot of pain 'missdeke'?

I have Diverticular Disease & when I eat a lot of high fibre foods it exacerbates the pain.

I know we are all different.

Yes I do, I also have diverticualr disease, IBS and Chronic Reflux., but I find if I don't have high fibre in my diet I often am unable to 'go' at all. I resort to Senna on top of the other medications sometimes to, with the blessing of my GP.

missdeke

I suffer from constipation caused by adhesions and exacerbated by daily use of cocodamol, the lowest dose. I used to use sodium docusate, then suddenly that stopped working, for the first 6 months subsequently I have been on lactulose at first that worked but the last few weeks I have had to increase the dose to the maximum and that has stopped working. I eat at least 3 pieces of fruit a day and 5 different veg, I have pumpkin seeds on my high fibre breakfast, I've tried chia seeds and flax seeds and nothing works. I am at my wits end with it all , my GP is very good and I visit him frequently I've seen specialists, had scans etc and the only option is to have the adhesions cut but they will come back as they always do. I will try anything that anybody comes up with that I haven't tried already. I sympathise with the OP so much.

Do you also get a lot of pain 'missdeke'?

I have Diverticular Disease & when I eat a lot of high fibre foods it exacerbates the pain.

I know we are all different.

Patsytaylor

Psyllium husk (amazon)

I have seen this as an ingredient in Gluten Free Bread.
I have the opposite problem and after a lightbulb moment I take a calcium tablet that I was prescribed for osteoporosis . It seems to be a matter of balance, you cure one problem and it puts something else out of kilter.

I suffer from constipation caused by adhesions and exacerbated by daily use of cocodamol, the lowest dose. I used to use sodium docusate, then suddenly that stopped working, for the first 6 months subsequently I have been on lactulose at first that worked but the last few weeks I have had to increase the dose to the maximum and that has stopped working. I eat at least 3 pieces of fruit a day and 5 different veg, I have pumpkin seeds on my high fibre breakfast, I've tried chia seeds and flax seeds and nothing works. I am at my wits end with it all , my GP is very good and I visit him frequently I've seen specialists, had scans etc and the only option is to have the adhesions cut but they will come back as they always do. I will try anything that anybody comes up with that I haven't tried already. I sympathise with the OP so much.

Spinach everyday

A small handful of pumpkin seeds certainly helps my lazy bowel. This is a problem I have had for as long as I can remember! Wish I had known before!

A small handful of pumpkin seeds on a bowl of muesli certainly helps my lazy bowel?

I too have suffered for most of my adult life with constipation. No food or drink has ever made an impact. Some people go after drinking coffee, others when taking flaxseed, chia seeds, prunes etc but they do nothing for me.
My Dr prescribed me Laxido sachets which I take one every morning and this works for me. I have been taking them daily for several years. Other things that have helped in the past for me are Glycerin suppositories which I had to use on occasions as I was 'blocked' up and the stool too hard to come out. Sorry for the graphic details

Linseed, which, some research would indicate, also lowers cholesterol . And inulin. www.bbuk.org.uk/flaxseed-and-bowel-health/

Three or four prunes on Greek yoghurt is working for me. I also like kiwi too.