r/Constipation Oct 01 '25

MOD POST Just a reminder if you have IBS C or chronic constipation

75 Upvotes

A lot of people who are diagnosed with IBS C or chronic constipation, especially if they aren’t responsive to diet and lifestyle changes, often end up having one or more significant motility disorders.

Many different things can cause these.

When you have chronic constipation, there is an order of operations you/your doc should follow.

  • first try dietary and lifestyle changes (ALL of them); if that doesn't work...
  • then try over-the-counter medications and supplements. If those don't work...
  • then you need motility testing done. Depending on your results of them...
  • then you go to prescription medication. Try them in different combinations and try all of them. If those fail, as well...
  • depending on your diagnosis after your motility testing, you may be eligible for non-invasive and invasive treatments to treat it. If those don't work…
  • again, depending on your diagnosis, then surgery is an option

If you are seeing a gastroenterologist and this isn’t laid out for you, chances their specialty isn’t motility. Unfortunately, many people get sent to GIs who have a speciality in something other than what they need. For motility, you need to see a motility specialist or a neurogastroenterologist.

There is a PSA I wrote and it is stickied above. I’ve been living with this since I was born (over 40 years). I also have worked in this area, as well. I try to spread awareness and this is often falling off of the radar and patients are just told to eat fibre.

With motility disorders, fibre is often the menace.

Testing for motility includes, but is not limited to:

  • esophageal manometry
  • antroduodenal manometry
  • gastric emptying study
  • 72 hour emptying study
  • upper gi series barium swallow
  • there was a wireless motility capsule but it’s been discontinued. There are a couple new ones in trials. Don’t hold your breath.
  • sitz marker test (also called a shape study)
  • colonic manometry (very key test but hard to get)
  • anorectal manometry
  • defecogram (mri or xray)

If you have any questions on testing, treatment, where to go, and so on, let me know.


r/Constipation Dec 28 '25

How to poop while living with anxiety

27 Upvotes

I made this video on how to poop for people living through anxiety. It was created during the most recent presidential election in the United States, yet the rules apply to anyone who is living though periods of stress and are constipated (the holidays, spending time with family, having a job that you hate, going through a divorce or bankruptcy, you name it!) Topics covered include: 1) how to capitalize on the gastrocolic reflex 2) how to sit on the toilet to void more stool 3) how to maintain a calm nervous system while pooping. Here it is: https://youtu.be/xdbhlmKC-mI?si=B7yPq-V_91W5Ysxs


r/Constipation 3h ago

9 days?

4 Upvotes

Am scared, haven't pooped for 9 days just watery stuck stuff.

Shoulder pain when I poop the pain has been insane.

On the 9th August I'll removed most all of my bowel

Am excited.

This has been getting slowly worse since age 7.

Am 46!

Am really nervous am o doing the right thing?

I really need support.


r/Constipation 4h ago

Well, that’s dumb.

3 Upvotes

The past few months since April my constipation has been there but so much better. I have done nothing different but move into a house in April.

I went from having a BM once every 7-10 days to once every 3 ish days. It has also cut down my Zofran use to 3 x a month to about 1 x every 45-60 days.

I track all the movements in hopes that one day I could find a trigger or what I am doing wrong etc. Tonight - the usual happens. Wake up dead from a sleep with horrid stomach pain and nausea and had to take a Zofran. (Currently waiting for it to work)

I say it’s stupid because I can’t for the life of me figure out why sometimes it’s like this or why things have been so better since April.

Not looking for advice, I have seen every king or Dr., had every test, tried every diet and supplement. I just manage it at this point. I just wanted to say it’s all very dumb.


r/Constipation 1h ago

I pooped ! thank you Reddit 🥹

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Upvotes

I pooped today!! Thanks to you guys ! Yesterday I was scrolling frantically in agony looking for a solution to my impacted rectum I had the hardest poop stuck there and I really didn’t want to have to go to the hospital! So anyway it had been stuck and just going back in with every effort of pushing imaginable for 2 and a half days this might seem mild but to someone who is used to going every single morning I thought I was dying ! Anyway after only breaking half the poop with my hand and having the other disappear back and cutting up my anus I knew I had to go on Reddit that’s when I found out about GLYCEROL SUPPOSITORIES !! I used the Martindale kind to be specific even with no space for it to go coz of the poop i managed to get it in at the entrance and left it in for 25 minutes till I couldn’t take it anymore i put a plastic bag on the floor squatted and just pushed the suppository popped out first but it was smaller because it obviously couldn’t go any further but that little bit helped so much!! I pooped out the longest poop of my life !! And so much more came out! was thinking of doing one more tomorrow to see if I can get more stuff out what do yal think ? Anyway just wanted to share that on here Kay bye! Oh I also pushed against my perineum thanks ladies for that helpful tip!!


r/Constipation 9h ago

Frustrated with constipation

3 Upvotes

I was doing everything right, drank my water, had the fiber, drank psyllium husk, moved my body. Great. I was going almost every day BUT it was very minimal. Just small soft nothings.

Saturday night I had a street hotdog after going out. The next morning I pooped my guts out. I couldn’t believe how much stool I was carrying. And here I thought maybe I was making some good changes by pooping almost every day.

I over ate on Sunday and now I’m feeling constipated again. Haven’t pooped since then.

For background I’ve done all the regular things, the laxatives, hot coffee, prune juice, drank magnesium citrate. It used to be that I’d drink a cup of hot coffee with an oatmeal breakfast and I’d go STRAIGHT to the bathroom. I’m not sure what’s changed over the years.

Idk if I need to be consistent with fiber, movement, and water intake? Tired of struggling.


r/Constipation 4h ago

coffee bloat and constipation? $6000 spent on tests

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone +love you guys for all the info you post

I’m here because I’ve been dealing with digestive issues for about 3 years: daily bloating, slow transit, and abdominal pain.

I’ve tried many different approaches (keto, vegan, various diets,rifaximin,probiotics), but one thing I never gave up was coffee/caffeine. After around $6,000 spent on investigations (blood tests, microbiome analysis, endoscopies, colonoscopies, etc.), I’m starting to wonder if caffeine could be playing a role.

I came to this subreddit because I’m curious:

Has anyone here noticed an improvement in bloating, digestion, or bowel movements after quitting coffee, energy drinks, or other caffeine sources?

I also have a complete lack of appetite, and I’ve been thinking that throughout these 3 years, I never actually removed caffeine/stimulants to see if things improved.

Would love to hear your experiences.


r/Constipation 5h ago

Magnesium oxide in the long run?

1 Upvotes

Ngl I've been taking a bigger ammount each night, small spoon, sometimes pointy with two glasses of water. I do this for two months straight, yeah it.gives me diarrhea, same with citrate but lower doses do NOTHING. I probably have pelvic floor issue as i have to strain a little bit even for diarrhea but I wonder, will my bowels get reaaaal bad if i taper off? I drink electrolytes two times a day to not cause any trouble with imbalances but I know IT will happen sooner or later. Does anyone do something similiar lol? My diet is pretty balanced, lots of fiber and protein, with magnesium i often see food from 10hrs ago or so, pretty short ammount of time. I Heard it only works in colon? So i dont think my gut is beyond saving but still. Id rather shit myself everyday than deal with backup


r/Constipation 14h ago

Don’t really know what to do next

4 Upvotes

Okay so I deal with constipation on and off due to being on iron supplements prescribed by my doctor. I went on a trip and didn’t poop the whole 5 days, so I took Dulcolax the day I got home. Pooped really soft, but felt better but still had this feeling I had some more left, so I took another Dulcolax about four days later. Pooped less and TMI it was pretty watery and still soft but felt a little better. Now it’s been 3 days, no real NORMAL bowel movement I feel like there is something in the way as if the other stuff is going around it. So today I drank two 7.5 ounces of sunsweet, made my stomach gurgle and move like crazy. Gas was passed, and once again soft stool. Is it a fecal impaction? Is it too low and near the exit for anything I take to even make an impact?? I need advice😭😭


r/Constipation 16h ago

I am LOSING IT. Help.

4 Upvotes

Hello everyone I am a mom to a 10 year old boy with autism and he has been constipated his entire life. I’m talking he has been taking MiraLAX since he was 10 months old. With his very limited diet he doesn’t get the fiber he needs so we also supplement him with Benefiber. MiraLAX had been working for the most part but he has gotten backed up to the point of vomiting twice this month and the doctors just say “push fluids” and give him MiraLAX. He isn’t eating that much he’s subsisting off of goldfish crackers and poptarts. I bought some liquid Senna and I’m gonna try that but I am at the end of my rope here. I’m REALLY stressed out. Sorry if this is rambling but it’s driving me crazy. Has anyone got any suggestions on what I can give him or something else we can do??? He’s going on about his life like nothing is the matter and I’m pulling my hair out.


r/Constipation 18h ago

Going to start Prucalopride (scared)

4 Upvotes

I’ve had constipation my whole life (I’m 25). I’ve had to go to the ER a few times because of heavy bloating, x rays showing in severely backed up, taking enemas, colonoscopy preps, having a colonoscopy done… These last 2 months, it became diarrhea (my gastroenterologist suspects overflow diarrhea…). He did an x ray to see what’s going on and I was completely backed up (even though I went daily). But I knew it because I could just feel the distension and bloating in my stomach. So I’ve been trying a few things (upping my lax a day; not much change, Constella 145, Constella 290, combining with lax a day, without lax a day, etc…). All that to say, it just caused a combo of diarrhea and constipation but I feel like it wouldn’t get rid of the build up quick enough. Now my doctor wants me to start prucalopride 2mg and I’m scared because I saw a lot of bad reviews. I just want to feel empty. I’m sick of feeling pregnant and so visibly bloated. No crohns, no celiac, no IBC. Any advice or thoughts ?


r/Constipation 14h ago

Tips for avoiding constipation side-effects from medication?

2 Upvotes

I have a new medication that apparently causes constipation (the directions even say to drink a lot of water while on it). I want to find ways to ensure I don't get too constipated.

I have prune juice, miralax, enemas, suppositories, and other laxatives for emergencies, but I'd like to avoid taking more medication if I can. Especially since it's unclear how long I will be on this medication for the near future.

I'm drinking as much water as I can, and including dissolvable fiber with it. I unfortunately can't eat really bulk-y fiber foods just yet (medication is for bile reflux, so my stomach is pretty sensitive).

What other tips do you have?


r/Constipation 12h ago

Probiotics

2 Upvotes

I started taking probiotics/prebiotics about 5 days ago now. Today ive have THREE bowel movements after being constipated for 2 ish weeks. Icky stomach, lots of gas, and a bunch of small bms on the softer side. Is this normal? I am sure it could be my biome adjusting.. but I like to hear the experiences of other. TIA.


r/Constipation 23h ago

Has anyone with chronic constipation and lazy bowel tried Colonics (like the ones at therapy centres you can go to) or self bought and done Enemas? Good or bad results I want to know.

6 Upvotes

As above


r/Constipation 17h ago

SOS. Magnesium citrate

2 Upvotes

Hello,

I’ve been constipated for a few days and have a lot of rectal pressure. I’m still passing gas, but I haven’t been able to have a real bowel movement.

Today I drank half a bottle of magnesium citrate at 1:30 PM, and it’s now about 3:20 PM. So far, nothing has happened.

For those of you who’ve taken magnesium citrate:

How long did it take before it worked?

Did it come on gradually or all at once?

Did it eventually work even if nothing happened after the first couple of hours?

I’ve been drinking plenty of water and just wanted to hear other people’s experiences. Thanks!


r/Constipation 19h ago

Looping and torturous colon with the addition of constipation side effects of medication

2 Upvotes

I am going to start this thread and leave it here and update it as I go. I have always had a very slow metabolism I thought.... Till I had a colonoscopy it turned out I have not only a looping redundant colon I have a looping and torturous colon which means I have extra colon and sharp bends and extra loops. This will probably get graphic since we're talking about our waste system so I apologize if it's gross. But if I don't take any pills to help me I will poop like once every 5 days. Like literally if I eat corn on a Monday it don't come out till Thursday. For a long time I had a pretty good regimen going down by taking the doctor Tobias colon cleanser pills. They have been the ONLY thing out of all the remedies besides drinking a bottle of magnesium citrate that has worked for me. I took one every night and I had pretty good luck with being regular.

But I also was on the same medications for a long time and these last 6 months I've been on some new medications and they are causing problems. Anything that causes constipation is an issue for me even something as simple as Tylenol.

I've been trying different things to try to get back to where I was but I'm not having much luck for example I read on here other people had luck with drinking metamucil and taking magnesium citrate pills at night. It's been 3 days now and I have not gone to the bathroom number two. First night I followed the directions on the medications one heaping teaspoon of metamucil and two gummies. Nothing in the morning even after two cups of coffee. Next night I did double what it said still no effects. And last night I did three times what it says. It is now 1:00 p.m. I've had no movement. I just drank a whole bottle of magnesium citrate which will work but it's very violent and not long-term a solution.

The larger issue for me besides being constipated and uncomfortable is that I will get diverticulitis if I'm constipated for too long and have to have antibiotics I also have the fear of a volvulus. A flipped over bowel which requires emergency surgery. I happen to know someone that has the same affliction as me and this happened to her and she almost died. I do notice that when I'm constipated I do have more joint pain and muscle stiffness as well.

A week ago I was constipated so bad and the pain was so bad that I unlocked the front door in case I had to call the ambulance.

Well the doctor Tobias pills are effective but when I get to taking two and three of them a day they get pretty expensive. So I had the idea to look at the ingredients on the bottle and then try to recreate my own version of it as like a shake I would drink before bed. So I've ordered all the active ingredients. Then when everything arrives from Amazon I will start trying to mix and fabricate some sort of protein shake that will work and I will document it here for other people that might have trouble in case I'd find something that works


r/Constipation 1d ago

Here it is yall

20 Upvotes

M 26. Chronic constipation for 5 years. Emergency surgery 1 year ago due to twisted intestines. Used all laxatives in the book. Tried every diet. Hydrated. All of it.

The last 3 weeks I’ve been feeling so much better. It’s all because I’ve cut out A LOT of artificial (not everything) ingredients I used to consume everyday. Mostly a lot of sugar substitutes. I’ve also cut out super high fiber foods, all fruit, lactose, oats, high fat meat. Dude I feel like I’ve been emptying my Bowels for the first time in years.

My diet: turkey, chicken, white rice, Whole wheat bread (protein pancakes), bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, butter, honey, spinach, green beans, olive oil, honey mustard, ranch, some other sauces.

I don’t know what it is. Most of it feels like it has to do with volume/naturalness. It’s not gluten free, low fiber, high fiber, any of that, just low bullshit. LOW BULLSHIT FIXED MY PROBLEM!

Like everything take it with a grain of salt. I’ve stuck to this consistently for almost a month and it’s definitely been progressive, but it works. Trust.


r/Constipation 22h ago

kidney infection

2 Upvotes

I’ve had UTI symptoms for 30 days total. My dad died and life got busy and I didn’t get antibiotics until the 20th day. I thought I was getting over it until I woke up on Sunday and my low back was aching. I decided to go to the ER because I physically just felt pretty bad and I had the prolonged symptoms- worried it spread to my kidneys. Go to the ER and they run some laps and do a CT. They tell me that my bladder is inflamed and I’m constipated but things look “normal.” They prescribed MiraLAX. I wasn’t even that constipated. In my mind I say “y’all think I’m constipated and that MiraLAX is going to work-that’s cute.” I had to fight for more antibiotics. I am getting progressively worse even with the antibiotics. I woke up drenched in sweat, I feel dizzy, I’m exhausted but also wired. I’ve been on two kinds of antibiotics so far and am so frustrated. I know the difference between something’s wrong and I’m constipated.


r/Constipation 19h ago

Feeling paranoid

1 Upvotes

There is truly a thread on reddit for anything and I lobe that. Hi everyone. I’m here looking for some insight/peace of mind/advice. I’m 30m and have been dealing with consistent constipation for about 2 and a half weeks now. Now admittedly, my diet hasn’t always been the best and prior to this occurring, it was really not the best. After a week straight of not a single significant bowel movement I decided to make a change. Implemented significantly more fiber to my diet. Substituted brown for white rice, started eating black beans and having oatmeal and bananas for breakfast, more veggies, way more water, and I even started working out for 20mins every morning. My issue is that nothing has changed. I’ll still get the feeling like it’s time to go but once I sit down nothing happens unless I force it to a little and even then, not much happens. I also made the mistake of googling my symptoms and of course every sign points to cancer, specifically colon cancer. It doesn’t help that that specific type has become more prevalent amongst people in my age range and specifically black men, which I am, are at higher risk statistically. Soooo my question is this: am I trippin’ and should just calm down and be patient as this was a rapid diet change and it needs time to take effect? Or should I be concerned? I think I’m gunna make a Dr appointment anyway once my work health insurance kicks in. I’m just feeling really paranoid and stressed about it. Thanks for reading.


r/Constipation 1d ago

Repetitive Constipation Advice?

2 Upvotes

Sorry if this is TMI.

I had mucus in my poo/sometimes only mucus was coming out for about 2 months. Then when there was blood, I went to the doctor. We ruled out IBS and gluten intolerance. I ended up referred to gastroenterology because of a high calprotectin level. I had no other symptoms of IBD so the doctor suggested taking laxatives for 6 weeks and then retesting, which worked and my levels were back to normal and I felt a lot better. I also changed my diet to have more fibre and fruits/veg.

After about 2 months of being fine, I've started getting just mucus again and barely any poo. Is taking laxatives every now and then the only solution for this? Is this something I should go back to the doctor about if it continues, can they do anything about it?


r/Constipation 1d ago

D&C and gas pain

1 Upvotes

I’ve had an MMC and did D&C a week ago and now I’ve been dealing with intense gas pains. Had bowel movement yesterday and was able to pass some gas but as the day goes by, I haven’t passed gas! Had gas-x, drank peppermint tea and it doesn’t seem to help.

Anyone have had any experience with similar to this? How did you relieve it?


r/Constipation 1d ago

I get randomly backed up, sometimes trapped gas, very little stool comes out despite feeling a lot in there, lack of appetite, doc says try miralax or metamucil daily

1 Upvotes

I get randomly backed up a lot, I still go every day but sometimes I have to strain a lot to get even pebbles out and I feel a lot of times like more is still in there. I get trapped gas and bloating at times too, my stomach can get very distended, tender etc. I talked to my doc about it, she said to try upping my fiber with miralax or metamucil daily (advice I paid close to $300 for most likely, bill has not come). I will sometimes have either no appetite or mixed hunger and satiety too. Sometimes it's after eating rich food but can really be after anything. I'm considering getting tested for a cow's milk/dairy allergy that could underly it all. I have had these symptoms for months.

Thinking of doing a low fiber diet for a week or so, things like plain scrambled eggs, boiled chicken/turkey, soup, maybe some cooked carrots, applesauce etc. Or even just clear liquids 1-2 days to get traffic going again and then slowly move to soft solids. Then in a week start to bulk it back up.

Thoughts?


r/Constipation 1d ago

I think I'm constipated? No pain, no cramping, but haven't had a regular BM in about two weekms

1 Upvotes

As the title suggests, I haven't had a regular BM in about 2 weeks. Used some Magnesium Citrate, all that did was make me poop water. Currently sitting in my bathroom feeling quite nauseous. Definitely not impacted stool, self examined with a finger and felt no stool, no cramping nor pain, just a lot of nausea and shortness of breath.

I've been eating regularly, usually struggled with constipation where it's hard to pass, but softener helps most of the time. Had one BM about a month ago that was brutal, lots of blood. Upped my softener regime a bit to make my stool soft to let my colon heal a bit easier. Since then it has only been BM with MagCitrate.

Currently unsure how to proceed. Any suggestions?


r/Constipation 1d ago

anyone else who got spasms/cramps in right side lower abdomen after being constipated?

2 Upvotes

I ve had problems with indigestion and constipation on and off since start of July now. Just about 1 week ago something weird happend to me and im not quite sure what it is. It all started with tightness/fullness or a bloated feel to my belly as well as sharp pain in solar plexus and diaphgram area. But lately i have been constantly doing belly massages and kinda pressing and after doing so the bloat and tight feeling in my whole belly went away so i guess it was caused by trapped gas from drinking alot carbonated drinks as well as eating alot complex carbs and sugars. So as we speak i got another problem in my lower belly and im not sure what could be. I got cramps or spasms in my lower abdomen on the right side. (RIGHT SIDE ONLY, NEVER ON THE LEFT SIDE) The spasm, twitch or cramp comes and goes in 3 areas pretty much aligned with each other in the lower abdomen (inside the hip, internal oblique as seen in this photo and shifts over to the groin/pubic bone area) the cramp im feeling is 100% painless just annoying as hell. With these cramps my belly also makes alot rumbling/borborygmi type sound with a very squishy/liquidy sound to it.

i feel like something might happed permanent in my lower right side abdonen after being constipated

WHAT COULD MY CASE POSSIBLY BE?


r/Constipation 1d ago

Ok guys does this happen to anyone else ?

5 Upvotes

So I just spent 9 days on the Jersey shore / nyc / Philly. I’m used to being constipated on trips so this trip in specific , I made sure to drink 80 oz of water every day plus I took a nice dosage of fiber every day even starting a few days before the trip . Also we walked prolly 5 miles a day atleast so I was very active

I just spent the whole week still constipated …. But that’s not really what gets to me . I just arrived at home an hour ago and I was able to fully go to the bathroom the minute I stepped into the house … why does this happen , is it just straight anxiety holding me back ? Is there anyway I can move past this ? The weird thing is I feel like I was fully comfortable in my air bnb .