Constipation Will Kill Me

[RhapsodyinBerserk]

I've had chronic constipation for about a year and it's fucked up my life. I have OCD, anxiety, and ASD, and it's made all of these mental issues worse. I can't fully eliminate when I go, and it's gotten bad enough to the point where I'm now feeling suicidal. I've dropped out of school, can barely think about anything but my constipation and bathroom issues. I have a physical therapist (for pelvic floor dysfunction), I see but I never took her seriously, I skipped out on consistently doing the exercises and never got better. MiraLax and Metamucil stopped working. I can't continue to live like this, my physical issues make my mental health a living hell. I'm now scared to eat, scared to use the restroom. Live feels over and I've honestly just given up on everything. I know people have it so much worse than me and my concerns are petty, but I've considered ending it every day. I sorta have a plan to go through with it but I keep on backing out, I don't think I'm ready for the finality of death. I feel like I'm just done fighting, I don't want to die, but I don't have the effort to get better. I feel like a POS for giving up when other people have it so much worse. There are bigger issues than going to the bathroom lol. Honestly I feel like I'm just stalling. There are ways to get better but I don't have the effort to try so should I just end it? Trying to process actually dying and the impact it has on my family, friends, etc, as well as missed potential for the future.

BTW: Does anyone else have constipation? I don't know how common it is but I've read some threads were people mention they have it.

 

[MidnightDream]

I really understand how you feel. I don't suffer with bowel issues myself, but I do have chronic physical issues and I completely relate to the feeling of not having the mental energy // available resources to pursue recovery, but aren't sure on the finality of death. It can be really hard to figure out what to do next when we're faced with a lesser quality of life than we'd hoped to have and can't really see a way out. That doesn't necessarily mean death is the answer though, especially if you aren't sure or don't actually wish to be dead. You said yourself there are options, give yourself a chance to try those. Just because you don't have the effort within you now, doesn't mean you never will.

 

[lotus-flowers]

Hey, first off I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through. Some people underestimate how these kinds of issues (along with things like IBS, Crohn's, etc.) affect daily life. I'm not dealing with it anymore, but I did have a few pretty severe bouts of constipation after having to take opioids for a while. Honestly Miralax did nothing for me, but I think that was because things were already so messed up internally.

When I was on opioids, I had to go to the ER a few times because I literally could not go to the bathroom and it had been nearly two weeks. The doctor didn't believe me at first and thought I was just lying (why would anyone lie about that?!) They did a tiny enema that did nothing and sent me on my way. The next day I had to go to a different hospital where they were shocked after seeing a CT scan. Getting a soap suds enema was an awful experience, I seriously thought I was going to pass out during it, BUT I was finally able to use the bathroom after two weeks.

The constipation came back in a week or so because I was still on opioids, and then I was given something called Lactulose Syrup…that stuff is ROUGH but it literally got everything in working order again.

Those interventions had to be done at the hospital but they ended up working. Are you taking any medications that cause constipation by chance? I'm sorry I'm not of more help, but I wanted to share my experience. Even doctors can be really dismissive about this kind of stuff, which is frustrating. You aren't alone!

 

[RhapsodyinBerserk]

My issues are due to a lack of coordination in my pelvic floor. My pelvic muscles contract instead of relax when I have to go. As a result I can't pass unless I strain, and I always feel pressure there. I take magnesium and a fiber supplement but unless I learn how to relax those muscles, I'm fucked. It requires months of exercises and physical therapy, which I've unfortunately skipped on. The end result is I've had myself and my life more miserable, to the point where suicide now seems like a valid option. I really don't want to die, but I can't live another second like this, and putting in months of more effort in PT reminds me of the mistakes I've made and how I should've done things better in the past. I just can't see myself committing 3 more months of exercises while being stuck in this hell. Am I lazy? Depressed? Should I even be considering suicide over such a petty option? I honestly have no idea. I had a mental breakdown over this and my parents don't support me seeing a GI. (They think seeing a GI will fuel my OCD). GI recommended Linzess but no method really helps unless I get my pelvic region back in line. I've been seeing her since September with minimal improvement so I think it's all futile tbh. I really don't want to die, but living this is so humiliating, I can't stand it any longer.

I'll have to look into lactulose syrup. Is it like traditional remedies that act as laxatives to help keep things moving?

 

[locked*n*loaded]

I had chronic constipation for most of my life. I remember always having a hard time going, even as kid. I'm 57 years old now. In my thirties it got so bad that I was only able to go every 5 to 7 days! By the time the 4th day of being unable to go rolled around, as you might imagine, I pretty much had to cut off all food, since I just had no more room for any more. I had a colonoscopy and everything came out negative. The doctor told me I needed to increase my daily fiber intake which I did. Slowly, but surely, my bowel movements became normal. I adjusted my diet so that my intake of insoluble fiber is about 150% of the daily recommended values. I stopped eating cheese, for the most part, anyway, except for a small amount on my salads, which I eat EVERY day - lots of RAW vegetables - and I eat THREE high-fiber cereals mixed together each and EVERY morning. On my dinner plate, I have at least 3 cooked vegetables along with whatever else I am eating. I am very regular now. I may miss a day here or there, but that is rare. Increasing physical activity can help, also.

Edit: I forgot to mention that you need to increase your water intake each and every day to AT LEAST 8 glasses.

Yes, it's more work living this way, but it sure as hell beats the alternative. Obviously, if you're fighting the side-effects of opioids, it will take more effort to become regular. My sister was able to do it, though.

 

[nosoul]

I too am constipated, but also can't eat, did a saline enema not much came out, I thinks it because of benzos for me and my body is all fucked up. I'm afraid I can't SN because of it, do u know? My stomach takes a long time to clear, bipolar but messed with dmt and now also insomniac.

Why am I still around, my future is ruined as I can't work and each day of sleep is 20hrs.

Trying to either SN or partial hanging now because of constipation slow digestion.

It just started but want to ctb badly

 

[lotus-flowers]

My issues are due to a lack of coordination in my pelvic floor. My pelvic muscles contract instead of relax when I have to go. As a result I can't pass unless I strain, and I always feel pressure there. I take magnesium and a fiber supplement but unless I learn how to relax those muscles, I'm fucked. It requires months of exercises and physical therapy, which I've unfortunately skipped on. The end result is I've had myself and my life more miserable, to the point where suicide now seems like a valid option. I really don't want to die, but I can't live another second like this, and putting in months of more effort in PT reminds me of the mistakes I've made and how I should've done things better in the past. I just can't see myself committing 3 more months of exercises while being stuck in this hell. Am I lazy? Depressed? Should I even be considering suicide over such a petty option? I honestly have no idea. I had a mental breakdown over this and my parents don't support me seeing a GI. (They think seeing a GI will fuel my OCD). GI recommended Linzess but no method really helps unless I get my pelvic region back in line. I've been seeing her since September with minimal improvement so I think it's all futile tbh. I really don't want to die, but living this is so humiliating, I can't stand it any longer.

I'll have to look into lactulose syrup. Is it like traditional remedies that act as laxatives to help keep things moving?

You are definitely not lazy or out of place in your distress. I have my own chronic health issues that have caused severe breakdowns and it feels like nobody understands. But most importantly, it's your body and your health, and you deserve to find support and treatment.

I've done pelvic floor therapy before (for separate issues) but I'll admit I didn't have a ton of success with it. I know it can be daunting, but if seeking out guidance from a GI doctor may help, I think it could be worth a try. Sometimes you have to go through multiple doctors until you find one that actually listens and wants to help. So I can see where that would be distressing.

There are some pelvic health doctors that prescribe suppositories of things like Valium/Baclofen, and sometimes those help relax your pelvic muscles. I just want you to know there are a lot of options out there to try. Sometimes it just takes finding the right medication to get things working again. I'm not sure if lactulose syrup is something you can get OTC or if it has to be prescribed, all I know is I was given a mega dose of it at the hospital that fixed things. Was not pleasant though!

Chronic health issues can be really distressing. You have every right to feel the way you do. I hope you are able to find something that helps. It may take time but there are a lot of medications and remedies out there that can help with this

 

[outrider567]

My brother got constipation after undergoing chemo, I suggested 10 prunes a day, which worked for him, but your problem certainly sounds more complicated, wish you luck