Tried everything

[TinaTina]

I was diagnosed with IBS-C last year and have tried a host of laxatives,  enemas, teas, and medications (including linzess) and nothing has helped. My symptoms are getting worse and the only thing that helps is not eating. I've met with doctors and gastrointestinal specialists and they've all recommended different diets, laxatives, or medications, but nothing works for longer than two weeks. I'm in severe discomfort and distressed. Any recommendations?

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Hello TinaTina,

I'm sorry that you are really struggling.

Have you investigated using an SSRI medication to help with your IBS-C? These are neuromodulators (formerly known as antidepressants) which help with pain and has a looser stool as a side effect. https://www.ibspatient.org/treatment/medications/#antidepressants

[TinaTina]

Hi Jeffrey, 

Thanks for your response! I have tried Prozac and Celexa and neither have helped. I recently saw a homeopathic practitioner and they believe that my issue is with the collagen in my gut so they recommended a diet that consists of boiling chicken feet and fish and drinking the water/broth. They also recommended that I have 1/2-1 cup of fats (not avocado fat, but butter) a day. This is supposed to resolve my IBS-C and not just treat symptoms but I'm unsure about it.  

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Oh, nuts. That's really too bad that the SSRI's didn't work.

Have you tried Motegrity or Zelnorm? They are different types of medications from then other IBS-C meds.

That homeopathic advice sounds very odd. I would ask for some evidence before wasting time and money on that.

[Be empty]

I am having chronic constipation for four months and using laxatives, I have had colonoscopy and I do not have any bowel obstructions. Eating more fiber, and drinking more water. Also have been through alot of stress. What I can say is that I must trust my Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist practice chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the doctrine is the Lotus Sutra, that I will overcome this. This is about The Mystic Law of Cause and Effect without a beginning or end.

[Be empty]

Tina Tina

Understand your distress and discomfort, but I notice when I pay less attention to my negativity, my (bowels) with my Buddhist practice I feel alot better. Maybe try to study this Buddhism, it brings out my wisdom and I become less fearful.

 

[Esjie]

I agree that what your homeopathic practitioner suggested does sound rather odd.

I also have monthly consultations with a homeopath, and the remedies I was given were traditional homeopathy. They have helped me generally, over the past year, and though I still have flare-ups and some bad times, there are far more "good days" than before.
 But usually a qualified practitioner sticks to their specialist field; in this case, homeopathy. But maybe they are also a naturopath or dietitian?

I suppose that depends on where you live. For instance I hear that "chiropractors" in the US do, and prescribe all sorts of different things including vitamins, muscle testing etc, whereas here in UK, they stick to just being a chiropractor!

Bone broth is recognised as quite healing for the gut, but whether it is a solution for you or not I can't say. That suggestion is not too bad.

However, half a cup of butter each day? That is half a block which =4oz. Or the volume may be even more. Beside greasing your gut like glory, I can't see how that would help, and could in fact be detrimental to your general health, possibly putting strain on pancreas or liver.
There's nothing wrong with butter. It's a good natural fat. And we need some fats in the diet. But wow.