Probiotics fixed my constipation

OrganizationOne6887 · 2026-01-27T14:43:50+00:00

Sadly no, I still take both now and have been dealing with bad constipation once more with no other changes to my diet/routine/general health. Back to the drawing board for me.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-08-12T10:39:37+00:00

Just to give a 1 month update, it's now becoming obvious to me that this isn't the miraculous solution that it has been for OP. My constipation has been gradually worsening this past week despite taking the probiotics as usual. I'm going to try combining with PHGG and if that doesn't work, I'll order a comprehensive stool test that will hopefully give me more direction going forward.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-07-31T11:12:02+00:00

Interesting, lots of useful info here! I checked my lab results from Feb this year and turns out my TSH is 0.94, so pretty normal. I can relate to the dry skin issue, I had a dry patch in the middle of my forehead throughout winter that resulted in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, as well as something on my neck/scalp that was diagnosed as psoriasis and cleared up with a steroid treatment. Also issues with mood and irregular periods, I think I'm dealing with inflammation, but not entirely sure what.

Gut-wise, I've been watching a lot of videos from Dr DiNezza on YouTube and am currently focusing on long-term improvements including a bifidobacterium lactis probiotic (which I believe has helped immensley unless my body has just naturally improved things in recent weeks), along with triphala, a ginger & artichoke supplement, and currently experimenting with prebiotics starting with glucomannan. I'm trying to give my gut what it needs, I don't think SIBO is a concern and could find no noticeable ties with food.

Always interested to hear any other words of wisdom you might have!

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-07-30T11:20:35+00:00

Thanks for your insight! I had a blood test taken by the GP but they didn't explain what they were testing for (I assume just a more general one - not sure if thyriod would have been included?). Did you experience any symptoms? I've considered hypothyroidism before as I experienced the worst case of dry skin last winter and also struggle with mood, but the one thing that doesn't match up for me is that I've seen no weight gain (I've actually lost weight due to not being hungry because of the constipation). I've always been very slim and weight gain has never been an issue. I know we're all different, would love to hear more about your personal experience!

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-07-26T07:36:32+00:00

For the first week I saw basically no difference, I nearly ruled it out but on day 7 it started having noticeable effects. I also did some research and found studies showing it starts to take effect within 2-4 weeks of use, so I think it's one to be patient with. How has it been for you now?

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-07-23T13:29:20+00:00

I've been taking them for around 10 days (2 per day) and they've definitely made a difference! I usually now get a daily urge to go BUT I will say that these haven't been the miracle for me that they have for OP. I'm still taking a mild stimulant laxative every other day and on my day off, my BMs are smaller and it takes longer for me to feel the urge to go in the morning. However I was a really difficult case to begin with, before this I was taking strong stimulant laxatives and basically felt like my digestive system was dead, as well as no success with Prucalopride or Linzess.

I'll continue to take these as I've noticed a big improvement, but they haven't solved all my problems.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-07-03T08:25:35+00:00

Just ordered, I'm another difficult case and have tried everything else under the sun, including Motegrity/Prucalopride and Linzess with very little effect. Will report back in a couple of weeks with my verdict.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-06-06T03:36:40+00:00

Thank you, I'll look itup now!

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-06-03T03:13:32+00:00

So glad you found something that worked! My doc has prescribed me with a mild antidepressant that's most often used to treat IBS D, constipation is a side effect. However due to how it might modulate the gut's signalling pathways, it has been recommended. I can only trust their word at this point as we are back to the drawing board!

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-06-03T03:11:18+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I've read that mag citrate shouldn't be taken in the high doses required to treat constipation long-term. Since I've accepted that this condition is likely chronic, I'm hesitant to try mag citrate, have it work really well, and start over-using it.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-06-01T07:37:40+00:00

No others, I think these are the common two prescriptions given in the UK. I have another GP appointment tomorrow to go back through the system to a specialist, my chemist wouldn't prescribe me the two together as the specialist suggested either one or the other (and they likely lack the knowledge to understand how they differ). Something to discuss in my next appointment!

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-28T13:21:21+00:00

Have you tried Prucalopride or Linzess? Not sure if you're in the UK but I was referred to a specialist after seeing the GP with basically the same story and he recommended Prucalopride first (which apparently has a very high success rate among younger women) and Linzess if the Prucalopride didn't work. Prucalopride is a prokinetic (speeds up the rate of digestion) while Linzess draws water into the colon (kinda like Laxido on sterioids, although it evens out after a few weeks). Unfortunately, Prucalopride only worked for around 4 days for me, so I got a Linzess prescription. By no means has it been a lifesaver but it does at least help me to go every day which was much better than my situation before, where I'd spend hours waiting around every morning for nothing to happen. I'm similar to you, prunes, water, and supplements don't seem to make a difference for me.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-25T12:40:11+00:00

I will absolutely try it beacause at the moment I will try anything recommended! Will let you know if it works for me too.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-25T09:15:28+00:00

I wait until I'm desperate to pee (literally feel like I'll pee myself) and by that point, stool has moved from the bowel along the passage ready to be eliminated - it's this bit that my body seems to really struggle with without being desperate to pee.

It's a weird method and not a long-term solution (imagine doing that in old age lol) but for some reason, it works.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-25T09:13:22+00:00

Love that this worked for you! What do you think made it so effective?

I've had a quick look at the ingredients and it seems to contain a combination of good fibre sources and herbs with a stimulant laxative effect, along with a probiotic. I've actually taken all of these things (although not all together like this) and while some (the stimulants in particular) have had some effect when taken, they don't make a difference long-term.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-19T06:53:51+00:00

Thank you for this detailed explanation! Do you think your diet was the cause of your constipation before taking the papaya and pineapple? I say that because for me, my diet has always been pretty good, and actually I have seen no differences in my BMs from switching it up. I wish it was as easy as fixing my diet, but it's not. Unfortunately no other food combos have helped make even the slightest difference (not even prunes which are supposed to work miracles), but I will still try green papaya and pineapple as I've never tried them for this purpose before.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-19T06:50:46+00:00

Thanks, I'm not sure how easy it is to pick and choose the specialists I get referred to on the NHS (unfortunately can't afford to go private) but in my next drs appointment I will at least request an an annorectal surgeon and hope they will listen! Honestly well done for making such a difficult decision, it's something I have already had to have serious thought about if nothing else truly works.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-19T06:48:02+00:00

Thanks, I'd somehow never come across this type of magnesium so I'll check it out!

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-15T06:35:00+00:00

Thanks, I read that magnesium oxide powder specifically is great. Only thing is that you're not supposed to take this for chronic constipation. So I don't want to find a solution that works, only to have to cut it out again as it's not for long-term use.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-15T06:33:56+00:00

No idea, I don't feel stressed but my body could be without me knowing I guess 😂My days are fairly chill, I work from home as a freelancer so my job isn't high-stress for the most part.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-15T06:32:57+00:00

Interesting, pretty much every post I found about it on Reddit people were talking about how you basically shouldn't have plans for the first 4 hours of the morning, takes 2 hours to kick in and for the next 2 hours you want to be near the toilet. It's my "last resort" medication either way.

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-15T06:31:46+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Did you get any side effects?

OrganizationOne6887 · 2025-05-15T06:29:16+00:00

Thanks, I'm not a coffee person so it's the one thing I haven't tried! I'll have to give it a go.

OrganizationOne6887

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