constipation, chronic
"I am  68 years old and a recently retired registered nurse. I have had problems off and on with irregularity most of my adult life. I used OTC laxatives sporadically and ate a lot of roughage. 6 months ago, I had a minimally invasive mitral valve repair, followed by a heart attack and stroke 6 days post-op, and an emergency cardiac stent. I had been prescribed Ativan for anxiety and Tramadol for pain as well as Amiodarone. All of these contributed to  chronic constipation. A few months back, I thought I was having a bowel obstruction. My primary physician recently prescribed Linzess.  Within hours, I experienced a bowel movement without STRAINING for the 1st time in 6 months. It was the best day I've had since last August."