Hello. I have been dealing with Chronic Constipation for approximately five months now and have yet to find the cause. It has nothing to do with low fiber or exercise, as I was doing fine with both before this started. Now, nothing I eat ever comes out on its own. If I eat, no matter the amount, my waist bloats out (stomach distention) and I become so unbearably uncomfortable (and soemtimes painful) that there are no words to describe it. I stopped eating just to keep it from happening, as I cannot have bowel movements without laxatives. Seeing doctors is limited because I have no insurance. I have had a colonoscopy that came back normal and blood tests that came back normal. I am currently doing an at home test to see if I am lactose intolerant. My doctor believes this may be stress related and wants to put me on an anti-depressant, but for now she put me on something that treats chronic constipation. I even began a colon cleanse that started off wonderfully, then the symptoms returned after two and a half weeks. Can anyone tell me what may be causing this? Possibly lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, stress, Irrital Bowel Syndrome, or maybe something else? I know that most constipation problems have to do with the large intestine, but sometimes I feel the blaoting focused on my middle, closer to my small intestine. Could it be connected to my small intesine? Thanks!!!