Constipated for weeks - but good diet

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Replies

  • chrismellor01
    chrismellor01 Posts: 77 Member
    On the subject of fermented foods and gut health - this published on the BBC site today:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38800977

    Rather interesting.
  • flumi_f
    flumi_f Posts: 1,888 Member
    edited January 2017
    livingleanlivingclean wrote: »
    Have you tried taking more magnesium?

    Or drinking coffee?

    Magnesium actually backs me up, so maybe you are reacting to that. I had a similar problem, when taking homeopathic magnesium supplement daily. The chia seeds weren't helping anymore, then I red rosehips, which good for many things including BM (says the Internet and many articles I've seen..).

    I have been taking 5g of dried ground rosehips and 5g chia seeds daily (soaked in water and then added to yogurt or similar food). The first 2 weeks I had alot of gas, but now it's better and I'm more regular again. Not sure if it was the rosehips or stopping the Magnesium intake. Anyway just a thought - we don't all react the same way to the same foods and supplements.

    Also for some - a glass of warm water in the morning on an empty stomach seems to help too.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Generally fats, fiber, fluid, movement help things pass through you.
    But see a doctor if this has been going on for some time.
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    I used to severly limit my salt intake and suffered from constipation for years. Now I use a lot more salt and have considerably less constipation. idk why, but this worked for me. Also, have you heard of the salt water flush. Simply take a hot cup of water with one tablespoon of salt dissolved in it first thing in the morning, most people find this works. I imagine if you put 1 T of salt in your morning cup of coffee the same results would occur.
  • rhandsome10x
    rhandsome10x Posts: 1 Member
    colon cleanse from GNC or health food store for 30 days
  • joannalouise92
    joannalouise92 Posts: 49 Member
    Well I'm going to go buy some senekot to take overnight which is a laxative but it's natural.. and I have an appointment to see the doctor next week
    Hopefully it'll fix before then but it not.. at least the doctor might help!
    I'll let you all know haha! :)
  • TripleA1328
    TripleA1328 Posts: 9 Member
    I'm not sure if you take any medications but sometimes that can cause constipation try warm prune juice with butter it helps. If you do end up going to the doctor the medication called lincese or something like that should help. I personally take it when needed. I'm a medication Aide and CNA so I've done suppositories, digging people out, edma's but those are last resorts we always try prune juice with butter
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    joannalouise92 wrote: »
    Well I'm going to go buy some senekot to take overnight which is a laxative but it's natural.. and I have an appointment to see the doctor next week
    Hopefully it'll fix before then but it not.. at least the doctor might help!
    I'll let you all know haha! :)

    You may also consider Miralax. It's gentle and non stimulant. Good luck pooping! :blush:
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I take 600-800mg of Magnesium when i need relief, 3-4 tablets. I take them before bed on an empty stomach, they do nothing for me if i take them during the day. I also have 25g of psyllium husk powder everyday.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    20-40g isnt much fiber i eat 150+
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    I have the same problem. I take Miralax once a week. Even that didn't help much this week. Kind of frustrating.
  • donnamcnulty
    donnamcnulty Posts: 12 Member
    I take a prebiotic fiber supplement everyday.
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    I realize this thread stopped getting attention ten days ago, and I hope all is well now, joannalouise. I did want to comment, however, just in case.

    Certain kinds of Magnesium are better than others. Magnesium Oxide works the best, and I was told to take up to 800 mg per day. (Please do as your Dr. says, though) The body can not utilize much of the magnesium in the oxide form, so you don't overdose.

    Are you taking any new medications? Some can cause constipation.

    Have you taken antibiotics recently? They can upset the work your good bacteria usually do. Actually, all kinds of things can upset your intestinal microbiome, including sugar, artificial sweetener, pesticides in food, etc.

    Sometimes B vitamins cause constipation. Calcium too. And for me, peculiarly - Vitamin D :(

    Rice, eggs and cheese are known to be constipating.

    Be VERY careful about psylium husk and oat bran and other soluble fiber. It can make your problem much worse, even if you are drinking lots of water. Insoluble fiber worked best for me. (Wheat bran)

    I had a very bad time with this issue for about 4 months. It started when I got a bit dehydrated while traveling, and continued from there, even though I seemed to be doing everything right. The problem resolved itself finally, and I've been fine for the last few years. Good luck to you!

  • comptonelizabeth
    comptonelizabeth Posts: 1,701 Member
    I suffer from IBD (ulcerative colitis) and IBS and sometimes constipation is an issue. I find ground flaxseed really helps (you can sprinkle it on porridge,yoghurt etc). But I would urge you to see a doctor if this has been going on for weeks,just to rule out anything more serious.
  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    Anxiety really backs me up. Years ago, I didn't poop for most of a summer because my nieces were there and kids that young stress me out big time.
  • joannalouise92
    joannalouise92 Posts: 49 Member
    No antibiotics, no vitamins, I've stopped eating dairy and eggs. I don't take fibre supplements just eat 20g+ a day in my fruit/veg, I definitely drink enough water like 12+ glasses a day and several mugs of green tea also, at the very least I walk 45 mins each day too... I'm still constipated
    Really really getting me down as it's so deflating waking up in the morning feeling so full up from the night before but despite straining for a while .. nothing!

    I have a doctor appointment next week but until then I just want to curl up in a ball and be a huge bloated mess in private.. obviously my weight is steadily going up since the weekend when I last pooped properly
  • tarothelp
    tarothelp Posts: 167 Member
    Drink smooth move tea by traditional medicinals. One cup will set you right

    http://ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/smooth-move/
  • Dreamcrusher16
    Dreamcrusher16 Posts: 1,263 Member
    Maybe it's partly position related? Tried using a squatty potty or anything like that? Might be worth a shot
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    You only say what your fibre has been like for the last two days. What does it average a day over two weeks,?

    Do you peel your fruit or veggies?
  • benstronger
    benstronger Posts: 381 Member
    edited February 2017
    joannalouise92 wrote: »
    No antibiotics, no vitamins, I've stopped eating dairy and eggs. I don't take fibre supplements just eat 20g+ a day in my fruit/veg, I definitely drink enough water like 12+ glasses a day and several mugs of green tea also, at the very least I walk 45 mins each day too... I'm still constipated
    Really really getting me down as it's so deflating waking up in the morning feeling so full up from the night before but despite straining for a while .. nothing!

    I have a doctor appointment next week but until then I just want to curl up in a ball and be a huge bloated mess in private.. obviously my weight is steadily going up since the weekend when I last pooped properly

    It's great that you've made an appointment to see the doctor - it's good to seek professional medical advice if you're not too sure what's happening to you.

    According to your diet + lifestyle + what everyone has mentioned, it would seem that A LOT of things can cause constipation. IMHO, everyone is different so if you're happy with what you're doing at the moment to lose weight - stick to it until your doctors says otherwise.

    Tips for the doctor's appointment - mention any other symptoms that you may have apart from the constipation (e.g. tummy pains? have you been feeling more gassy recently? any vomiting?), the supplements you've been taking since the constipation has started (the magnesium tablets), anyone else in the family ever having something similar to this, also your regular bowel habits.

    My only suggestion for temporary constipation relief would be to drink prune juice - I know not a lot of people like the taste, but it is known to stimulate bowel movements - but if you're not feeling like prune juice, then it's just best to ask your doctor what's the next best course of action!

    Hope all goes well for you! :)
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,572 Member
    edited February 2017
    joannalouise92 wrote: »
    I really don't like coffee unfortunately .. and well I don't want to take any more magnesium as the bottle tells me not to exceed 250mg per day (which is what I'm taking).. it's very frustrating and making me feel ill

    Caffeine is your friend in this area, I assure you. That said, if you really are eating all this fiber that you say you are, and still having issues, it's time to go see the doc.
  • comptonelizabeth
    comptonelizabeth Posts: 1,701 Member
    Looking at the ingredients,the main one is senna. Which is a laxative.
  • aflane
    aflane Posts: 625 Member
    I develop the same problem when I don't get enough fat in my diet. I'm working with a health coach (through my insurance) and she sent me the following link:

    http://www.consultant360.com/n411/articles/constipation-relieving-it-healthy-way
  • tarothelp
    tarothelp Posts: 167 Member
    crazyravr wrote: »
    tarothelp wrote: »
    Drink smooth move tea by traditional medicinals. One cup will set you right

    http://ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/smooth-move/

    Where do you find this?

    You are in Canada so you will find it at fortinos in the health section and most health stores sell it it's a popular brand. A cup at night before bed is best. Don't brew too long until u r used to it. Now I just leave the bag in the cut I can take it strong.......But it bloody well works I'll tell ya!! Lol

    I also drink their dandelion root tea (in a jug of water a couple tbsp each of lemon juice unsweetened cranberry juice and a cup of dandelion tea which has stepped for 10 minutes put it all into a big jug filled with water and drink throughout the day it helps to loose the extra water if you tend to retain water!


    http://ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/smooth-move/
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    tarothelp wrote: »
    crazyravr wrote: »
    tarothelp wrote: »
    Drink smooth move tea by traditional medicinals. One cup will set you right

    http://ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/smooth-move/

    Where do you find this?

    You are in Canada so you will find it at fortinos in the health section and most health stores sell it it's a popular brand. A cup at night before bed is best. Don't brew too long until u r used to it. Now I just leave the bag in the cut I can take it strong.......But it bloody well works I'll tell ya!! Lol

    I also drink their dandelion root tea (in a jug of water a couple tbsp each of lemon juice unsweetened cranberry juice and a cup of dandelion tea which has stepped for 10 minutes put it all into a big jug filled with water and drink throughout the day it helps to loose the extra water if you tend to retain water!


    http://ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/smooth-move/

    So you take laxatives and diuretics? I hope you don't drink smooth move tea very often as unfortunately your body will become dependent on laxatives to function.
  • fabiosoyyo
    fabiosoyyo Posts: 7 Member
    you should try psyllium husk...that was the cure for me, helped me get my fiber goals.
  • Strawblackcat
    Strawblackcat Posts: 944 Member
    tarothelp wrote: »
    Drink smooth move tea by traditional medicinals. One cup will set you right

    http://ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/smooth-move/

    ^^^^

    I second this. Just don't drink it everyday for weeks, since senna is an herbal laxative, and you can eventually become dependent on it. I brew mine for about 15 minutes and usually get relief 6-8 hours later.

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