Going to the bathroom?

skpresley20

Soooo I know this is TMI but I have a hard time going to the bathroom. No matter how many veggies I eat, I cant seem to ever get regular. This has been since I was a preteen. Does not being able to go to the bathroom affect weight loss? Affect how big your belly is?
I noticed that lately I've been relying on laxatives(magnesium citrate) as well. Is that harmful to have to use them at least 2 times a month or more?

Not sure what to do as I've had this problem for quite a few years.

skingszoo

Me too I can easily go a week without going. While it doesn't hurt I know this is not good for me. Id like to see the responses as I hate to rely on laxatives as well.

skpresley20

Me too I can easily go a week without going. While it doesn't hurt I know this is not good for me. Id like to see the responses as I hate to rely on laxatives as well.

same here, it's nothing for me not to go for a week or more.

jennp1313

Have you tried fiber supplements, such as Benefiber or Metamusil? Also, probiotics have helped my digestive tract emmensely.


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ethompso0105

I had the same issue most of my life--ever since I was really young. I found that taking probiotics has helped regulate my system so much!!! I take Florajen 3...just 1 a day helps. You can find it at health food stores in the refrigerated section. I know there are a ton of other ones, but that's what my doctor told me to use.

Here's the other big kicker--DRINK WATER, and lots of it! I drink at least 8-12 (8oz) glasses of water per day. That helps a lot too!

Yes--having all that waste in your body certainly does affect your weight. (Here's my TMI)...sometimes I can lose up to 3-4 pounds when things work the way they're supposed to.

Good luck!

Sepa

I used to have this problem. The doctor told me to take this stuff called fibergel. Just take a sachet each morning and it should help get things moving

jadick825

I have had these types of problem ever since I was a baby. I take CVS brand stool softeners pretty frequently. You can get them with or without stimulant. I have never had a problem. Lately, I have been also trying Miralax and Benefiber and those do seem to help a little more. Good luck and please let me know if you come up with any other tricks!

Tattoos_and_Tea

Hiya hun. Ive never been particualy regular, however, since having the Fruit and Fibre Balvita Breakfast Biscuits I go literally half an hour after eating a packet! Brilliant biscuits lol. Might be worth a shot.

Personally, not going to the toilet DOES affect my weight loss, not by anything major but I tend to lose about 0.2 to 0.5lb less if I dont go the day before weight in xx

Samerah12

Probiotics might help. Most yogurt will do- just look on the label to see if it has active cultures. Otherwise you can get acidophilus and bifidus pills in most grocery stores. Probably near the vitamins.

chedges9090

seems like you should ask your doctor. they should have some things for you to try. And/Or a pharmacist can recommend OTC things also

mrsfoose

Drink lots of water, be active, and I find when I am having issue rubbing my lower abdominal's in a downward motion seems to make everything move a little easier. Also I will add that dissolving fiber to my water on days where I am having some issues. Hope this helps some!

jennp1313

also, are you getting LOTS of water? I have terrible digestive problems and my doctor tells me to drink at least 1.5 times the "recommended" daily amount.

msmanners

My Mom used Flax seed. She will mix it up with orange juice in the morning and Drink it. I think she only does it like every couple of days. She got it from walmart. Hope this helps.

alohabrie

Have you tried fiber supplements, such as Benefiber or Metamusil? Also, probiotics have helped my digestive tract emmensely.


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Have you tried eating a high fiber diet? Between fresh fruits, veggies, adequate water and exercise - you should be good.

Leviram

I really think it has to do with how much fiber is in the veggies and fruits you eat. I like the Fiber Choice chewable tablets but prefer it be natural I try to up my fiber to 35g everyday it's hard but it helps you lose weight and make you regular.

nopeekiepeekie

Fiber is the biggest thing. However, if you do decide to go the fiber route, I would high recommend doing so after you have to take a laxative to clear yourself out, because when you first start using the fiber, it's possible you could get bound up, and you don't want that on top of already having not gone for awhile.

Water definitely does help, so does regular exercise.

Sublimely_Self_Righteousreused

Mix coarse grind black pepper, sea salt, lemon juice, and warm water up. Then drink it. It should work.

goldfinger88

You may have (and this is just a wild guess - I'm no medical person) IBS or something like that. But you probably should not take laxatives too often unless the doctor tells you too. Some people take one or two stool softeners a day and it gets them in good shape.

But what you're describing can cause you to retain water and gas and it will look and feel like fat but it's not. Have you seen a doctor? That might be the best place to start. They often are of absolutely no help in these matters. But it's probably good to at least see one or two.

vintx

have you considered trying probiotics? like eating yogurt or a good-quality supplement? they are the good bacteria that should be present in your digestive system and when they are not there (like when you are on an antibiotic) or you don't have a strong culture, it can affect your bowel movements. you might also consider drinking more water. your large intestine is where you absorb water and if you don't have enough water in your system, your feces will be extremely dry and will have a hard time moving through your system.

lottycat

Check you're not eating too much iron - sometimes supplements designed especially for women are packed full of iron which can cause this problem.

Also try flaxseed (linseed), just a tablespoon mixed into yoghurt or oatmeal can really help. x

NiciS72

Here are some things you need to do EVERY DAY!!!!!

1. Drink at least your 8 oz of water not diet pop/coffee as they are diuretic and can make the problem worse
2. Take Omega 3 Fish Oil Pills (I take it twice a day)
3. Eat AT LEAST one salad a day (preferably not iceberg lettuce)
4. Eat other green veggies like broccoli
5. If the first 4 don't help enough start drinking Benefiber packs with your water. Start with one then up it until you get the results you want

I looked at your diary and didn't see much if any, but if you are eating lot's of dairy/cheese this can compound the problem. I would suggest you stop with the OTC pills as they can really mess you up. Try these things and if nothing helps GO SEE YOUR DR. It could be a medical issue that needs to be resolved.

OH I just thought of another remedy that my Mother always uses (I've only done it once as I was DESPERATE), drink Prune Juice-BLECH!

Good luck!

skingszoo

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MusicKeepsMeSane

The main thing is drinking enough water and getting enough fiber. I used to be like that until my doctor told me that I needed more fiber in my diet and now things are more regular. If you're exercising regularly as well and are still having issues going then you should probably talk to your doctor about it.

skpresley20

Fiber is the biggest thing. However, if you do decide to go the fiber route, I would high recommend doing so after you have to take a laxative to clear yourself out, because when you first start using the fiber, it's possible you could get bound up, and you don't want that on top of already having not gone for awhile.

Water definitely does help, so does regular exercise.

I try to drink around 11 glasses of water a day, I've been trying to eat more oatmeal as well. Maybe I'll get flaxseed and put it on everything I eat.

I do tend to eat a lot of pasta....or, more pasta than what I should. Can pasta make you constipated?

msqdpie

My Mom used Flax seed. She will mix it up with orange juice in the morning and Drink it. I think she only does it like every couple of days. She got it from walmart. Hope this helps.

And This is Her Mom, Yes Please, Just go to your Google Bar and Type in Flax seed, SO Great for All Parts of you!

servilia

If you increase your fiber then increase your water too.

vikesfanmb

I have had this problem (chronically!) for most of my life as well.

Here's what I take and I'm by no means a medical professional . . but this was recommended to me.

1) Colace (also called docusate sodium or docusate calcium)

It's available over the counter and really does help with making "ahem" soft and easier to move. It's inexpensive.

2) Flaxseed oil capsules

I've only been taking flax seed oil for about a month now but I believe it has made a difference. It's good for heart health too.
Be careful if you have bleeding disorders though . . it can play havoc with that.

3) Probiotic - such as acidolphilus or Phillips Colon Health

Fantastic for preventing yeast infections and also regulating your digestive system. I take both of these.

4) Multivitamin - no iron!

Iron is binding!!

5) I drink black coffee every morning or if I don't have coffee in the house, regular caffeinated tea. It really does help!!


Okay, so those are my suggestions based on what I take. Again, I'm not a nurse or a doctor and if you've had longstanding problems, you may want to consult a physician.

MusicKeepsMeSane

Fiber is the biggest thing. However, if you do decide to go the fiber route, I would high recommend doing so after you have to take a laxative to clear yourself out, because when you first start using the fiber, it's possible you could get bound up, and you don't want that on top of already having not gone for awhile.

Water definitely does help, so does regular exercise.

I try to drink around 11 glasses of water a day, I've been trying to eat more oatmeal as well. Maybe I'll get flaxseed and put it on everything I eat.

I do tend to eat a lot of pasta....or, more pasta than what I should. Can pasta make you constipated?

eating too much pasta can definitely make you constipated - i had to learn that the hard way. if you're eating white pasta, try switching over to the whole wheat kind - it has more fiber.

stefchica

not sure if you've tried these routes but, and these may seem obvious:

exercise enough

fiber supplements

whole wheat grains. EVERYTHING

leafy green veggies

fruits that have fiber in them-applies and rasberries are good

speed up your metabolism- try eating small snacks, rich in fiber, between meals

do you sweat a lot?? it sounds like MAYBE MAYBE your digestive track is not getting the right amount of fluid to help it digest, it also may be a thyroid problem, have you checked that? laxitives 2 times a month are not bad, you want to avoid them as much as possible, but fiber supplements are safer.

try just adjusting your diet first, lots of times thats the main factor, if that doenst help, again, check thyroid problems, try speeding up your metabolism, i hope your getting enough sleep. idealy, a bowel movement a day is key, but every other day is ok as well but you want to constantly elimate your body's waste to keep a healthy digestive track. i would try and correct it as soon as possible because when you are older and everything slows down a lot more, you're looking at, if it gets bad and this is TMI but, them doing in surgically to remove impacted bowels, its a common problem in elderly and you are looking at taking DAILY laxatives.

greenie

I suggest having your thyroid checked. Hypothyrodism is a leading cause of a slow moving digestive system. I drink a strong cup of coffee on an empty stomach in the morning and it helps. Also, getting enough healthy fats in your diet.

ixiHemlock

If extra fiber/veggies and water isn't helping, I usually make some Senna tea. I find it more gentle and doesn't leave you sick like a traditional laxative- in fact, try to steer away from those entirely.