Alright, here's an awkward topic but I need advice/insight

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  • Spanaval
    Spanaval Posts: 1,200 Member
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    As others have said, this is not normal. In addition to talking to a doctor, here are a few things I'd do (based on having a kid who is easily constipated).

    Some foods are constipating. Bananas, apples (also applesauce, but not apple juice), and carrots, specifically.
    'P' foods are generally good - plums/prunes, pears, peaches, etc.
    Drink LOTS of water. In your shoes, I'd avoid stuff like coffee and alcohol, which can be dehydrating.
    Make sure there sufficient fat in your diet. Your diary shows that you're often under (sometimes WAY under) on fiber as well.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    If you're eating lots of food with fibre but not drinking much water, that could well be the culprit. Fibre is bulky in your intestines and needs water to help it move along. I'd suggest dramatically increasing your fluid intake (doesn't have to be water - juice, tea, coffee, soda etc can all help though you will get lots of empty cals with juice and soda) for a few weeks and see if this makes the difference. If not, I'd definitley get this investigated, once every two weeks is not healthy.
  • iwantahealthierme13
    iwantahealthierme13 Posts: 337 Member
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    I go every other day, sometimes a few days in a row, sometimes twice a day depending on what I've eaten but when I was a kid there were times when I was known to go 5 days without going. Once it hit I think 8, and I was rolling on the floor in pain and throwing up, my parents brought me to the ER and they gave me suppositories (fun), those work... but it's hella uncomfortable to stick something up your butt.

    When I know I'm a little backed up, I usually have oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, it's uncomfortable for a half an hour up to two hours but it works.
  • debbylee22
    debbylee22 Posts: 456 Member
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    I take magnesium citrate. One every morning. And as of late, I eat 3 dried prunes every evening. It has made a huge difference.
  • gregavila
    gregavila Posts: 725 Member
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    It definitely isn't normal to go so long in between visits. You should definitely be using a daily fiber additive like Miralax to help get you fiber. When my son was having such issues the doctor actually had him on 2-3 cap fulls a day. In addition, I would think that significantly changing your water intake might also help, and by significant I would recommend drinking 100+ ounces a day.

    And I would also recommend talking with a doctor, and if yours won't listen then asking for a referral.
  • xrayk8te
    xrayk8te Posts: 16
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    This topic come up at work today. I was talking to the Radiologist at work and he was saying how twice a day is healthy. He was saying fluids and vitamin D and fiber are critical aspects of a diet. You should definitely see a GI specialisit. It sounds gross but a barium enema might help to visualize your large intenstine and same goes for a colonoscopy.
  • KristiBell1
    KristiBell1 Posts: 61 Member
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    I can't believe the first time I am responding on a message board it is about poop! Ok here is my story I used to go only every couple of weeks and was always uncomfortable. I have always had issues going to the bathroom. I just don't like to. I hold it in until I can't anymore. I hate public restrooms and when I am traveling I can't go until I get home. Even when I am uncomfortable I still make excuses for not going. I think my problem with not going was a learned behavior and not a real medical issue. I really was tired of living my life uncomfortable so even when I didn't have to go I would sit and try for 5-10 minutes after dinner and early in the morning. Also when I felt the urge to go I went in a sat for a few minutes. At first nothing happened but slowly over time my body has learned what I want it to do and now I usually go once a day to every other day. It has taken me a few years to get to this point. I now try to never ignore the urge to go. Adding more fiber was not the answer for me because my mind and body just didn't want to go. I fought the feeling to go and ended up even more uncomfortable with more fiber. I am so sorry you are so uncomfortable and I hope maybe this will help.
  • nataliemarie387
    nataliemarie387 Posts: 61 Member
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    Wow, this is a popular topic - thanks all for your help :) I am going to try to increase my fiber and water intake, and also take some supplemental stuff (Miralax or Citrucel). I will make a doctors appointment if it doesn't help. Honestly, if the laxative I took tonight hasn't done something by the morning, I might make an appointment anyway. I feel like I need to take something to make me go, and maybe I need something RXed. Thanks for your help!!
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    Wow, this is a popular topic - thanks all for your help :) I am going to try to increase my fiber and water intake, and also take some supplemental stuff (Miralax or Citrucel). I will make a doctors appointment if it doesn't help. Honestly, if the laxative I took tonight hasn't done something by the morning, I might make an appointment anyway. I feel like I need to take something to make me go, and maybe I need something RXed. Thanks for your help!!

    Sounds like a good start - just make sure you are drinking lots of fluid (mostly water) with your laxative too. It really does help!
  • misscristie
    misscristie Posts: 643 Member
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    Persistent constipation can be a symptom of a bigger problem. Definitely get a referral to a gastro doc.
  • NicolettetheGreek
    NicolettetheGreek Posts: 246 Member
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    U need to ask for ultrasound to rule out other problems in ur abdomen. That's not normal.

    ^ ^ ^ THIS IS GOOD IDEA Could be motility (squeezing movement of colon to move fecal matter along) or lack of WATER to lubricate the "pipe"

    Which ever, this is GROSSLY abnormal, and I would ask to see a Gastroenterologist, immediately. Not to scare you, but you could also have some sort of build-up, that is causing a back up.
    GOOD LUCK!
    In my prayers,
    Nicolette, retired RN
  • theartichoke
    theartichoke Posts: 816 Member
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    I used to have the same problem, it got worse after I started eating clean. I'm also hypothyroid so that complicated the issue. What helped me, and I haven't had a problem one day since, was flax. I use 1T. whole flax seeds (flax meal doesn't work, only whole). Toast them in a dry pan until they begin to pop. Run them through a coffee/spice grinder for 10 seconds. I mix them with 1T. Fresh ground almond butter and eat it on toast. It was a miracle worker.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
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    Please have this check by a specialist. I have a slow system and sometimes I don't go for 5 days and I know how much pain I'm in and how uncomfortable so I couldn't imagine 2 weeks. You're also at risk for a bowel blockage or obstruction which I'm sorry to say; I've had patients die from. This is not normal nor is it ok. Diet and water can only do so much as well as probiotics which ate what help me. 2 weeks consistently for you needs checked; immediately.
  • NicolettetheGreek
    NicolettetheGreek Posts: 246 Member
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    This topic come up at work today. I was talking to the Radiologist at work and he was saying how twice a day is healthy. He was saying fluids and vitamin D and fiber are critical aspects of a diet. You should definitely see a GI specialisit. It sounds gross but a barium enema might help to visualize your large intenstine and same goes for a colonoscopy.

    ^ ^ ^ ^ THIS TOO!!
  • joebiebrich
    joebiebrich Posts: 10 Member
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    have you been tested for a gluten allergy? constipation is a common side effect if you're intolerant or have celiac's
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
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    You seriously need to see a gastroenterologist right away! My mom had that problem and it was a blockage in her bowels. It almost killed her! It probably isn't that serious but they can help you with your problem anyway. Good luck and <hugs> . I hope you get relief soon!
  • prism6
    prism6 Posts: 484 Member
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    the juice from I/2 of a lime ,1 teaspoon[I use less] salt, add to 8oz luke warm water and drink right down
  • sassymama211
    sassymama211 Posts: 2 Member
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    Try "Smooth Move" Tea by Traditional Medicinals, after a few days I tend to get backed up and a cup of this at night before bed helps.
  • dyannajoy
    dyannajoy Posts: 466 Member
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    I take magnesium citrate. One every morning. And as of late, I eat 3 dried prunes every evening. It has made a huge difference.

    Yes magnesium is magic :bigsmile: I take one before I go to bed at night......relaxes muscles so I sleep better and the next morning going to the bathroom is never an issue :blushing:
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
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    the juice from I/2 of a lime ,1 teaspoon[I use less] salt, add to 8oz luke warm water and drink right down

    Really? I think I can tolerate that! I'll try that next time I'm past day 3; tired of taking Senna Plus!

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