Bit of an ew subject, I know.

DekuNutty

Colons. No, not these :
The other type.
A few years back, I was getting really bad pain and quite bad constipation, so I got some tests done, and... it turns out that my colon is extra long. Great. Just add that to my list of medical problems.
At the time, only being 16, I had no idea what that meant, and thought that the idea of being different was cool. Look at me being all hip and individual.
Now I know better. It means that digested food takes a lot longer to pass through my system, so has a lot longer to be absorbed. Which sucks... Because I'm a pygmy hippo. (Refer to my intro topic. Short and round.)
It also... Ahem. Blocks me up. So any food I eat is just piling on top of my previous meal.


Anyway. I was wondering, has anyone else had to deal with this, or anything like it? If so, HOW do you deal with it?
I've heard of people using all natural cleanses and the likes, but. Money. If only I had the money to use on all these hip, cool pills and potions!

Anyway. Thanks for any and all help that anyone can give.

NWCyclingBeast

Fiber. Lots of fiber.

DekuNutty

I was actually on fiber tablets from the doctors for a while. They did work. Not much. But I might actually look back into putting more fiber into my diet... Never actually thought about it.

302cupcake

Probiotics have made a significant difference for me. I like Enzymatic Pearls because they work in the intestines, not the stomach.

ErinRibbens

What does your doctor say?

I agree with Probiotics. Those have helped me a lot. That and I stay away from white flour as much as possible. Fiber is good, but it has to be the right kind. I preferred Citrucel over Metamucil or any food with psyllium added to it. You can do a lot just changing your diet, but I'd ask your doctor about what they recommend specifically for your condition.

trophywife24

I was just going to ask if you're taking probiotics.. they're not that expensive and it's just 1 or 2 pills a day. They'll change your bathroom life.

kaseysospacey

Eats foods with fiber, it really is more effective than a tablet or powder.

vtachycardia

Fiber. Lots of fiber.

You mean lots of insoluble fiber and lots of soluble fiber.

Probiotics - look up fermented foods for gut health - no need to be tied to the marketing men and high prices.

ProjFit

probiotics and fiber! they can work miracles. :P

stagknight

Probiotics and being in a similar boat to you I use a lot of live yoghurt.

DekuNutty

The thing about probiotics is... Well. I'm from the UK. We don't like things being cheap. The only type I can find (Pearls) are £11.99 for 30 tablets, which is about $18.75.
I might look into trying them when I'm getting more money, but for now, all my money goes on rent, bills and food.
But yes. The fiber I will look into right away.

stef_e_b

google salt water flushes. It's gross, but could really help.

roachhaley

.

Onaughmae

This is a common problem for me. Fiber, lots of water, and I take Miralax a few times a week.

vodkoffee

My digestive system was slowed by a mixture of medications I was on. I found that eating grains generally made it a lot worse. When I switched to getting most of my fiber from veggies, it seemed to help a lot with my energy levels as well as weight loss. Personally, I find the fiber from eating a bunch of veggies to "work" better for me than actually taking fiber.

RBXChas

I keep Miralax on hand for my 18-month-old son, and since you are in the UK the generic name for it may help you find it (if there's no Miralax brand there): polyethylene glycol 3350. (I literally just read that off the label, since I bought a generic brand of Miralax.) My dad and brother-in-law, who are both pediatricians, recommended it for my son because he gets backed up easily, and giving suppositories sucks for both of us.

Anyway, what it does is draws water in, so it loosens up your stools, making it easier to go. It doesn't actually have anything in it that stimulates you to "go," but fiber and lots of water will help you do that. It's a clear-ish, fine, (supposedly) tasteless powder (which is why I recommend using it over the sink, since it's a pain to clean up) that can be mixed into food or drink. I would certainly think about using it if I were getting backed up regularly.

Your original post is funny, by the way, about how you were so cool and different :happy: Thanks for making me laugh about an uncomfortable (no pun intended) topic!

happyfeetrebel1

I wouldn't even bother with cleanses and such, they are mostly a waste of money, designed to part peeps with cash, lol

Definitely fiber though.

I've also heard that Miralax is a good one for constipation. I work where we sell it, and oh my, we sell a ****ton (lmao). People seem to like it, and we also carry a generic that appears to be just as good. I don't know what's available in the UK thou.

Good luck

Katherine_Nelson

I know it sounds wierd, but the only thing that keeps me regular is coffee!
I have two cups every morning. also, activia yogurt works wonders.

hope this helps you!

good luck with your extra long colon lol. :bigsmile:

TayPat24

I don't have quite what you have but I have internal hemoroids (in my colon) and they can become very inflamed blocking food from passing through, it also causes a lot of pain and cramping....along with some other things that are kinda gross. My doctor just told me to use fiber, it helps some times but I know what you mean it doesn't help 100%

WifeNMama

Less cheese and processed foods more fruit/veg.

Try a little cherry or mandarin Orange binge. And drink that water!

asb46

Philips colon health is a probiotic, and available from Amazon.com.

stagknight

In the UK Polyethylene glycol is sold as Dulcolax.

russellma

I'd agree with those that suggested probiotics and coffee (works best on an empty/almost empty stomach).

Another thing that we tried for my little girl is kiwi, which sounds strange, but it's supposed to do the trick. So, if you like kiwi, you might give it a try!

Hope things get better for you!