Help, fiber's not working

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  • zenchild
    zenchild Posts: 680 Member
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    Check the type of fiber. Insoluble fiber works best for me. Soluble fiber, not so much. I am finally getting enough fiber. I have Fiber One cereal for breakfast, a sandwich with multigrain bread for lunch, cherries for a snack, and a couple fiber chews throughout the day just to make sure things keep moving.
    Coffee is good too. I have a big cup in the morning and sit quietly at my desk. The sitting quietly part is key. If I exercise in the morning, forget it. I generally don't go all weekend because I tend to get up and do stuff on weekend mornings.
    If you get really desperate, try a couple Swiss Kriss. It's a very gentle herbal laxative. It doesn't have the painful cramps and, um, dramatic effect of stimulant laxatives. I use it every time I have a 3 day weekend. It's not something to use all the time but it's useful to sort of get things started. Then you keep up with the fiber and the coffee.
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
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    BTW soluble fiber is good for your heart. Woody fiber (that you can't see through) is better for pooping.
  • juicemoogan
    juicemoogan Posts: 999 Member
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    All Bran Buds daily and lots of water!!!
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
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    If you are having trouble having a BM, as soon as you get out of bed in the morning, eat a bunch of fruit and have some fruit juice. Fruit goes right through your system and you should have a pretty large BM.
  • Uxorial
    Uxorial Posts: 38
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    Maybe try some pureed peaches in your oatmeal. You can get those jars of baby food and just stir it in (it is like apple sauce).

    Pureed peaches have the same effect as prunes.
  • Kathy53925
    Kathy53925 Posts: 241 Member
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    I feel your pain. I am totally bunged up and I don't know why.

    I am taking Benefibre or Fibre force, ground flax seed, drinking a ton of water and even Magnesium but I am still not regular.

    I am struggling to lose weight and I'm sure it's got something to do with being so bunged up.

    I actually feel as though I've got a block somewhere, even when I have D from taking a laxative, I don't feel clear.

    I wish I could figure this out. I eat a lot of cereal atm, maybe that's the issue?


    I went through your diary and you have very few fruits and veggies. You should be eating alot of them, mostly veggies. Get some apples and such and keep a nice bowl of fruit handy to munch on as well as some carrots, celery, etc. Any fruits and veggies you like, but bananas can also cause constipation, so go light on those.
  • chlorisaann
    chlorisaann Posts: 366 Member
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    My daughter has the same problem and the Dr told us that stomach exercises help also. He suggested Miralax but we have not tried that yet.

    Miralax is a miracle!!! I love it!! It does not MAKE you go like a laxative, it lets you go. Makes a big difference. Takes a couple doses usually to get thing s moving along! also, if you have not done a thorough clean out since the problems started, You could still have partial blockages that you don't even realize..., I would pick a time when you can be home for several hours uninterrupted and get some magnesium sulfate from any pharmacy. It will have you all clean in no time!!! After that it is just maintenance and the Miralax will help with that if you need it.

    OH and a daily coffee helps me with maintenance....
  • shannajojo
    shannajojo Posts: 192 Member
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    Sometimes too much fiber can make it worse. Since I have been eating almonds and drinking tons of water, I am able to "go." I heard that people that have IBS should avoid wheat. Maybe you have a gluten allergy.
  • professorRAT
    professorRAT Posts: 690 Member
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    I went every 7-8 days for many years. No joke. It is horrible and I really do understand your frustration. I have used Miralax, pushed the fiber like crazy, I drink enough water...I do everything my doctor and anyone else recommends. I have tried everything listed on this thread. Fiber helps some people, but if you have gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying) it can make it worse.

    The ONLY thing that has helped me at all is magnesium supplementation. Currently I am taking 1100mg magnesium a day. It really does help. I still have issues and I always will, but I do feel better than I have in decades now that I am regularly taking the magnesium.

    Certain types of laxatives are not good to take long term, but Milk of Magnesia or magnesium pills are OK according to my gastroenterologist.

    That said, you should still see a specialist. There are certain other causes of constipation that should be ruled out (like gastroparesis). In the meantime, the magnesium can't hurt. Incidentally, I used to get lots of hand and foot cramps and the magnesium seems to have helped that dramatically as well.
  • thedancingleper
    thedancingleper Posts: 158 Member
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    My sister has cancer and goes through horrible bouts of constipation. She was advised to avoid taking too much fiber because it can actually back you up even more when you overdo it. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what she took instead because there was something aiding her symptoms that wasn't fiber or laxative related. Maybe ask a doctor about this, I'm sure they could help.
  • MelStren
    MelStren Posts: 457 Member
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    I take magnesium for my migraines but I've read that it helps move things along. I also drink 2 oz. of prune juice daily.
  • NYChick84
    NYChick84 Posts: 331 Member
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    I know this feeling all too well, too. But ever since switching up my diet and exercise, I go every day, and at times, multiple times a day. Try the following foods, and try to stay away from sugary and carb filled foods.

    Fiber One Bran Cereal
    Kashi Go Lean! Cereal
    Greek Yogurt
    Cottage Cheese
    Fruits - Prunes, Plums, Apples, Bananas (does it for me), Melons....
    Vegetables - Dark green leafy veggies - Broccoli, Broccoli Rabe, Spinach, Asparagus, Beans....
    WATER - TONS OF IT!
    Believe it or not, switch up your exercise regimen. You'll be surprised how switching it up in the gym can affect your bowels.

    Try to stay away from stool softeners, they've been absolutely horrible for me.

    Good luck and I wish you the best!
  • Kathy53925
    Kathy53925 Posts: 241 Member
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    I agree that Miralax is a lifesaver! I take several meds that cause constipation and even though I am drinking alot of water, eat alot of veggies and snack on cherries nightly, I still have issues. Miralax is awesome!! I use Benefiber when I can't afford the Miralax.

    My granddaughter's pediatrician recommended this for a 6 yr old..so it's not bad stuff!
  • imissbagels
    imissbagels Posts: 166 Member
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    I have the same problem.

    Add benefiber to your diet! Mix it in with your oatmeal, yogurt, sauces, etc and you cant even taste it. But the thing with fiber is you can eat all you want BUT it needs water to work or the effect can actually be more damaging!!! Also, I add flax seeds to my oatmeal, shakes and smoothies. Again, no taste :)
  • emnk5308
    emnk5308 Posts: 736
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    If its been 9 days you should go to the pharmacy and pick up something for it! =/ That isn't good.. but listen to what every one else has said here! =) Water!
  • Alicemay24
    Alicemay24 Posts: 29 Member
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    I have suffered from chronic constipation since I was 13, I know what you are all talking about. I also loose a lot of blood from internal cuts that cant heel because I cant not be constipated for long enough. I have seen numerous doctors who have all told me different things: your flipped uterus is putting pressure on your tubes, you have colon cancer, you don't eat enough fibre....

    The specialist told me I had "young stressed woman syndrome" and was simply wound really tight. This either goes away with age or I need to have an operation. The frustrating thing is sometimes I can get away with a plate of delicious white pasta and be fine and another day I'll have a small white roll and be ruined.

    In my experience, raw vegetables help. I also have stewed prune smoothies: berries and natural yogurt and a couple of softened prunes, sounds gross but is really yummy. I also eat rye bread instead of regular bread (toasted WELL is tastier) and rivita (wasa in some countries) fibre + crackers.

    Quinoa with boulgour wheat is a great substitute for rice pasta etc

    Humous and raw carrots it a good snack and roast chickpeas. I use beans, lentils etc wherever I can in my food.

    I feel for you! good luck
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
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    Lots of water and minimum 20 grams fiber daily
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    i buy bran flakes or all bran. i have used tony ferguson fibre and that is just so good! it really works. I did buy optimum nutrition fibre but that stuff just does not work! they both mix into shakes and cereal. You can actually take the TF one with water (and juice i think) and it tastes fine. It's so nice in shakes.

    like everyone else, drink water!
  • reneepugh
    reneepugh Posts: 522 Member
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    WATER,WATER AND MORE WATER!! Try warm fresh lemon water.

    This.
  • slim104
    slim104 Posts: 160
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    I had the same problem a month or so ago. I realised it was because i was hardly eating any fat at all. Once i introduced fat back into my diet, bingo!! I use olive oil daily and eat peanut butter. Worked for me.

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