Constipation Help

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Replies

  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    I would first talk to my doctor about potential IBS. You may not have it, but you want to make sure.

    Secondly, let me say that everyone is different. When I eat the daily recommended amount of fiber, I can get constipated. Not from too much, but from too little. I need about 1.5X to keep things moving.

    Eggs and dairy are the most constipating foods around. If I have a couple of eggs for breakfast (TMI coming), it's not unusual for me to be constipated for a couple of days. A bowl of cereal with milk will do the same. Try eliminating eggs and dairy from your diet and see if it helps.

    Foods with added fiber (like Fiber One products) may not have the same benefit, gram for gram, as naturally occurring fiber. If you're getting a lot of your fiber from products like these, you might not be really hitting the daily requirement. Berries are a great and tasty way to get fiber, as are chia seeds. One tablespoon as 3 grams; I like to put them in my morning oatmeal.

    Do NOT keep drinking the Smooth Move tea. It contains senna, which is a very harsh laxative and can screw up your system if you take it on a regular basis. The fact that the stool softener worked leads me to believe that you may not be drinking enough water (as it pulls water into your stool to make it softer) and maybe more fiber would help, as the fiber takes up the water.

    Good luck.
  • melbogg
    melbogg Posts: 135 Member
    I just went through this issue for the first time after my GS surgery. Warm liquids and M of M did nothing to help me. I know I get enough protein and fluids. Fiber? Not so sure. After a week and totally desperate I went to the drug store to buy laxatives. On my way to the back of the store I passed the juice aisle. Low and behold, there she was, PRUNE JUICE. Worked like a charm!! 4 oz and I was clear within the hour.
  • sofielein
    sofielein Posts: 539 Member
    totally true, prune juice ... just make sure you don't go far from the bathroom lol
  • Mochila09
    Mochila09 Posts: 51 Member
    My brother had problems with chronic constipation. He started taking probiotics and has been regular ever since!
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    My doc put me on daily Miralax. I used it for quite some time, but the issue finally went away and I became regular.
    I know everyone's been dying to know.
  • pawoodhull
    pawoodhull Posts: 1,759 Member
    What works for me is Triscut crackers. A serving is 6 crackers and I eat the hint of salt variety to avoid the water retention from other crackers. It works wonders for me! :happy:
  • judiiiiindisguise
    judiiiiindisguise Posts: 63 Member
    bump
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    You say eating more fiber is not an issue, but you haven't opened your diary so that we can see WHAT you ARE eating. I have to make an effort to eat fiber, I actually put plain psyllium in every other smoothie every couple of days to help. More leafy greens helps, as does fruits and veggies in general. Are you exercising at all? Thats not mentioned. I find a good workout gets everything flowing again when needed. Gets the blood flow to places that need it. Add some yogurt to your diet. I have tried most of the things here, what helps most is psyllium, a bit of greek yogurt in that same smoothie, making sure I get veggies, fruit and salad, those types of fiber, and moving.
  • charismanoodles
    charismanoodles Posts: 343 Member
    I've always suffered from constipation, but one thing that has helped me, if not overcome, my constipation, is eating a high fibre muesli (oats and bran) and a serving of edamame a day. Since doing that, I poop regularly and barely get bloated. Give it a try!
  • 1Kristine1
    1Kristine1 Posts: 697 Member
    Fibre, water, move around more, stool softeners (not laxatives) these help bring water into bowels making it easier to pass and more gentle.

    And if that doesnt work, drink coffee. lol

    Edit: I also saw prune juice suggestion above

    Im a nurse if that helps..
  • Lyndee451
    Lyndee451 Posts: 1
    On average, a "normal" healthy person should have at least one bowel movement a day. Until I started drinking coffee on a daily basis, mine were probably every other day, but I never had a chronic constipation issue. I'm not a medical expert but, I don't think your constipation is normal. Have you seen a doctor about it? I know it may be embarrassing to talk about and there is a good chance they may just put you on a stronger laxative (which I understand is not pleasant), but there may be another underlying issue. Your constipation could be a symptom of something else that is going on in your body, and you owe it to yourself to figure out what it is. I would keep a food diary for a week or two before you go to the doctor so they can take a look at your diet and make sure it is not the cause. Good luck and I hope everything works out!
  • Susay2942
    Susay2942 Posts: 211 Member
    I am surprise no one has discuss probiotics. I use Yakult for a week (one tiny bottle each morning and it actually tastes good) after a flare up and my body will balance back. I have flare ups from antibiotics and just about every flu, cold or medical procedure.

    Also, i personally eat a cup of Kellogs Heart Smart with 1% milk every morning..it seems to be the only thing thats works to keep me regular. I discovered this of several years of food elimination trials.

    I also take a 1000-1200mg of flaxseed oil twice a day.

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