Embarrassing but help!! Constipated!!

tpenksa1 · August 2012

dieters tea. it is sold at rite aid. don't know if you have one of them or not. but it works well. usually within a few hours.

Jenn09870 · August 2012

Have never been a daily person, and now have lower spine problems and take multiple medications that make things much worse.
One of the more unusual things i found that helped was Lemon Juice- fresh juice from one lemon once daily- that seemed to really regulate things for me with no side effects.

Have used MiraLax, it helps greatly if you take it in advance of a crisis. At the point where you need to go NOW, it just isn't fast acting for me. Is a good softener and came highly recommended by my Dr.s .

The best thing so far has been the Walmart brand Psyllium Husks- Equate Fiber Therapy. One teaspoon on a bowl of cereal, I can't taste it like that and it really does regulate. you can take up to 3 times a day. I've had good results just from once a day.
If I skip too many days, I am back where I started.

Also- if you are in urgent need of assistance and don't want to take a laxative, you could try some Mineral Oil, it is inexpensive and lubricates to make going easier.

I know what you mean about embarrassing, having dealt with this for years and both talking to Doctors and researching for myself I have found that while the subject is not the most pleasant it is not an uncommon issue.

Also, found that while most people consider 'daily' to be the definition of regular- it is not always the case for everyone. Unless there is urgency to go and it is not happening or unless it has been more than 3 days my research has told me that there isn't necessarily a cause for worry, that things may be slow but it does not mean constipated automatically.

These are my personal experiences, the best thing to do in any case would be to research anything before trying for yourself and/or consult a doctor.

Edited to add- tried the Equate Fiber Therapy (psyllium husks) in water and in yogurt- ewww. Don't know if it would be better with different brands, but that was disgusting. On cereal has been the only way I have found tolerable so far.

Hope you feel better.

muddyventures · August 2012

If your diet is fine, and you exercise you may consider medications if you are taking any (they might be causing it), or in my case I went to a chiropractor and found my lower back was messed up a few adjustments and I was free! I don't even like chiropractors, but an injury adn no results from sports Dr. I thought I give it a try...

ChristineFredrick1 · August 2012

I know its weird, but I occassionally have the issue too. One thing that works for me is eating sugar free twizlers, which are higher in calories, but they do the trick and are a nice treat.

BeantownSooner · August 2012

I used to have the same challenge. What worked for me:

- Metamucil Orange in cup of water one day
- 2 Tbsp of flax seeds in my protein shake the next
- Alternate

WickedPixie1 · August 2012

fibre first cereal
granola
chia seeds
yoghurt
acidophilus
lots of veggies and fruit
healthy oils and oily foods (avocado, olives,etc)
and at least 3L of water a day

MessyLittlePanda · August 2012

I have crohn's which has caused mild strictures (bowel narrowing) due to scar tissue, I have quite a slow bowel now and have to prevent constipation or I get other problems.

The things I've found to work are:

Limit grains
Limit or cut out legumes (beans, lentils etc) as I actually find these block me up.
Kara coconut milk every day (good fats)
fish oil, vit c and magnesium supplements
Potassium rich foods - you can miss out on potassium when losing weight, and low potassium levels can cause constipation. Bananas are good, apricots, dried fruit, nuts, turkey, avocadoes, and milk.
getting enough water
prune juice in the morning
Probiotics - I use optibac

I am still on laxatives but a much lower dose than I was so the right foods definitely help

harrisaman · August 2012

Eat a Fiber One bar...It does the trick every time!

susanswan · August 2012

Your post used to be me! I started the Eat to Live "diet" and have never felt better in my life! "going" now is a pleasure if you can call it that rather than a struggle. Lots, and I mean LOTS of green veggies, raw veggies will do the trick! Citrucel and Metamucil are basically expensive and sugar coated psyllium fiber husks and give you maybe 2 - 4 grams of fiber depending on how much you take. Plus a lot of extra sugar and "stuff" are added usually. Go to the health food store or whole foods and get regular Psyllium fiber husks (from a bin) if you have an emergency and add things like applesauce or chocolate milk or something to get it down. I used to take that in 2 tablespoon amounts mixed with something (it will get gloppy so applesauce was good for me or cocoa powder in milk for a pudding effect). I even took it twice a day in emergencies but be sure to drink plenty of water afterwards to wash it down your throat so it won't obstruct you. Then start adding beans, and tons of veggies and some fruits to your diet. Check out ETL at www.drfuhrman.com I get 50 - 80 gms of fiber a day into my diet from actual food. Fiber supplements are a waste of money. You can train your body to go on a regular basis like you would never believe from eating real food! Check out my food diaries. Good luck!

elisa123gal · August 2012

I hope you read down this far.. Take Magnesium. I did so after going low carb...it was adivce I got from my low carb website. I took it to hlep with restless legs at night... but A side effect is a loose stool. It also relaxes you so you can sleep better. I love this stuff....it is natural.

galaxiasmama · August 2012

Okay...this might seem weird but I just found this website a couple minutes ago: squattypotty.com .........maybe it's actually a good solution?

JacksMom12 · August 2012

I have suffered with this for years. I have tried everything, with only temporary relief. I finally found my magic solution! I take target's geneic version of Align, it's a "4X probiotic". A little pricy and it took about a month before I noticed a huge difference but it's worth every penny for me as I am finally regular after suffering from severe constipation for as long as I can remember.

Sabine_Stroehm · August 2012

dieters tea. it is sold at rite aid. don't know if you have one of them or not. but it works well. usually within a few hours.

This is basically the same thing as her "smooth move" tea: a stimulant laxative.

Sabine_Stroehm · August 2012

I know its weird, but I occassionally have the issue too. One thing that works for me is eating sugar free twizlers, which are higher in calories, but they do the trick and are a nice treat.

Is that because they have sugar alcohols?
Those never work for me. Just give me gas and a tummy ache.

skittlelife1 · August 2012

eat more fiber!

sarahelen1 · August 2012

WOW!!!! THANKS FOR THE LOVE EVERYBODY!!!! I will stop with the smooth move I am making some black beans to have on hand, I do eat a ton of fresh raw veggies, not much dairy and a meat only one a day and usually fish or chicken, no fiber from cereal or anything, so i got some fiber one, some flax seed oil, and some beans..... I will let you all know!!!