Bowel issues...

I suffered with this for years before finally getting a great doctor who said, "Instead of using laxatives to treat the symptoms, how about we determine what's CAUSING this and deal with that so you can actually improve your health rather than just mask the symptoms? Your body is telling you something's wrong. Let's try to fix it."

To make a long story short we found that the problem (in my case at least) is that my digestive system will not tolerate certain foods. Specifically, wheat/gluten, dairy products, and apparently my gut doesn't like corn meal either. If I eat correctly the plumbing works! If I ingest something my body can't handle, my gut goes on strike and makes me regret it big time. I usually get a nasty headache and sometimes muscle aches (neck/shoulders) as initial symptoms, and within 24 hours I realize I have gut lock. ::sigh::

It's made me much more careful about what I eat, that's for sure.

The best way I've found to get things moving again is to take slippery elm bark capsules, flax seed oil, and magnesium citrate capsules, along with a full coffee mug of warm water. I've also learned to supplement with more magnesium citrate if I have a meal that's high in calcium like my breakfast smoothie (made with almond milk but there's a lot of calcium in it.) Calcium is another thing that can cause constipation. Magnesium tends to loosen things up, and it also relaxes the muscle spasms I get when my digestive system is out of wack.

Hope that gives you some ideas to look into. Good luck.

***** I have the same issues! I am learning lots from reading all of the posts! ************

I did not read everyones responses so maybe its been said-
For 10 or so years I ate a lot of low fat products. I have always needed to lose about 10-15 or so lbs- so I used to believe it would help me lose or if nothing else not gain more if I ate low or no fat as possible.
Yet, this didnt work- I may not have gotten huge- but it really got me nothing as far as weight loss or better health. I also had trouble daily going to the bathroom. Sometimes I just skipped and thought nothing of it- other times - well- for lack of TMI- lets just say- low fat I believe is the reason I am in your thread...

When I learned how to eat better and that fat isnt the enemy and that we NEED it- my body got happy and all things now move along just as they should. I cant believe how not eating enough GOOD FATS was wrecking my digestion. I never felt bloated or crampy or in any other way poorly. I just feel tons better now, more energy and just more at home in my body if that makes sense.

So a good BALANCED diet may help- and Id bet it wont hurt :flowerforyou:

I had a similar problem when I lost quite a bit of weight. It got so bad that I would only go every 10 days or so and I ended up seeing a GI Doc that specializes in IBS. After a battery of test, the conclusion he came to was that I did not have enough fat in my diet.

Some tips he told me where to try to eat more fiberous foods- black beans, lentils, sweet potatoes.... Drink more water and stay away from artifical sweetners. He said he has quite a few patients that have problems with artifical sweetners. Walk after each meal for 15 mins if you can (helps with mobility in the GI track). He also said stay away from laxatives except for Miralax. He told me that he doesn't necessarily encourage the use of Miralax daily, but that for some of his patients that is the only way they can find relief. He said it's fine to mix a tablespoon in with coffee or water once daily if needed, but strongly encouraged me to try eat a higher fat/ fiber diet.

Also he said that soem medications can cause constipation so if you started taking an new medications on a reqular basis you might want to double check and see if the side effects include digestive issues.

OK, I am having this same problem (:blushing:) and not sure why after looking over everyone's advice...
- I run everyday
- I eat fiber/bran
- I have 1/2 an avocado everyday (fats)
- I drink a LOT of water (peeing, I got that covered!)
- I drink a cup of coffee every morning

.... and yet, I feel like I didn't lose weight this week due to the fact that I'm backed up - yeah, its like THAT


HOW OFTEN ARE YOU *SUPPOSED* TO GO????

You're fat intake is pretty low. And if you're used to coffee, it might take more than for someone who isn't used to drinking it.

OK, I am having this same problem (:blushing:) and not sure why after looking over everyone's advice...
- I run everyday
- I eat fiber/bran
- I have 1/2 an avocado everyday (fats)
- I drink a LOT of water (peeing, I got that covered!)
- I drink a cup of coffee every morning

.... and yet, I feel like I didn't lose weight this week due to the fact that I'm backed up - yeah, its like THAT


HOW OFTEN ARE YOU *SUPPOSED* TO GO????

You are way too low on fat. try and get all the fat the MFP recommends for you, not less than that amount.

How often. It differs but from everything I have read it should be at least once every 2 days up to once/meal (3-5 times/day).

OK, I am having this same problem (:blushing:) and not sure why after looking over everyone's advice...
- I run everyday
- I eat fiber/bran
- I have 1/2 an avocado everyday (fats)
- I drink a LOT of water (peeing, I got that covered!)
- I drink a cup of coffee every morning

.... and yet, I feel like I didn't lose weight this week due to the fact that I'm backed up - yeah, its like THAT


HOW OFTEN ARE YOU *SUPPOSED* TO GO????

You are way too low on fat. try and get all the fat the MFP recommends for you, not less than that amount.

How often. It differs but from everything I have read it should be at least once every 2 days up to once/meal (3-5 times/day).

Did I read that correctly???! 3 to 5 times A DAY?

And as far as adding fat to my diet, I am not conscientiously trying to keep it low, that's just how it ends up. Any suggestions on snacks I can add?

seriously try going gluten and lactose free.... it has helped me so much and its not as hard as most people think. Like metioned before have some healthy fats and drink lots of water!

Think about a course of colonic irrigation. It makes a huge difference and you can really see the difference in your skin afterwards, with all the toxins taken out of your body. I use cold pressed flaxseed. Be careful of too much wheat fibre, it can be really harsh on the system. Actually cut out wheat altogether for a little while and see if it makes a difference. Use oats, rye, rice cakes, buckwheat etc. and as much raw foods and whole foods as possible. Talk to a good nutritionist, they have more knowledge about how you should be than most doctors.

I go probably every other day or every day now doing this. My husband goes 4 times a day every day! I would hate that so much!

Try any yogurt with live cultures, that's what works for me. I have a 1/2 cup once a day, and it's a treat too.

My MIL swears by nuts. She eats a couple of tablespoons worth everyday. I know cashews work for some.

I saw that you don't drink coffee. A cup of hot tea in the morning after breakfast might help too.

Don't underestimate the need to be relaxed when you have the urge to go. There's a reason why some like to read in the bathroom, or have a radio/music to listen to.

Just some ideas. Hope you get it figured out soon.