really embarassing problem

are you drinking enough water? i find that I don't have that problem when I drink at least 60 oz of water a day. A cup of coffee helps as well. Sorry to hear that.

It's a fairly common side effect of weight loss efforts. I had a terrible problem until I started using Disney fiber gummies. They are lifesavers! If you track your fiber in your diary, and make sure you get enough fiber every day (I use the fiber gummies to bring me up to my daily goal at the end of the day, depending on what I ate that day) then it will really change your life. I promise.

You can get the fiber from various other sources too (I hate the pills and I'm slack about the powders). I eat foods that are fiber-fortified like my tortillas for my wraps (13g of fiber!). I can't eat many fruits, veggies or grains, so I have to seek my fiber elsewhere and it IS doable with the supplements to bring you up to your daily goal.

HIGHLY recommended. (ETA: Also, WATER!)

I take acidophilus tablets. They are for bowel health, and the goal was to take them daily, but I can't, they clean me out. I have a cast iron stomach and gut, which shocked me that a little culture (haha) would have such an effect on me. I have the target brand.

Honestly, I would advice against using Senna. While natural, it can still be hard on your body. I've used it for quite some time (make that months) but it creates dependance, the effectiveness was slowly decreasing and it'd leave me bloated all day even if I'd go daily because of it.

I slowly backed off of it taking it once every other day and incorporated other things into my diet and daily habits to avoid taking laxatives again.
While I still have some days where it's not really running smoothly (this mostly happens when I eat the wrong things) so far what really worked for me:

- Next to water, WARM liquids. Coffee (though in moderation) and teas, especially ones that contain spices, are great

- MAGNESIUM. Let me tell you this did wonders for me. All it does is attract water to the bowels, but it doesn't create dependence and icky cramps. I take 1000mg in the morning after breakfast and 1000mg 1-2 hours before bed, and make sure you'll drink water or tea after taking them before bed.

- Try also not to overdo your fiber. I used to obsess over it, averaging 30-40 grams a day, but it only makes bloating WORSE. I now only get 15-25grams a day and do much better.

- When decreasing fiber, INCREASE healthy fats. I eat a lot of nuts. Pecans, cashews and walnuts are especially good

- Keep an eye on your vitamin C!

- And usually, I try to avoid eating these as much as possible; they usually create problems for the following days after I ate them; white potatoes, a lot of onions, white breads, refined sugars, cheeses and milk that comes from cows.

Hope this helps I know how hard it can be!

Have you discussed this with your doctor or pharmacist? My doctor and pharmacist are two of the smartest ladies I know.

Prune Juice. Straight up or over ice. About 1/3-1/2 cup. It works. (Plug your nose & chug if you don't like the taste:laugh: )

:flowerforyou:

If you take your meds in the morning try waiting til after you use the bathroom.

First, keep in mind that not all fiber is the same and that you are really in need of soluble fiber. And while you may get enough from foods for normal health purposes, it seems almost impossible to get enough that way to help with drug-induced constipation. Psyllium seems to be by far the best option as a supplement for bowel health (as well as cholesterol lowering and other benefits associated with soluble fiber). Easiest way to get your hands on it is traditional Metamucil sold in supermarkets and drugstores. Just make sure the package actually says psyllium on it because Metamucil has introduced some non-psyllium products.

That said, fiber alone is probably not enough for severe drug-induced constipation. Then you start running the gamut of other options from stool softeners to laxatives. Miralax is what I've heard the most from medical professionals. You go from things that are fairly mild (and just draw more moisture into the intestines) to those that actually irritate them into action. But the problem is that all of these also interfere with nutrient absorption. And drug absorption. So they are OK to use occasionally but problematic for a chronic condition. That's why you really need to work with a doctor on this.

Finally, if the problem is being caused by Opioid painkillers that you will be on for an extended period of time then you definitely need to talk to your doctor. There are a number of drugs available, and more on the way, for treating this special case. Some may address other conditions as well. You mentioned you take something for IBS, and Lubiprostone is a drug used for constipation in both Opioid-induced and IBS-related constipation. But only a doctor could say if it was appropriate for your specific condition.

another vote for "are you eating enough good healthy fats?" (your diary isn't open) Lots of people who make a change in their eating habits in order to lose weight feel like they need to go low-fat everything. Eating foods with fat content doesn't make us fat...too many calories do. Healthy fats help us digest protein and also lubricate the system. (nuts, avocado, olive oil, etc)

Of course if it's a serious problem go see your Dr, too.