constipation....BEWARE....MAYBE TMI FOR SOME!

djwife03 · January 2014

hi all! I apologize in advance if this grosses you out! Just wanting some input. and I"m sorry to put this in this forum, but I wasn't sure where to post this! I think I'm constipated! I've NEVER had issues in this area before. I normally go at least twice a day. But the last few months, about 3 days a week, or maybe even 4, i have stomach pain, bloating, pressure to go pooh, but when I try......nothing! I'm not even passing gas. Sometimes it's just a small amount(marbles), and I really have to strain sometimes. My eating habits have not changed really. I try to get in veggies and fruit every day. I haven't notice any patterns or anything causes this. I've read that constipation doesn't cause weight gain, but I can't help but wonder if a pound is due to being bloated and "retaining", if you know what I mean?!!

This is really bothersome! like I said, I've never had this issue before! it's only in the last few months. I eat salads, apples, fruit, raw veggies. I drink my water, and have also added green tea to my liquid intake. Have I suddenly become intolerant of something, and if so, why?

Today is one of those days. I haven't "went" since yesterday morning, and this is not normal for me at all. My tummy hurts, like gas pain, and i feel pressure to go, but when I try, nothing comes out.....not even gas!

Harrisonsauntie · January 2014

Washing up liquid?

trisH_7183 · January 2014

You might need to have this checked out?

seltzermint555 · January 2014

I can't offer any solutions but I have experienced the same thing so want to see the advice you get. Also, for me traditional remedies like Colace do not offer much relief but just make the issue worse. I've heard from a lot of people that if you're going 2-3 times a week it's okay but like you, I feel that not going daily is weird for me personally. Good luck and hope to get advice from your thread too.

FlaxMilk · January 2014

First, stop straining. Straining contributes to things like hemmoroids (sp), a witch to cope with and a witch to get rid of.

Since you are usually not constipated, try some Miralax in some Powerade or Gatorade.

As to why it happened, sometimes we just get constipated, and treating it may get rid of the cause. You might have had a piece that was dry clog or gunk things up and compound the problem. If you treat and it comes back, ask your doctor for help.

dakotababy · January 2014

Increase your fibre. Either take a daily supplement or increase through food consumption. Drink LOTS of water as well.
Also, see your doctor.

linzchapates · January 2014

I have this issue too... and in short yes, being constipated and not going for a week or more can cause you to "retain" and you may not see any weight loss on the scale, once you've had a BM you should see the number change a bit....
I eat alfalfa sprouts, prunes, ample fruits/veggies and drinks tons of water (10 cups plus herbal teas ontop of it) and pure cranberry juice to flush it out... seems to help a bit but it's an awful feeling and I totally sympathize with you..the bloating/gas is super crummy...

apeacefulway · January 2014

Prunes...works like a charm for me.

GothyFaery · January 2014

This can happen from time to time and often I find that if I can "break the dam" it goes back to normal. Try taking a laxative like dulcolax. Make sure you drink plenty of water with it. The more water you drink, the faster and better it works. If that doesn't solve your problem, talk to a doctor.

blackmax78 · January 2014

Increase your water intake by 1/3, take a stool softener without a stimulant... if you are a little low on your water intake your body will pull more from the bowels and dry things out making it hard to pass. please do avoid straining to pass, can cause hemorrhoids and can lead to tearing too.

360hope360 · January 2014

Epson salt in not harsh, you take 4 TBS at night before bed with at least 2 glasses of water drink as much water as you can take in as it works better, in the morning you will go and will not have to stain . Its not harsh on your tummy or puts you in pain.

FlaxMilk · January 2014

Since you have been backed up for so long, if a dose of the laxative doesn't work, you may want to consider doing the colonoscopy clean out protocol. You can find it online (only use ones from recognized medical sites) and they have them for children or adults. It doesn't sound like fiber is your problem.

Have you changed your routine at all? Stopped exercising as much or sitting more often?

Definitely start with something like miralax or a generic of it, you don't want something harsh and senna based.

Gingerspice45 · January 2014

from your description, it sounds like you are constipated. There are lots of things you can try to fix this but your doctor is your best advisor depending on how bad the situation is. when this happens to me I take colace or miralax and drink extra water.

zyxst · January 2014

How much fat are you eating?

Dealing with constipation is different for everyone, so you'll need to try a few things to see what works for you. If it's really a concern, go to the doctor for help.

lilred806 · January 2014

Are you eating enough fat? I know this sounds strange but a family member of mine finds that when she reduces her calories sometimes she inadvertently reduces her fat/oil content. This usually turns into her being constipated. If she adds a little healthy oils or fats into her diet it seems to go away. Obviously fiber is supposed to help too. Exercise always gets things moving for me. Oh and I have a few friends who swear by coffee keeping them regular. Just some random ideas. I hope things get better for you soon.

akaMrsmojo · January 2014

Stress can cause this, I knew woman who was going through divorce who did not go for over a couple weeks. She was freaking, the more she freaked, the worse it got.

It could be a food issue. I eliminated gluten from my life years ago, because of other stomach issues. One of the side effects, no more intestinal issues at all, ever.

257_Lag · January 2014

When I started this and had no idea what I was doing I thought fat was bad. I ate practically zero fat and got bound up. One night I ate a greasy cheeseburger as a planned reward for my first 10 lbs and WHOOSH!

Having added the right amount of fat back into my diet no problems since. Your body needs some fat.

djwife03 · January 2014

thank you all! i will try some almonds and healthy fats!

seltzermint555 · January 2014

When I started this and had no idea what I was doing I thought fat was bad. I ate practically zero fat and got bound up. One night I ate a greasy cheeseburger as a planned reward for my first 10 lbs and WHOOSH!

Having added the right amount of fat back into my diet no problems since. Your body needs some fat.

lol I was super "regular" this morning after indulging in a $2 Culver's double butter burger yesterday. There really must be some truth to this. Thanks!

SashleyA · January 2014

Stress can cause this, I knew woman who was going through divorce who did not go for over a couple weeks. She was freaking, the more she freaked, the worse it got.

Quoting for truth. The only time I'm ever constipated is when I am stressed out. Exercise always helped a bit.

connieavs · January 2014

I use a cal mag supplement - 500 mg calcium and 500 magnesium. I take 3-4 per day. I also take a stool softener. This does the trick for me, I hope it helps.

SerenBunny · January 2014

Kiwis work the same as prunes (And taste just as good). Another option is having a hot bath. It actually helps things 'move along' xx

neandermagnon · January 2014

pellet sized poo is usually a sign of dehydration. Drink more water. Also, make sure there's adequate fibre and fat in the diet as these also help everything keep moving in the right direction.

note: increasing fibre without increasing water will make things worse if the original cause of it is insufficient water

If that doesn't fix it then maybe see a doctor.

Lizzy622 · January 2014

Constipation is also a symptom of low thyroid function which you may want to have checked out. I also find that exercise does wonders for me. 15 or 20 minutes of squats, sit ups and core exercises seems to get things moving.

AlysonES · January 2014

This has happened to me before. I bought a bottle of lemon lime magnesium citrate and drank it... you can buy this at your local drug store.........takes a while for it to kick in.... oh but it will.

Good luck!

huv123 · January 2014

I find that cutting out fat is usually the culprit.

djwife03 · January 2014

Constipation is also a symptom of low thyroid function which you may want to have checked out. I also find that exercise does wonders for me. 15 or 20 minutes of squats, sit ups and core exercises seems to get things moving.

I brought this up to my GYN at my annual visit. I also told them how tired I am even after 8hrs of sleep. He says he doesn't think it's hormonal, since i'm still having a period and producing estrogen. he says that I dont' have the symptoms for him to think it's thyroid(funny, because I thought fatigue was a symptom!) I have to take melatonin before bed, otherwise my brain doesn't shut off, and I don't sleep well at all! It's almost like I never get into REM sleep, you know? I just can't keep my brain gears from turning and turning when I go to bed. I do workout regularly. I run 3-4 times a week and do some strength, so that should be working, but sometimes it doesn't.

pplf2001 · January 2014

You need salt/electrolytes for digestion (in addition to your water- maybe you need gatorade?) maybe you aren't getting enough? Probiotics are a wonderful thing too...

IronPhyllida · January 2014

Are you drinking enough water? And errrr running when things aren't moving sometimes speeds things up...

1113cw · January 2014

I recently had this problem and like you, don't normally have it. Before resorting to anything drastic, try what seemed to work for me... up your fiber and water and exercise, even walking, whenever you can. A couple of days of this worked to get things going for me.