Constipation- TMI

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Replies

  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I poop deer balls too. It's from IBS. You might want to look into Tumeric pills as those are supposed to help. My sister, who is like me but actually worse, swears by it.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Try adding a magnesium supplement and a hot bath with Epsom or Dead Sea salts.

    but don't take more than 350 mg of magnesium per day. That's the highest recommended dose for adults.

    why's that? I was previously told (by my doc) to take 1500 for migraine prevention, which worked but gave me the burning sh!ts so I quit after a while - but because of the previous advice, when migraines started up more frequently again I added back a little over 850mg a day in divided doses on my own, you have me wondering now if that's a bad idea...

    Magnesium can help with migraines, but its better to use in combination with other meds. 400 mg of Riboflavin (B2) is another good one with low side efftects and can help a lot too. So can Aleve. I take 250 mg of Magnesium, the B2, and also Topamax to keep migraines under control, that works well. Too much magnesium can result in cramping, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, mood changes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain with urination, and appetite loss. Should be taken with food if it is taken

    Thanks for that. I'm without insurance for a few more days but come April 1 we'll be covered again and I can talk to a doc about it. In the meantime... I'm not sure. I haven't noticed the side effects you mentioned, at this dose, but lowering it a little at a time (till I experience migraine again) can't hurt anything either. Think I'll go that route till I can be seen.

    You can find the B2 at the 400 mg dose on Amazon for about $16, I think, that's where I get it. It's a bit bottle and lasts a long time. Main side effect : turns your urine Jolly Rancher yellow.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    Try adding a magnesium supplement and a hot bath with Epsom or Dead Sea salts.

    but don't take more than 350 mg of magnesium per day. That's the highest recommended dose for adults.

    why's that? I was previously told (by my doc) to take 1500 for migraine prevention, which worked but gave me the burning sh!ts so I quit after a while - but because of the previous advice, when migraines started up more frequently again I added back a little over 850mg a day in divided doses on my own, you have me wondering now if that's a bad idea...

    Magnesium can help with migraines, but its better to use in combination with other meds. 400 mg of Riboflavin (B2) is another good one with low side efftects and can help a lot too. So can Aleve. I take 250 mg of Magnesium, the B2, and also Topamax to keep migraines under control, that works well. Too much magnesium can result in cramping, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, mood changes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain with urination, and appetite loss. Should be taken with food if it is taken

    Thanks for that. I'm without insurance for a few more days but come April 1 we'll be covered again and I can talk to a doc about it. In the meantime... I'm not sure. I haven't noticed the side effects you mentioned, at this dose, but lowering it a little at a time (till I experience migraine again) can't hurt anything either. Think I'll go that route till I can be seen.

    You can find the B2 at the 400 mg dose on Amazon for about $16, I think, that's where I get it. It's a bit bottle and lasts a long time. Main side effect : turns your urine Jolly Rancher yellow.

    So I'll have to judge the sufficiency of my fluids intake another way, hmm? :laugh:
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Try adding a magnesium supplement and a hot bath with Epsom or Dead Sea salts.

    but don't take more than 350 mg of magnesium per day. That's the highest recommended dose for adults.

    why's that? I was previously told (by my doc) to take 1500 for migraine prevention, which worked but gave me the burning sh!ts so I quit after a while - but because of the previous advice, when migraines started up more frequently again I added back a little over 850mg a day in divided doses on my own, you have me wondering now if that's a bad idea...

    Magnesium can help with migraines, but its better to use in combination with other meds. 400 mg of Riboflavin (B2) is another good one with low side efftects and can help a lot too. So can Aleve. I take 250 mg of Magnesium, the B2, and also Topamax to keep migraines under control, that works well. Too much magnesium can result in cramping, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, mood changes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain with urination, and appetite loss. Should be taken with food if it is taken

    Thanks for that. I'm without insurance for a few more days but come April 1 we'll be covered again and I can talk to a doc about it. In the meantime... I'm not sure. I haven't noticed the side effects you mentioned, at this dose, but lowering it a little at a time (till I experience migraine again) can't hurt anything either. Think I'll go that route till I can be seen.

    You can find the B2 at the 400 mg dose on Amazon for about $16, I think, that's where I get it. It's a bit bottle and lasts a long time. Main side effect : turns your urine Jolly Rancher yellow.

    So I'll have to judge the sufficiency of my fluids intake another way, hmm? :laugh:

    LOL - definitely!
  • zoquo
    zoquo Posts: 75
    I highly recommend getting a colonic. Get it all washed out and start again with some proper food to prevent this happening again. Trust me you will feel AMAZING afterwards especially if you've not been for 7 days!!!

    No. Colonics are dangerous.

    Colonics are not dangerous! What are you talking about? You clearly have never had one. I have been on two detox cleanses one for 1 week the second for 2 weeks with colonics 2x a day. And as long as you go to a professional there is nothing dangerous about them! I did them myself with good instructions. Rested my digestive system during this time and had plenty of fresh juice and veggie broth during the detox along with daily yoga and abdominal massages. Please do your research before making unfounded comments. I was simply offering a temporary solution to a painful problem.

    http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20429816,00.html

    Peace

    Here's the link- from a legitimate medical source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/expert-answers/colon-cleansing/faq-20058435

    and from the article: In fact, colon cleansing can sometimes be harmful. Colon cleansing can cause side effects, such as cramping, bloating, nausea and vomiting. More serious concerns with colon cleansing are that it can:

    Increase your risk of dehydration
    Lead to bowel perforations
    Increase the risk of infection
    Cause changes in your electrolytes, which can be dangerous if you have kidney disease or other health problems

    Yes and THATs why you go to a professional to avoid having bowel perforations etc.. Come on people common sense please. I know many people that have either had or do still have colonics and not one of them has had any of the above problems, but like i said they go to professionals. And if you do go to a professional you have to pass a health test first and answer a series of questions therefore eliminating those with kidney disease or other potentially problematic conditions.

    After all said and done it's your own personal choice if you wish to try and if you do go to a professional. I highly recommend it as a good jump start to a healthier lifestyle and especially recommend if you have not had a bowel movement in 7 days! Having 7 days of digested waste sat inside your body is far more harmful for you than having a colonic to remove it! Get some perspective people!

    Peace
  • LozPenguin
    LozPenguin Posts: 139 Member
    So much advice; hopefully something's worked by now!
    Only thing left to suggest...all of the above, + jumping jacks?

    Hey, it might help get things moving...
  • kuolo
    kuolo Posts: 251 Member
    Simple but might be worth a try, cup of hot (ie boiling) water first thing in the morning every day, has worked for me! Also dried apricots are great when things get really bad. Hope you feel better!
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Really
    discuss with your doctor not on here.
  • Julesdublin
    Julesdublin Posts: 39 Member
    Put 3 prunes in a glass of water and leave them overnight soaking. In the morning drink the water and eat the prunes. It works wonders.
  • mactaffy84
    mactaffy84 Posts: 398 Member
    Make sure you're getting enough fiber in your diet. You should be having a bowel movement every day, at least. Most of us don't get the fiber we need because processed foods don't contain much at all. Soft breads, meats, cheeses - these things aren't our fiber friends!

    Try adding 2 cups of leafy greens (even butter lettuce if that's all you can stomach) to every day, and try eating whole fruits like pears, apples, oranges - one with each meal.

    I'm sorry you're having this issue, I'm sure it feels awful. Once you've passed the problem of the moment you can take steps to prevent it in the future by incorporating regular fiber into your diet. Good luck!

    This. Eat anything with fiber, and that can include apples and whole grains. Use "fiber" as something to track and try for 40g a day. It will be HUGELY beneficial. Good luck!
  • Reshaping_me
    Reshaping_me Posts: 19
    Thank you all for the help! I am the OP (original poster), and I have still not used the restroom. My doctor has suggested taking Miralax and tea. I have done both and seen no results. I am not totally sure what to do from here. I am getting to the point where I may need to do an enema, but again, I do not want to harm my body, but I hate feeling so bloated, constipated, and weighed down.

    Any extra thoughts? AND THANK YOU AGAIN for all the comments! :)
  • DSTMT
    DSTMT Posts: 417 Member
    I don't know if this is helpful or not, but regarding the magnesium discussion, here's what my textbook says (I'm studying nutrition):

    The process of digestion and absorption of magnesium is similar to that of calcium. The suggested ratio of intake of these two vital nutrients is about 2:1, calcium to magnesium.

    Magnesium also requires an acidic stomach environment for best absorption, so taking it between meals or at bedtime is recommended.

    Meals high in protein or fat, a diet high in phosphorus or calcium (calcium and magnesium can compete), or alcohol use may decrease magnesium absorption. It is possible that some of the hangover symptoms related to alcohol are in part due to magnesium depletion. Taking this mineral with some thiamine (B1) and drinking extra water can help prevent hangover symptoms.

    Usually, about 40% to 50% of the magnesium we consume is absorbed, although this may vary from 25% to 75% depending on stomach acid levels, body needs, dietary habits, and the exact form of magnesium. Stress may increase magnesium excretion, the resulting temporary magnesium depletion may make the heart more sensitive to electrical abnormalities and vascular spasm, which could lead to cardiac ischemia. The kidneys can excrete or conserve magnesium according to body needs. The intestines can also eliminate excess magnesium in the feces.

    Toxicity due to magnesium overload is almost unknown in a nutritional context, as excesses are usually eliminated in the urine and feces. However, symptoms of magnesium toxicity can occur if calcium intake is low. These symptoms may include depression of the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, or even hyper-excitability. In extreme states, magnesium overload can cause death.

    Magnesium can also function as a bowel laxative, and milk of magnesia has been used for many years for precisely this reason. In 1997, the Institute of Medicine may have used mild, infrequent, and reversible diarrhea as its reason for setting 350 mg as the tolerable upper limit for mineral supplements containing magnesium.

    420 mg is the new RDA for adult men, and 15% of all adult men in the US get 175 mg per day or less. As long as a balance is kept with other minerals, especially calcium, (the MD who wrote the textbook) is comfortable with supplements up to approximately 1000 mg.
  • DSTMT
    DSTMT Posts: 417 Member
    Oh I wanted to add, it IS possible to get TOO much fiber, especially if you don't consume enough fluids relative to fiber consumption. I know you said you drink a lot of water, but just be aware of that, if you eat a ton of fiber and don't drink enough fluid it'll just make things worse.

    I have IBS so I feel your pain as this is a regular occurrence for me too, but some people don't tolerate insoluble fiber very well, particularly people who have IBS (that's my understanding anyway). Too, I might be the lone weirdo here, but prunes can sometimes make discomfort worse because they can produce a lot of excess gas, and if you're blocked up it can't escape and you'll just end up more bloated and uncomfortable. I'd maybe try eating something with fat, like other people have suggested, because if things are rock-hard it'll help it all move along faster and easier.
  • hitsnooze
    hitsnooze Posts: 79
    FLAX is all i have to say. laxative dependence sapped at my quality of life for many years, and flax seed solved all my problems almost overnight. every other time i'd try to get off them there'd be painful weeks with my insides full of crap, bloated and in pain with my poor sore bottom from trying to push out concrete, then i'd give up. but i ate 50g of flax seed in a couple of sittings (tastes good anyway and you can add it to anything) and drank plenty of water and within a couple of days i felt like a new woman. you can then slowly decrease the amount you eat, i'm not dependant on it any more, but i still eat some because it's full of good stuff and super good for you. everyone's different but it was a miracle for me.

    please try it, you might save yourself a lot of trouble
  • DSTMT
    DSTMT Posts: 417 Member
    Actually yeah, you just reminded me, chia seeds are really good too, maybe better than flax for some people (you could always try both and see what works better). They form kind of a gel around them that helps things move along. I add a tablespoon to my cottage cheese every morning and I've found it helpful.
  • Trashtruck
    Trashtruck Posts: 11
    I'd rec Miralax.

    Also, if you have cement stool blocking the path at the rectum end, it may be hard to tackle that with a lot of by mouth treatments... so you may consider a cap full of miralax in 8 ounces of water every day until you start going frequently.... along with a glycerin suppository up the butt to soften the stool there.

    The longer poo stays in the intestine, the more dehydrated and therefore harder it gets. The Miralax may create very loose stools at first, as it deals with the poo at the beginning of the intestines, which hasn't been there long, and isn't as hard. It loosens that poo and sends it down, past the harder poo.... which may seem like you're having too loose of a stool. But, keep taking it! Soon it will get to work on that hard stool thats plugging your pipes, and it;ll be smooth sailing from there. make sure you're drinking enough too.

    Wheee! Poop talk!
  • thesimsisters
    thesimsisters Posts: 73 Member
    I also agree with the miralax and the a good ol' glycerin suppository. The miralax does take time to work as others have pointed out, normally a few days if you are backed up bad. I used it after my abdominal surgery as I had been warned of the problems I would have going after my surgery and from the pain medicine. So after I was released from the hospital I started dosing myself right away so I would not have too many problems.

    As to this being a normal thing, one thing that I've found really works is Probiotics. A cheap really effective way is to take them in pill form. I've found these, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spring-Valley-Probiotic-Multi-Enzyme-Digestive-Formula-Tablets-200-count/11997236 work wonders for me. When I take three pills every day after eating dinner, they help keep me more regular than I've ever been. Then I stop taking them and really notice the difference and curse myself for stopping...and start taking them again :laugh:
  • thesimsisters
    thesimsisters Posts: 73 Member


    Wheee! Poop talk!

    That actually made me LOL! With that and your pic from A Bugs Life, made me think of dung balls :laugh:

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