Constipation?

vikesfanmb
vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
edited September 26 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay . . maybe I'm the only one, but I always seem to get really constipated when I first start a new "diet" plan.
Be it Weight Watchers, counting calories myself, etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone out there can relate? It's been about 7 days since my last normal *ahem* and I
usually go at least once a day. I've been taking stool softeners, eating properly and drinking a ton of water . .
so I just don't understand? This always seems to happen to me and it's discouraging because I feel kinda
yucky and bloated, especially today.
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Replies

  • RTricia
    RTricia Posts: 720
    gummi fiber vitamins saved my life.

    And see your doctor.
  • aanaya56
    aanaya56 Posts: 136
    gummi fiber vitamins saved my life.

    And see your doctor.


    Those made you go????
  • humblemonkey
    humblemonkey Posts: 576 Member
    7 days is a long time... if you don't go within the next couple of days I would see a doctor... especially if you are eating a normal amount of food. It is possible to go "less" than you were when counting calories because less food in= less food out! however, you should still be GOING.

    Also up your fiber, and take some acidophilus!!! It works for me :o) If you have pain especially, you should seek treatment ASAP as you could have a blockage.


    You could also try something gross we do with the our patients, but actually works... take some prune juice and heat it up. It tastes gross, but it works in less than a half an hour!! If you are really feeling "stuck" you could also add some butter to it...it kinda "lubes" things up! Sounds gross...but it's worth it to suffer the 1 minute it would take to down a glass than to feel uncomfortable constipated! Or have problems resulting FROM the constipation!!


    Good luck!
  • bex22mcn
    bex22mcn Posts: 90
    Have you tried upping your fibre? Pop a couple of handfuls of lentils to your dishes....you will be away in no time :)
  • EbonyGemstoneHealth
    EbonyGemstoneHealth Posts: 249 Member
    You probably need to check your fibre,35 grams + is efficient. :)
  • Barbellerella
    Barbellerella Posts: 1,838 Member
    Take a magnesium supplement before bed, and aloe. Every night!
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    When up your protein you have add more fiber to prevent clogs! Benefiber is great, it is tastless or they have sugar free chewables!

    It works!
  • mirapaigew
    mirapaigew Posts: 107
    My first week I was a little stopped up. lol I had to increase my fiber. Since then, I am now a twice a day goer. (Sorry for the TMI hahaha)
  • elizamc
    elizamc Posts: 285 Member
    Psyllium is good, take with lots of water though....
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    I eat around 30-40 grams of fiber per day (high fiber diet as prescribed by my doctor). I must have a terribly slow metabolism because this happened to me once before and my doctor back then went so far as to give me a colonoscopy prep kit to "relieve" me of my symptoms and even after taking ALL of it, it still took 5 days to work and I still had a very hard BM days later.

    I might try the acidophilus, I used to use that for yeast infections and I've heard it's beneficial for intestinal health. It's worth a shot. And the prune juice suggestion . . yes, I have tried that too.

    I appreciate all of the suggestions very much!
  • healinghands111
    healinghands111 Posts: 30 Member
    Im hypoglycemic, so I have to take in a LOT of protein...I take cold pressed flaxseed capsules, and cook with coconut oil...and voila" problem gone! =)) Good Luck honey!!
  • TheirEllie82
    TheirEllie82 Posts: 162 Member
    There are 2 types of fiber and you want to make sure that you are getting both non-soluble fiber (lettuce is a good source) and soluble (whole grain) because non-soluble makes the *ahem* move while soluble makes it larger...
  • donicagalek
    donicagalek Posts: 526
    ...because I feel kinda
    yucky and bloated, especially today.

    Just intestinal area bloating or bloating in general? Eating a lot of processed diet foods? If the salt content is high and you're retaining water that means that the water isn't making its way into your intestines. No water in your intestines and things won't flow as they should.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    Just intestinal bloating. I've been trying to cut back on my sodium significantly.

    And oh yes . . one other thing I forgot to mention, the doctor had me on Lasix (water pill) last week (and potassium) due to some extreme swelling I had in my feet, ankles and legs after traveling for several days and walking more than I'm used to. My feet & ankles especially were swollen up like grapefruits.

    So I wonder if the Lasix has something to do with the constipation as well? I have a call into the doctor now.
  • lnmackel
    lnmackel Posts: 11
    I had the same problem less than two weeks ago. I increased my fiber intake by eating more vegetables and a cup of fiber ceral, like Fiber One Raisin and Oat Clusters and by eating a fiber One bar everyday and I became regular by the third day,
  • carilyn39
    carilyn39 Posts: 91 Member
    I usually drink a cup of "smooth move tea" from traditiona medicial. it doesn't taste horrible and It keeps me pretty regular with a morning BM. also Senna is a good one for getting this moving, can cause some stomach cramps. minor however. I agree also that you don't want to wait to long to see or at least talk to a dr about this. I personally try to avoid conventional laxatives.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    Okay - so the doctor is suggesting Miralax twice a day. I'm going to pick some up at the pharmacy, along with some acidophilus.

    UGH . . this is just miserable. : (
  • Mandalicious
    Mandalicious Posts: 126
    I eat a whole cup of All-Bran with skim milk every morning for breakfast, after suffering for weeks. That, along with two tsp of benefiber in my coffee in the morning, has helped tremendously.
  • humblemonkey
    humblemonkey Posts: 576 Member
    Lasix for a week?? With no other medical problem but swelling due to travel?? um...
  • HappilySingle
    HappilySingle Posts: 149 Member
    Lasix for a week?? With no other medical problem but swelling due to travel?? um...

    My dr. prescribed Lasix for me to due to swelling last year; but I only took it for maybe 2 days. I tried an "Acai Berry Cleanse" and bloated up.
  • snowwhitee
    snowwhitee Posts: 15
    it is a common side effect of weight loss and should become less severe as the weeks go by. When this happens to me I take epsom salt with warm water ( epsom salt: water 1:3) taste disgusting but if I consume this at night, the next morning I'm cleared out. Natural way of relieving constipation.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    Update . . . I have done the Miralax faithfully twice a day (for 5 days - with the exception of 1 day that I only took it once) and still . . . . virtually nothing to show for it. So, so, so frustrated!!

    I called the doctor's office back and now she wants me to pick up a bottle of "mag citrate" and after that, do the Miralax twice a day for another week.

    God, I am just so miserable! My belly is all bloated. Can Lasix really throw someone for such a loop like this?

    (I am eating relatively normally - 3 meals a day including breakfast & snacks. I am currently taking in about 1700 calories per day and plenty of fruit and veggies and high fiber foods. Plus, drinking at least 2 liters of water per day if not more.)
  • alexia_faith
    alexia_faith Posts: 32 Member
    I hope people are still on here active

    I havent been able to poop now for almost 8 days! My lower back is agony, my tummy is cramping, i eat 28 - 35 grams of fibre per day as im a vegeraian and I drink 8 - 10 glasses of water per day

    I had threadworms about 2 weeks ago, about a month after antibiotics for a kidney infection.

    I was fine til about 3 days ago when the pain went past discomfort to agony where im in the feotal posistion crying

    I rang my Dr and he said Fibre and water is fine, I need to take Senakot, ive taken it now 2 days in a row and no movement bar one tiny solid bar stool which was not worth the 15 min of effort!

    Any one had a sim issue??
  • Satya_Ayurveda
    Satya_Ayurveda Posts: 91 Member
    Yes, it's normal. You are "shocking" you body, so to speak and it takes time to adjust. This can happen! Drinking aloe vera juice is a wonderful thing to do daily, not just to regulate your intestinal tract, but for many other purification purposes as well. It is a natural detoxifier. Better than acidophilus is to take a complete probiotic. This will restore the flora and fauna in your body and help regulate you. Psyllium is wonderful as well. I swear by Triphala which is an ancient ayurvedic herb and also another body purifier. If you are really constipated you can try taking Swiss Kriss which is an all natural supplement composed of natural elements and it works very quickly without all the bad side effects. Fluids are vital. Drinking HOT water or at least warm water is key. Cold water will slow down the intestinal tract and will actually cause undue stress to the kidneys. Even when you are thirsty and feeling dehydrated...warm water. Helps things move and will rehydrate you quicker. Sounds funny, but it works.
  • VixFit2011
    VixFit2011 Posts: 663 Member
    I have the same problem but was embarrassed to ask about. I've tried Yokult drinks, activia, other yogurt, bread with flax, drinking more water, stopped eating a bunch of cheese (that really constipates me) and I don't know what else and am still having trouble. I have to get a colonoscopy in July and if any of you know about that....that's a guaranteed clean out.
  • Just1forMe
    Just1forMe Posts: 624 Member
    Put down the stool softeners! Try 2-3 prunes right before bedtime every nite...in 2-3 days you will be regular!
  • PhoenixRising11
    PhoenixRising11 Posts: 245 Member
    This has been happening to me recently too. I am on a lot of codine and have been told that it effects your bowels when taking it long term. I've upped my fibre intake and have tried taking less painkillers to help my bowels a bit and it seems to have worked.
    It will go in time but 7 days is a long time especially as you've been taking stool softeners too. If you're worried then go see a doc just to be on the safe side.
    I called the NHS helpline so that might help if you live in the UK?
  • Coco_Puff
    Coco_Puff Posts: 823 Member
    Are you eating enough? I eat a good amount of fiber, but when my calories were too low, I stopped up even with the fiber. Now that I have increased my calories, I go almost everyday.
  • alexia_faith
    alexia_faith Posts: 32 Member
    1200 - 1390 NET per day .... before exercise its like 1600 ....

    I had a long hot bath last night and drank a pint of warm sugary water and that has made me v gassy this am ... which is an improvement. The pain has lessened slightly now ive been able to break wind and Im just hoping I get some movement in the next day or so.

    As for prunes I cant stand them ... they give me burbly belly .... Drs got me eating dried apricots instead

    I didnt do any Senakot last night coz I wanted to try an alternative method ....

    Heres hoping ..... Rang NHS direct and they said im donig all I can ... I just have to see a Dr next week if I havent gone to check im not impacted or something
  • slsorren
    slsorren Posts: 1 Member
    I had this same problem and would go 5-6 days without going. I saw my doctor. Prunes didn't work for me. In the end, he told me to eat Activia yogurt everyday (I don't do that much anymore) and to use benefiber. I put it in my coffee every morning and it works great for me!
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