I just can't poo and my DR was of no help

13

Replies

  • jddnw
    jddnw Posts: 319 Member
    edited April 2015
    A specialist simply is not accessible to me for a variety of reasons.
    I went to see the primary care DR (I NEVER go see doctors) with a small list of questions, and DR did not attempt to answer or even consider a single one, she simply gave me lists of places she could refer me to and their locations. Of course she isn't a specialist, but primary care doctors are supposed to have a general knowledge about the human body. I expected to get some medical insight and suggestions for at least a few of my questions.


    The FODMAP diet does have a lot of foods that I regularly consume and so I would be making a gigantic and frustrating change. Looking at the diet guidelines and the fiber intake guidelines, how do you possibly eat enough fiber while eating to a FODMAP diet? Most of the fiber items listed where I could see myself adding more in to my typical diet were all FODMAP no-nos.

    My PCP answers questions. I think it is very, very useful to have an ongoing relationship with PCP that you like. The one you picked doesn't sound very good. If you "NEVER" go to doctors, and just pick a PCP from a list once in a blue moon, its kind of crap shoot as to whether you'll be meeting with one you like.

    As to getting things moving, Miralax works for me.

  • nickatine
    nickatine Posts: 451 Member
    Espresso and a cigarette, or magnesium citrate.
  • clipartghost
    clipartghost Posts: 32 Member
    I know you said water isn't the problem, but 48-64 oz of water per day is a very small amount. Personally I need more like 200+ oz to feel good and keep things going. That little water combined with a high fiber diet (which I don't know if you have) would definitely gum up my works.
  • Lynnmi07
    Lynnmi07 Posts: 131 Member
    For some reason eating a grapefruit and drinking a cup of coffee helps me. But if you aren't "uncomfortable" then it's fine to go less frequently.

  • lilybuggg
    lilybuggg Posts: 5 Member
    Sometimes, adding more protein and cutting carbs can cause blockage. I'm not sure if you are doing this, but I know it messed me up bad when I tried the high protein low carb eating plans.
  • bepeejaye
    bepeejaye Posts: 775 Member
    Papaya - i love papaya! And luckily, it takes care of that side of business for me! :smile:
  • cattitude123
    cattitude123 Posts: 50 Member
    senna,(teas work well), chia seeds, ground flax seeds,psyllium(meta mucil), prunes, figs,40+ grams of fiber plus more water, green tea, coffee, bitters..colace,enemas,cleanses..be careful, you may get some serious blowback
  • spookyface
    spookyface Posts: 420 Member
    A glass of wine with dinner should work for you next day.
  • retirehappy
    retirehappy Posts: 3,786 Member
    Last advice (might be TMI, but we are talking about poop here...)--get a squatty potty or a stool to rest your feet on in front of the toilet. It helps me A LOT. We aren't really meant to poop like we are seated in a chair. Prudish Victorians made us do that. Our muscles work better to evacuate the premises if our knees are slightly higher than our hips.

    This is one reason why there are so many colon issues in our country and a lot less in 3rd world countries where they poop in a floor toilet/hole.

    ^^^^ This has helped me stay more regular. If you have an aerobic step, it will work.
    I have also upped my oils to 30% of my calories everyday. Works for me.

  • yesimpson
    yesimpson Posts: 1,372 Member
    Last advice (might be TMI, but we are talking about poop here...)--get a squatty potty or a stool to rest your feet on in front of the toilet. It helps me A LOT. We aren't really meant to poop like we are seated in a chair. Prudish Victorians made us do that. Our muscles work better to evacuate the premises if our knees are slightly higher than our hips.

    This is one reason why there are so many colon issues in our country and a lot less in 3rd world countries where they poop in a floor toilet/hole.

    ^^^^ This has helped me stay more regular. If you have an aerobic step, it will work.
    I have also upped my oils to 30% of my calories everyday. Works for me.

    I agree with this too. I am one of those lucky people who are prone to constipation (was even hospitalised for a manual evac as a child, such a proud memory) and changing position really does help. Other than that, prune juice, strong coffee, fatty things like a bacon cheeseburger, and plenty of exercise all help me out. Different people have different 'rhythms' too - it's not unusual for some people to go twice a day and others 2-3 times a week, but obviously any change is worth noting and not letting it go on for too long.
  • scottacular
    scottacular Posts: 597 Member
    Fibre and water, lots of that. Also coffee or anything else which heats you up. Cranberry juice too.
  • alysme
    alysme Posts: 81 Member
    A pint of orange juice and two pints of water.
    Drink loads of water.
  • nikkit321
    nikkit321 Posts: 1,485 Member
    Take magnesium and probiotics daily. But for constipation relief, try green grapes. A lot of them, as in the entire package in a couple of hours. Guaranteed.
  • Kiku10
    Kiku10 Posts: 66 Member
    Miralax, Citrucel, magnesium up to the upper dose limit. Flax seed ground helps some people.

    You need both soluble and insoluble fiber. Avocados have both plus fat. Google for food sources.
    I don't personally recommend Metamucil / psyllium supplements. These can give too much soluble roughage, plus they can irritate your system. This is true for senna and stimulants.
    Citrucel is insoluble.
  • marmaladepixie
    marmaladepixie Posts: 83 Member
    edited April 2015
    this happens to me off and on (ibs) and it really comes down to not enough fat plus not enough dietary magnesium. Usually I need at least one big meal a day to get things going... a bowl of rice with a generous serving of avocado usually does the trick. I do tend to go for a few days of nothing, and then seem to have a day of going like 5 or 6 times. I, like you do not feel any discomfort or urge to go in between. I agree it is annoying though.

    my doctor has me take magnesium citrate capsules 400 mgs a day which is the recommended dose. I don't always need that though.
  • bluworld
    bluworld Posts: 135 Member
    A non dairy probiotic ( ex coconut yogurt) * may* help in gut flora. If you've chaned your diet recently, it will take time for your digestion to adjust.
  • LanaBerk
    LanaBerk Posts: 25 Member
    I went through this for about 6 months when I started drastically cutting my food intake. It didn't matter what kind of foods I ate ...as I had a varied diet with lots of fiber. My thinking it is digestive system revolting. Don't worry. One day it will all pass and your system will start working again. I know exactly how you feel. It just takes time. Try not to worry.
  • sheclimbsrocks
    sheclimbsrocks Posts: 110 Member
    Prune juice is AMAZING for moving things along. Try buying some probiotics - from the refrigerated section so you know you are getting live probiotics. Cabbage, dates and other fiber foods with potassium & magnesium may help. Feel better!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I am very well versed on this subject :flushed:

    Coffee, water, smooth move tea and the usual generic stuff do nothing for me.

    -Magnesium . Top of my list

    - probiotics with strains that address constipation.

    - Health food store fibre blend powders which contain carob or cacao. Mixed with milk make a delicious chocolatey high fibre drink. I have 2 cups every evening.

    There's many other things you can get, like "colon cleanse" and special powders you mix with water, but mostly they taste disgusting! !!

    The above 3 things I listed work for the hardcore toilet problems :wink: :+1:
  • PearlAng
    PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
    Not sure if it's been mentioned, but Metamucil has worked wonders for me
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    PearlAng wrote: »
    Not sure if it's been mentioned, but Metamucil has worked wonders for me

    The calories weren't worth it for me...
  • spunkypug100
    spunkypug100 Posts: 20 Member
    I like the Yogi Smooth Move tea. I drink it before bed and usually have success in the am. I too only go once or twice a week but I only drink the tea if I'm feeling uncomfortable. My mom gets constipated quite bad and used miralax. My daughter is on the same path but it seems to be worse when she has milk products.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    If that was me I would be using an enema and then trying the oil and stuff once the immediate problem was handled.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    just go eat five guys and be done with it.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    gothchiq wrote: »
    If that was me I would be using an enema and then trying the oil and stuff once the immediate problem was handled.

    Me too! :confounded:
  • sheclimbsrocks
    sheclimbsrocks Posts: 110 Member
    Also, my digestive problems all went away when I quit dairy. Maybe try eliminating that, or other problem foods. for a week & see what happens. I also get 'stuck' if I eat some fried foods, like onion rings or other yummy treats!
  • yesimpson
    yesimpson Posts: 1,372 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    just go eat five guys and be done with it.

    This was actually what did it last time I was bunged up after a week's camping, and it is definitely more enjoyable than prune juice. Drink a couple of beers as well for good measure.
  • mickeymnmnb
    mickeymnmnb Posts: 2 Member
    I've always had bouts of constipation, mixed with bouts of diarrhea. The doctor told me to add more fiber to my diet, eat more fruits and vegetables/less carbs (standard answer from doctors when you have GI symtpoms). I did and I got worse. I have been having serious problems with constipation for over 6 months now. The doctor instructed me to take stool softeners twice daily and referred me to a GI Specialist who instructed me to also take Miralax daily. It worked, but I still had pain in my belly and other symptoms, plus, I hate taking that much medicine.

    The GI doc then referred me to the nutritionist. She put me on the FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo- Di- and Monosaccharides And Polyols) Elimination Diet a week and a half ago with great success so far. I've been able to quit taking the medicine and actually had a normal BM today. Woo hoo! Only 2-1/2 weeks to go before I can start adding food back.

    Once I start adding foods back (one at a time) I'm hoping to learn what I'm sensitive to so that I can eliminate it permanently and start enjoying the other things again. The FODMAP Elimination Diet eliminates the following: Lactose (milk, certain milk products), Fructose (HFCS, honey/agave, fruit), Sugar Alcohols (certain fruits and vegetables, certain sugar-free foods), Fructans and GOS (wheat/rye/barley, certain vegetables, inulin/chicory root, dried peas/beans, nuts/seeds).

    So far it's the answer I've been looking for. It's hard to do, without the advice of a nutritionist, but there is some really good info here: http://blog.katescarlata.com/category/fodmaps/. Good luck!
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Try eating a more fatty meal (healthy fats--avocado and olive oils) once or twice a week. Cut out some wheat and dairy. Try fish oil capsules too. They work wonders.

    Last advice (might be TMI, but we are talking about poop here...)--get a squatty potty or a stool to rest your feet on in front of the toilet. It helps me A LOT. We aren't really meant to poop like we are seated in a chair. Prudish Victorians made us do that. Our muscles work better to evacuate the premises if our knees are slightly higher than our hips.

    This is one reason why there are so many colon issues in our country and a lot less in 3rd world countries where they poop in a floor toilet/hole.

    I tried the squatty potty once... thumbs up :joy:
  • eba2003
    eba2003 Posts: 43 Member
    Have you made any changes to your diet recently? Introduced new foods or eliminated anything?
This discussion has been closed.