40+ grams of fibre but things still aren't moving

I have (had?) diverticulitis & had to have part of my colon removed due to complications, so I consider constipation to be serious - believe me, it's no joke. Extreme constipation can eventually cause those pockets in the colon, and if they get inflamed, then it's very dangerous. Never would I want anyone to go through that operation - and I discovered later that I was one of the lucky ones - it isn't successful for many people.

Doctors aren't trained in nutrition, sad to say, but I'd talk to him or her about switching your pain meds to something that might not has as severe side effects. If it were me, I'd also try just raw veggies & fruit smoothies for awhile, too, just until things are 'back to normal.'

This may sound pretty obvious, but are you getting enough water? my doctor told me that fiber can have the opposite effect you want from it if you don't supplement it with LOTS of water.

it's the analgesics....chill with the pain meds for a while and things will start to move

Maybe try some "smooth move" tea. Don't get the Dieter's Tea, because it will give you the craps... But the smooth move/gentle laxative stuff works pretty well.

If I'm really backed up I try two tea bags in one cup to give it an extra bump.

You should be taking stool softeners daily along with your meds....not sure what country you are in, but try docusate sodium 100mg 2x's a day or something similar...the bottle has the maximum amount you can take in 24hrs, If I were you, I would keep increasing my dose if I didn't get any relief, but don't go over the max.

Along with that, I noted your diary doesn't have much substance to it...I am not a dieter person, but I eat alot of the Bob's Red Mill 10-grain cereal ...usually for breakfast and possibly lunch too. I see you are taking fiber pills, but if you can get the fiber from food, it is usually a better qualitly of fiber.

Good luck!

it's the analgesics....chill with the pain meds for a while and things will start to move

It's not the analgesics that cause problems. It's the anti-inflammatories and the anti-spasmatics. They calm your system down to the point where your intestines just aren't pushing things along.

As far as dietary changes, I'd suggest increasing your vegetable intake...things like broccoli, brussels sprouts, shredded cabbage, green beans...i.e. really dense bulky fibrous vegetables. You could also try fiber one cereal...but make sure you have lots of water with it otherwise it will have the opposite effect. Also, incorporating beans and legumes into your diet may help, they are also high in fiber...again make sure you have lots of water with them. Keep in mind all these suggestions may tend to bloat you until you get things moving, so that part may be uncomfortable..so you may initially want to try a stool softener as others suggested, perhaps ask your doctor to recommend one that is gentle and not habit forming.

I have been having the same problem for quite a few days. We are both usually under our calorie limit but I have been trying to eat more stuff. Since I have been eating back my exercise calories for the last few days, things have been 'moving' a lot better. I am not sure if there is a connection, but it might be worth a try?

I have had IBS for 30 years. I have yo-yo'd between diarrhea and constipation for decades....can you say hemmorhoids? And no. It is NOT funny. I've had boughts where I have prayed for death. Until I discovered GROUND psyllium fibre about 6 years ago. I take a heaping tablespoon every single day. Every Single Day. Sometimes 2 tablespoons. It is the ONLY thing that has given me any relief in all the years I've been plagued by this. I won't lie. It is nasty stuff to swallow, but I swallow it, because the alternative is unthinkable. It helps, no matter what the issue is. Why? Because it 'fluffs' the waste material into a soft, yet formed substance. It turns into little beads of gel, like tapioca, and gives the waste substance, while letting it pass easily. Effortlessly even. I add it to my protein shake in the morning. 1 scoop whey protein, 1 heaping scoop ground psyllium husks, add water, mix quickly, gag it back as fast as I can [don't wait...it turns into glop very fast], and I'm good to go. No pun intended.

Hollycat
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