The Poop Talk: Constipation & the AIP Diet

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Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,213 Member
    +1 to encouraging getting enough fat in your eating, too, if there's any chance you aren't doing so already.

    The things that helped me resolve a long-term constipation problem were increasing water, getting enough healthy fat, and exercise (especially exercise that involved moving (twisting, bending) the midsection). (I was already getting enough fiber.) Distributing the water, fiber, and fat through the day (vs. all at once or close to it) helped, too, along with probiotic & prebiotic foods.

    Good luck!
  • Gena575
    Gena575 Posts: 224 Member
    15 days and no real relief despite mineral oil and assorted other remedies?? Are you kidding me? Talk to whatever doctor put you on the AIP protocol. You need medical attention.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    Gena575 wrote: »
    15 days and no real relief despite mineral oil and assorted other remedies?? Are you kidding me? Talk to whatever doctor put you on the AIP protocol. You need medical attention.

    I'd tend to agree. Up to you but if all of the things suggested in this thread have only helped minimally I'd seek the advice of a doctor, you may have a blockage.
  • shoeoptional
    shoeoptional Posts: 46 Member
    I have a BM about every three days but nothing spectacular. I'm exercising daiky, eating healthy fats, and increased green leaf vegetables. The mineral oil and the recent 7-day colon cleanse yielded unimpressive results. F the doctors, they're no help and will cost me a fortune in copays and scripts. I'm exploring colon hydrotherapy by a certified individual.
  • shoeoptional
    shoeoptional Posts: 46 Member
    edited September 2016
    I would like to explain that I no longer have confidence in the medical community and decided to empower myself and seek the council of those in the holistic community but no doctors. No more pills. No more return visits. No more dealing with insurance companies. Just me, a vastly improved diet, significantly more exercise, accountability and more joy. The cliche advice from doctors such as "just lose some weight and your problems will be solved" without a proper way to do it is gone stale. I can continue to afford to pay for my doctor's country club dues or explore wellness on my own. I chose the latter. I will only seek medical treatment if I feel like there is a significant problem. Otherwise, I'm doing this Invictus style. I'm going beyond healing my body but rather am choosing to heal my life.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    Doctors always have bias. My wife broke her leg a few years back, badly by stepping off a porch and rolling her ankle. Her bone shattered. She's a smoker so guess what the doctor blamed her brittle bone on? Smoking. Years later we find that bone loss has now gone into her hip and low and behold, her parathyroid was messed up. It was leeching all the calcium out of her bones. Had the doctor checked it years ago she likely wouldn't have the bone loss she has now.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Different types of fiber do different things in our bodies. Usually you need a higher soluble fiber to insoluble fiber ratio to prevent things like constipation. Are you eating a lot of veggies (and fruit) with soluble fiber. Possibly would help to add fermented foods like a good quality kefir or raw sauerkraut if you haven't already. Just some possible ideas that might possibly help.
  • kirayng2
    kirayng2 Posts: 36 Member
    Yogurt and oatmeal. If not eating dairy then get a soy, coconut or almond based yogurt product. If not eating grains sub quinoa for the oatmeal. However, oatmeal really gets you regular, a bowl a day or every other day is really amazing. If you've gone off grains due to not being able to digest them for some reason, try soaking oats overnight in nondairy milk with some nondairy yogurt. Bananas help as well. When I was constipated during pregnancy I ate oatmeal, bananas and yogurt pretty much every day plus took a stool softener, Ducolax (without the laxative magnesium citrate, they make both kinds). I think it was doxalamine succinate or something.
  • tapwaters
    tapwaters Posts: 428 Member
    Know what makes ya poop? I nice cup of coffee.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/11/coffee-laxative-effect-makes-you-poop_n_7546170.html

    It'll be there for you when you've decided you love it again.
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    I states using a new probiotic and benifiber. . huge improvement.
  • shoeoptional
    shoeoptional Posts: 46 Member
    I did an online assessment today and realized that part of my problem might be my daily usage of OTC pain reliever. I'm still a large beast and put a lot of stress on my feet, ankles and knees and therefore to keep the pain manageable, I take 3-4 ibuprofen daily. Pain reliever does cause constipation. I need to find a better way to manage my physical pain but am going in for a good ole fashion colon cleaning. 42 years as an aggressive carnivore might be caused for some hydrotherapy.
  • shoeoptional
    shoeoptional Posts: 46 Member
    tapwaters wrote: »
    Know what makes ya poop? I nice cup of coffee.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/11/coffee-laxative-effect-makes-you-poop_n_7546170.html

    It'll be there for you when you've decided you love it again.

    God bless you because coffee is the one thing I look forward to having back in my life but on the AIP diet, coffee is eliminated for the first six weeks. Here's a link to the blog explaining why: http://autoimmune-paleo.com/kicking-the-coffee-habit/ Read one thing and it's coffee YEAH but read another and it's coffee BOO! I'd give my pinky toe for a Venti Cafe Americano right now though.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Doctors always have bias. My wife broke her leg a few years back, badly by stepping off a porch and rolling her ankle. Her bone shattered. She's a smoker so guess what the doctor blamed her brittle bone on? Smoking. Years later we find that bone loss has now gone into her hip and low and behold, her parathyroid was messed up. It was leeching all the calcium out of her bones. Had the doctor checked it years ago she likely wouldn't have the bone loss she has now.

    My dad is dead because he trusted his doctors word... Always best to get a second and third opinion. By the time my dad did this it was too late.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Prunes. Prune Juice (warm it in the microwave a bit--I don't know why that helps, but it seems to). Senna/Senokot if all else fails. Source: recently had surgery with opioid pain meds that did a number on me.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    My tried and true method to keep things regular is my protein/fibre drink i have everyday and 2-3 magnesium tablets before bed, preferably on an empty stomach.

    My drink, although it is a pudding consistency is:

    32g choc/peanut butter protein powder
    15g psyllium husk powder
    10g flaxseed meal
    150ml vanilla almond milk
    sometimes i add 15g of coconut oil for an extra kick.

    Mix it all together with a stick blended and eat with a spoon, it tastes like chocolate pudding.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Um you know that meat doesn't stay in your colon for 42 years lol. I would recommend not doing the colon cleansing, cleansing packs, enemas, etc. They are unnecessary and quite wooish.
    I did an online assessment today and realized that part of my problem might be my daily usage of OTC pain reliever. I'm still a large beast and put a lot of stress on my feet, ankles and knees and therefore to keep the pain manageable, I take 3-4 ibuprofen daily. Pain reliever does cause constipation. I need to find a better way to manage my physical pain but am going in for a good ole fashion colon cleaning. 42 years as an aggressive carnivore might be caused for some hydrotherapy.

  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Doctors always have bias. My wife broke her leg a few years back, badly by stepping off a porch and rolling her ankle. Her bone shattered. She's a smoker so guess what the doctor blamed her brittle bone on? Smoking. Years later we find that bone loss has now gone into her hip and low and behold, her parathyroid was messed up. It was leeching all the calcium out of her bones. Had the doctor checked it years ago she likely wouldn't have the bone loss she has now.

    My dad is dead because he trusted his doctors word... Always best to get a second and third opinion. By the time my dad did this it was too late.

    And on the other hand I would be dead if it weren't for doctors. They aren't always wrong.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I think the colon cleansing stuff could actually do more harm than good. But, it is true that the ibuprofen can cause GI troubles (or worsen pre-existing ones).

    I agree about second and third opinions. Good doctors save lifes. Not good doctors can cause great harm. It's good to find a good doctor. And proceed with caution depending on the circumstances. Go to a specialist if your situation calls for a specialist.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Doctors always have bias. My wife broke her leg a few years back, badly by stepping off a porch and rolling her ankle. Her bone shattered. She's a smoker so guess what the doctor blamed her brittle bone on? Smoking. Years later we find that bone loss has now gone into her hip and low and behold, her parathyroid was messed up. It was leeching all the calcium out of her bones. Had the doctor checked it years ago she likely wouldn't have the bone loss she has now.

    My dad is dead because he trusted his doctors word... Always best to get a second and third opinion. By the time my dad did this it was too late.

    And on the other hand I would be dead if it weren't for doctors. They aren't always wrong.

    What i meant was if there is even a glimmer of concern or doubt, it will never hurt to get a second or even third opinion. It could even end up saving your life.

    My dad trusted our family doctor when he told him not to worry about the changing mole on his leg, and he trusted him for months thereafter. By the time my dad sought out a second opinion, the cancer had spread to just about every part of his body, and it was too late to save him.

    It's his 30 year gone anniversary this week, which is why it's in the forefront of my mind right now.

    Sorry for veering this thread off topic.. again :blush:
  • JenniferNoll
    JenniferNoll Posts: 367 Member
    I an AI disease too. Crohn's disease. It usually manifests with diarrhea, but occasionally I have issues with severe constipation. If it gets to the point where you are vomiting go to the ER. The vomiting means that reverse peristalsis is beginning to occur, and that means that you could begin to vomit up fecal matter. That is a medical emergency. Also, if you begin to have severe abdominal pain, get to the ER. Your intestines could perforate, which can lead to peritonitis. If you pass more than just a tiny bit of blood, get checked out as well. The longest I ever went without a bowel movement was 21 days. I had to be admitted to the hospital on day 16, and they had to put me under and manually disimpact me. I really hope that you can get some relief soon.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I an AI disease too. Crohn's disease. It usually manifests with diarrhea, but occasionally I have issues with severe constipation. If it gets to the point where you are vomiting go to the ER. The vomiting means that reverse peristalsis is beginning to occur, and that means that you could begin to vomit up fecal matter. That is a medical emergency. Also, if you begin to have severe abdominal pain, get to the ER. Your intestines could perforate, which can lead to peritonitis. If you pass more than just a tiny bit of blood, get checked out as well. The longest I ever went without a bowel movement was 21 days. I had to be admitted to the hospital on day 16, and they had to put me under and manually disimpact me. I really hope that you can get some relief soon.

    Wow i have to go everyday, any more than 2 days and i get severe pain,cramps and vomiting. I cant imagine what 21 days would feel like. I make it almost my second job to do everything i can to ensure i go every morning.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I an AI disease too. Crohn's disease. It usually manifests with diarrhea, but occasionally I have issues with severe constipation. If it gets to the point where you are vomiting go to the ER. The vomiting means that reverse peristalsis is beginning to occur, and that means that you could begin to vomit up fecal matter. That is a medical emergency. Also, if you begin to have severe abdominal pain, get to the ER. Your intestines could perforate, which can lead to peritonitis. If you pass more than just a tiny bit of blood, get checked out as well. The longest I ever went without a bowel movement was 21 days. I had to be admitted to the hospital on day 16, and they had to put me under and manually disimpact me. I really hope that you can get some relief soon.

    Wow i have to go everyday, any more than 2 days and i get severe pain,cramps and vomiting. I cant imagine what 21 days would feel like. I make it almost my second job to do everything i can to ensure i go every morning.

    I'm a Crohnie but I am more of a go way too often type. In a flare it is 30+ times a day lots of blood. On a good day it's about 3. I had a crazy odd reaction to antibiotics which made me constipated (I know weird) and I didn't go for 4 days which is super long for me.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I an AI disease too. Crohn's disease. It usually manifests with diarrhea, but occasionally I have issues with severe constipation. If it gets to the point where you are vomiting go to the ER. The vomiting means that reverse peristalsis is beginning to occur, and that means that you could begin to vomit up fecal matter. That is a medical emergency. Also, if you begin to have severe abdominal pain, get to the ER. Your intestines could perforate, which can lead to peritonitis. If you pass more than just a tiny bit of blood, get checked out as well. The longest I ever went without a bowel movement was 21 days. I had to be admitted to the hospital on day 16, and they had to put me under and manually disimpact me. I really hope that you can get some relief soon.

    Wow i have to go everyday, any more than 2 days and i get severe pain,cramps and vomiting. I cant imagine what 21 days would feel like. I make it almost my second job to do everything i can to ensure i go every morning.

    I'm a Crohnie but I am more of a go way too often type. In a flare it is 30+ times a day lots of blood. On a good day it's about 3. I had a crazy odd reaction to antibiotics which made me constipated (I know weird) and I didn't go for 4 days which is super long for me.

    Far out. What do you think is worse, going too often or not enough? I guess constipation comes along with pain too, but diarrhea doesn't??
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I an AI disease too. Crohn's disease. It usually manifests with diarrhea, but occasionally I have issues with severe constipation. If it gets to the point where you are vomiting go to the ER. The vomiting means that reverse peristalsis is beginning to occur, and that means that you could begin to vomit up fecal matter. That is a medical emergency. Also, if you begin to have severe abdominal pain, get to the ER. Your intestines could perforate, which can lead to peritonitis. If you pass more than just a tiny bit of blood, get checked out as well. The longest I ever went without a bowel movement was 21 days. I had to be admitted to the hospital on day 16, and they had to put me under and manually disimpact me. I really hope that you can get some relief soon.

    Wow i have to go everyday, any more than 2 days and i get severe pain,cramps and vomiting. I cant imagine what 21 days would feel like. I make it almost my second job to do everything i can to ensure i go every morning.

    I'm a Crohnie but I am more of a go way too often type. In a flare it is 30+ times a day lots of blood. On a good day it's about 3. I had a crazy odd reaction to antibiotics which made me constipated (I know weird) and I didn't go for 4 days which is super long for me.

    Far out. What do you think is worse, going too often or not enough? I guess constipation comes along with pain too, but diarrhea doesn't??

    Well I don't want to obstruct so I prefer diarrhea but believe me there is tons of pain with the diarrhea since we have inflammation and ulcers in out intestines. In fact I have chronic abdominal pain all the time even on a normal schedule. I panic when I don't go every day because of possible obstructions. With Crohn's .most people have a fair amount of scar tissue that can make the inside thinner which makes obstruction easier. I have to say that going 30 times a day pure blood isn't good either and also can lead to life threatening conditions.
  • JenniferNoll
    JenniferNoll Posts: 367 Member
    I usually have diarrhea, but the constipation happens a couple of times a year. I have to say that the constipation is much worse. When the diarrhea starts, I know the progression and what to expect, and exactly when I should get to the ER. I can take pain meds then too. With the constipation, it gets iffy, and I can't take anything for pain. The vomiting that I have with constipation is awful, and the "rocket enema" they give you at the hospital is horrific. I've passed huge amounts of blood then too. It's all a lot better since I started humira 2 years ago. I haven't had to get a blood transfusion since then, and I went from having over 60 hospital stays in a 5 year period to once or twice a year. At my lowest weight, when I first got very sick, I was 112 pounds at just over 5 feet tall. At my highest weight, after 80 mg of prednisone a day for nearly a year, I was 217. I've just gotten to 205. I have a long way to go, but I'm getting there.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    @JenniferNoll I'm on Remicade and it has been a life saver. I was diagnosed at 5'8 110 (I had lost 20 lbs in 2 weeks) and didn't gain it back, even on Prednisone and tpn, until the Remicade started working 9 months later and in fact I gained those 20 lbs in a month eek. My gi won't prescribr pain meds except while hospitalized because of the fact they can make you constipated so out of luck pain med wise except Tylenol
  • YvetteK2015
    YvetteK2015 Posts: 654 Member
    The longest I ever went while constipated was over 30 days. That's when I was undergoing chemo. The anti-nausea drug Zofran is notorious for causing constipation, and I was on an ungodly amount. My chemo was 5 months, so after a month of constipation, I would take laxatives, get relief, then get constipated again until day 30 something, take more laxatives....and so on and so on. I was a size 2 and looked like I was 9 months pregnant. It was unbearably uncomfortable.
  • shoeoptional
    shoeoptional Posts: 46 Member
    So I started drinking coffee against the direction of the AIP diet. I also started to do strength training and group aerobics. More bowel movements, more often and I'm no longer miserable now that I get my coffee fix daily.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited October 2016
    .