HELP!! sorry if TMI!! difficulty with bowels

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dawnemjh
dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been having trouble with constipation for months!! I get at least 40gms of fiber in per day, drink at least 100 ounces of water, take fiber supplements...and still having trouble. Anyone that struggles with this have any tips?? i would like to avoid stimulants (senna) asit has been thought by some GI specialists that these can alter the nerve response in the intestines and make you dependant on them to go. I have had success with the liquid maalox but not the pills, but the taste (both plain/mint/and cherry) is enough to make me gag. I have put on 4 pounds since yesterday d/t bloating and am sooo uncomfortable. Dont know what else to do. HELP!!!!
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Replies

  • Dtrmnd86
    Dtrmnd86 Posts: 406 Member
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    Is it possible you are getting too much fiber? I believe it's recommended to get around 35 a day so if you get to 40, maybe the supplement is too much. I thought I've heard that too much can have the opposite effect, but don't quote me, I may be wrong. I don't get enough fiber so I use the benefiber orange twice a day and it works.
  • bmw4deb
    bmw4deb Posts: 1,325 Member
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    I have the same problem, i have tried everything as well
  • Michelle9939
    Michelle9939 Posts: 291
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    You might be getting too much fiber. Cut down on some of it but still drink that water. Hope you feel better.
  • SophRW
    SophRW Posts: 93 Member
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    Try Triphala- it's an Arurvedic herbal supplement. Or Smooth Move tea. Hope you feel better!
  • MzMiller1215
    MzMiller1215 Posts: 633 Member
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    I strongly suggest seeing a GI specialist.
  • annieboo34
    annieboo34 Posts: 12
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    Ever rub the bottoms of your feet? It helps me with constipation. Rub gently on the bottom of your feet, above the heel, in kind of the fleshy part of your foot that touches the ground....from a Reflexology standpoint, this is the colon reflex. When I feel bloated and constipated, I rub that part a couple of times a day and usually within 12 hours I find some relief. Good luck!
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
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    Seriously, try some prune juice...maybe 6 or so ounces daily.
  • WiiFitFan
    WiiFitFan Posts: 156 Member
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    Drink lots of water and take a probiotic. You can get them over the counter in the vitamin section. They are the good bacteria for your gut like what is in yogurt. Eating yogurt, preferably plain with no sugar will also help. Apples are good, too. Prunes. Plum Smart juice. The probiotics are the best solution. It will help regulate things and keep your immune system healthy. Best wishes!
  • char2009
    char2009 Posts: 68
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    I'm the same :( I actually have a dr. appointment on friday. I find I get real bad depending on what I eat. I'm going to talk to the dr maybe about trying the eat right for your blood type diet to see if that helps?? I find a lot of foods on the avoid list for me make me sick (my stomach will bloat to make me look although I'm 4-5 months pregnant) I have found that milk of magnesia helps for the short term (laxative) I can send you a pm if you'd like after I friday to tell you what my dr told me..
  • godroxmysox
    godroxmysox Posts: 1,491 Member
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    I read somewhere you're supposed to get 14g of fiber for every 1000 calories you consume. Is it possible you're getting too much fiber?
  • looseal
    looseal Posts: 27 Member
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    I am having the same problem. Too much fiber is my problem. I am drinking prune juice which is doing its job nicely. :)
  • chorgi
    chorgi Posts: 221
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    I struggle with this, as well. I used to average 1-2 bowel movements a week for most of my life. Often they would be painful and I always felt bloated and heavy. I started taking Align, a probiotic supplement (there are others out there, too, if you can't find this one). i also take gummy fiber supplements. In the last six months, it's dramatically improved (not always every day, but at least every other day now). I started making an effort to drink 8 glasses of water daily, too. I think it's really helped my weight loss and metabolism, too, now that I'm going more frequently.
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
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    Amy's herbal tea. ENOUGH SAID!

    I drink this every single day and go 2-3 times a day! It's a life saver but you must drink LOTS of water!

    http://www.amysherbaltea.com/


    If you want to know more about it, feel free to send me a message. The maker of the tea is a family friend :)
  • AshinAms
    AshinAms Posts: 283 Member
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    I have this - huge troubles with my bowels. I go maybe about once every two weeks and like you have terrible bloating. I have found that eating a lot of fibre does NOT help me at all. If I have too much fibre I end up with an intestinal blockage. I also drink about 4 litres of water per day and I have lots of soluble fibre (fruit and vegetables). I have tried everything and find that magnesium tablets tend to work best. Drinking a pint of warm water first thing in the morning also seems to help.

    Do you get a pain in your side under the right hand lower rib? Apparently there is a loop in the colon there and if you suffer bad constipation wind can get trapped. I was told this by the GI specialist who also recommended the magnesium.

    I try not to take laxatives but if I do I don't take the bulking agents as it makes it worse.

    I feel sorry for you, I know how horrible it is.
  • harpcason
    harpcason Posts: 40
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    I have the same problem. Finally had enough of it and went to a GI doctor. Did a colonoscopy and discovered that I have diverticulitis and scar tissue. He gave me several prescriptions, which were very costly. And also suggested Magnesium Citrate. The really expensive medicine did not work. However the Magnesium Citrate did. So I keep that on hand. Directions say to drink one bottle, daily if needed. I only drink a half of a bottle when needed. It was a lot cheaper. Walmart where I live charges .96. Thats way better than $100 +. Kmart has it in a much better flavor for $2 more. Good luck with it. I know what it feels like, and it is sooooooo miserable.
  • Bbethel
    Bbethel Posts: 12
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    I've been diagnosed with crohns disease, so I understand your problems. When I get out of my normal routine (weekends), I can be locked up for days. Water is great of course, but I eat a lot of fresh fruit, apples, pears, grapes...anything that is high in pectin. Also, lay off excessive dairy. If you do have dairy, make it a wise choice. Go with a yogurt with all the stuff in it to make you move. There is also an herbal tea called "smooth move".

    What helps me to is running and jumping jacks. :happy:

    But I agree that you should see a specialist so that you know what your working with.

    Hope everthing comes out well in the end!:wink:
  • hummingbird71
    hummingbird71 Posts: 298 Member
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    Try eating fruits and veggies on an empty stomach. I have heard that they can help cleanse you but only if you eat them on an empty stomach. I agree that you MAY be getting too much fiber. I had that happen to me so I cut back and it all seemed to work out ok. :happy:
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
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    Thanks for all the tips!!!!! So appreciated! I am off to the store right now!!!!
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
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    I'm the same :( I actually have a dr. appointment on friday. I find I get real bad depending on what I eat. I'm going to talk to the dr maybe about trying the eat right for your blood type diet to see if that helps?? I find a lot of foods on the avoid list for me make me sick (my stomach will bloat to make me look although I'm 4-5 months pregnant) I have found that milk of magnesia helps for the short term (laxative) I can send you a pm if you'd like after I friday to tell you what my dr told me..

    Yes!! Please let me know!! and good luck!
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
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    Amy's herbal tea. ENOUGH SAID!

    I drink this every single day and go 2-3 times a day! It's a life saver but you must drink LOTS of water!

    http://www.amysherbaltea.com/


    If you want to know more about it, feel free to send me a message. The maker of the tea is a family friend :)

    Yes I am interested!! I need it like yesterday :)

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