All backed up . . again!

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vikesfanmb
vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay . . so I am all backed up, as in constipated - and badly. I have a history of chronic issues but since I started eating more fruits and veggies and whole grains, the problem has continued to get worse. And I drink lots of water. I've recently upped my intake of water actually, including coconut water which is excellent for hydration.

Sorry if this is TMI, but I have not gone for the better part of a week. Upon my gastroenterologist's suggestion, I take Miralax 4 times per day and I eat lots of prunes. I've even resorted to senna pills a few days this week and still LITTLE OR NOTHING . . what does come out are small rock-like pellets, fingernail sized at best or smaller.

I get lots and lots of fiber. Usually, at least 30 grams per day.

I do have a call in to the doctor's office this morning because I'm kind at the end of my rope with this problem, the nurse almost could not believe I had taken that much Miralax (even though the dr told me to!) and still have had little or no "movement".

Anyways, it's really driving me crazy . . I spend many a day in the restroom, both at work and home. :cry:

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem to this extent? It seems like my body does just the opposite of what it should be doing. UGH
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Replies

  • Drunkadelic
    Drunkadelic Posts: 948 Member
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    Try ditching the whole grain (especially wheat).

    I've gotta run our I'd write more. But if you are really interested, look up the newly released book called "Wheat Belly." There are some really good reviews out there.
  • emilydmac
    emilydmac Posts: 382 Member
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    Yes- I have exactly the same issue as you! It just gets worse the healthier I eat. It is at the point where it hurts my abdomen to lie down because my colon is so 'full' yucky I know. If you find a solution, let me know!
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
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    Are you eating a lot of iron? Have you tried drinking hot water with lemon?
  • blm211
    blm211 Posts: 6
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    have you tried adding probiotics into your diet? they will aid in your whole digestion process. GNC has a lot of good ones; I prefer chewables to the capsules. I actually take them to help my acid reflux disease, but they definitely keep me more regular.
  • kfitz10103
    kfitz10103 Posts: 354
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    I have IBS with the opposite problem, but I used to have your problem. Do you exercise? That helped me when I used to have that problem. And drink ALOT of water. Have you tried the fiber bars, cereal of muffins? Sometimes the insoluble fiber can help even if it can cause some stomach discomfort.
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
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    Yes - I have added probiotics. I also take acidophilus every day. Thanks for all the suggestions thus far. And yes - I do warm up my water and add prune juice to it, that and apple cider.
  • tewsy
    tewsy Posts: 34
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    CUT GLUTEN OUT OF YOUR DIET!

    This same thing happened to a friend of mine. And she cut gluten out of her diet and she was back to normal.
  • WiiFitFan
    WiiFitFan Posts: 156 Member
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    Take probiotics and eat plain yogurt, as well. Hope this helps!
  • LadyG33
    LadyG33 Posts: 46
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    Try drinking warm water with lemon and CAYENNE PEPPER. Yes I know it sounds nasty, but it helped me.
  • sblair77
    sblair77 Posts: 355 Member
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    have you tried adding probiotics into your diet? they will aid in your whole digestion process. GNC has a lot of good ones; I prefer chewables to the capsules. I actually take them to help my acid reflux disease, but they definitely keep me more regular.

    This!
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
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    Exercise has helped me stay regular in the past and I exercise vigorously now . . at least 5 times per week, cardio and Pilates. I have a feeling that perhaps I might have "done myself in" with some rice that I ate on Sunday. I literally cannot eat rice or bananas but I had dinner with my in laws and rice was on the "menu" and I ate a very small amount. I know rice is very binding, but for 5 days now?? ARGH

    Also, I cannot ever take Pepto Bismol (I used to take it a lot for upset stomach when I was much younger) and if I even look at a Pepto Bismol, I swear it makes me constipated. LOL

    Anyways, I am trying to not obsess about this . . but it's kind of ruling my life since I'm spending so much time in the bathroom.
  • shawnscott5
    shawnscott5 Posts: 295 Member
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    CUT GLUTEN OUT OF YOUR DIET!

    This same thing happened to a friend of mine. And she cut gluten out of her diet and she was back to normal.

    My mom was the same way, it's worth a try.
  • LuckyGirl2422
    LuckyGirl2422 Posts: 29
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    yes! try ditching whole grain.

    this happened to me but went on for 6-7 months!! horrible :(. i tried miralax also...helped a little but not enough. i finally ended up at the doctors office keeled over in pain and he diagnosed me with acute colitis. it was just a really bad infection that caused alot of inflammation. i was better and back down to my normal weight within 3 days of taking the antibiotic.
    best advice is to just get to the doctor now before it gets worse.

    hope all goes well :)
  • steffiejoe
    steffiejoe Posts: 313 Member
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    I use to drink Plum Smart every morning and it kept me regular. It was the only thing that worked. The taste is not bad way better then prunes.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
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    I have drastically cut back on grains and replace 1-2 meals a day with fresh squeazed juice. That has greatly helped my digestive problems. **I do still work to keep my calories at or above 1230.
  • heyjude1358
    heyjude1358 Posts: 45
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    Let us know what the doctor's office says when they get back to you.
    My daughter and I sometimes have a 'backed up' problem now and then, and Miralax has always done the trick for us.
    Enema maybe?
  • jperrysunlover
    jperrysunlover Posts: 96 Member
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    I had colon cancer in my 20's and a recent scare of a re-occurance with major surgery and the recover has been brutal.
    The following has helped with "going" and with my recovery.

    You should try to get 45 grams of fiber per day. Drink your weight in oz. of water per day. ie. 126 lbs, 126 oz. water
    First thing in the morning drink citrucel (metamucil, etc) with 16 oz. of water.
    Take Colace (OTC) every day. One or two tablets.
    Stay away from processed foods. Bread, everything.
    Do lots of ab routines. I do 300-500 ab exercises a day.
    Do yoga. It is great for your digestive system. There are poses that help release toxins from your body and improve organ function.
    There are several diet/trim/detox teas on the market. Meridian Herbal Trim Tea or Triple Leaf Dieter's Green/Detox teas are great. But, do not exceed two cups in 24 hours.

    Good luck!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
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    Yes - I have added probiotics. I also take acidophilus every day. Thanks for all the suggestions thus far. And yes - I do warm up my water and add prune juice to it, that and apple cider.

    Wow! I must say I've never heard of problems that severe without a diagnosis to go along with it. But if you are seeing a doctor the best you could do is follow his/her advice. Hopefully it is a GI specialist. If not, it might be time to ask for a referral.
  • Masterchef2000
    Masterchef2000 Posts: 127 Member
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    I'm new at excersing this much and I'm having the same problem. You eat junk, it goes right through no problem. You eat healthy and guess what? Problems! LOL. If I haven't gone for 4 days, I take ducolex but I'm sick of taking it after the 3rd time. I bought some Fiber Choice today and see if that helps. I hope so! After so many days it makes my tummy feel bloated and icky and makes excersising harder to do.
  • lrd2010
    lrd2010 Posts: 161 Member
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    Peppermint tea always helps me. I suffered with this terribly when I was younger, but increasing my water intake and the peppermint has really helped!

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