Constipation

Senna is not a good idea. Besides being habit forming, it cause spots on your colon which I learned about during my last colonoscopy. According to my gastroenterologist, the spots are harmless and will go away if you stop taking the Senna. The problem is that during a colonoscopy, the spots make it hard to see you there are any polyps. He showed me a picture of my spots - not pretty.

Mirolax works very good for me. I have IBS also and this helps alot.

Fish oil capsules help me every time!

Or just generally increasing your fat. Sometimes when you eat low fat, things have a tough time moving through. For me adding fat and eating 2 or 3 prunes per day usually helps with the issue.

I always eat lots of fruits and veggies, but I tried increasing my fibre and ended up eating more grains and getting more constipated. Grains add bulk and too much can make things more difficult. About thirty six hours after I gave up grains it was smooth sailing, and I haven't had a problem since. Perhaps you could go grain free for a day or two and see if that makes a difference.

Broccoli or any fibre really.
And stop eating soy based protein.

Builder bars are known to cause constipation.

I just take a metformin....but you have to be diabetic to get those.

But I can also use Benefiber....dont like Metamucil.

I agree on Miralax. A doctor actually gave me a rx for the same stuff as Miralax, but in a powder form to add to drinks. I had tons of problems in the beginning, I'm assuming my body adjusting, but its gotten better the past couple months. Drink plenty of water and fats will also help. I think of it as greasing up the intestines lol

Before I started eating healthier, I would have to be near a bathroom everytime I ate. The last 7 months has gotten worse and worse for constipation. I do eat beans, I do drink water, I have tried flaxseeds and most of the other things recommended here. It has gotten to the point in the last couple of months that I take 3 stool softners Friday afternoon and usually by Saturday morning I have a bowel movement and lose a couple of pounds!!! ONCE a week for me WITH assistance ISN'T normal!! I have mentioned this to my doctor and he ignored me I guess because he didn't suggest anything. Hope you find something that works for you. Wish I would!

Avocados and beans make sure you drink plenty of water and get lots of exercise

I just found this on another online forum....

"Psyllium will produce easy bowel movements, sometimes with a loose stool, and it is used by patients with irritable bowel syndrome, anal fissures (cracks in the skin near the *kitten*) and hemorrhoids..."

Ok...so then it says...

"Psyllium soaks up a significant amount of water in the digestive tract, thereby making stool firmer and, under these circumstances, slower to pass..."

So...which is it? Easy and loose or slower and firmer?

I take a magnesium drink ever night before bed. This is a very gentle calming way of getting rid of waste and I am totally regular.

It also helps me sleep all night.

Psyllium is quickly becoming one of the top recommendations for people using low-carb Atkins-style diets. It is very difficult to get enough fibre in a diet when you eliminate the carbohydrates in cereals, whole grains and fruits. Psyllium capsules are an easy way to take care of this problem. It fills you with fibre, reducing appetite without overstimulating the nervous system; a much healthier approach than formulas containing ephedra such as Herbalife or Metabolife.

Psyllium is the husk of the seed of the Plantain and is a top herb used in weight control and for general intestinal health. It contains a spongy fiber that reduces appetite, improves digestion and cleanses the system, making it an excellent choice for healthy dieting. Psyllium can provide the fiber that is missing on low carbohydrate diets. Every 100 grams of psyllium provides 71 grams of soluble fiber; a similar amount of oat bran would contain only 5 grams of soluble fiber. Only recently have scientists learned that soluble fiber has unique effects on metabolism. Just take one or two capsules with a glass of water or Yerba Mate diet tea, half hour before meals. The herb also provides a feeling of fullness that is helpful before meals. Psyllium is one of the simplest, healthiest and most effective herbs for weight control.

Psyllium has also been used for irritable bowel syndrome (a stress-related disorder with alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation). Because it will produce easy bowel movements with a loose stool, Psyllium is used by patients with anal fissures (cracks in the skin near the *kitten*) and hemorrhoids and is often recommended following anal or rectal surgery, during pregnancy and as a secondary treatment in certain types of diarrhea.

Psyllium soaks up a significant amount of water in the digestive tract, thereby making stool firmer and, under these circumstances, slower to pass. Psyllium also has the additional advantages over other sources of fiber of reducing flatulence and bloating. It may be recommended by a physician to help soften stool and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoids.



In a study of people with ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disorder), psyllium seeds were as shown to be as effective as the prescription drug mesalamine in decreasing recurrences of the disease. In addition, a physician may recommend the use of psyllium as a bulking agent for mild to moderate cases of diarrhea from either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (another type of inflammatory bowel disorder).

Research reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes that the use of soluble-fiber cereals is an effective and well-tolerated part of a prudent diet for the treatment of mild to moderate Hypercholesterollaemia. Soluble fibers such as those in psyllium husk, guar gum, and oat bran have a cholesterol-lowering effect when added to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Studies reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have shown psyllium to be quite effective in lowering total as well as LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, which can be helpful to those with high cholesterol and those at increased risk for developing hypercholesterolemia, such as people with type 2 diabetes.

Studies and clinical reports suggest that psyllium may enhance the sensation of fullness and reduce hunger cravings. For these reasons, incorporating psyllium and other sources of fiber into the diet may aid weight loss.

For those simply wishing to improve digestion and intestinal tract health, a single capsule per day is all that is neededc

Common Names: Sand Plantain, Flea Seed, Ispaghula, Psyllium Seed, Indian Plantago, Spog

Indicated for: Constipation, Diarrhea, High cholesterol, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colon Cancer, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Haemorrhoids, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia and Obesity. Treatment of dysentery, catarrhal conditions of the genito-urinary tract, inflamed membranes of the intestinal canal etc. The oil in the seed embryo contains 50% linoleic acid and has been used as a preventative of atherosclerosisz

Sunsweet 60 cal Prune Pack daily before bed and some strong coffee in the morning, usually helps me out... My problem though isn't that I need a stool-softener, My bowels just seem to be lazy and not move anything

I hope you are still reading this far... I've had this problem associated with diverticulitis - Also I have 6 kids and each of them are different.... prunes/raisins actually constipate my daughter! Here's what I've found - NEVER EAT SOY! GET SOME PROBIOTICS INTO YOUR COLON-look for the "pearl" that will actually deliver the pro-bugs to your colon.
Do not get addicted to the MIralax/SmoothMove Tea nonsense - If you have a chronic problem the solution needs to be a food! Try out the following as a meal/snack/ meal supplement: carrots-RAW , red bell pepper-RAW - eat the whole thing except for the stem parts and seeds, RAW leafy greens - spinach (fresh), bok choy, anything with a dark green leaf IN LARGE QUANTITIES (if I eat 2 cups of baby spinach leaves it is perfection).
Good luck
If none of my suggestions work, don't be discouraged - I really believe that everyone is different & what works for one person may not for another.

I hope you are still reading this far... I've had this problem associated with diverticulitis - Also I have 6 kids and each of them are different.... prunes/raisins actually constipate my daughter! Here's what I've found - NEVER EAT SOY! GET SOME PROBIOTICS INTO YOUR COLON-look for the "pearl" that will actually deliver the pro-bugs to your colon.
Do not get addicted to the MIralax/SmoothMove Tea nonsense - If you have a chronic problem the solution needs to be a food! Try out the following as a meal/snack/ meal supplement: carrots-RAW , red bell pepper-RAW - eat the whole thing except for the stem parts and seeds, RAW leafy greens - spinach (fresh), bok choy, anything with a dark green leaf IN LARGE QUANTITIES (if I eat 2 cups of baby spinach leaves it is perfection).
Good luck
If none of my suggestions work, don't be discouraged - I really believe that everyone is different & what works for one person may not for another.

Just one of the reasons why I usually don't post in the forums on this message board. If it is working for some people, then it is no more nonsense than what is working for you.