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 Expert
Posts: 1304
 
| Anyone else out there deal with long term constipation? I don't always eat the healthiest or drink enough water but even when I really do nothing happens, and I mean I do it for long periods of time. Just have some slip ups. I've tried herblax, dulcolax, miralax, milk of magnesia (helped me once), metamucil, etc and it just seems like nothin happens. I've tried flaxseed and juices too which seem to help a little in the beginning, but it's like I get immune to everything? And I don't want to be too reliant on anything anyways. And if anything does happen, it's seriously nothin to be proud of and it's just rare now. It's pathetic. I used to have good craps daily until I started having diarrhea and nausea in the fall of 2011 and they treated me for a virus, parasites, etc. I had a few really bad side pains and got a hyda scan and they said my gull bladder was a little sluggish but nothing horrible. I also found out I was having ovarian cysts rupture so that added to the pain. I've had an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2012 which turned up nothing, and THAT is when my constipation started. They said I probably have irritable bowel, but is that normal for a colonoscopy to have that affect on you? Didn't know if anyone else had an experience like that? Obviously I should see a doctor and will because I'm FED UP, but mine is out on vacation the next two weeks...must be nice. The only time I can really have a good crap is if I have McDonalds sweet tea, but that tears my stomach up with it too! LOL. Ughhhh...anyone else going through similar issues? It starts to get miserable when you're backed up and bloated all the time. Sorry for it being TMI, but we're all family right? Hahaha  |
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 Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
 
Location: Red Raiderland | I would have to believe the dx of IBS and you are now going to have to start to add a lot more fiber to your diet. I was pharma rep for years for IBS drugs and your story is very, very common. You will just have to learn more about how your body reacts to diiferent foods and fiber type supplements. Miralax was a really good product because it doesn't do anything to your body like a laxative can. Basically, it is PEG 3350 which just brings more water to the colon. When I have used it in the past I have doubled the dose and used it for a couple of days. I have also liked Citrucel sugarfree and again use more than it says on the container(maybe not quite double). If you like cereal try a high fiber cereal. Add a lot of fruit to your diet. Good luck in finding the right combo because it can be miserable but certainly not life-threatening. |
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| Thank you for the advice!! Yes, definitely not life threatening and I hate to complain about it but when it goes on for so long it gets old! I'll try that, thank you! |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12704
| Turkey Rhubarb for relief. Google it. I get it from my 'out of the box' doc. Herbal. NO bad effects. |
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 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | For me, magnesium supliment is helping. Plus have been trying to eat a little more fruit. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Try cutting out sugars and grains for a period and see if helps. Apples are a good source of fiber. I eat paleo and I have noticed a difference. If I eat sugars or whites (flour etc) I can get a little "slow". You can substitute sweet potato chips, brownies made with almond flour and sweetened with honey or maple syrup so it is not a matter of depriving yourself. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Probiotics and fiber, either natural or from the shelf, I'm guessing after a couple weeks of the probiotic things will straighten out, you sound like a typical case of no flora, you said this started after you were treated for a virus, most likely with antibiotics. If you were my horse that's how I would treat you!  maybe give you some electrolytes so you drink more! |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | I also have some issues with this, but not quite as bad as you. I finally found a probiotic that helps me - It's called Culturelle. You can get it at the grocery store and it is not too expensive. I tried some of the high dollar ones before and they didn't help. You might have to try some different brands before you find something that will work for you.
Also, I need my coffee in the morning..... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | My husband swears by Bran Buds. It's a cereal that you can buy at any grocery store or Wal-Mart. I believe it's made by Kellogg. He mixes it in with his favorite cereal(Honey Clusters, Cheerios, etc.) He says it really helps keep him "regular". |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Yogurt and High Fiber. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8552
Location: sunny california | potassium deficiency can cause it. try coconut water, raisen bran, oj, yogurt. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas |
Ok sorry got the laugh out, Just reading the first line gave me the giggles. I have no solution other than eat cookies baked with ex-lax |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | A couple of things. Had a friend that had this exact problem-she has an allergy to dairy products. She isn't lactose intolerant it is something else. If she stays away from dairy she is good.
She also eats basically paleo too.
I can tell you I have some serious issues with my stomach as well but mine is due to an emergency abdonment surgery about 10 years ago. Breads, pastas, etc will all stop me up. I don't do well if I eat after about 4 pm each night. Dairy messes with me but not as bad as my friend.
Acupuncture is something I live by. Headed to him today. I have to go at minimum every 3 weeks but I try and go every other week. My issues are man made and fairly severe and I will forever have to deal with this. But I swear by acupuncture-not only for me but for my horses.
I think I would start with cutting out dairy and see how you feel. Then cut out breads/pastas/etc and see if that helps. |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | Since the first thing you mention is your not-so-great diet, I would look into changing it. I know the healthier I eat, the more regular I am.
I also drink the chocolate Shakeology shakes in the morning. They are put out by the Beach Body company. They're protein drinks made from all natural ingredients. It is probably the healthiest thing I eat all day. Not only that, they kill my cravings for bad foods. I mention this because I know they contain probiotics, but I believe there is something else in there that makes someone super regular.
My son is 4 and has the typical kiddo diet. He will drink some of my shake and it even helps him. He's had issues ever since he stopped nursing. For a long time, we had to keep him on a half dose of Miralax every day (per doctor). What I noticed about that is if we took him off the Miralax, he would get stopped up to the point we had to do a suppository. It would then take two days of being on Miralax before it would start working again. So if you take it once and don't have results, I think that may be why it may not work.
Good luck. But personally, I would recommend really looking at your diet and starting to eat better. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | cut out junk, dairy and carbs
eat fresh veggies and fruits and drink at least 8 bottles of water daily.
stop the laxative stuff
fiber is good for you but if your gut is messed up it can backfire and mess with you.
stay on course for 4 weeks and see how it works,
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| I'd stay away from laxatives like Bib said...they can cause the opposite effect after some time. Try a good magnesium supplement taken at night and I guarantee it will help...maybe a little too much, lol. I use Doctors Best Chelated Magnesium from Amazon and it works! It makes you sleepy though so take it at night. Also, add bran fiber such as Fiber One Original Cereal or Fiber One Raisin Bran Cereal and make sure to get up to 40 grams of fiber per day. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 928
Location: Bigfoot Country | jigsawmagnesium.com
works great!!! |
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 Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
Raw veggies and fruits will reset your entire system. Yogurt will help tons. No garbage brands like Yoplait, store brands, etc. - natural yogurt without artificial sweeteners, artificial colors & chemicals. |
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 Purveyor of unconventional wisdom
Posts: 17112
Location: CA | As stated above Probiotics are the way to start your regularity. I drink homemade Kombucha and make sure I eat at least one big salad a day. Works for me. :)
Edited to add: If things get a bit too ummm chunky, Glycerin Suppositories will help glide things out.
Edited by T turning 3 2013-11-22 12:10 PM
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 California Cowgirl
Posts: 14973
Location: California | Yes I have suffered with this for years. I have FINALLY figured out what works best for me after multiple doctors visits from the pain and overdoing the laxatives & fiber supplements.
I can't stress enough how important it is to drink PLENTY of water. Using the laxatives only when ABSOLUTELY needed is important also or your body becomes laxative dependent and after a while even those don't work. The best type of "laxative" I've used was reccomended by my Dr. called Senakote . It's a vegetable laxative , and for the first round I had to take the maximum dose.
A high fiber cereal in the morning is ideal and it is tempting to use metamucil and fiber supplements but the best think you can do is digest natural fiber , easier for your body to break down. If you take too many fiber pills you can form a bulk in your colon and that creates a whole other level of discomfort and abdominal pain.
I'm a carb-a-holic but finally I had to replace some carbs for vegies and it has helped a lot.
Stay away from cheese if at all possible, it is binding.
PROBIOTICS are amazing. They take a while to take effect but a high quality probiotic has made a world of difference.
PRUNES , some taste gross but they help .
EXCERCISE. It is so important to be active to keep your digestive system working properly.
If you aren't getting your daily fruits and vegies in Fruit & Juice Plus is a bit pricey but I highly reccomend it.
Good luck , constipation can be a pain in the butt (pun intended) |
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