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Thread: Help! (tmi)

  1. #1
    zephyr is offline Silver level (200+ posts)
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    Default Help! (tmi)

    Okay, this is kind of embarassing for me to write but here I go: so I have never really been constipated in my life. Ever. Not even after having a baby. That is why I'm concerned now because I am. This has been going on since around the end of June, on and off. On for a couple of weeks, off for a day or two, if that makes any sense. I have taken docusate, which is supposed to be the most gentle stimulant that is over the counter, only a handful of times. And I'm wondering if that is what's causing the constipation to go on. I mean, does taking stimulants like that (although VERY seldomly) make it harder for your body to function without them? I used to go 1-3x/day, now its like I'm lucky if I go once every 2 days. Which is what's causing me to worry cuz its never been that spread apart. I don't think I have any other weird symptoms, so maybe it's just a lack of exercise and I am really trying to drink more water and eat more fruit, which hasn't helped. But I'm guessing more physical activity might do the trick, it's just hard to get out and do stuff with my schedule. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I wasn't sure where to post this, so mods please move if necessary.
    Last edited by zephyr; 09-12-2008 at 09:55 PM.
    Zephyr

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    SammyeGail is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    I used to have major problems, I'd be happy to go every 2 days, lol! Things sort of worked themselves out after the twins were born.

    Before I took Garlique http://www.sunsource.com/garlique/garlique.html and it seemed to really help me. I hated the way stimulants made me feel.

    A great side effect (for me) is that while you give off no odor, there is a small enough one that keeps moskitos away. : )

    Good luck!!

    Samantha

  3. #3
    LarsMal is offline Diamond level (5000+ posts)
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    Long time sufferer here! The only time I'm actually regular is during pregnancy, which is usually the opposite for people!

    Had you stopped or started taking a vitamin? Any other changes in diet?

    Miralax is supposed to be the wonder drug for relief. The ped gastro I took DS to has used it for his 2 1/2 yo since he was 7mos, so it's very safe. I have never used it myself- I try to stick to eating my greens and "goers" and drinking tons of water. Exercise definitely helps, too.

    If it's bothering you, I'd give your doctor a call.

    Hope you find some "relief" soon!!

  4. #4
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    Melbel is offline Diamond level (5000+ posts)
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    I would consider trying Citracel (fiber taken daily), Miralax, and if things are particularly bad a softener (i.e. Colace). Some people also swear by using good probiotics. I hope you feel better soon!

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    zephyr is offline Silver level (200+ posts)
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    Thanks. I have occasionally been using Colace (docusate) and I think that's part of the problem. It seems like every time I took a colace it would work for a little bit and then it got worse. I guess I'm going to try adding some exercise into my day along with increased water intake and go from there. Also no changes in diet that I can think of. I really want to avoid any supplements, etc. if at all possible. But I am not against using them..
    Zephyr

  6. #6
    gatorsmom is offline Pink Diamond level (15,000+ posts)
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    I know exactly how you feel. I've had problems with constipation my whole life. It got worse after Cha Cha was born so I went to see a GI specialist. He suggested I try Citrucel. I have to take it every day now. It's different from the other fiber drinks in that it is not absorbed into your body at all. It simply draws water into your bowel and then gets flushed out. None of the other fiber mixes act this way. This stuff is a miracle for me.

    If you are uncomfortable with the idea of taking this stuff everyday, some other things that worked for me were to eat dried fruit on an empty stomach. I'd just eat a bunch of dried apricots for an after noon snack when I was hungry and not long after, that would get things moving. Exercise would certainly help as well. Also, stay away from starches like bread, potatoes, and rice. They are particularly "binding." I can't eat bananas for the same reason.

    Are you still taking prenatal vitamins? The prenatal vitamins with added iron can make you constipated. While I was pregnant I had to take docusate with my iron tablets and citrucel in the morning because the iron was so binding. Even the citrucel couldn't counteract that!

    hth.
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    Another idea--Fiber One bars have chicory root extract in them. It is actually a prebiotic that creates more good bacteria in your gut. It can make you really gassy but it really helps me. I also drink at least a gallon of water a day (live in the desert, take meds that cause dryness) and I cannot say enough about valuable that is. Miralax and Citrucel don't help me-just gas and bloating, no results. But senokat does and I use it infrequently with no lingering side effects. I agree with starting Miralax first tho---good stuff for most people.
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    ArizonaGirl is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    I work in a pharmacy. We generally recommend and see doctors recommend the miralax, and it is great that it is over the counter now. However, the occasional use of docusate or senna shouldn't hurt and shouldn't cause any rebound effects.

    Hope this helps

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    zephyr is offline Silver level (200+ posts)
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    Thanks. I think I'm going to try dried fruit. Also I remember when ds was constipated I would give him pureed prunes in the baby food jars. That might help me, dunno. And then Citrucel would probably be my next step. I just hate how uncomfortable I feel- bloating, feeling full, my stomach expanding, I feel disgusted with myself.
    Zephyr

  10. #10
    shilo is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    just another thought for you...

    in addition to the dietary stuff others have mentioned (meat, dairy, an iron supplement, simple carbs) that all constipate me, i have a lot of trouble with caffein.

    any chance you switched your normal beverages to something with more caffein about the time this started in your effort to get more fluids in? maybe started drinking an extra cup of coffee in the am or a soda or tea during the day while trying to get in more fluids? i find that adding anything with caffein into my diet really dehydrates me and constipates me. i have trouble with straight up water, but i can drink tea forever. but black tea (has the most caffein) constipates the dickens out of me unless i buy decaf. if you are a tea drinker, red (rooibos) tea is like herbal 'teas', basically has no natural caffein. then white, green, black teas have increasing levels in that order, but even black tea has less than most coffee and soda.

    hth,
    lori
    lori

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