awful constipation

**scramble** · 03-03-2011 08:30 AM

My bowel movement has never been great as long as I can remember - once every 2-3 days or so - and if I'm going through a stressful period (either at school or now at work), then even less frequent... I remember a few weeks ago, I didn't have any bowel movement (or even an urge) for about 7 days, and I got totally freaked out. I also started having bad symptoms of toxin-build-up, like terrible headaches and muscle aches... So at the time, I took the full dose of Colace every day, drank more water than I ever have, and ate a huge salad every day. Soon I had a bowel movement, and fairly regular after that. I tapered off of Colace and eased it up on the salad (though I still drink as much water).

But constipation is starting back up again, it's been more than 4- days now, and I get tiny (almost unnoticeable) urges here and there, but nothing when I go to the bathroom... when is it time to consult a doctor, and will they be able to do anything other than to tell me to change my lifestyle?? (eat more fiber, drink more water, exercise...) This is getting very frustrating because my colon just feels "full" all the time...

**Seeker_Advice** · 03-03-2011 09:13 AM

"...change my lifestyle?? (eat more fiber, drink more water, exercise...)"

After a thorough exam, that is probably where they will start.

You know the answers, have even seen it work recently, so what's the problem?

Two things you can do easily to improve your situation...drink more water and consume more fiber (25g each day is recommended).

One of the easiest places to get more fiber is from whole grains. In some cases, changing the bread you buy can triple the amount of fiber per serving/slice. Eating high fiber cereal like oatmeal is another.

Yes, it's all about making changes to your lifestyle (and reading food labels) but you already knew that.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 03-03-2011 09:55 AM

I agree with Seeker. You know from practice that your diet plays a huge role. The things he mentioned doing are great ways to increase the fiber in your diet.

Google : whole psyllium husks

This is something I use in my diet daily to ensure proper fiber (both soluble and insoluble) amts. There is a thread in the Nutrition section called "my colon cleansing journey" that pertains to this. Psyllium is known for helping treat constipation.

Being told to change your lifestyle is the lesser of the two evils anyone could tell you. The other option is to say you have some horrible disease. I'd take the "change your lifestyle" ANY day of the week over that one.

It is also possible you have some food allergies that only aid the problem. Consider getting some allergy testing done.

**WildChild** · 03-03-2011 10:10 AM

You should be having AT LEAST one bowel movement a day. Sorry, but if one every 2 or 3 days has been your norm then you have needed to make changes for a long time.

You need: plenty of water, don't ease up on the salad or healthy dietary fiber (no iceberg, 0 food value) and you need to stretch. Stretching and moving helps the get your bowels moving too.

**alicat** · 03-03-2011 10:13 PM

drink at least 1 or 2 glasses of warm/hot water EVERY day...with every meal would be better. somehow the warm water helps move stuff along (I have a patient with this problem). eat more fruit (whole/raw fruit) such as plums and apples.

**scramble** · 03-05-2011 10:05 AM

Ahh yes, you guys are right. I need to keep up with a better diet and keep drinking more water... at the very least. I started doing that again a few days ago. I somehow got the impression that I might have gotten dependent on Colace, which I don't know if it's possible (it's supposed to be a non-addictive medication so your digestive system doesn't get dependent on it)... but first I will return to the oatmeal+salad/fruit+water combo and see what happens in the next few days. Thanks!!

(I heard prune juice does wonders... I should check that out too)

**Seeker_Advice** · 03-05-2011 01:27 PM

IMO - re-introduce things slowly, as you don't want to have a "blow out" or too much gas.

One of the simplest things I have done to increase fiber/ruffage is to replace lettuce (iceburg, romaine, etc.) with baby spinach. Baby spinach becomes the building block on which all salads are built (just as lettuce once was). It's very easy to do.

Become a label reader too. I bet you'll be surprised just how easy it is to add more fiber to your diet just by purchasing different brands or types of the same products you are already consuming.

**scramble** · 03-05-2011 02:02 PM

Haha that's right... I definitely had some gas problems a couple of days after I started having a giant salad with beans and peas.

Speaking of which, I just went grocery shopping today at Trader Joes and saw something called "Fiberful" which is a dried fruit bar including: psyllium husk, flaxseed meal, soy protein, soy grits, and inulin (plus actual dried fruits). It's supposed to have 6g fiber per bar, and just 55 cents

So I think I will start with:
- oatmeal or whole grain bagel for breakfast (~6g fiber)
- fruit bar (6g fiber)
- some sort of vegetables or fruit around dinner time (say 3-6g?)

I know that's still under the recommended 25g, but I think compared to where I came from before, it might be huge enough of an improvement to show a difference already

**Seeker_Advice** · 03-05-2011 09:41 PM

Water, water, water and more water.....too.

Did you know that some breads contain upto 6g of fiber per slice? Add a piece of toast to your breakfast and you've doubled the fiber.

Become a label reader. You'll be amazed at what you can learn.

Psyllium husk is a biggie!! People who do "colon cleanses" often use psyllium husks with other things to accomplish their goals.

Be careful fo the "whole grain" bagel as frequently bagels are highly processed and the productive part for you, may have been processed right out of it. So be sure you read the label carefully. Is there a theme here?....

I wish you well.

**jessie1234** · 03-06-2011 06:18 PM

try adding some of the fiber powders to your water
they come in flavoured or non flavoured
they help me every once and awhile... usually after ive taken an imodium a few days before that stuff is awful