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Original poster

Constipation and bad diet

55 replies

fusspot25 · 21/02/2024 07:51

Not a poo troll, MN can verify.

Last week we were on holiday and had a terrible eating week. Numerous takeaways, fried fatty foods and carbs. I last used the loo on Saturday morning which isn't ages ago but since then I've had a massive Sunday lunch, a huge takeaway, bread, chips, lots of stodge and all I can think about is how much food is festering away inside me. I just haven't had the urge to go. I haven't been in pain with it but I did start to feel bloated yesterday and tried to use the loo last night with not much avail.

Had a few small, hard bowel movements and a lot of gas. My tummy started bubbling and gurgling with gas. I had a small bout of diarrhoea but that's it. And I keep worrying about some sort of blockage or impaction. Although wouldn't that cause a lot of pain?

I don't have the best diet in general and have experienced this before but never to this extent. Does anyone have any tips?

OP posts:
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Original poster
fusspot25 · 21/02/2024 22:53

Update: still no movement. I feel less bloated so maybe last nights effort did more than I thought. I'll go shopping tomorrow, think bran flakes are my best bet. They've worked before but not had them in years!

OP posts:
wontforget · 21/02/2024 21:09

@Disturbia81 if she’s not eating enough in 5 weeks to rustle up a bowel movement… she has a serious eating disorder surely?

wontforget · 21/02/2024 21:08

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 21:06

@wontforget adult in 40s. Was so shocked when she said it, a few days for me would be uncomfortable. But she isn't putting enough in to get compacted, it's not like there's food sitting on top of food. She's very thin, don't know how her body keeps going.

you are obviously very close to her for her to ask you to attend a GP appointment about her infrequent bowel movements!

wontforget · 21/02/2024 21:06

sadly i think a number of posters on this thread have got used to very sluggish bowels.

on the very very rare occasion i haven’t had my morning bowel movement - i feel a little bloated and going for a run feels less… sprightly! And on holiday if i ever go two days without a movement… i don’t want to wear a bikini!

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 21:06

@wontforget adult in 40s. Was so shocked when she said it, a few days for me would be uncomfortable. But she isn't putting enough in to get compacted, it's not like there's food sitting on top of food. She's very thin, don't know how her body keeps going.

Pacifybull · 21/02/2024 21:03

wontforget · 21/02/2024 20:10

because 5 weeks of zero bowel movement would have led to impaction

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Not necessarily. It depends on what is normal for you. Five weeks would be constipated for everyone but wouldn’t necessarily lead to impaction. There’s an odd motif here that implies that the only marker of non-constipation is going every day - and that is not the case. You don’t hear of the people who go three times a day (also normal) saying to those who only go once a day that they must be constipated or impacted.

user1471519902 · 21/02/2024 20:17

Boots Glycerin suppositories and lots of warm water drinks. Brilliant. Once you are constipated fibre dried fruit etc wont shift it and will make it worse.

Suppositories will shift it and then for goodness sake improve your diet and drink more.

wontforget · 21/02/2024 20:10

Pacifybull · 21/02/2024 20:07

Why do you think that?

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because 5 weeks of zero bowel movement would have led to impaction

PrincessHoneysuckle · 21/02/2024 20:09

Don't buy Dulolax whatever you do.That hits you like train you need a toilet right next to you.

Pacifybull · 21/02/2024 20:07

wontforget · 21/02/2024 17:50

they’re fibbing to you

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Why do you think that?

Pacifybull · 21/02/2024 20:07

PennyNotWise · 21/02/2024 17:51

Sounds like you’re always constipated if you’re only going every couple of days. Two main things I would say is HYDRATE and a raw carrot every day 👍
(but yes change your diet ❤️)

No, not necessarily. Every couple of days is well within the bounds of normal and not constipated.

Coconutter24 · 21/02/2024 19:59

fusspot25 · 21/02/2024 09:15

I don't want anything that's going to make me need to go very urgently! As I said for work I can't always access a loo and it would not be good to take a laxative and then get caught short. If I took one at night would the situation be rectified by the morning?

Bowl of bran flakes before bed then by the morning you’ll need to go!! Always works for me

wontforget · 21/02/2024 19:52

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 19:16

@wontforget Had a scan and insides all fine, just doesn't eat often plus slow digestion. Dr said protein shakes will help

sounds so uncomfortable; must dominate her life. Child or adult?

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 19:16

@wontforget Had a scan and insides all fine, just doesn't eat often plus slow digestion. Dr said protein shakes will help

Got2getout · 21/02/2024 19:09

Apricot wheats (cereal) and a small glass of orange juice each morning.

Drink lots and lots, as in pints and pints of water, and it should shift it.

The sugar-free sweets from Lidl can have a very powerful impact on the digestive system, but it’s painful diarrhoea rather than a remedy for constipation so I don’t really recommend it.

wontforget · 21/02/2024 18:59

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 18:33

@wontforget Nope I have been to the doctors with her.
But thanks for the insight 😆

And what was the remedy? cause?

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 18:33

@wontforget Nope I have been to the doctors with her.
But thanks for the insight 😆

19lottie82 · 21/02/2024 17:58

Strong coffee

kittykarate · 21/02/2024 17:57

Orange juice
Double espresso
Marlboro red

PennyNotWise · 21/02/2024 17:51

Sounds like you’re always constipated if you’re only going every couple of days. Two main things I would say is HYDRATE and a raw carrot every day 👍
(but yes change your diet ❤️)

wontforget · 21/02/2024 17:50

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 17:38

That would be ages for me too. However I know someone who only goes to the loo every 5 weeks!

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they’re fibbing to you

Disturbia81 · 21/02/2024 17:38

wontforget · 21/02/2024 07:55

I last used the loo on Saturday morning

good lord that is ages ago!!! Mind you i’m every morning without fail. You must be so bloated?!

That would be ages for me too. However I know someone who only goes to the loo every 5 weeks!

Macaroni46 · 21/02/2024 17:12

Do not eat lots of fibre. Thats good for keeping you regular but once you're constipated it won't help at all.
First of all, try not to panic. I'm a great believer in the body will sort itself out.
Secondly, lots of water and fluids, and lactose or similar. Also light exercise.

Ace56 · 21/02/2024 17:06

According to NHS, going as little as 3 times a week is ‘normal’. So if OP usually goes every second day, that’s fine!

Atm you’ve effectively missed one bowel movement then, as you’d expect to go on Monday if you’ve gone on Saturday. It’s nearly the end of Weds so you’re coming up to 2 missed movements. I agree with pp, drink lots of water, fibre and avoid any starchy/fatty foods (no rice/white bread/bananas as they can bung you up). If it still doesn’t help then take a laxative.

GasPanic · 21/02/2024 16:56

I think it happens to most people sometime in their 30s when they realise they can no longer shove crap into themselves unthinkingly and expect their digestive system to just deal with it. Certainly did to me.

Everyone is different - for me prunes work.