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Chronic constipation ruining my life

213 replies

Puel · 16/09/2025 22:04

Had CC for years. I’ve had all the blood tests, had the camera up the bum - no reason ever found. If I take movicol I end up looking 9 months pregnant and passing small amounts of diarrhoea. I’ve upped fibre - this causes bloating and no result. Drink shit loads of water - no difference. The only thing that works is bisocodyl which I have to take once a week just to make sure I have at least one poo a week - however you’re not supposed to take it regularly so I worry I’m doing even more damage to myself. I’m so fed up. Dr isn’t interested, says all tests are clear.

Anyone else had CC with no cause??

OP posts:
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MarvellousMonsters · 25/09/2025 20:10

Puel · 21/09/2025 10:38

Update - I’ve had a bowel movement every day since I started this regime but I’ve also had awful bloating and stomach pain. I’ve omitted the olive oil today but kept everything else the same so we’ll see if the BMs keep coming! If not I’ll go back to the olive oil tomorrow but take the chia seeds out

The bloating etc could be due to some of the types of fibre you’re now eating. Your hypermobile gut might struggle with the starchy fibre, check out FODMAP elimination and see if you are eating any of the most common bloat foods.

Wrenjay · 21/09/2025 12:08

Many years ago my young son (18 months) had a stomach bug (the runs). Old doctor came out and said "Grate a peeled and cored eating apple, it will turn brown and fizz. Give that to your son and put double nappy on and near a potty." Within the hour Everything came out his bottom. No more runny bum.

I wonder if this would work with adult constipation rather than what is being recommended here?

MikeRafone · 21/09/2025 11:00

https://www.med.umich.edu/mott/pdf/mott-fiber-chart.pdf

here is a list of fibre amounts in foods, you should ultimately be aiming for 30 grams daily. BUT don't jump to 30grams in a day or a week, take it slowly over a few weeks to get to 30 grams - otherwise you'll just have constant tummy pain and swelling. Let your body adjust slowly.

https://www.med.umich.edu/mott/pdf/mott-fiber-chart.pdf

MikeRafone · 21/09/2025 10:50

had awful bloating and stomach pain

thats normal when you drastically increase your fibre intake

By omitting one of the new products you're using you may find that the pain swelling and discomfort reduce - but that doesn't mean the product doesn't agree with you - it maybe the combination of all the products is just to much.Over time your body will adjust, keep up with the daily fibre as its so important for health, not just the bowels but overall gut health.

Puel · 21/09/2025 10:38

Update - I’ve had a bowel movement every day since I started this regime but I’ve also had awful bloating and stomach pain. I’ve omitted the olive oil today but kept everything else the same so we’ll see if the BMs keep coming! If not I’ll go back to the olive oil tomorrow but take the chia seeds out

OP posts:
Bones101 · 21/09/2025 10:30

This is such a great thread. I'm the exact same. No matter what I do my ibs is never happy 😂

I eat 2 kiwis a day and try get as much fruit as possible - low fod map fruit.

I take 2 Fybogel tablets after dinner. 6 is recommended daily so if I get a bad flare up I take 6.

Great to know people aren't alone and how common it is. Unfortunately!

I had a bad flare up a few weeks ago. Told my DH I just gave birth to our first child 🤣

cornflakecrunchie · 21/09/2025 00:12

I love fruit, and nuts (mainly walnuts & brazils) - can't eat many greens - or apples - because of IBS, my current favourites are nectarines & pears, bananas, blueberries, strawberries..
I have nuts & at least three lots of fruit a day & am never troubled by constipation.

Sundaymorningcalla · 19/09/2025 20:12

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Ablushingcrow · 19/09/2025 20:06

Life long sufferer of constipation and IBS. These are what work for me in the hope you will find help with one of these.

Magnesium.

Breathing exercises.

Lactulose.
Knees higher than hips on the loo.

Lots of milk.

4 or 5 cups a day of peppermint tea with honey (beware, a good clear out, but no pain).

A rowing machine, recommended by a nurse. I have a dead cheap one.

Deep resting squats and squats.

Tummy massage.

Caffeineated coffee in the morning, drink as quickly as is possible.

All the best op.

Thatsalineallright · 19/09/2025 19:43

Puel · 19/09/2025 14:55

Ok I now have diarrhoea (ffs)

any ideas as to the most likely culprit from what I’ve been doing? Or maybe just too much at once 🤦‍♀️

In a way that's great news, in that clearly your diet is having an effect on your digestion. It might be a bit of work fine-tuning exactly what you should be eating though. Perhaps start with smaller changes and build up? Good luck!

Wrenjay · 19/09/2025 19:12

Try and eat a good big bowl of lots of fresh fruits before anything else. The more varieties the better: melon, apples, oranges/satsumas, anything fresh really that has a lot of juice. Plus lots of water. We humans are also built to walk around, so up your walking mileage.

MarvellousMonsters · 19/09/2025 19:04

Puel · 19/09/2025 14:55

Ok I now have diarrhoea (ffs)

any ideas as to the most likely culprit from what I’ve been doing? Or maybe just too much at once 🤦‍♀️

It could be due to the sudden change or it could, as @MikeRafone says, be over flow. Maybe reduce some of the changes and see if it continues

Themaghag · 19/09/2025 18:35

user1476277375 · 16/09/2025 22:18

Underactive!

I love the idea of having an underachieving thyroid- it's inspired me to give mine a bloody good talking to. I told it to buck its ideas up and stop slacking and that I wouldn't be standing for anything other than 100% effort in future. I'll let you know if it works!

And as an aside, have you had your thyroid checked OP? Ask for a full thyroid panel including a thyroid antibodies test - that might well be adding to your constipation.

MikeRafone · 19/09/2025 15:13

sorry now can see what you ate - it all looks fine but your system might not be used to this yet- keep going but possibly smaller amounts and then build up to more fibre slowly - but keep going with the fibre

try adding in two each week raspberries, kiwi, lentils, chickpeas, apples, pears, sweet potato

MikeRafone · 19/09/2025 15:09

Puel · 19/09/2025 14:55

Ok I now have diarrhoea (ffs)

any ideas as to the most likely culprit from what I’ve been doing? Or maybe just too much at once 🤦‍♀️

this often happens with constipation, but you may still have a blockage and the only poo that can get around the blockage is the soft watery poo

what have you used so far?

Wordsmithery · 19/09/2025 15:01

JDM625 · 16/09/2025 22:07

Do you use a squatty potty or anything to raise your feet when pooing? A change in position can make FAR more of an improvement over diet alone.

Yes this is supposed to be a better position - much more how ancient man used to sit (or s*it) 😊

HFR · 19/09/2025 14:59

NotToday1l · 19/09/2025 14:02

If it’s in a shell that can make it through your stomach acid, who is to say that it will break down in your gut and not passed straight through

It’s been tested you can go on their website and see the details. They’ll be other ones but this is the only one I know of.

Puel · 19/09/2025 14:55

Ok I now have diarrhoea (ffs)

any ideas as to the most likely culprit from what I’ve been doing? Or maybe just too much at once 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
NotToday1l · 19/09/2025 14:02

HFR · 19/09/2025 13:43

Gummies are very weak probiotics and you also need a prebiotic so would try the company SEED that do proper ones! It’s in a shell that can make it through your stomach acid, it’s worth the money as the cheap ones won’t do anything.

If it’s in a shell that can make it through your stomach acid, who is to say that it will break down in your gut and not passed straight through

HFR · 19/09/2025 13:43

Puel · 19/09/2025 13:25

Ok everyone - it could be a coincidence but I’ve just had a normal poo!!! I’m in shock 😂

I took all your advice - olive oil in a morning, chia seeds in the porridge, blueberries instead of honey, plums, peaches and pears - tons of water … 2 days of this and today I have a proper poo

I also bought some probiotic gummies yesterday so they might be playing a part too.

Either way I hope this is a turning point. Thank you everyone

Gummies are very weak probiotics and you also need a prebiotic so would try the company SEED that do proper ones! It’s in a shell that can make it through your stomach acid, it’s worth the money as the cheap ones won’t do anything.

Meadowfinch · 19/09/2025 13:28

NuovaPilbeam · 16/09/2025 22:15

Have you tried things like califig and other dietary changes eg:

  • prune juice
  • masses and masses of water - pints
  • raw carrot
  • kiwi

Avoiding things like rice, eggs, too much protein etc which can cause constipation.

Do you eat enough carbohydrate generally?

This.

I eat sultanas or dried figs as dessert if I have an issue. It solves the issue within 8 hours.

Puel · 19/09/2025 13:25

Ok everyone - it could be a coincidence but I’ve just had a normal poo!!! I’m in shock 😂

I took all your advice - olive oil in a morning, chia seeds in the porridge, blueberries instead of honey, plums, peaches and pears - tons of water … 2 days of this and today I have a proper poo

I also bought some probiotic gummies yesterday so they might be playing a part too.

Either way I hope this is a turning point. Thank you everyone

OP posts:
NoNewsisGood · 18/09/2025 19:51

Puel · 18/09/2025 09:26

I do have hyper mobility! I didn’t realise this could affect the bowel!?

I'd suggest having a google on the relevant organisations' websites then as that could be the reason. Not sure what the solution is, but at least you might know what won't work.

llizzie · 18/09/2025 19:47

Puel · 18/09/2025 09:28

I have to backtrack on what I said earlier - I posted whilst the porridge was cooking. Turns out I ate about half a fig as I was in clear danger of throwing up if I continued trying. Absolutely vile 🤮

I managed the porridge and chia seeds. Olive oil was first thing this morning

A hot drink in the morning can work too.

gottogonow · 18/09/2025 16:07

Peri menopause kicked it off for me. After a couple of years of trying various things I cut out bread which did the trick. Also Rocks Orange Squash works for me (shake it up to get the oil) or ready brek.