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Original poster

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:
goingtotown · 17/09/2025 18:44

Eat very ripe pears throughout the day.

Sparkysmum · 17/09/2025 18:40

Have you considered going on a low carbohydrate diet. Carbs are bad for constipation.

JeannieJo · 17/09/2025 18:39

I know you said you’ve had all the blood tests, but just checking you’ve been tested for coeliac disease? I had CC for years, finally diagnosed with coeliac disease which changed everything. Hope you get somewhere soon x

PermanentTemporary · 17/09/2025 18:13

Am reminded of the first edition of Dr Spock which apparently recommends relaxing with a cigarette before/during breastfeeding.

HoHoHo99 · 17/09/2025 18:07

Add chia seeds, flaxseed, oats for breakfast, inulin to your cup of tea

NimbleDreamer · 17/09/2025 18:01

Cordeliasdemonbabies · 17/09/2025 12:48

Coffee and (if you can cope with one a few times a week) a cigarette in the morning will stimulate the bowel to go.

I keep a stool next to the loo for my feet and I use glycerin suppositories if I need to when I have got impacted.

Lots of fermented foods and pulses in your diet. Linseed and chia seeds with breakfast.

OP, please don't have a cigarette to help constipation, fucking hell.

LoveMyBusPass · 17/09/2025 17:58

Lots of good advice on this thread. I used to have a wholefood stall and I sold a lot of linseeds. My customers told me they were very effective. Sprinkle a couple of teaspoonfuls on almost anything. You can crush them, but there's no need. Can you see professional dietary advice?

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 13:33

childofthe607080s · 17/09/2025 12:07

No o am thinking of lactose which the enzymes in kiwi fruit can help break down meaning people who have trouble digesting lactose ( milk ) can help alleviate the problem if they are eating kiwi fruit

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Ah OK, I'm lactose intolerant and never knew that sbout kiwis! Really good to know thanks.

Cordeliasdemonbabies · 17/09/2025 12:48

Coffee and (if you can cope with one a few times a week) a cigarette in the morning will stimulate the bowel to go.

I keep a stool next to the loo for my feet and I use glycerin suppositories if I need to when I have got impacted.

Lots of fermented foods and pulses in your diet. Linseed and chia seeds with breakfast.

childofthe607080s · 17/09/2025 12:07

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 10:38

You're thinking of fructose i suspect...

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No o am thinking of lactose which the enzymes in kiwi fruit can help break down meaning people who have trouble digesting lactose ( milk ) can help alleviate the problem if they are eating kiwi fruit

TorroFerney · 17/09/2025 11:57

Thatsalineallright · 17/09/2025 09:35

Ferrous fumerate... Doesn't that often cause constipation?

Also, be careful with how much porridge you eat. Too much can actually cause constipation. www.behealthynow.co.uk/nutrition/can-oat-porridge-oatmeal-cause-constipation/

Then I'd focus on eating more healthy fats - olive oil etc. We need fat for bile production which in turn helps our colon.

Just generally, I'd honestly say if you're serious about fixing your constipation then you need to get radical. I know most people have sandwiches and crisps and are just fine, but you are not fine. You are suffering. Perhaps what's necessary for your body is extremely healthy eating, at least for a while to reset.

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Agree. That’s not a diet for someone who gets constipated. Swop porridge for fruit or put it in your porridge and chia seeds and flaxseed and then less a bready lunch. I can feel all those carbs solidifying in my stomach just reading that!

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 17/09/2025 11:27

1 laxido a day. always take it even if you have a soft poo day. I think the trick is to keep doing the same thing long term.

GingerPaste · 17/09/2025 11:18

Maybe experiment with different types of fruit. Apples make me go!

MêmePasPeur · 17/09/2025 11:11

Fabiand · 17/09/2025 07:58

See your doctor.
My daughter has this and the only thing that worked is prucalopride.

Prucalopride has been life changing for me!

TwoBagsOfCompost · 17/09/2025 10:52

Puel · 17/09/2025 08:11

So a typical day for me:

breakfast - porridge oats with honey and two cups of coffee

lunch - peanut butter sandwhich with a packet of crisps (I know!)

dinner - meat and veg (broccoli, carrots, sprouts etc)

300g magnesium citrate
one ferrous fumerate (every other day)

Tons of sparkling water

One glass of Prune juice

Sounds OK but it'll be better if you add more fibre and more fat in your diet. Definitely add a big salad drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Add dried prunes as well.

BeautifulSongsofLove · 17/09/2025 10:46

Puel · 16/09/2025 22:12

This is the only thing I’ve not tried - does it really make that much difference?

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Raising my feet on a small footstool when sitting the loo definitely makes a difference to me

I also have to drink ~2L of water a day or I strain when opening my bowels

This advice is used for children but it explains everything really well

https://eric.org.uk/advice-for-children-with-constipation/

Child holding tummy

Advice for children with constipation - ERIC

Our easy-read factsheet explains the reasons for constipation in children, the symptoms and how to treat it.

https://eric.org.uk/advice-for-children-with-constipation/

TwoBagsOfCompost · 17/09/2025 10:46

OP I'm not making a stupid haha joke about the shape of those vegetables but I swear by carrots and cucumbers. Every evening I have 3-4 carrots and a whole cucumber, it helps that I absolutely love the taste, dunno how it'd work if you hate them! Just with a bit of lemon and salt on the carrots, and a bit of salt on the cucumber, no dressing or anything. Then a cup of mint tea before bed.

By the second cup of coffee in the morning, I'm whipping out my squatty potty and I'm ready to roll 😎

TwoBagsOfCompost · 17/09/2025 10:42

MyPearlMentor · 17/09/2025 01:08

Very European approach, but have you tried a glycerol suppository? They’re cheap & incredibly effective!

Why is it a European approach?! It's a more medical approach if you're really struggling and tried everything else and your GP/pharmacist recommends a suppository etc etc

Europeans don't willy nilly shove suppositories up our bums, not unless we really really really really have to 😅

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 10:38

childofthe607080s · 17/09/2025 10:12

Lactose intolerant?

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You're thinking of fructose i suspect...

Zuma76 · 17/09/2025 10:35

childofthe607080s · 17/09/2025 10:12

Lactose intolerant?

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Most fruits are lactose free. Lactose is found in dairy products.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 17/09/2025 10:34

It's easy to make a large pot of vegetable soup, it'll last a week, if you leave the vegetables chunky, it feels like a meal.
Definitely cut out shop sandwich and crisps.

Theunamedcat · 17/09/2025 10:30

I take nutrition geeks three in one magnesium every night before bed regular movement in the morning this is what's in them

Chronic constipation ruining my life
LuceeeeeLoo · 17/09/2025 10:29

You’re not eating anywhere near enough fruit!!

Theunamedcat · 17/09/2025 10:27

GingerPaste · 16/09/2025 22:32

Underachievers 😂 I’ve got one of those thyroids too!

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Mine is an overachiever 😆

Whenautumnleavesstarttofall · 17/09/2025 10:21

Puel · 17/09/2025 08:11

So a typical day for me:

breakfast - porridge oats with honey and two cups of coffee

lunch - peanut butter sandwhich with a packet of crisps (I know!)

dinner - meat and veg (broccoli, carrots, sprouts etc)

300g magnesium citrate
one ferrous fumerate (every other day)

Tons of sparkling water

One glass of Prune juice

Just some suggestions

Breakfast; swap a chopped Kiwi for the honey. Add Flaxseed.

Lunch; swap veg crudites, carrot, celery, apple etc for the bread in the sandwich. I find bread causes me constipation

Dinner; I also struggle with too much meat. So much so that over the last few years I have removed it from my diet, focusing on fish and vegetarian alternatives.

Evening; another Kiwi.

I have resolved my life long slow transit using swaps like these.