I just can’t go!

[LifeInPlasticIsFantastic]

I’m not a poo troll.

When I got pregnant I suffered really badly with constipation. After I had an EMCS my iron levels plummeted and I was put on iron tablets and the constipation continued.

It’s now been 5 months and I’m still constantly constipated. It’s getting me down.

Did anyone else have this? If so what did you do? Did it get better?

I miss going to the toilet. It takes me 40 minutes to have the smallest poo and it’s really beginning to get to me.

I’ve been to the doctor and he just prescribed lactolose (spelling?!) but it doesn’t really help

Any advice?

It's a common side effect of the iron tablets. Have you tried anything other than lactulose? My 2 year old DS has severe constipation and lactulose was never effective, he's now on Movicol and it's worked wonders.

This is pure magic and 100% reliable. Buy fresh rhubarb and cook it down slowly with a bit of water, not much, a few tablespoons. add cinnamon if you like . Let it go soft and mushy. Let it cool or have with cream or something. Add a little bit of sugar if you are not diabetic. Take one full tablespoon in the morning and last thing at night. It is one of natures miracles. good luckxxxx

I drink half pint water, half pint orange juice, down in one. That works
Also try a brisk walk.
And or dates,prunes, figs, oranges, rhubarb, lentils.
Whatever you use, drink lots of water .

Why not try Movicol? My DS has it daily for chronic constipation. I’m sure you can just buy the adult version. Are you drinking enough? Iron tablets can you make you really constipated, I stopped taking them because of it.

I have found psyllium husks from Holland And Barrett brilliant and easy. Take with plenty of water as it is a stool softener.

If you still need iron switch to spatone instead as won't make you constipated.

Floradix is also much better for iron deficiency than tablets and zero constipation.

Thanks all!

I will try each of these.

Sorry, wasn’t clear in my first post - I stopped taking the iron tablets at 12 weeks post delivery.

The constipation has continued!

If you are still breastfeeding it could be partly hormonal.

Grape juice is good too!

I used to have chronic constipation (don't now), and found Senokot to be very effective occasionally.

Make sure you eat well and fairly healthily and drink enough fluid.

i find a large mug of tea first thing gets me going

I have found that a probiotic morning and night has helped. Good luck 👍

I’d go back to your doctor for some decent suppositories.

A cup of strong coffee as hot as you can drink it, Dulcoease capsules 3 times a day & gallons to drink.

Prune juice. Or a black coffee and a brisk walk - both worked for me.

simonisnotme
i find a large mug of tea first thing gets me going
.........
I have found that too (so did my husband sometimes and he wasn't mad about tea), but before I retired I didn't have a hot drink before I went out to work in case I was taken short on the train. If I was up very early (which did happen occasionally), I would make some tea for myself, otherwise I'd wait until I got to work.

As I said earlier, Senokot tabs worked for me many years ago; I also once bought senna leaves and steeped them overnight but on one occasion they were too much :-). I'm glad not to be constipated now but sort of took it in my stride when I was young - my 'normal' was different to that of other people and I didn't realise until later. My mum told me I was often constipated as a young child but it definitely continued until I was thirty.

Homemade lentil and veg soup
Homemade apple sauce
A massive Starbucks Pike Place

Strong coffee and a trip to the nearest library will help. For some reason browsing the books helps move the bowels a treat.
If this doesn't help I'd second the Movicol.

Lactulose is crap, get movicol. You don't need it prescribed, you can buy it at the pharmacy. Laxido is another name for it.

If you're still struggling get some milk of magnesia. It really really works.

Strong coffee or beetroot juice

Thanks all some excellent advice on here!

Will be trying each of them starting with a strong hot coffee this morning. (Also helps with the fact DD only slept for 2 hours over night 😴)

Big spoonful of olive oil

Double your fluid intake. It's usually lack of fluid that causes issues.

I think poor pelvic floor muscles can make you constipated so I’d make sure you’re doing your exercises.

I presume you’re eating lots of fruit and veg? Make it easy. I have frozen fruit (defrosted ) and yoghurt for breakfast for example. Grab and apple or two during the day. Up the veg at dinner. Tinned soup for lunch with beans in. Make sure bread is seeded.

Those all work as tweaks to my normal diet, you might want slightly different ones.

Lactulose makes it easier to pass a stool but it won't actually make you go. Try Movicol.

Senakot for regular passage and duloease for hard stools. Lots of water and fresh fruit and veg.