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Original poster

Constipation argh

79 replies

RodeoDriveBaby · 30/06/2017 20:53

Sorry for gross nature of thread. But I have suffered from constipation since my DS was born (17 months ago!!!!). It's driving me potty (scuse the pun). I've had blood tests and all was fine and take laxatives etc etc when it gets really bad. They do work but then I just get constipated again.

I drink loads of water, I get enough fibre, I put flaxseed in my breakfast, I take probiotics.

Any miracle remedies?!?! It seems to get worse around ovulation time.

OP posts:
Original poster
RodeoDriveBaby · 30/06/2017 22:12

Just took a senokot too as I have them in the house

OP posts:
Original poster
RodeoDriveBaby · 30/06/2017 22:13

Also is it magnesium I should take or milk of magnesia? I see both recommended.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 30/06/2017 22:19

You should be able to find Fleet (or another brand of enema) in any drug store. Until you figure out what's causing your constipation, use an enema. They are painless and very easy to use. You'll feel so much better.

Funnyface1 · 30/06/2017 22:38

You might need more than one movicol. I take two every night. Prune juice is also very effective for me. Fibre doesn't suit everyone and can make constipation much worse. If you have some kind of build up then a large amount of movicol can move it. It tells you on the box.

Beware of the fibre, could be adding to your troubles.

affectionincoldclimate · 30/06/2017 22:44

Had the same.
Start your morning with:

  1. Hot water with lemon and ginger - I usually add a couple of ice cubes if I can't wait for it too cool
  1. A green smoothie in the morning made of the following ingredients
A generous handful of spinach - frozen is fine: 5 prunes 3 tbsp of porridge oats Banana or apple Almond milk (can be water but almond milk makes it creamy) Half an avocado

Blend till smooth (make sure you pulse)

I prepped frozen packs of the fruit and veg so I don't have to faff in the morning as have a young baby.

Apart from being an awesome nutritious morning meal in itself it cleans you right out. I swear by it as post partum constipation drove me insane too.

Imstickingwiththisone · 30/06/2017 22:46

I've read that chronic constipation can cause your large intestine to expand and your body doesn't register the signals that there is poo waiting (after the blockage is cleared) and so it's left there a bit too long and dries up and hardens so it's a vicious cycle. Everything goes back to normal in the end if you are able to break the cycle and poo regularly.

I've found movicol to be really effective. I think 8 sachets is the max dose for one day but I've found three have done the job and then taken one sachet daily as a maintenance dose. Don't have a problem these days and only take one if i don't remember if I've had a poo for a few days!

Can't believe you've been to your GP about it and they've only advised one sachet per day. I was advised 8 and couldn't get anywhere near it or i would've been glued to the toilet.

AngelThursday · 30/06/2017 22:48

Lactulose is good. Take it daily. And go to your gp. I suffered for years with constipation and was always told to drink more water and eat more fibre. Turns out the fibre was not appropriate for my particular condition! In my case it turned out to be an intolerance to certain food types, eggs in particular. Also my condition is linked to hormones so worth a thorough investigation.
Now that i know I can manage my condition and have even been able to reduce the lactulose. Good luck op

user1486156729 · 30/06/2017 22:51

Flaxseed. Soak 1tbsp overnight then glug it down (it'll be gloopy).

Absolute miracle.

ambereeree · 30/06/2017 22:58

Did you have a CS?

Giggorata · 30/06/2017 23:39

I used to be permanently constipated and I tried everything in the chemist and the health food shop. I have never looked back since I bought my (cheap Lidl version of a) Nutriblast. Along with whatever raw vegetables I use, I add a few prunes or mixed dried fruit, flax, oats, live yogurt, those breakfast mixes full of seeds and goji berries.. (not all on the same day)

DaviesMum · 30/06/2017 23:43

Soapy finger. That is all.

SofaToad · 30/06/2017 23:49

I was going to suggest olive oil but it has already been suggested, however I wouldn't take as much as a tablespoon at a time Shock. Start with it on a salad and increase gradually until it is working the way you need it to. Can also be taken with some French bread or similar and with a blob of balsamic vinegar in the middle. More of a treat than a medicine.

Or for something faster, Micralax enemas, small and individual.

DixieFlatline · 30/06/2017 23:50

Can't believe you've been to your GP about it and they've only advised one sachet per day. I was advised 8 and couldn't get anywhere near it or i would've been glued to the toilet.

If you read the packet, 8 is the one-off dosage for impacted stool, not for maintenance.

In addition to perhaps checking in with the GP, I would try aiming for way beyond five fruit and veg a day (up to 10) and adding a litre or two of fluid onto what you're currently doing. I find that tends to get things going if I really commit (I've drunk 6 litres before anything happens previously). That and some coffee. But yes, if nothing helps, 8 sachets of movicol in 2 litres of fluid, in a fairly short time (2 hours maybe, can't remember what it says on the packet).

Haribogirl · 30/06/2017 23:55

Try a 400mg of magnesium tablet, they help me

refred · 30/06/2017 23:58

I've had issues with constipation since having DD 9 months ago. Never had a problem before and I'm at a loss as to why. I wonder if something happened during the delivery as I was fine before then. Odd.

HeyRoly · 01/07/2017 00:00

Ugh, not Fybogel. Chuck it in the bin. It might work for occasional mild constipation for those with otherwise OK bowels, but for chronic sluggish bowels it generally makes things worse.

I'm a Movicol convert having suffered all my life. One sachet isn't enough for me - I generally take two every other day.

So if I were you I'd take two, and if that doesn't work then try three the next day. Sometimes it can take a couple of days to work. It's a stool softener, and if you're very bunged up then it takes a while to work its way through the gut.

HeyRoly · 01/07/2017 00:03

Just a thought about constipation post childbirth. It could be a rectal prolapse (also known as a rectocele). They're really quite common, albeit scary sounding. I've never been checked but with my history I'd be surprised if I didn't have one. Some people describe them as being like a kink in a hosepipe, which is why it can make bowel movements more difficult.

refred · 01/07/2017 00:15

Interesting Hey. I had diastasis recti quite badly post birth so initially thought that was the cause but that much improved how yet the constipation persists. Will look in to rectoceles. I do feel mine is related to pushing pops out tbh. Just dies t feel the same.

Giggorata · 01/07/2017 00:21

Oh! That's just reminded me about the squatty potty - straightens that kink.
Anyway, enjoy the advert...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=YbYWhdLO43Q

FuzzyCatinABox · 01/07/2017 00:26

You can buy fleet enemas in most chemists and you can order them online. I've got them from eBay before, the seller was MHS pharmacy. It should help clear you out if you're very blocked up but in the long term I think you need to try and find out what the cause is so glad you're going back to the gp.

I agree with taking more than one movicol a day. Try two and if that doesn't work increase it. I've done the thing where you mix 8 in a jug and drink the whole lot over a couple of hours when I've been really bad. Hate constipation, it's a horrible feeling.

Original poster
RodeoDriveBaby · 01/07/2017 06:08

Did you have a CS?

What is a CS?

WRT the olive oil I already have a lot, I put a good tablespoon on my lunchtime salad. And for breakfast I mix in a tablespoon of flaxseed into my yoghurt.

DS was up at 5am this morning as per usual, i do wonder if all the early starts have fucked with my natural rhythms

I'm on the hot water with lemon/ginger. I do have a smoothie maker and some almond milk/prunes/spinach so I'll try one of those later - can't BEAR prunes if I'm honest but maybe they'll be more palatable in a smoothie.

Thanks so much all for the advice

OP posts:
Original poster
RodeoDriveBaby · 01/07/2017 06:21

Oh - a CS is a c section isn't it, how thick am I Blush

Yes, I did!

OP posts:
SpikyCoconut · 01/07/2017 06:29

My Gran used to say 'an orange before seven you'll go before 11'...

ohhhhhshit · 01/07/2017 06:58

I highly recommend herbal teas - Pukka do a Cleanse one and a Detox one.

HappenstanceMarmite · 01/07/2017 19:16

Those who've used Fleet enemas, how much liquid are we talking? And how into the bowel far does the enema reach? I've used those mini Microlax, but I don't think there's enough fluid in them to reach far into the bowel.

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