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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unable to eat well, constipation and stuff

119 replies

ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 01:56

Hey there,
Dh has ptsd and has a plain horrible diet often eating lots of chocolate, nachos, cup cakes, stuff like this... and sometimes not eating at all... cannot get it down.
Recently I have learned all of that has to do with the nervous system of the gut.
A while ago hubby has discovered warmth (hot water bottle on the tummy) really helps him and fruit tea does. Do you know other things that help?

OP posts:
Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:06

Have to addthat he thinks Christmas is very stressful and we are invited to several Christmas dinners including one very formal one with family (not close family) and he is afraid they will be offendedif he does not eat.

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ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:06

Hello again. I'd try probiotics. You need to get good ones though, not the supermarket yoghurty things. There is currently a lot of research going on about the gut, and how it is similar to a second brain.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:07

You mean like Yakult?

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MrsStrowman · 22/12/2018 02:07

Fruit juice or smoothies if he can tolerate drinking them

BitOfFun · 22/12/2018 02:10

Just buy some Laxido Sachs s from the chemist.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:11

Oops, I forgot to mention this. Right now he replaces most meals with smoothies or milk shakes but of course that diet is not that balanced... searching for recipes to at least make milkshakes more healthy.

Not sure, I thought if it is the nervous system maybe there is something ineffable do to relax the nerves.

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ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:11

Yes, like yakult, but yakult aren't the best. Biokult are very good. They are capsules. Look on Amazon.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:14

Stupid question: is laxido like a real laxative? Cause dh went to his gp and the gp told him he thinks that he lousy diet is the only reason for him being constipated and strongly advised him against laxatives but told him to change his diet instead

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JosephineBucket · 22/12/2018 02:25

I can understand why the doctor would recommend improving diet rather than taking laxatives as they don't get to the root of the problem but it's a psychological reason for not eating properly so just telling him to eat better isn't working.

When I'm very depressed my diet is terrible and I suffer from IBS constipation. I use Fybogel to replace the fibre I should be eating and that helps. Maybe use it short term to get things moving and slowly increase fibre naturally.

ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:27

Ive just googled laxido. It looks quite hardcore to be honest. I'd be a bit wary of it. You're not supposed to use it if you have a heart condition. I tried laxative tea once which was quite gentle. It was actually called detox tea.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:29

Yeah, there is a psychological problem. He has ptsd and it gives him anxiety and that makes him a) often overeat cupcakes and nachos and sometimes when he is very stressed he cannot eat at all.

I wonder: if stress has this effect on the nervous system: is there something one can do to calm the nerves... apart from trying to reduce stress... like I said: a bottle with hot water helps and maybe there are other secret tipps.

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Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:35

He does not have a heart condition. Actually he is physically very fit... but his go is very much opposed against laxatives in young men who just have a crappy diet... Ithink He doesnot understand how lousy and anxious dh sometimes feels. I think dh did not tell him.
Gp knows dh has ptsd, but dh tends to play it down.

He is pretty good in having a stiff upperlip and pretending everything is okay... which unfortunately results in him not getting the best help.

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ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:36

I think the best thing is to go back to the doctor's (sorry) as it sounds quite complex. Your DH obviously needs help with his anxiety.

JosephineBucket · 22/12/2018 02:36

Fybogel is very gentle and I find that when my IBS is exacerbated by stress it does relieve this by taking the pressure off the system. Being constipated on top of a stressed digestive system just makes it worse. Hope that makes sense!

ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:37

Cross posted.

ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:38

I mentioned the heart thing to demonstrate that laxido sound like super strength laxatives.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:42

Sorryfor the stupid question, is fybogel a laxative too? Sorry, makes what worse? Your anxiety?

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ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:43

Fybogel is a mild laxative.

JustTheOneMrsWembly · 22/12/2018 02:45

Is your husband having any treatment for his PTSD? e.g medicines , counselling etc? If so he could talk to his treatment provider about his issues with eating .

In regards to the meals out etc he can always say he’s on antibiotics for a tooth infection which are making him feel a bit sick and then he can just nibble at what he fancies without offending anyone

JosephineBucket · 22/12/2018 02:48

It is a laxative but it's a high-fibre drink rather than drugs. It's obviously better to get this from your diet but it sounds like he's not in the place to improve his diet until he gets the anxiety sorted.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:50

Yes, he does CBT... he tried antidepressant medication... which actually made him crave more chocolates and made constipation worse along with other side effects.
He decided to taper it off then.
It is a good idea with the tooth infection Grin.

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ElizabethMainwaring · 22/12/2018 02:51

Confused - that's three of us saying that he needs to go back to gp and be honest and explain his situation more thoroughly.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:52

@Josephine I hoped there was a household remedy that stopped anxiety from having an effect on the nervous system...

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JosephineBucket · 22/12/2018 02:52

Sorry I meant that the gut is stressed by nerves and constipation on top of that stresses it more then you get more stressed by being in pain and so on.

Original poster
ConfusedWife1234 · 22/12/2018 02:54

@Elizabeth I totally agree. I would do that if i was him... but then he is ex mil and... not sure how I can explain it... he would rather bite off his tongue then tell somebody he does not totally trust he is afraid.

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