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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask best cure for chronic constipation

51 replies

Somethingsosimple · 06/04/2019 21:12

Tried syrup of figs, prune juice loads of water and loads of fruit. Still no joy. Getting desperate now. Been for long walk too. Can anyone share your best cure for constipation please

OP posts:
NearlySchoolTimeAgain · 06/04/2019 21:59

Movicol keeps DS more regular.

A few strong coffees (ground not instant) = almost instant 💩

nandaandm · 06/04/2019 22:01

Lactolouse .... works within hours.

AntiHop · 06/04/2019 22:02

I have long term constipation. I was referred to a bowel nurse to help with technique. I have a poo stool. I take a moviciol sachet every night.

hazeyjane · 06/04/2019 22:02

Movicol to soften
Picosulphate for push

Thefrenchconnection1 · 06/04/2019 22:05

Chia seeds. Put a tablespoon on porridge or in a yoghurt

Tavannach · 06/04/2019 22:06

About 7 prunes. Not too many or you'll have the opposite problem!

Luxuryhandwash · 06/04/2019 22:29

Find what’s causing it... with me it’s wheat, can’t eat anything with it on or bowl literally goes into spasm for days. Senocalm helps me during an “attack”.

Haworthia · 06/04/2019 22:32

Movicol or Laxido sachets. A big dose if you’re very bunged up - four sachets, say. Then keep it up daily as a maintenance dose. I take two sachets at night every night.

Can buy from pharmacies or get on prescription.

AyoadesChinDimple · 06/04/2019 22:35

Dulcoease or something similar. Can't recall the name. Stool softener not laxative.

Pinkcar21 · 06/04/2019 22:41

Black coffee all the way. As strong as you can manage, sugar if you need it. Honestly put double what you would normally have. Also increasing your fibre - jacket potato, apples, anything with a skin. And lots of water

domton · 06/04/2019 22:41

Still softener to reduce pain when the apple juice does it's stuff. Without fail for me.

Blinking grim though, you have my sympathies. Opiod painkiller constipation has caused some of the worst pain I've ever felt. Hope you get some relief soon. X

Theweasleytwins · 06/04/2019 22:41

I was constipated after giving birth (like a month after) was given laxido from the gp which helped

I have at least 3 pieces of weetabix with sultanas a day, no problems since

blitzen · 06/04/2019 22:42

Daily bowl of all bran

grannieanne · 06/04/2019 22:52

8 laxido sachets a day, home colonic irrigation kit and I still struggle...15 days without going is my record so far. I feel your pain OP

Jsmith99 · 06/04/2019 22:59

Try eating out-of-date shellfish.

ivykaty44 · 07/04/2019 06:36

Is really not sensible to eat seafood that isn’t fresh, it can make you incredibly sick 🤢

MaisondeChats · 07/04/2019 07:17

A nice big full strength (not decaf) Costa coffee sorts me out. I get a takeaway, drink it at home so I'm near to my own facilities.

ivykaty44 · 07/04/2019 07:26

After test they’ve found that it’s not the caffeine in coffee that aids constipation, as decafe coffee also works just as well as caffeinated. Fizzy drinks with caffeine don’t have the same affect.

It’s not recommended to use coffee as a laxative though as it has a dehydrating effect on the body which isn’t good is you have constipation

MaisondeChats · 07/04/2019 07:59

It does work to clear out the immediate problem though, then try to improve long term with diet and water. I wouldn't recommend coffee as a long term solution, just for a good clear out. Interesting to know its not the caffeine. I have IBS and usually stick to decaf unless I am in need of constipation relief.

Happynow001 · 07/04/2019 09:03

Agree with Psyllium husk powder - taken with LOTS of non-fizzy liquid. Also whole prunes (rather than prune juice) because of the additional fibre.

The best prunes (in my opinion) are Agen seedless prunes eaten straight out of the packet. When in need I have three or four a day until I'm back to normal. They are, actually, delicious- soft, sweet and caramel in taste. Don't eat too many at once though!! 😁

MIdgebabe · 07/04/2019 09:27

Whilst suffering try
Laxido/ movicol
Low fat, low fibre diet ( beige, bland) stops adding load
Hot water bottle and tummy massage ( small clockwise circles around any hard bits)
Vigourous exercise, star jumps. I need to avoid anything that compresses the tummy ( so no sit ups) y
Feet raised on eg baby stool when you are on the loo

High fibre is great /essential when the blockage has cleared but can often just add to the problem without reaching the source whenever you are suffering an episode

ivykaty44 · 07/04/2019 15:06

Maisondechats having looked at the research added with the fact decafe coffee aids my system 😉 as I don’t drink caffeine and certainly decafe wakes me up...

Apparently it isn’t great to drink either type if low in iron either

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 07/04/2019 15:10

Another vote for Lactulose- ask for it at the chemist. It’s syrup that you take 20 mls or so of, sweet and sickly but works wonders.

septembersunshine · 07/04/2019 15:49

A weatabix x2 a day. A handful of almonds op. Plus excersise, gets everything flowing. Go easy on the chocolate and processed foods. (seems to plug things up for me)