Chronic Constipation

[tonystarksrighthand]

Ghastly subject.

For years I've suffered with chronic constipation.

I've not helped myself and not stuck at any kind of routine with diet or supplements etc.

Can anyone suggest any methods.

Doctor is NO help. Fed up with constantly being fobbed off to increase water intake (I'll drown if I drink anymore!)

Prunes? Fybogel? Probiotics?

I would welcome any suggestions. I'm so fed up!

Hi. A spoon of olive oil or similar every morning works well

What do you eat in a typical day?

Senna or Laxido

@emmathedilemma

What do you eat in a typical day?

@emmathedilemma

Porridge with prunes, wholemeal bread, marmite, peanut butter, bananas

Jacket Pots, Pasta, Rice, cous cous, noodles

Lean proteins, eggs, beans, lentils

Rarely dairy, 200ml a day of milk for tea

Fruit, veg and salads

I cook all from scratch, 1x a week a takeaway, very limited processed food

No alcohol for the last 3 months

I run 25-30K a week

so your diet seems ok, plenty of fibre! Maybe needs more oils and fatty foods? I know it's generally what we're told to avoid but people who go on diets and eat very low fat often experience constipation at first.

maybe try a milky coffee once a day??

Magnesium citrate powder from amazon. A scoop or 2 a day will sort you right out!

Are you taking any iron medication? I'm the same awful constipation and drink a lot of water but I think being on iron tablets ruined me.

Laxido, taken daily. Ask for it to be prescribed, it’s a life changer!

Take Spatone for iron deficiency it doesn't make you constipated.

Try probiotics for a few weeks then prebiotics every day. I went from going once every few days, terribly hard poo to every morning nice soft easy to pass poo.

I agree with adding a little fat.

I take a sachet of movicol daily. Doctor said it's fine to do this long term.

Have you tried some relaxation? This can promote the parasympathetic nervous system which switches on digestion processes. Worth a go... you could try a short relaxation everyday for a week and see if it makes any difference. You tube has loads but you need to find which type suits you- guided relaxation, body scan, autogenic relaxation, there are loads.

Reduce meat if you haven’t already.
Get some liquorice from Lakeland Darrell Lea eat a few pieces a day. This is natural liquorice.

Are you on laxatives at the moment and do they work?

There are some health conditions for which chronic constipation are the early signs. They tend not to respond to diet and laxatives as the mechanism causing the constipation is different.

I've had to manage constipation my whole life. My triggers: eggs and yellow cheeses (feta / cottage cheese are no problem). You could try cutting out the egg?

My DS has had this for years and we have been fobbed off by GP tbh. On a work training course ,I met the local Incontinence nurse and spoke to her about it . Best thing for constipation is drinking apple juice (the non concentrate kind) and pears . Have to say it hasn't stopped the issue completely but has helped her alot .

Meant to put DD ! DS could sh*te for Britain !!🤣

I’d definitely try a laxative and see if you can get control of it. Long term constipation is terrible for your pelvic floor too. I use ground linseed (flaxseed) about tbsp a day in smoothie or porridge. Good luck x

Cut out bread for a bit

Maybe even cut out Oates and only eat rice ( and keep all the rest of your diet)
Give it a week

Nuts

I had constipation for years before my coeliac disease got really bad, have you ever been tested? It's not always diarrhoea

It might seem counterproductive but you should try low fibre for a few weeks. DH has issues and this is the direction he now goes in under hospital advice, wholemeal bread bungs him up every time.

Definitely ask your GP for a coeliac blood test (ttg). Don't cut out gluten though, or tests won't be accurate.