Constipation…….nothing is working

[Lovemusic82]

I had a surgery (hysterectomy) 3 months ago. My bowels were not that great before surgery but I still went most days and could eat several things that would make me go. Since surgery I sometimes go a couple days without a bowel movement, stools are very hard and what ever I try and eat or take to rectify it doesn’t seem to work. I have taken stool softeners (laxido x 4 a day), am eating a very high fibre diet, exercising a lot, drinking a lot and still nothing. Last night i took a laxative, usually one tablet has me glued to the loo the next morning but I haven’t been at all today.

So why is nothing working? Could it be damage from my surgery? I was told my surgery went well with no complications (key hole).

Just eaten a bowl of rhubarb in hope that works, usually it gives me stomach cramps and makes me poop 😬

Ground Flaxseed - start with just half a teaspoon and build up to two teaspoons a day, and drink lots of fluid or it can make things worse! After lifelong constipation, this has completely changed things for me.

I just sprinkle it on yoghurt or cereal, but you could mix it into anything - it doesn’t affect taste and isn’t really noticeable.

1. I take miralax daily. A neighbor takes it twice a day. It just osmotically pulls liquid into the large intestine.
2. Suggestions for vitamin c are a good idea, you can't overdose and it seems to do the trick.
3. Prunes or prune juice and popcorn.
4. I love cashews but I used to spread eating them all day long when needed.

Dried apricots worked for me after hernia surgery. Cardamom seeds, either ground in Turkish coffee or generously sprinkled into a veggie curry, are a very effective natural laxative.

Previously had this sort of issue and found the green Ducolax(sp?) tablets, a pint of water and walking around the house cured it! I did have to do it on a day off though as was stuck to the loo and had stomach cramps for a few hours while I was sorting myself out!

good luck! Hope you find something to help as it’s a horrid feeling!

You could try some 'Wild Oregano Oil' drops. It kills off harmful bacteria in the gut. Try for a few days and then start taking some strong probiotics. It's worked for me in the past. Best of luck.

Oh, another thing that helps is a long stint on the rowing machine at the gym. I assume it’s working the abdominal muscles that do the trick there.

Have you tried stopping the high fibre diet ?

For some people, fibre causes constipation. There are medical studies about it like this one https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435786/

Maybe give yourself a few days on a low fibre diet and see if it makes a difference for you ?

I was going to say this. I have lots if issues with constipation and vitamin c is always effective (and I've tried pretty much everything). Laxido is completely shit (excuse the pun!).

Flaxseeds (a tbsp or two) with lots and lots of water can help helpful once you've got things going to keep things moving.

I wouldnt eat the seeded bread, as i have IBS and it caused a blockage for me.
For me, its eating sprouts and prunes with dinner the night before.

Go hang out in a library or bookshop. There is such a correlation with needing to poop that it even has a name - the Mariko Aoki phenomenon.

Glycereol suppository’s (you can buy them over the counter at the pharmacy) will help you go - also fresh orange helps relieve constipation too. Lots of warm baths help too and use a stool when going. I hope you’re recovering well from your surgery.

along with the potty, raise your arms in the arm to elongate your body

Prune juice, not prunes but a glass of juice each morning along with the laxative

Wow, that article is really interesting @RedEdit now I’m really conflicted! I eat loads of vegetables, always have, and yet I’ve never found it helped with reducing constipation. Flaxseed is the only natural (non medical) thing that’s made a difference.

I’m beginning to wonder if I’m in the group that would benefit from less fibre, but I’m trying to eat the rainbow, increase my vegetable intake and eat less meat and more beans, in common with current dietary advice. The idea of eating less fibre is really hard to swallow (excuse the pun!).

You need soluble fibre and lots of water. Oats or granola won't do it as they are not soluble.

For me it's Brussels sprouts - still on sale in aldi even in June, chickpeas, butter beans etc. Plus ground flaxseed.

I never get constipated but I am about to have prolapse surgery so I do everything I can to make my poo soft and easy!

I also eat a lot of plain nuts.

Sugar free gummy bears

Another vote for magnesium. I take it before bed, and dont rely on a multi vit, you need 100% rda.

You may well be deficient as most people are.

It will also help you sleep better and reduce muscle cramps.

I have also found it easier to loose weight when I am taking it (maybe because it improves my digestion hence the reduced constipation?)

DH has bowel issues and high fibre makes him constipated like someone said above. I’d dump the fruit and fibre and any wholemeal stuff. It’s filing as it swells in your gut.
Id concentrate on soft ripe fruits and such. Things that very digestible.

If you can’t have caffeine, can you have decaf coffee? I know that still has an effect on me.

I take a drug which has a side effect of constipation. After years of lactulose and laxatives I have found a regime that works.
I eat 4 tinned prunes with dry oats, flax seed and all bran for breakfast. Prune juice works but not as well. Chia seeds help but soak them first as they absorb a lot of fluid.
Lots of fruit during the day, lots more water than you think, more veg than you'd choose.
As well as the above, magnesium does help but don't overdo it. There's an old fashioned constipation remedy called Andrews Salts which is mainly magnesium and helps but is hard to find.

I always find going out for a walk helps me

Have you tried a saltwater flush?