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Anyone got a good constipation remedy?

taniaaust1

Senior Member
Messages
13,054
Location
Sth Australia
If you are wanting to add more fibre (IF that helps) and are worried about carbs, there is non soluable forms of fibre (so you shouldnt be getting carbs from those) .. sorry I forgot what the non soluable kinds are but my health food shop one told told me.
......

Ive just started to drinking a different kind of tea and I think Im finding this loosening on my bowels a bit (I did have severe constipation issues at one point due to my bowel not functioning well) .. may be worth you trying. The brand isTetley .. and its "cinnamon Orange with a rooibos blend" .. its got also blackberry leaves and liquorice root in it (so has a slight liquorice taste among the other flavours it gives off) and several other things (all natural).

Another thing you could try is taking Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) by mouth (make sure its food grade, the stuff at my pharmacist isnt so I have to get from elsewhere). I think the Epsom salts helped heal my not working bowel ( my IBS-C and not having my constipation issue in control enough ended up giving me a bowel prolapse). The epsom salts made it excercise itself (my bowel wasnt previously responsive to high dose C or to taking senna 3 times over the recommended amounts.. I ended up being on strong enemas daily for a time before a specialist put me onto Epsom salts). Now thou its nearly functioning normally and Ive been able to stop taking the epsom salts
 
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Radio

Senior Member
Messages
453
Hemp seed oil is great for treating constipation, has the perfect balance of Omega 3, 6, 9

Hemp Seed Oil other benefits,

Lower BLOOD PRESSURE
Lower CHOLESTEROL
Ease ARTHRITIS
Help treat ADHD
Improve IMMUNITY
Reduce INFLAMMATION
Reduce symptoms of PMS
Improve ORGAN FUNCTION
Increase ENERGY & METABOLISM
Improve CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Improve post-exercise RECOVERY
 

IreneF

Senior Member
Messages
1,552
Location
San Francisco
If you are cutting out carbs, you are going to cut out fiber. You might want to give Colace (generic name is something like docusate sodium) a try. It works in a different way than senna or epsom salts, which cause muscular changes in the gut. Colace is technically a stool softener, not a laxative, because it helps the bowel contents absorb more water. You often get it after surgery.
 

maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
@IreneF
thanks I'll have a look at that, there is a product called dulcoease?? oh my god it made me sick and gave me the absolute runs - really weird, never taken it since, not sure what is in it - need to check.
 

perchance dreamer

Senior Member
Messages
1,688
Moringa leaf powder has certainly stepped up bowel activity for me. Because of that I've heeded the advice: Start low and go slow so you don't get the runs. I started at 1/4 tsp and am now at 1 tsp.

I'm using the Green Virgin brand, which I got from Amazon. It's also available on the Green Virgin Products website.

I haven't noticed benefits yet, but am hoping that with time I'll get the pain relief that some other users experience.
 

maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
just checked the ingredient is Bisacodyl and the product is Ducolax - be wary folks.
@taniaaust1
thanks - seem to remember Epsom salts tasted awful, have sent for some triphala today - now I've just seen @perchance dreamer post about moringa leaf powder - never mind - thanks everyone

@Radio
can't do hemp - I tried the milk in my search for dairy free but couldn't tolerate it - thanks anyway. Do you eat dairy?
 

Radio

Senior Member
Messages
453
just checked the ingredient is Bisacodyl and the product is Ducolax - be wary folks.
@taniaaust1
thanks - seem to remember Epsom salts tasted awful, have sent for some triphala today - now I've just seen @perchance dreamer post about moringa leaf powder - never mind - thanks everyone

@Radio
can't do hemp - I tried the milk in my search for dairy free but couldn't tolerate it - thanks anyway. Do you eat dairy?
No dairy for me...Thank you, NO thank you....:thumbsup:
 
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Lynne B

Senior Member
Messages
126
Location
sydney, australia
Izola, Diverticulitis can reduce flexibility and narrow the lower bowel and give problems such as constipation. There's a prebiotic called Metamucil for fibre, one teaspoon twice a day. Then, in order of severity, the strongest first, there's a laxative emulsion called Agarol, and/or you can take one sachet of Movicol to help. Also 2 Coloxyl after each meal will soften the stools and help them pass through your bowel. I'm pretty sure if all these were taken together you'd be running to the toilet several times a day, so they need to be sampled for their effect on you. There's also several probiotics such as UltraBiotic 45. All these things can be bought over the counter at the chemist.

Good luck!
 

Bob

Senior Member
Messages
16,455
Location
England (south coast)
I use psyllium husks (powder) for mild constipation. It's vegetable soluble fibre, very similar to pectin. It settles the stomach, and enables smooth steady passage rather than a sudden eruption (apologies for graphic descriptions.) After taking it, I generally go to toilet on the next day. It can be used regularly.

But I've only ever had mild constipation, so I don't know how it would work for more severe cases.

It's a dietary fibre, so it also has health benefits. And it's rumoured that it helps to expel toxins from the gut.

The only negative that I can think of is that I think there's a chance it might interfere with absorption of medications, if taken at the same time, but I've not read anything about this.
 

Lynne B

Senior Member
Messages
126
Location
sydney, australia
Bob, the Metamucil consists of psyllium husk power and sucrose.

But, Izola, the one thing I forgot to say was that it's probably a good idea for you to see a gastroenterologist and maybe have a colonoscopy to ensure there are no polyps or other nasties causing your problems. I know we can't prepare by going 48 hours or so with no solid food without collapsing, but I found it's possible to have something like porridge or toast in that time and then have an enema on the day.
 

taniaaust1

Senior Member
Messages
13,054
Location
Sth Australia
@taniaaust1
thanks - seem to remember Epsom salts tasted awful,

Yeah it certainly can taste aweful. I discovered a trick to getting rid of its awefulness is diluting it in lots of water eg 1 tsp in a glass of water is really really horrid. 1sp in 2 glasses of water starts to be much better. You could just put one tsp in every 1 L of water, the body also then doesnt get a sudden big hit of it and the bowels will be more even then if one is taking it of the standard way prescribed on the container (which can cause bouts of sudden diarhear).

I dissolve a bit in hot water and then mix with the drinking water (I drink a lot during a day so can dilute it lots). I must say that Im still glad Im not having to do all that now.
 

dmholmes

Senior Member
Messages
350
Location
Houston
I've been taking acacia powder which has done wonders for my chronic constipation.
However now looking to reduce my carb intake more to stop feeding the gut bugs - so need something else. I do take senna max - in fact whilst I've been ill the past 2 weeks I've taken nothing else - couldn't stomach the acacia.
Can anyone help with a remedy? I've heard Triphala something..?? may be an option.
Advice appreciated.

Resistant starch in the form of potato starch has taken me from once every three days to just about daily. And from Bristol type 1 to type 3 and 4.
 

maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
@dmholmes
I've actually just received some Triphala I ordered so will see how I get on with that first.
thanks for the suggestion. Hope it keeps working for you, its a good thing to get sorted.
 

Izola

Senior Member
Messages
495
Bob, the Metamucil consists of psyllium husk power and sucrose.

But, Izola, the one thing I forgot to say was that it's probably a good idea for you to see a gastroenterologist and maybe have a colonoscopy to ensure there are no polyps or other nasties causing your problems. I know we can't prepare by going 48 hours or so with no solid food without collapsing, but I found it's possible to have something like porridge or toast in that time and then have an enema on the day.


All I said was I didn't know people drank Hemp. I was just looking around seeing what the alternatives are. I use an otc softener but the pain meds are catching up.

I did have a colonoscopy...have an almost perfect looking gut! The Doctor gave me a mild sedative and oxygen. I had a physical rebound that whole afternoon. I told my regular Dr. about the effect of the oxygen and could we try a bit for a few days. Her response? She said the ogygen effect was probably a placebo effect! Now who has a colonoscopy expecting it will make them immediately better???
 
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Messages
47
might be the magnesium that does it but Concentrace liquid minerals. Could also be candida in general causing the constipation. Charcoal and Cholestrymine soaks up the toxins and helps me with regularity.
 

Leopardtail

Senior Member
Messages
1,151
Location
England
@Plum
well I eat veg twice a day, I have gluten free toast for breakfast and the next 2 meals veg and protein. Much more than anyone else I know but???? I've always had a 'lazy bowel' even pre ME I didn't 'go' much. Its not a bother when you're well though is it?
@minkeygirl
I do peel apples and carrots so don't do much skin on fruit, just had a couple of weeks of plums with skin on but I was taking senna every day anyway so don't know if it affects me. I know senna isn't good long term as it stops your bowel from working normally itself hence the 'urgent need' (no pun) to find a replacement for the acacia powder.:)
I got 'FibreGel' from my doctor (also in the UK). I found that works well to keep me going if I take it twice a day. It does not work if you are super blocked though. Rather it prevents you slowing in the first place.

PS most of the fibre in fruit and veg is not IN the skin, but close to it. If you can peel very very thinly, you will retain the soluble fibre.
 

Thomas

Senior Member
Messages
325
Location
Canada
Does anyone's chronic constipation lead to some type of colon "blowout" where that constipation turns quickly to massive spasming, pain and diarrhea, the the whole cycle begins again?

I guess that's categorized as IBS-A (alternating), but curious if anyone else has similar symptoms, as it's not a genuine constipation in the sens that I rarely go. It's more of incomplete daily BM's followed by my body then going into a mad rush to get everything out that has been building over those days or weeks. So therefore it's also not genuine IBS-D either. I will admit though that back in the day, when socializing was still possible, that was a good "laxative" (thanks anxiety!)

Sorry for the detail, but hey, that's what we're here for I guess - to get good info.
 
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rosie26

Senior Member
Messages
2,446
Location
NZ
Does anyone's chronic constipation lead to some type of colon "blowout" where that constipation turns quickly to massive spasming, pain and diarrhea, the the whole cycle begins again?
A close relative of mine used to get this. She found out her blood sugar levels were quite high and had to change her diet. She came right and doesn't get the chronic constipation that then lead to the pain spasms and diarrhea. I'm really not sure if it was due to the high blood sugar levels or the change in diet or maybe both helped? Just thought I would mention it in case it may have something to do with it?