Slow Moving Gut

LLRD · December 3, 2005

Does anyone here suffer mainly from constipation. Not to go into great detail, but soft stools that move slow through the gi tract. Along with of course the bloating.

If I have been on the diet a few months should these symptoms started to improve or could it take longer. And does being gluten free even really help much with constipation?

Rae · December 7, 2005

LLRD said:
Does anyone here suffer mainly from constipation. Not to go into great detail, but soft stools that move slow through the gi tract. Along with of course the bloating.

If I have been on the diet a few months should these symptoms started to improve or could it take longer. And does being gluten free even really help much with constipation?

I suffered from constipation for a year now. First I was diagnosed with IBS-C and given Zelnorm to relieve my constipation. I been gluten-free for 3 months now and my bm patterns are still the same. I will go for a few weeks "normal" then the next few weeks I'll have episodes where I will be constipated and wont go for 3-4 days at a time. The one thing that sometimes help is drinking coffe in the morning- but I am now lactose intolerant so it might have been the milk helping me go. Everyone is different, so going gluten-free might help you more than it helped me. Sorry couldnt give you a clear answer.

mightymorg · December 7, 2005

I'm also dealing with chronic constipation, the same as you. Tons of bloating...no fun. I also was diagnosed at first as IBS-C and given Zelnorm. It worked wonders (no C, no bloating, no gas) for a week and a half, and then it just flat out stopped working. So, my GI took me off of that and prescribed me Glycolax (Miralax). I have to take it 3 times a day for it to work, but it works for the most part. I know that sometimes a cup of coffee while sitting at the computer helps get things going.

Nonetheless, the pattern of my bm's have improved, but I don't know if any of that is from also being gluten-free...I'm too scared to stop taking the Glycolax!

My GI did say the only thing he noticed during my colonoscopy was that I have an unusually long colon, which could also play a part in things.

skbird · December 7, 2005

I tried a sample Zelnorm a couple of weeks back and bloated up like I couldn't believe! It was horrible, and I felt like I was going to have the runs at any second for about 16 hours after I took it, then I finally went and it wasn't runs but cleaned out likely every crevice in my body. Then two days later I had the worst migraine and stomach upset for 24 hours without eating anything suspect. So I don't know, but coupled with the cost, I'm not going to fill the script. I do have 7 more samples, so I might give it a try again if nothing else works.

I don't ever go more than one day without going, but I do feel constipated from time to time. My best remedy is magnesium supplements, take 1000 mg at night and usually by lunch I will be going pretty well.

Funny what we talk about...

Stephanie