How Do I Make My Stools Firm?

[one more mile]

I have been constipated most of my life. in my 20,30 I only had a movement when my period was coming.

So now I am at the other end. After getting accustomed to 6 weeks of gotta go right now I have painful hemorrhoids that I really know noting about, It is all new to me. The bleeding has stopped, the pain has not. Hemorrhoid cooling gel was a waste of money. Pain pills and Hemorrhoid ointment work a bit.

but What makes stools firm? something I can eat and take with me when I travel. I can only eat small amounts of cheese,

can not eat rice or soy but in small amounts. Wheat blocked me up but of course that is out. Other then that I am cluless. I have never been on this side of the looking glass before.

thanks all.

One more mile

[RiceGuy]

After several months gluten-free, I suddenly found myself in a similar situation. I think it must have lasted about six months before it settled down. I figure it was just my body's way of flushing out toxins and stuff. But then I've always believed in letting the body do what it knows how to do. I'm sure it knows better than I do, especially given the way I used to stuff gluten down its throat all day.

That said, bananas can slow things down, and so can some types of high-fiber foods. Have you tried amaranth or teff as a hot cereal? Both are loaded with fiber, protein, and many other nutrients. Other gluten-free grains include millet, buckwheat, and sorghum. Beans, nuts and seeds are also very nutritious, and generally higher in fiber than many other foods. Shredded coconut is a very high fiber food, and it's delicious too!

For supplements, calcium carbonate is known to work in this area. There are also psyllium fiber capsules, but make sure to follow the label, as it is a fiber which soaks up lots and lots of water. Thus you can easily cause a blockage in your intestines if you don't drink enough water with it. I think Metamucil is made with psyllium.

Sounds to me like you should be avoiding all dairy, rice, soy, and who knows what else.

Sorry, I can't help you with the Hemorrhoids. Perhaps someone else will have some insight for you.

[mymagicalchild]

I'd check out doing a complete liver detox. Start with milk thistle/dandelion tincture. Hemorrhoids, I believe, are varicose veins.

Organic carrot juice is a great regulator.

[mftnchn]

Sounds like things are extremely sensitive right now in the healing process.

You might take a look at the SCD and see if a temporary switch to a stricter gluten-free diet might help. It is designed for problems such as yours. (Actually either C or D, but the literature mentions D more). That would be more tricky for travel but not impossible. It also eliminates all grains, soy, and very starchy vegetables, so it sounds like it would fit what you are already describing. The book is called Breaking the Vicious Cycle, and there are several websites. Check www.pecanbread.com

For the hemorrhoids, be sure you cleanse yourself very well after the D. Massage with the ointment to try to soften them and push them inside. Sorry if TMI...

Be sure you are getting enough replacements for what you are losing in electrolytes.

[larry mac]

Chronic D can cause hemorrhoids. Can you tolerate Immodium AD tablets? I take two at the first indication of a serious D episode. And then one after every BM until cleared up, usually only a total of four tablets is needed.

best regards, lm

[ang1e0251]

Masaging castor oil onto hemmeroids at each trip to the bathroom is very soothing. Hope this helps!

[frec]

Taking some form of acidophilus (make sure it doesn't have any dairy in it) would help. It helps constipation or diarrhea and helps heal your intestines by giving you healthy intestinal flora. After having diarrhea for so long you've probably lost most of your "happy germs" as my mother always called them. Good luck.

[bakingbarb]

Fresh Aloe Vera, right off of the plant is soothing and healing. Try that.

I wish you could eat rice, it is the only thing that keeps me together! Ha, thats funny!

My Grandma always said to eat greenbeans and if it was bad, drink the juice from the can! Never tried the juice bit

[ShayFL]

When mine flares up I use witch hazel. I soak a cotton ball with each BM and press it on the spot for a bit after I very carefully wipe.

[jerseyangel]

What helped me firm things up considerably is taking Caltrate 600 with vitamin D twice a day (breakfast and dinner).

This form of calcium (carbonate) is poorly absorbed by the body, so the unused portion gets excreted through the GI tract and absorbs fluids as it goes.