Prolonged Intestinal Transit Time...

[wschmucks]

Hey Guys,

I was tested for Chrons the other day-- it came back negetive (which i guess is good). But it took me 4 hours for the liquid to get all the way through my intestines-- whcih is about 3-4 times longer than is typical. My biggest problem is chronic constipation--- so i guess it makes more sense now that my body cant get the food through and that its getting stuck in my intestines too long. Any ideas on how to work on that?? I read that some gut pathogens and overgrowth might slow that down. I have been taking laxatives on a daily basis for the past 6 months (after a year an a half of not taking them and being constipated EVERY DAY--so they are not what caused the C), i fear that may make it worse.

ANY WAYS-- I;m going to the Dr this afternoon, so if you'd recommend anything to bring up please let me know!! I do have Celiac-- should i ask for a steroid, perhaps any damage is delaying the transit time???

Thanks!

[Roda]

If you really want to know about your bowel transit time you could ask about a bowel transit study x-ray. You have to swallow a capsule that has radiopaque markers in it and after so many days they take an x-ray of your abdomen and count how many of the markers are in the colon. The results are based on how many if any are left in the colon. You do have to be laxitive free while doing this test since the laxitaves can lead to false results.

[wschmucks]

Thanks for the reply.

The test i had done did basically the same thing for your intestines--which is where my transit time was delayed. I guess i just want to find out why it was delayed so i can fix it. Or if this indicates any other problems.

[YoloGx]

Have you tried using magnesium citrate to bowel tolerance, and then back off a little on the amount? I find it works like a champ. I take 1 teaspoon a day, in half teaspoon doses. I take the last dose at night not long before I go to bed.

Herbs that can help are yellow dock and oregon grape root, alternated (not taken at the same time). Use some licorice root with it too if you have low blood pressure. Do this on and off as needed. Ten days at once would be too much. These herbs help both with peristalsis as well as intestinal cleansing and are mildly laxative without being habit forming. Try to go off the straight laxatives, they really don't help in the long run. If you have to use something like that, however, try cascara sagrada. Add some ginger to prevent gripping.

Fresh ground up flax seed (1 tablespoon of the seed then ground in a clean coffee grinder) mixed in with water really helps. To make it even more effective add 1/4 tsp. apple pectin powder before the grind. This helps the pectin mix with the water without clumping. Take in a glass of water and then chase with another glass.

I also suggest eating a lot more vegetables plus regular exercise (like walking daily) is de rigeur.

Do make sure you drink plenty of water too..

My ex boyfriend used to get constipation horribly and was constantly taking laxative and going for colonics. Now however that he is entirely gluten free (i.e., even avoids all trace glutens) plus does the above remedies as needed, he no longer is constipated at all. He still has to be careful of what he eats, and often needs to take slippery elm or marshmallow root (you might too) to take down inflammation say if he's eaten something sugary or too many of even non glutenous grains, but that nagging problem of constipation is done with.

Bea

[ravenwoodglass]

Just to throw another idea in there- Have you tried eliminating anything other than gluten? For me soy just seems to shut stuff right down. That may not be the issue with you but if you are a fan of products with soy you might want to try avoiding them for a bit a see if it helps.

[wschmucks]

Hi thanks for the tips everyone. I am currently following the SCDiet which doesnt seem to be helping, and maybe making it worse, but i'm sticking it out for awhile. I will check to see which of your supplements are compliant with the diet-- thanks Bea!

I have tried elliminating many things-- i was vegan for a year (so i know its not dairy or eggs), i took out coffee (although before i was gluten-free), and now Im SCD with takes out all grains, most lactose, sugar and several carbohydrates. I dont really notice changes (some times with Gluten) with what i eat and my BM-- probably cause it might take so long to get back on track, i mean i cant do a 2 year test of everything!