Horrible Constipation! Need Advice.

[GF Girly]

Hello,

I have been gluten-free for over 6 years and I struggle horribly with constipation. Lately, It's been really bad and I could use some advice. I used to take Benefiber and I try to eat lots of raw veggies and I do take in a lot of water but lately I always feel bloated and sick. In the past few days I have gone through so many vegetable laxatives and enemas just to go and it worked but I'm so backed up. I don't take in a lot of dairy. I'm kind of at a lost because my GI system is so sluggish and I walk 30 minutes every day too so I get exercise. It's like I feel toxic. Any advice would be very helpful because for years I have heard of celiac constipation.

[freeatlast]

Hello,

I have been gluten-free for over 6 years and I struggle horribly with constipation. Lately, It's been really bad and I could use some advice. I used to take Benefiber and I try to eat lots of raw veggies and I do take in a lot of water but lately I always feel bloated and sick. In the past few days I have gone through so many vegetable laxatives and enemas just to go and it worked but I'm so backed up. I don't take in a lot of dairy. I'm kind of at a lost because my GI system is so sluggish and I walk 30 minutes every day too so I get exercise. It's like I feel toxic. Any advice would be very helpful because for years I have heard of celiac constipation.

I drink a tablespoon of psyllium fiber in a half glass of water 4-5 times per week and take 2 cascara sagrada capsules with it a couple times per week. That works for me. I have had constipation issues my entire adult life, so it is not related to gluten in my case.

[jackay]

Have you tried taking a good muti-probiotic? That has really helped me.

I recommend i-flora from Sedona Labs. It is available online.

[OptimisticMom42]

Take magnesium supplements especially if you are also experiencing cramps in your lower legs and feet during the night. If you are taking calcium skip it for a bit. When you start taking it again, take it in the morning and take the mag before bed.

[ravenwoodglass]

I have soy intolerance in addition to being celiac. Soy binds me up literally for days, gluten does the oppostie. If you consume a lot of soy you may want to consider dropping all soy for a month or so and seeing if that helps.

[Ahorsesoul]

Try adding 3 dried prunes daily to your diet if none of the other suggestions help.

[GF Girly]

I take pro-biotics daily. I eat dried apricots because that used to help but maybe I should switch to to prunes. I have Magnesium supplements around that I used to take when I would get restless legs so I'll try to add them to my vitamin regimen. I don't do soy because it makes my feel very bloated and gassy. I have heard that Psyllium fiber is supposed to be really good. Thank you all for your great advice and if anyone can think of anything else, it's always welcome. Someone told me to get a colonic?

[jackay]

If the psyllium fiber doesn't do the trick, you can resort to a glycerin suppository. I do that every once in a while when I am in a lot of pain. Not a pleasant experience, but it definitely gives me some relief.

Be sure you drink lots of water when taking psyllium. At least eight hours a day at the minimum.

Good luck!

[Katie B]

I take Milk of Magnesia - just a teaspoon before bed. It's really helped with gas and moves things along.

[digmom1014]

I have found a warm bath with 2 cups Epsom salts added really gets me going!!

[GFinDC]

Sauerkraut works for me. Psyllium husks are good, I put a little in my food. Like tonight I made some peanut butter cookies and put a teaspoon of pysillum husks in them. Flax seed meal is good too.

Soy is a bad thing, best to avoid that stuff for sure.

[Amanda Lynds]

Senna tea leaves are awesome for relieving constipation naturally. They don't taste very good alone, but you can by them in blends like "Super Dieter's Tea" by Laci Le Beau. You can by that at wal-mart or rite aid. I brew a cup at night if I feel constipated and by morning all is well.

[burdee]

Many people will tell you to eat more fiber, consume more liquids, etc., etc. However, if you have other undiagnosed food allergies (like dairy) or even intestinal dysbiosis caused by bad bacteria or low levels of good (probiotics) bacteria, parasites or fungus (noteably candida), you may suffer impaired intestinal motility which will cause constipation no matter what you eat or consume. I had chronic constipation for years which continued even after I wsa diagnosed with celiac disease and several food allergies. However treating for several intestinal bacteria, a parasite and candida plus taking loads of probiotics finally gave me regular soft stools no matter what I ate or drank.

So I suggest you find a doc who will give you blood tests (like the ELISA test) for other allergies. Skin tests only diagnose IgE or immediate reaction allergies, rather than delay reaction IgG food allergies which can cause constipation. Also find a doc who will give you stool tests which detect bacterial (parasitic or fungus) infections or just measure your probiotic levels. Then you will know for sure what's going on in your intestines, rather than guessing and trying all those suggestions for 'regularity'.

SUE

Hello,

I have been gluten-free for over 6 years and I struggle horribly with constipation. Lately, It's been really bad and I could use some advice. I used to take Benefiber and I try to eat lots of raw veggies and I do take in a lot of water but lately I always feel bloated and sick. In the past few days I have gone through so many vegetable laxatives and enemas just to go and it worked but I'm so backed up. I don't take in a lot of dairy. I'm kind of at a lost because my GI system is so sluggish and I walk 30 minutes every day too so I get exercise. It's like I feel toxic. Any advice would be very helpful because for years I have heard of celiac constipation.