Constipation...

[ToriMartin]

I had an xray the other day (I have a bad back, going to a specialist next week). Anyhow, the Dr said I am really constipated. I've always had probs with that but thought I was doing better on this diet. I thought on it... Maybe that's part of my weight, water retention & poor circulation? So, it's been my goal the last few days to "clean my system". It's not that easy... You know, if I eat Gluten, corn or milk products I get IBS really bad. But you lose so much water... Plus, the damage on the intestines...

I took Citrucil (double the done) with 2 stool softners. All it did was give me bad D, but more of a water loss. BTH, I drink allot of water, atleast 1 gallon per day at the least.

So, I've doubled magnesium, took my infants laxative, & some other things... Oh, eating allot of salads with primarily Romain Lettuce. But, nothing was working. So, I bought Milk of Magnesia which you are to take 2-4 tbsp. I took 4. Supposed to take 1/2 hour - 6 hours... Nothing. Took a Stool softner before bed. Nothing. But this morning I drank about 2 sips of coffee & boom. The big D, just not as bad as the other day. That seemed to help the best.

I have wondered if I am sensitive to soy... But not sure f I want to part with my creamer.... I really do enjoy me coffee.

Anyhow, what other ideas are there for Constipation? Is this normal if you are Gluten Intolerant? What about going on the diet... Shouldn't it be better?

Thanks & sorry about ll the info...

[lischro]

WE ARE IN THE EXACT.SAME.BOAT!

I have had xrays, as well, only to find that the dr says "Wow you really are full of poop." then they tell me to alternate laxatives and enemas to get cleaned out. well, enemas don't even work for me all the time. probably 75% of the time they'll do a little but never a full clean out.

I've seen specialists and had tests... finally my GI said "We can't really help you."

I do the same stuff you do- milk of mag, stool softeners etc.... the only thing that helps a little (after taking 4 x the recommended dosage, every day).... is miralax.

I also thought that all of this would be "fixed" or at least lessened by going gluten free. I have been for about a month and a half and haven't noticed a difference yet.

So I don't have any answers, but can completely relate. If you haven't already tried miralax, I'd give it a shot!

[bincongo]

I had an xray the other day (I have a bad back, going to a specialist next week). Anyhow, the Dr said I am really constipated. I've always had probs with that but thought I was doing better on this diet. I thought on it... Maybe that's part of my weight, water retention & poor circulation? So, it's been my goal the last few days to "clean my system". It's not that easy... You know, if I eat Gluten, corn or milk products I get IBS really bad. But you lose so much water... Plus, the damage on the intestines...

I took Citrucil (double the done) with 2 stool softners. All it did was give me bad D, but more of a water loss. BTH, I drink allot of water, atleast 1 gallon per day at the least.

So, I've doubled magnesium, took my infants laxative, & some other things... Oh, eating allot of salads with primarily Romain Lettuce. But, nothing was working. So, I bought Milk of Magnesia which you are to take 2-4 tbsp. I took 4. Supposed to take 1/2 hour - 6 hours... Nothing. Took a Stool softner before bed. Nothing. But this morning I drank about 2 sips of coffee & boom. The big D, just not as bad as the other day. That seemed to help the best.

I have wondered if I am sensitive to soy... But not sure f I want to part with my creamer.... I really do enjoy me coffee.

Anyhow, what other ideas are there for Constipation? Is this normal if you are Gluten Intolerant? What about going on the diet... Shouldn't it be better?

Thanks & sorry about ll the info...

I can sympathize with you. It seems to me that most people talk about diarrhea only. I am a new celiac and I only have constipation and it has gotten worse with a gluten-free diet. I am guessing there isn't enough fiber in the diet but don't really know what I am doing wrong so I too would like a comment from other celiac's out there with the main problem being constipation. I have taken out lactose but not soy. Rice milk doesn't compare with soy. Help!

[BRUMI1968]

I feel I could have a PhD in Constipation. I have been diagnosed just over 3 years, but have had active C type celiac disease since I was like two or something. I mean I have not asked my mom about my diapers, but I remember all through childhood having INTENSE gas pains and not pooping for days and days at a time. Also, and this makes me sad just to think about since my parents didn't have enough information to understand to be worried, I kept thinking I was starting my period, even when I was really young, because I was getting fissures - that's how rock solid this poop, when it finally did come out, was. Why on earth and I putting in this preamble.

Anyway, I'm going to list the main things, most of which you've already done no doubt, but just to cover all the bases.

1. drinking a gallon of water a day might be demineralizing your system and straining your kidneys. That's a lot. There's quite a bit of new research showing the whole "drink a ton of water" idea to be a bit overblown. If you're thirsty or get a ton of activity or are hot and sweating a lot, it makes sense. It does sound that you are adding back magnesium, but it's possible you've got other mineral loss that could be causing problems.

2. Vitamin C. I've never done this, but folks say that you can up the dosage of Vt. C until you get D, then back off it. Like I said, I've never tried it.

3. Trifal. This is an Indian herb, only slightly laxative in quality, but helps regulate and heal the intestines.

4. Consider quitting dairy. This is A#1 for me - one teaspoon dairy, a week of C without fail.

5. Is the diet getting enough of the 3 requirements: bulk (fiber), grease (fats/oils), water (we know you are on this one)

6. Walking. There are also yoga exercises specifically for this.

7. Self massage of the lower back and abdomen. I've actually found if I'm sitting on the john and am having some trouble getting things started, putting both hands on my spine and pushing down and toward my hips. This can actually get me started when I'm sitting there wondering if it'll be bust again. I hate these good for nothing visits to the throne.

8. Consider a low fodmap diet. You can google this. It has to do with fermentable sugars that your body isn't tolerating. I'm having good luck (just doing for about a week now) with it lowering my bloat. I have actually been more constipated, but I think that's in part due to the fact that I lost (temporarily) some of the veggies I normally eat.

9. Magneseum. -Sounds like you've tried this one. I never have, but I hear it helps quite a bit.

10. If you eat bananas, consider dropping those for a spell and see if that's it.

11. Amaranth for breakfast. I mean hot cereal amaranth. It made me uber regular.

Well, I don't know if I got most of the ideas, but I think so. I hope you feel better. C sucks. Going poop every day rules!

[Chakra2]

My mom raves about psyllium husks. She gets them in capsules at Whole Foods. They were mentioned several times in the book The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth, I noticed recently. Good luck! My poop issues vascillated back and forth between the 2 extremes and going gluten free immediately stopped the D but I still have to pay attention to fiber and avoiding cross-contamination to stave off the C. I feel like fish oil helps too.

[cap6]

So glad I stumbled on this as I don't feel so alone! C has been my biggest issue since I was very little. I drink water, walk daily, take fish oil and magneseum, eat dairy little to never, eat lots of fruit (could add more veggies), have never really cared for banana. Two stool softeners in the morning and two in the evening were working for awhile (6 weeks maybe) and now I am back to nothing. Three dulcolax at night will do it but I hate to get hooked on those. Grrr. I too used to always think that I was starting my period and only now know that I was C. Now that I was regular for that brief period of time i feel miserable if I miss one day. Recently i have been drinking more coffee than normal as I am so darn tired all the time (my iron is low and I am on supplements) so wonder if the coffee could be part of it.

[India]

Hi Bully4You, can I ask how your FODMAPs diet is going? I have similar problems to you and no improvement on this diet so far. I'm only two weeks in and I'm going to persevere but I was just wonder how you find it?

Thanks

[Gardening]

My older daughter has major constipation issues.

Here's what her GI (who happens to be at the Celiac Research Center in Baltimore, but my daughter does not have an official celiac dx):

1. Do a 2-day cleanse. Only clear liquids for 2 days. Strained chicken broth, vegatable broth, clear juices, popsicles, etc, and WATER. Take a double dose of Miralax at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm on the first day. Take a double dose of Miralax in the morning, 4pm, and 6pm on the second day.

2. After that, take one dose of Miralax every day.

3. Sit on the toilet (don't strain though) after EVERY meal. This will help re-train the bowels.

Do #2 and #3 for 6-8 weeks.

We just started (did the cleanse last week) and she wants us back for a follow-up appt in 6-8 weeks.

[RiceGuy]

Do consider dropping soy, and all other top allergens. That includes wheat (or course), dairy, soy, corn, nuts, peanuts, eggs, and shellfish.

Try coconut milk/cream for a creamer, but coffee may be adding to your problems. One easy way to find out - no coffee for two weeks or more. No other caffeine either. You may experience withdrawal, but it will pass.

Not all forms of magnesium are effective for C. Try magnesium oxide, and take something acidic with it. A big glass of orange juice, or vitamin C, or lemon or other citrus fruit juice. The acid will greatly magnify the effectiveness of the magnesium. Make certain to drink plenty of water, but not all at once. Like 8 ounces every 30-60 minutes, whether you feel thirsty or not. The magnesium will cause lots of water to be directed into your intestines, so you need to make sure your body has plenty to work with. Start off with 300-400mg of magnesium per day, and gradually increase every few days. Too much at once can cause quite a bit of discomfort until your bowels "catch up". Don't plan on traveling anywhere until you know how your body does with it.

Do make sure to balance your electrolytes. You may need more potassium and/or sodium. Try a sports drink - the kind that replenishes electrolytes. If it helps, then consider a potassium supplement, and maybe increase salt intake. This is even more important as you become more regular.

Back pain is often caused by C. Especially if it's lower back pain.

[lischro]

GARDENING- I really hope this helps your daughter! I take miralax regularly and was wondering if this is something her GI recommended for short term and if it's supposed to completely re-train her muscles etc or is it something that is meant to be a cleanse/quick fix?

My problem is I can eventually get cleaned out by overdosing on the miralax- takes about 4 days or so...... then it all comes back. it just builds up again. it's exhausting and horribly uncomfortable. Anyway, just wanted to check and see how it's going and see if it's supposed to help long term.

Thanks!!

[Gardening]

So far, she's getting backed up again. I was trying to be conservative in the doses - frankly, I skipped a couple of days after the cleanse, then chose the smaller of the recommended doses (doc said 1/2 to 1 scoop, and I've been doing 1/2, thinking she's only 35 pounds, why give her the adult dose?)

I'm going to slowly increase her dose - want things to be on an even keel before school starts next week!

[cap6]

My first day without the coffee and I've been grumbly all day. But hopefully omitting it will help. I am also going to try the miralex. We are rving right now and won't be home till the end of Sept and have a dr appt scheduled for then...... Thanks for all the suggestions!