Can We Talk About Poop For A Minute?

[jeannieknits]

I started on a strict gluten free diet in July, and at the time was having severe D. That cleared up quite quickly, and I was able to maintain a "comfortable", "regular" system. Then, within the past few months I've started this awful constipation. The only thing I can link it to is that when I was on my original gluten free diet I had completely eliminated any grains--so I was eating mainly vegetables, potatoes, a little rice, a little protein, but not any type of gluten free baked goods, etc. Once I discovered the joy of gluten free breads, waffles, cookies, etc....and experimented with baking...this has started. I'm rarely going at all, and when I do it's just a little bit. (sorry for the TMI)

I'm wondering if it's a particular flour (rice, bean?) or is it just the lack of gluten and this is a problem that comes with the territory.

Also, I'm looking for any tips....I'm afraid of laxatives like dulcolax because my system is super sensitive and I don't want to throw it way off the 'other way'.

help!

[Financialman]

I had a similar problem when I was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease in October 2009. I noticed you did not mention that you were eating any fruits. Fruits were the solution to my problem and have keep me fairly regular ever since. Too much of anything, whether gluten free or not, can cause problems. Try eating apples, blueberries, pears and see what happens but remember that too much fruit could move you in the other direction. Moderation on a gluten free diet is important. I have not used any type of laxative so I would suggest talking to your doctor before you do that.

The people on this forum all have similar but different problems. What laxative works for one may cause you unnecessary problems. Talk to your doctor. Keep a diary of what you are eating and any corresponding problems. Do this for at least a month and see if you can see any patterns of what foods are fighting with you. Good luck.

[cassP]

ohhhhhhh, if i overdo starch or complex carbs- i get constipated too.... gluten free baked goods, rice, etc- total constipation. i dont eat potatoes.

i forget- is Dulcolax a laxative or a stool softener??? ive taken stool softeners before- and found them to be quite tolerable- not harsh like a laxative.

i avoid otc laxatives, and harsh natural laxatives like cascarda sienna (sp?), etc....

but on occasion i like a little metamucil... and a spoonful of ghee also helps.

[Ada-B]

I saw rice bran in the healthfood store today. That might be an answer to your problems - you can add it to cereals, sauces and all your baking and it will bump up the fibre content nicely. You buy all sorts of gluten-free products with brown rice (wholegrain rice) in them too, which could help.

Oh, and I second the fruit idea. Don't forget - frozen or canned fruit also has fibre in it. I've recently developed an "addiction" to canned pears in their own juice (can't eat fresh pears due to an allergy). I also love figs, although they're a bit expensive round here, but they are really high in fibre.

My Iranian friend used to use fruit a lot in savory dishes - like chicken stuffed with apricots, prunes and walnuts; or duck stuffed with pomegranates. Try getting a Persian cook book if you want some ideas.

[cap6]

Ducolax is a laxative. My problem is the opposite - constipation and it has become much more severe since going gluten-free. I have tried everything - diet, food diary, supplements, Metamucil, stool softners - everything that has been suggested & so far nothing has worked. The only thing that works is 2 Ducolax every night. i hate taking them and hate developing a dependence on them but have no choice. Both of my dr's have said that sometime i have to go for the lesser of the evils and since I have a badly twisted colon getting backed up will result in a bag. So, we do what we have to do. I hope that you can find a solution. Browse around as everyone here is so very helpful!

[jeannieknits]

thanks for the replies--I'm definitely going to increase the fruit, I tend to not eat it when I buy it, so I'll try canned first. I added some dulcolax stool softener to my oj this morning and had a lot of cramping, a little results, but not the "dam breakage" I'm looking for at this point!

I've also started looking into the whole "nightshade" vegetables thing because of other symptoms that I get with tomatoes and peppers, so I'm thinking I'll eliminate potatoes and see if I get results all around.

this is a fun game we play, isn't it?

[cassP]

**also jeannie & cap6: have you had your thyroid checked?? thyroid disease is common on this forum- and hypothyroid can cause relentless constipation despite good dietary & supplement habits- i had no idea till i got on meds- how much of my motility issues were due to hypothyroid

[T.H.]

Ducolax is a laxative. My problem is the opposite - constipation and it has become much more severe since going gluten-free. I have tried everything - diet, food diary, supplements, Metamucil, stool softners - everything that has been suggested & so far nothing has worked. The only thing that works is 2 Ducolax every night.

How much gluten free processed foods do you eat? Did you eliminate them all when you were working on the diet part? Or were you taking vitamins or supplements when you were changing your diet? I know for me, if I get gluten-free processed foods, I'll end up with severe constipation now, and that includes medication and vitamins. Best I can tell, it's actually a symptom for me of very low level glutening. I just can't tolerate the gluten ppm levels in most gluten-free foods.

[AZGirl]

It's a beautiful place in the world when you can ask to talk about poop and lots of people want to get into the conversation.

Constipation is my usual problem and I mean it can get incredibly severe. I actually have nightmares that I have been glutened and I am terrified about the consequences (toilet issues.) When in dire straights I have tried everything I can find. Stool softeners, laxatives, prune juice and all the usual cures don't do me a bit of good when I get glutened. I do make sure to eat at least 1 cup of fresh fruit or vegetables everyday. I like carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, apples, and oranges etc.... This has certainly come to be my saving grace. I hope it works for you, too.

I did want to share with you that Gluten Free black licorice is the magic ingredient for me when I am in peril. I am so sorry you have to deal with this I know how incredibly awful it feels.

Good luck!

[Marilyn R]

This really works.

Heat 1/4 cup prune juice and drink it. (Heating is essential.)

Warm up 1-2 T. honey (in tea, or on it's own) 10 minutes later, and drink it. (For some reason, honey helps with the stomach pain associated with constipation.)

Exercise if you feel well enough to do so (walking is good). This works wonders in an hour or two.

[cap6]

T.H. ~ I eat very little processed gluten-free food. Since the quantity of food that I can eat is limited I try to only eat whole food - the exception being friday nights when we have chips & wine with friends! lol As for supplements i take L-glutimine, flax seed, flax seed oil, magnesium and a probiotic. The whole thing is very frustrating.

AZGirl ~ I have had those same dreams as well! Seems like every morning I wake up thinking "Will this be a poop & feel good day or will it be a no poop feel crappy (No pun!!) day."

Where do I find gluten-free licorice & how much do I need to eat?

Marilyn ~ I am finally feeling strong enough to start walking so here's to starting tomorrow morning! Warm prune juice? Blahhhh. Ugh! I'll try it though.

Thank you thank you for a place to talk about poop!!!!!

[shopgirl]

I've read that L-glutamine can cause constipation as a side effect. Have you tried dropping that for awhile?

I looked into L-glutamine when I first went gluten-free as a way to make things heal a little faster but when I saw constipation as a side effect, I decided against it. Constipation was my number one Celiac side effect and I wasn't willing to risk it.

[cassP]

I've read that L-glutamine can cause constipation as a side effect. Have you tried dropping that for awhile?

I looked into L-glutamine when I first went gluten-free as a way to make things heal a little faster but when I saw constipation as a side effect, I decided against it. Constipation was my number one Celiac side effect and I wasn't willing to risk it.

that's interesting- cause another member on here said it gave him "C". L-Glutamine almost always smoothes things out for me ... but i know sometimes we have opposite reactions. a couple of times metamucil has given me a little "C"... and Valerian root always gives me insomnia ??

[AZGirl]

T.H. ~ I eat very little processed gluten-free food. Since the quantity of food that I can eat is limited I try to only eat whole food - the exception being friday nights when we have chips & wine with friends! lol As for supplements i take L-glutimine, flax seed, flax seed oil, magnesium and a probiotic. The whole thing is very frustrating.

AZGirl ~ I have had those same dreams as well! Seems like every morning I wake up thinking "Will this be a poop & feel good day or will it be a no poop feel crappy (No pun!!) day."

Where do I find gluten-free licorice & how much do I need to eat?

Marilyn ~ I am finally feeling strong enough to start walking so here's to starting tomorrow morning! Warm prune juice? Blahhhh. Ugh! I'll try it though.

Thank you thank you for a place to talk about poop!!!!!

[AZGirl]

You can find gluten free licorice at Trader Joe's make sure to read the back to be certain.

I would eat several pieces you'll start to feel it when it works!

Keep us posted!

[thleensd]

Holy poop, batman... I've found the answer for me. I seriously didn't know it was possible to poop 2 or 3 times per day. I've apparently been constipated my whole life, but right now whoooooeeee! I'm changed! I've seen the light! We're talking textbook consistency.

It could be a gradual healing of my body that has improved me, but green smoothies (and I think nuts) are changing the way I move, and quickly.

Every day for the last week or two, some variation of green leafies (kale, chard, collards, dandelion greens no iceberg crap), banana (1/2), some frozen grapes, water, and a splash of apple juice or whole apple thrown in my Blendtech blender. This is NOT the same as eating a salad! It tastes a bit like lawn, but I like it. Maybe an acquired taste?

I've also been eating a couple handfuls of nuts (nutsonline.com has gluten-free certified stock!). I've turned into a bit of a purist, so mine are all organic and raw (though I like to oven roast...omg SO much better than store bought!).

Pears are good, too. I try to stay away from pills and such because darn it, digestive system should learn to do it's job!

I did the nightshade free thing for 6 weeks, but I (fortunately) don't think it's my issue. HOWEVER, if I eat too much white rice or potatoes every day, things don't go so well (so to speak). Brown rice, veggies, fruit, beans (the magical fruit)... seems to be working out.

Of course, now I'm in crazy detox mode, but I think it's all good!

Good luck!

[jeannieknits]

wow, lots of replies since I checked this last....

Marilyn:

"This really works.

Heat 1/4 cup prune juice and drink it. (Heating is essential.)

Warm up 1-2 T. honey (in tea, or on it's own) 10 minutes later, and drink it. (For some reason, honey helps with the stomach pain associated with constipation.)

Exercise if you feel well enough to do so (walking is good). This works wonders in an hour or two."

I am definitely going to try this.

things have not really improved....I'm just *getting used* to it, among other things....I cut back on the gluten-free baked products; breads, etc for a while and that didn't seem to make a difference on it's own. I've been eating pears, more fresh veg, drinking gerber pear juice from the baby food aisle and I even bought baby food prunes today....(my newest comfort food is baby food, just the fruits, because I know its tummy-safe. how weird is that?)

cassP: my thyroid is fine. however, I'm wondering if not having my phlebotomy since December (I have hemochromatosis) has caused such an iron build up that it's just shutting things down. (my joints are excruciating most days) I'm making an appointment this week....being uninsured has caused a major 'bump' in taking care of myself.

AZGirl: I'll have to try the gluten-free licorice. I'm also wondering if the nutritionals I'm taking are binding me up, hmmmm. (herbals and vitamins from my holistic chiropractor)

[CHARBEEGOOD]

Ducolax is a laxative. My problem is the opposite - constipation and it has become much more severe since going gluten-free. I have tried everything - diet, food diary, supplements, Metamucil, stool softners - everything that has been suggested & so far nothing has worked. The only thing that works is 2 Ducolax every night. i hate taking them and hate developing a dependence on them but have no choice. Both of my dr's have said that sometime i have to go for the lesser of the evils and since I have a badly twisted colon getting backed up will result in a bag. So, we do what we have to do. I hope that you can find a solution. Browse around as everyone here is so very helpful!

Ask your doctor about Amitesa (sp) I have a twisted colon and my doctor put me on them to help! Keep "dairy" low in your diet can be helpful what everyone is saying is all true the great difficulty is finding out how to balance out your system.

Is it wrong to say that this forum made my day. Love the title.

[koolsharkz]

Are we talkin' the "I never go, ever" constipation or the "I go sometimes but it takes 30 minutes and is more a form of cardio workout than excretion"? It shouldn't be easier to run three miles than it is to poop, right?!

Foo. I'm with all of you... I went off gluten for a month and I actually became regular for the first time in my whole life, after a whole lifetime of constipation! It was so great! I'm on day four of the gluten challenge, and now it's back to sad pooping.

Though it's really lousy that so many have issues with constipation, I'm glad that I'm not the only one- I was told not to consider gluten intolerance a likely issue because I would have diarrhea instead if that were the case. PSSH.

I force pooptalk on my friends all the time, but they just don't quite get the joy of even one normal pooping experience... I'm so glad this place exists.

[jeannieknits]

Ask your doctor about Amitesa (sp) I have a twisted colon and my doctor put me on them to help! Keep "dairy" low in your diet can be helpful what everyone is saying is all true the great difficulty is finding out how to balance out your system.

Is it wrong to say that this forum made my day. Love the title.

I don't eat hardly any dairy--I have lactose "issues", but I'll look into the amitesa.

(I have a son who had severe colon issues as a child; I've been "talking poop" on and off the internet for many years. the title seemed to fit! glad it made your day.)

[jeannieknits]

Are we talkin' the "I never go, ever" constipation or the "I go sometimes but it takes 30 minutes and is more a form of cardio workout than excretion"? It shouldn't be easier to run three miles than it is to poop, right?!

Foo. I'm with all of you... I went off gluten for a month and I actually became regular for the first time in my whole life, after a whole lifetime of constipation! It was so great! I'm on day four of the gluten challenge, and now it's back to sad pooping.

Though it's really lousy that so many have issues with constipation, I'm glad that I'm not the only one- I was told not to consider gluten intolerance a likely issue because I would have diarrhea instead if that were the case. PSSH.

I force pooptalk on my friends all the time, but they just don't quite get the joy of even one normal pooping experience... I'm so glad this place exists.

I have the second scenario you stated above....so eloquently! and when I'm eating gluten I have major D. (in fact i've been tempted to indulge in some cake or donuts to "get things moving..." although I know I'll feel so lousy otherwise that it's not worth it)

I hope you find some tips here, I have!