How do you deal with constipation?

Posted by marie @dvasco, Dec 4, 2024

I'm not regular and easily triggered when traveling or stress in general. How do you guys deal with constipation caused from external factors?

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@naiviv

I have been suffering from constipation for years due to my hypothyroidism. I take Colace twice a day and Myralax once z day. I follow the Mediterranean diet which consists if vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts, chicken and fish. I don’t eat red meat because my GI told me it constipates me if I do. I drink 48+ ounces of plain water. All of that has helped me a lot. Every morning before getting up from bed, I massage carefully my abdomen starting from the Right lower quadrant, running my fingers up, then across my abdomen down to the left lower quadrant. When I do this I am massaging the colon right to the rectum. I saw this performed by a GI in a video. It has worked for me. Every person is different. Make sure you consult your doctor before doing all of this. Hope this helps and make you feel better.

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Had to switch to mostly plant based diet. Beans lentils pretty much daily. Cut down a lot on caffeine. I like diet pepsi. Increase water intake with water flavor pkts that are sugar free. I do take 2 docusate daily. I am finding less bread is helpful too.

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@marquis113

My GI doctor prescribed lactulose.

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Lactulose did nothing for me and taste so sweet.

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Make yourself a big pot of ham and bean soup. Ha!

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2 Tablespoons of chia seeds will make you regular. I put them in my overnight oatmeal

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Have you tried taking a probiotic capsule daily, also miralax is a great fixer

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If needed, I use Miralax once a day or 2x, morning and evening- it works. I can recommend cooked or baked sweet potatoes, and 1 cup of red grapes, also helps, I eat the red grapes daily.

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I am going through a massive flareup right now with constipation. I have been advised to take enemas by my gastroenterologist along with prescribed medicine and stool softener. I have been burping, FDD, bloating, unable to drink, or eat, and unable to eliminate.
So I’m following the doctors orders and I’m also taking SIBO MEDICINE NOT XIFAXAN BUT THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND I’M SUFFERING TREMENDOUSLY. I HAVE A STRESS TEST TOMORROW AT 1 PM AND I AM PRAYING THAT AFTER THAT I CAN SCHEDULE MY COLONOSCOPY ASAP. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT I CAN DO TO AID MYSELF from all of the discomfort. I’m not sure what’s going on with the text, but I definitely need help! Thank you everyone!

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@pelala26

I am going through a massive flareup right now with constipation. I have been advised to take enemas by my gastroenterologist along with prescribed medicine and stool softener. I have been burping, FDD, bloating, unable to drink, or eat, and unable to eliminate.
So I’m following the doctors orders and I’m also taking SIBO MEDICINE NOT XIFAXAN BUT THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND I’M SUFFERING TREMENDOUSLY. I HAVE A STRESS TEST TOMORROW AT 1 PM AND I AM PRAYING THAT AFTER THAT I CAN SCHEDULE MY COLONOSCOPY ASAP. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT I CAN DO TO AID MYSELF from all of the discomfort. I’m not sure what’s going on with the text, but I definitely need help! Thank you everyone!

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Have you tried suppositories. Glycerine ones? Also miralax three times a day? They work great for me together when I have really bad constipation. Good luck. I hope you feel better

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I take magnesium every night, which keeps me very regular. Driving long distance often means using glycerin suppositories!

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@pelala26

I am going through a massive flareup right now with constipation. I have been advised to take enemas by my gastroenterologist along with prescribed medicine and stool softener. I have been burping, FDD, bloating, unable to drink, or eat, and unable to eliminate.
So I’m following the doctors orders and I’m also taking SIBO MEDICINE NOT XIFAXAN BUT THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND I’M SUFFERING TREMENDOUSLY. I HAVE A STRESS TEST TOMORROW AT 1 PM AND I AM PRAYING THAT AFTER THAT I CAN SCHEDULE MY COLONOSCOPY ASAP. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT I CAN DO TO AID MYSELF from all of the discomfort. I’m not sure what’s going on with the text, but I definitely need help! Thank you everyone!

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Pella26 -- Certain supps/meds/foods cause massive constipation for me. If that happens to me, I go for a stimulant laxative. You have to get the plugs of stool out. Stool softener doesn't do it for me. Since I have a hyper sensitive gut, I use Colace 2 in 1 (softener plus stimulant), the max dose. That brand was recommended by my Gastro. But whatever you do, using a stimulant laxative is my recommendation (unless MD told you not to do it). Your PCP is just playing it safe. For me, taken at bedtime is best.

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