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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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casey1959 | @casey1959 | Mar 22 10:04am
In reply to @mrmacabre "@lauracbaker It sounds like the same thing that happened to myself at the age of 30,..." + (show)
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@lauracbaker It sounds like the same thing that happened to myself at the age of 30, I could no longer consume dairy products. I went to see my doctor and he simply looked at me and said that I was lactose intolerant, which can happen at any age, but my case was a severe one, even something as a few plain M&Ms would destroy my stomach.
I lived in fear of being "poisoned" by something like a hamburger bun or dinner roll at a restaurant for over a decade before finding an OTC lactose support supplement that actually worked. I took those up until almost a year ago when they stopped working for me, then they were no longer available. Again, no dairy allowed for several months, until I found something else online that lets me eat anything I want to again.
The reason we can no longer tolerate dairy products is because our bodies no longer produce the enzyme that's needed to digest them. But it turns out that there are supplements that are specifically designed to do that, and they're available on Amazon. I hate having to give Jeff Bezos any more of our money, but in this case I'll make an exception. What I've found that lets me eat anything I'd like to again is a Bacillus Coagulans probiotic from nfsupplements. A bottle of 240 tablets is less than $12.00, and I just take one every morning and every night.
Check them out, they should help you as well I'd think.

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@mrmacabre Is this probiotic require refrigeration? PCP told my husband they are the best. Whipple in April .

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mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | Mar 22 1:13pm
In reply to @casey1959 "@mrmacabre Is this probiotic require refrigeration? PCP told my husband they are the best. Whipple in..." + (show)
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@mrmacabre Is this probiotic require refrigeration? PCP told my husband they are the best. Whipple in April .

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@casey1959 Nope, it's just a small white pill that you take 2 times a day, and I get mine from Amazon.com.

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irr4et | @irr4et | Mar 23 11:22am
In reply to @ehdog "I have barely been able to poop for like a week now when do I worry?..." + (show)
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I have barely been able to poop for like a week now when do I worry?

Like
Only very little poop
When should I get checked?

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My GI Dr solved this same issue for me: Add capful of MiraLAX to about 9 or 10 oz water, add 1 tsp Benefiber and squeeze in 1/4th lemon. Stir til well dissolved. At same time, drink 1/2 cup of 3 Ballerina steeped tea. Save what’s left over for next day or the next. This will make you have a bowel movement after 6-12 hrs.

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ckm2 | @ckm2 | Jul 20 9:07pm
In reply to @windyshores "Magnesium!" + (show)
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Magnesium!

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@windyshores which kind? Oxide, citrate, …..?

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Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Jul 21 4:11pm
In reply to @ckm2 "@windyshores which kind? Oxide, citrate, …..?" + (show)
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@windyshores which kind? Oxide, citrate, …..?

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Hi @ckm2, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

I noticed tagging @windshores didn’t seem to work. I clicked through the comment you replied, and when I clicked to bring up their profile I figured out the reason….their profile is not currently active.

Are you comfortable sharing more about what brings you to this discussion, and a bit more about what information you are looking for? This will help others know how to comment.

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tj | @tjanet | Jul 22 8:31am

For constipation I drink apple juice and take Dulcolax 3 pills at night a couple times a week when needed. Miralax makes me constipated. I am on a low fiber diet because of my Short Bowel Syndrome. I can't drink much water because that can make me dehydrated and more constipated because of my Short Bowel Syndrome. My drinks need to have sodium and glucose (sugar) in them for my body to absorb fluids.

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Renee Rogahn Thanig | @reneerogahnthanig | Jul 23 6:53am

I have been having luck with 1/2 dose MiraLAX daily in the morning, drinking lots of water and 1 Tablespoon of Metamucil at night. The last GI doctor I saw recommended a full dose of MiraLAX daily in the morning and the 1 Tablespoon of Metamucil at night. But the MiraLAX works to well for me causing other unwanted problems so have cut it down after trying every other day etc.

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berekann | @berekann | Jul 26 9:23am
In reply to @baguette "Metamucil or its generic is another fiber to try. I agree with you, it's worrisome to..." + (show)
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Metamucil or its generic is another fiber to try. I agree with you, it's worrisome to have all that stuff filling your intestines. But try some of the products listed here before going to the doctor. From my experience, the doctor will tell you to try the products as long as you don't have symptoms other people have mentioned, like blood coming out of you. I've been using the Dulcolax generic once a week because increasing water and relying on fruits and vegetables isn't doing it for me. Good luck!

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@baguette lately I’ve started cooking my oatmeal with prune juice and putting a couple extra prunes in it as well, or eating them as a snack later in the day. Plus small dose of Benefiber

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berekann | @berekann | Jul 26 9:26am
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@ehdog Welcome to Mayo Connect! In addition to the glycerin suppository and MiraLax you can try..." + (show)
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@ehdog
Welcome to Mayo Connect!
In addition to the glycerin suppository and MiraLax you can try a stimulant laxative such as Senokot, Dulcolax or Prunelax to get things going.
If none of this works you could contact your doctor for advice.

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@astaingegerdm agreed several doctors have recommended Dulcolax and they use it routinely for colonoscopies. I’d take one or two of those before it gets any worse and risks being impaction

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baguette | @baguette | Jul 26 11:10am
In reply to @berekann "@baguette lately I’ve started cooking my oatmeal with prune juice and putting a couple extra prunes..." + (show)
Profile picture for berekann @berekann

@baguette lately I’ve started cooking my oatmeal with prune juice and putting a couple extra prunes in it as well, or eating them as a snack later in the day. Plus small dose of Benefiber

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@berekann Glad that works for you. Prunes are on the acidic side, making them a possible problem if eaten often or in quantity by people with really bad reflux. Eating can be really complex sometimes! I hope your solution continues to work for you.

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