Constipation - Oakwood, GA

If it's only been today, I wouldn't worry too much. If it were me, and I were concerned feeling like it's there just not coming, I'd go to the store and pick up some Docusate Sodium (generic Colace -- the same stuff and like a fifth or more the price) or some Miralax. If it really lasts, you may have a blockage -- but, again, I wouldn't panic about just one day. Castor oil works too.

Good luck!

Freshly squeezed beet juice, about 1/2 cup. Do not use more than that and don't leave until it works or it will leave you very embarrassed.

P.

The healthiest thing to to and with the least amount of side effects....ground flax seed. I am not regular and neither is my breast fed child unless I take a few spoons of flax seed a day. The taste is a little nutty but in cereal, yogurt or oatmeal you cant taste it. I buy it ground or you can buy the seeds and grind them in a coffee grinder. It costs practically nothing. Health food stores, Wal-Mart, even Publix carries it. Flax seed can lower chloresterol, too. The capsuls, in my opinio so not have the same results. My father and stepfather were both supposed to go on meds for chloresterol and the flax seed worked in controlling it. Hope this helps. Try it first, it works naturally, causes no cramping or negative side effects. My mom sneaks it into many meals and you don't taste it. J.

Yikes, I know your most likely in pain but I wouldn't get too worried right away, if it takes more than a day or two I'd call the doctor. Apple juice is a pretty good bet to help "move things along", but I'm sure there are other natural remedies that may work as well. Good luck

I'm not a daily pooper and sometimes I feel as if my insides might turn right side out!! So what I found helps is Metamusal capsules. You can take up to 6 a day but I take 2 a day and that seems to be plenty for me. Just something for you to possibly try the next time or to prevent a situation for happening again.

S.
www.shariegraf.scent-team.com

Hi R.,

You may try an over the counter laxative, (Enema), or you can try eating a high fiber diet, (chilli with beans and a salad)or try a turkey burger.
Last but not least, try raisins and some prune juice or just drink so hot coffee. You can also warm your prune juice and add a teaspoon of margerine.

If all fails, and you haven't went to the bathroom within 2-4 hours, see your doctor, you may have other issues going on.
I'm not a nurse yet, but a Certified Medical Assistant and these are some of the things we do with our patients, and we have results most of the time, but some patients get a suppository as well.

Good Luck!

I also have suffered from chronic constipation. I've never been seen for it though. I will go a couple of days without a bowel movement and as far as I can tell it's the way I eat or if I'm traveling I have this problem. I also have problems with it a couple of days before my period. I get the back pain, cramps in my stomach, and I actually feel nauseous also. Since I have been working out and eating better, I see that it has gotten better and I'm more regular. Do you eat whole grains and fiber? That seems to help me. Make sure you're eating fruits and veggies too. It seems like the water would have helped you though. In the past, I have taken the chewable fiber tablets and if I was really desperate I took some Phillip's cherry milk of magnesia. Do not take that at night though. I would take about half the dosage because its strong stuff. I think a lot of women go through this. Some of my friends have. If nothing works, you may have to go to a doctor to find out what the problem may be. I usually try to tolerate it and rest plenty until I can go. Hang in there!

Hi R.,

Constipation and Diarrhea are caused by about the same thing and you need fiber all the time to keep your bowels healthy. I take a psyllium husk Fiber product that not only keeps everything moving but cleans the intestinal wall. Toxins that stick to the intestinal wall is what causes all the discomfort, the irritations and the diseases(IBS, colitis, ulcerative colitis, Chrohn's, Colon Cancer, non-alcoholic liver disease, etc). I suffered with ulcerative colitis as a child and you don't want it. It is EASY to prevent! As is all those other things!

You should be having at LEAST two bowel movements a day. If not, then you will probably have other issues that go along with that such as headaches, allergies, mood swings, and anything that an unhealthy immune system will pick up.

Let me know if you'd like more information. I'd be glad to talk.

M.

P.S. The pain you have is normal for constipation. Take a brisk walk or a jog to loosen things up. It always helps with my daughter.

Try drinking some prune juice or eating some prunes. That should work in a few hours.

R.,
I am in the same situation. While giving birth to my son, the "tissue" around "the area" (if you know what I mean) got ripped and has lost its normal elasticity/functionality.

This makes it so much harder to relieve myself even though I have the urge. I have gone to the proctologist (he visited me and told me all of this) and he suggested to have it "repaired" once i am done with the pregnancies (which I am not yet). In the meantime, here is my regime, it works very well:

twice a day Citrucel Fiber Shake (I found a yummy flavor: chocolate!!)...which not only helps regularity but it's a wonderful excuse to drink more water (which is key for bowels);

breakfast with a cup of milk and bran flakes (drink water afterwards);

after dinner I take two pills of stool softner (but you can take them in the morning if you like).

i do this everyday and it's abig help...i don't want to develop hemorroids and so do you, believe me!

I hope it'll work for you...good luck!

Try drinking hot water with with a squeeze of lemon juice. It may take a few hours to work, but it always works for me.

Milk of Magnesia and stool softeners till you are regular for a week. then back off one. in a few days if it does not become easier, call your doctor.

Have you tried using Corectol...it is a gentle laxative made especially for Women. Also, to stay regular (since I had my baby) I use benefiber in my water. It REALLY helps! And it is TASTELESS! I would be the first to tell you if I could taste it and I cant! But those 2 things help me. Start with the corectol and then to stay regular do the benefiber.

Drink prune juice. One small glass a day should help.

Being a 23 week pregnant woman..do I know what you are going through. The only suggestion I really have for you is try a high fiber cereal like Allbran..also, they say to try to stay away from sugary fruit drinks and actually eat the fruit, there is fiber in the pulp of the fruit. Also try to stay away from cheese it can bind you up. Good Luck, and I feel your pain

I wouldn't be scared just yet, because if you've had a movement this morning, you clearly don't have an obstruction. The pain is most likely just gas or the constipation. Remember that for some people, "regular" is every few days, so not going every day is not dangerous in and of itself. That said, if this is not normal for you, you'll want to do something about it! I swear by Fiber One cereal-- a half cup serving has something like 13 grams of fiber, which is a lot! It has more fiber than just about any other food, including prunes, apricots, etc. Also, activity seems to help me-- jumping around, walking, running-- and sit-ups are especially good. Hope something helps-- but don't worry too much, because the stress can aggravate it. Good luck!

Try magnesium, start with 250mg then if that doesn't work go to 500mg. I would take it before bed then by morning--whoa--yeah! It is perfectly safe b/c it is something we need and already have in our system. You can get it anywhere. Publix, Walmart etc.etc. Any brand too works. Just look by the vitamins, usually near the pharmacy. Hope this helps.
Johna

Hi R.! This seems to be a common (but not talked openly about) problem with lots of women. This has been a problem my whole life. What works for me (and I've tried them all - from fiber to pills and practically drowning myself with water) is Prune juice. It's natural and works in less than 2 hours with a small glass full followed by a full glass of water. Works every time. Good luck but don't allow yourself to go too long without doing something to relieve your discomfort. It's a miserable feeling.

try a stool softener. and some gasx