Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

[kellymch2006]

This post is about constipation so if you don't want the dirty details...skip it.

So after four years and one month of more or less successful low carb living, I decided to do a low fat/low cal woe. Well, at the time it made perfect sense.

I have had to deal with the constipation that results from low carb. I also quit smoking in April using Chantix and one of the side effects is constipation. Throw in a move to GA and living in a travel trailer for the past four months and man, it's gotten bad. I've also given up coffee and caffeine a couple of months ago so I'd say my system is just shot.

I went to the doctor and he told me a lot of it was psychological. He's right--- trying to go in a camper toilet is like trying to go in a coffee can. He told me to take something to reset my colon. I've taken psyllium husks, laxatives, softeners, you name it. I eat tons of vegetables. I drink almost a gallon of water every day and NOTHING. I mean NOTHING.

This is not a fun situation. There have been several Saturdays the past couple of months that I've done nothing but sit on the throne all day after taking a handful of laxatives. The rest of the time I'm walking around like I have a baseball stuck up my, well, you know.

So being the bright, intelligent problem-solving woman that I am, I decided to give up low carb and take on low cal. The first three or four days were wonderful. I went to the bathroom twice a day. I felt great!! I mean GREAT!!!

I went on My Daily Plate and entered all my food diligently but I was ever so hungry. All the time!! And this is not a feeling that I'm used to feeling. Hungry??? Not on a low carb diet.

Then I quit going to the bathroom. Haven't been since last week. How could that happen?????

So this morning I got on the scales and I've gained three pounds in the past two weeks so guess what I had for breakfast???

Yep, sausage and scrambled eggs. Yummm!!! I gave away all the crap I accumulated to munch on in the past two weeks and I'm back to what I know.

Still haven't figured out the constipation but I figure if I'm going to be stopped up, I'd rather be thin and stopped up.

Just figured I'd share in case anyone else wants to talk themselves into giving up the LC. THanks for listening.

[FatStar21]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

Thats really odd because if anything, when im NOT on LC I can barely go at all. Only time I can, os when Im low carbing. Try going for a colonoscopy. You may have pollups, which could be something but might be nothing. =]

[plsmachic]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

I have the same problem on Atkins, and I've noticed that if I go off plan, I usually "relieve" myself, and am usually grateful. <- how horrible is that?

But, I'll take constipation and weight loss over going and gaining everyday...
However, have you tried suppositories? If I take laxatives they do nothing... The only oral solution that seems to help at all is magnesium citrate. Other than that, glycerin suppositories are very effective... It was a last resort for me last time I did Atkins, but it's a no fail fix. Within 10-15 min (if it even takes that long) you have a BM.
I hate to admit I used them every other if not every day last time I did the diet when I went from 196 to 151. No amount of flaxseed or husks was helping so I turned to those.

Try them if you give up on other methods and I hope this helps you

[eclectikat]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

if I can make a suggestion here... this is what works for me. I generally am very regular so I am finding my recent bouts of constipation disconcerting to say the least. A baseball bat is a fair description... I will agree even if noone else will

I drink a laxitive tea. I get mine at the grocery store or a healthfood store. there are many brands. if you look in the healthfood store, you will see lots of varieties. It works for me really well. I will drink it mid afternoon... and use the tea bag over a few times and I am always guaranteed to have a GOOD bowel movement within 12 hours.

If you try this, just make sure you are near a toilet and can take the time to get unplugged. not comfortable. I know.

These laxitive teas are comprised of a variety of herbs that aid the bow in its usual contracting and constricting duties ( DUTY... is that funny or what Remember Joey from friends?????) sorry

Another thing I can recommend is weird but I learned this from two separate sources. A french man and a native canadian... they both in separate conversations that the best way to eliminate your bowels when you are backed up is to when you are sitting on the toilet to raise your knees higher than your hips. Believe it or not there are actually stools designed to fit around your toilet that you pull out and put your feet on when you are sitting on it. You might think this sounds insane... trust me... IT WORKS... it takes the pressure off your lower back and aids in the relaxation needed to eliminate effectively. throw a stack of old paper back books on the floor in front of the toilet and give it a whirl.
Breathing and visualization is actually another really effective technique to elimination when you are havving problems. Breath deep... and consistantly. And visualize your colon as healthy and pink and inching along much like an inchworm does...again... sounds bizzare, but incredibly effective.

Low carb is fantastic and I am glad you saw the light. Now having said that, a small glass of prune juice factored into the low carb plan might be a health concession to make.
You really have to get off the laxitives. They are not natural, and I really believe that your body comes to rely on them.

Good luck with the POOPS!

Sorry to be so weird... but this is an issue for all of us... isn't it?????????? Its one of the few things we have in common with every other living thing on this planet... our need to eliminate! SO I am not shy about it at all.

[nursemistyford]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

Laxatives are not good for you. Try to stay away from them. There are natural things to do such as Senna Tea, Senna pills, taken daily as a stool softener. Drinking a glass of very strong Sea salt water is guaranteed to have you in the bathroom losing your bottom in under thirty minutes. (Follow through with a regular glass of water after drinking salt water). Chug a warm glass of salt water, and BAM!!!!! I promise you will go. Also a warm glass of prune juice with 2 tablespoons of butter in it will also make you blow out within the hour. A bi-weekly colonic will also make sure your colon is keepin clear. I am a nurse, and these are all prescribed remedies used for chronic constipation sufferers who find nothing else works, including laxatives. Give it a whirl. If you do the daily senna pill, along with your water regimen you should be fine after you blow everything out. HA!

[kellymch2006]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

OH, thanks for all the suggestions!!! Of course, I've been to webmd and every other source I could find to relieve me of this discomfort.

Hopefully once our house is built and we are out of the travel trailer, my system will revert to normal.

I don't want to take laxatives and honestly, they don't work unless I take a whole handful. Then I'm miserable--sitting there for hours. And I've read that they cause dependency.

Suppositories??? Can't do it. I'd have to be in a lot worse shape than I am now to stick something up my...

As for the tea, I have a friend who uses some type of tea and she was telling me about it. I'm going to try that and also the sea salt.

I read something on webmd about raising your feet. The thing is, in the travel trailer, the toilet is so small, my knees are already above my hips!!!

Thanks y'all so much for all the advice. I hope anyone else out there who needs this info can get it without taking up a different way of eating trying to get relief!!!

[kellymch2006]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

[quote=eclectikat;981998]



These laxitive teas are comprised of a variety of herbs that aid the bow in its usual contracting and constricting duties ( DUTY... is that funny or what Remember Joey from friends?????) sorry

I teach middle school and my last period kids always ask me, "Do you have duty today?" and I always say,

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME???"

[Lilacs]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

I had the same weight gain result when I recently tried to go vegetarian, only I gained 9 pounds in three weeks! I honestly felt so ravenous, I wondered if there was a tape worm in my gut or something, lol.

I have also had the "joy" of living in a camper the summer I was pregnant with our second child. I can totally understand the whole "just can't get comfy enough to go" dilemma. I hope it resolves for you soon!

Hmmm, have any friends that want to go away for the weekend? You could always volunteer to house sit. Maybe privacy and a full size toilet would make you more comfy.That's what I did when things got really bad.

As far as the constipation goes, two things help me. I make bacon and eggs for breakfast, and instead of draining the fat after cooking the bacon, I scramble my eggs into it. Or, I have something with malitol in it, like sugar free gum. Don't know if they'll work for anyone else, but those two things work like a charm for me!

Have you tried eliminating cheese and cream for awhile? Dairy can be pretty constipating.

Lots of physical activity can help alot, too.

Good luck!

[kellymch2006]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

Hey, Lilacs, it is pretty amazing to have that ravenous feeling after NOT having it doing Atkins. It was weird.

I eat three-four scrambled eggs and some precooked sausage at 7 in the morning and at noon, I have to remind myself that it's lunchtime. When I was trying to eat low-fat, I'd eat a bowl of cereal. An hour later--another bowl of cereal. An hour later--some grits. An hour later--pretzels. Etc. And the calories add up fast.

As far as the CAMPER, our house is a couple of weeks (fingers crossed) from completion. I feel for you, being pregnant in one of those things.

I gave up cheese and dairy for about a month, thinking that would help. NOPE. Right now, the only thing that helps is Milk of Magnesia. Oh, well.

[surreys_princess]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

Hi. I also have this problem, and my doctors are trying hard to help me. Nothing makes me go, no laxative, no tea, no nothing. Stay away from colonics, they are real bad for you, although widely used in the UK. My lack of being able to go stems from colitis, and I am lucky to go once a week, no matter what we have tried, so I feel your pain. Anyway, what I wanted to say was, Gillian McKeith (You Are What You Eat) swears that if you put your feet up on a box or something, you are stimulating your brain to go because you are *in position* and it sends a message to your brain it is time to go to the bathroom. I have tried it with no results, but I do know others that have tried and it has worked. You just put your feet up on something a bit high, maybe while watching tv, and sit there with your legs together to simulate going to the bathroom. I think she calls it the throne position or something. Good luck, and hope *everything comes out ok*.

Sam

[ThinSoon]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

I don't know if this will help or not... but I do have the same problem once in awhile and its usually because I've eaten too much beef or hamburger... for some reason, that seems to "stick" with me longer... maybe you can find a trend with what you are eating also?

Tracey

[Skeptika23]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

I got the" raise your knees above your hips" advice when I was pregnant, taking lots of iron, and having seriously painful constipation problems. I have a small step stool in my bathroom that I keep handy for those times when it's just not happening.

It really does help quite a lot!

[ceemarie]

Re: Sometimes I really think I'm not all that bright

Please stay away from all the laxatives, they can actually make your system worse. Two suggestions for you flax oil, before every meal and rose hips can be helpful. Also, you don't mention exercise. Even a 15 minute walk in the evening can help releave stress and get things moving for you. My friend swears that doing yoga three times a week has cured her of irritable bowel syndrum, perhaps it would help you.