Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

[myabigail]

For the last couple of days, I've been concerned that I haven't been producing enough poop. Ever since I started Atkins, my poops have been smaller and harder, but in the last few days I was down to about 3 Hershey kiss size poops a day that were difficult to pass.

So, last night I took a laxative around midnight.

By 6am, I was nauseated and in serious pain. I spent about 2 hours in the bathroom, really struggling. At first, it was the Atkins-type poop -- hard and hard to pass -- but in good quantities. Then finally, the floodgates were opened. In fact, they are still open -- 6 hours later -- and each release has gotten softer than the last. (pretty much all liquid now). I've had to flush at least 10 times. I mean, the amount that has come out has been incredible.

(I just got on the scale, out of curiosity, and I'm down 3 lbs from yesterday. I'd say that's about how much I've deposited in the toilet.)

I've been drinking an average of about 80-100 oz of water a day and getting plenty of oil. In fact, for the past week or so I've added 3 Tbsp of coconut oil a day to my diet. I've also added fiber wherever possible -- about 1 Tbsp of flaxseed meal a day and 1-2 servings of Fibersure (inulin fiber powder). But it seems painfully obvious to me right now that I have not been passing the solid waste that I needed to. (My weight loss has also been VERY slow).

How can I avoid having to go through this again? I just want to have normal poop all the time. Today has been horrendous, but apparently I needed it. HELP!

[Georgiana]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

Maybe you can post a menu...

You have to make sure you're getting enough fiber from vegetables. Choosing vegetables higher in fiber will help prevent constipation.

If this doesn't help, supplementing with flax, psyllium husks or bran (taken with a lot of water!) should do the trick. If these don't work either, then try a stool softener before taking a laxative.

[liv]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

I second what G is saying. Try different things to see what may work for you
I just wanted to say poor you, that sounded awful.

[myabigail]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

Ugh. Still tied to the bathroom. Good thing I had the day off from work today!

Typical Menu:

Breakfast
2 eggs (sometimes add inulin fiber)
2-4 strips bacon
1 Tbsp Coconut oil

Snack
2 mozzarella sticks
or celery w/dressing
or avocado

Lunch
chicken casserole (chicken, cauliflower, mushroom, celery & cheese & 1 Tbsp inulin fiber)
or hamburger patty w/mushrooms & onions
or salad w/spinach, arugula, tomato, avocado & ground beef w/dressing

Snack
same as above

Dinner
same as lunch or omelette w/salad veggies & cheese (& inulin fiber)
1-2 Tbsp Coconut oil

Dessert
1/2 cup pumpkin w/spices, 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal, cream cheese, heavy cream, coconut oil

[Georgiana]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

Flax doesn't have any effect on me... You might want to try other fiber supplements. Moving to OWL Rung 1 would also help, as you could have more vegetables.

By the way, your menu looks fine.

[myabigail]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

Thanks. I thought the inulin would help. Maybe I need psyllium husks. I found the inulin (by Metamucil) on the shelf right next to the psyllium and thought it looked easier to cook with.

How do I buy bran that is induction friendly?

Will I go out of ketosis if I move to Rung 1 of OWL? If the weight loss I've experienced today after all this mess sticks with me, I may be ready to move up to Rung 1. I was unsatisfied with the 4-6 lb loss (some fluctuation there) I had experienced in 5 weeks of Induction, and was determined to stay in Induction until I made some real headway.

[kibskix]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

i'll bet you anything all that cheeses is whats causing your constipation.

[myabigail]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

Really? I hadn't considered that. Yikes. Cheese is a staple -- adds taste to dishes & easy to carry snack. I've always been a pretty big cheese eater. Does it really cause constipation?

[liv]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

One thing that makes me really "go" is magnesium supplement - really effective stuff. So that may be something for you to try.
Some people are sensitive to cheese and cheese and dairy can cause clogging issues for some.
You look to be doing good on veggies.
Atkins allowed wheat bran for constipation on induction. So you can try that with good conscience.

[kibskix]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

on days i dont eat cheese, my 'go'ings are normal. whether or not it is really causing that for you, it looks like you're eating too much of it at any rate.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

Poor you x
I find Vitamin C mega doses (as advised by Dr A) of 1000g (I take it twice a day) helps keep me regular. I am going to get some magnesium too.
Zx

[Georgiana]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

How do I buy bran that is induction friendly?

If the wheat bran is not sweetened/flavored, then it is allowed during Induction, but only to help with constipation.

Will I go out of ketosis if I move to Rung 1 of OWL? If the weight loss I've experienced today after all this mess sticks with me, I may be ready to move up to Rung 1. I was unsatisfied with the 4-6 lb loss (some fluctuation there) I had experienced in 5 weeks of Induction, and was determined to stay in Induction until I made some real headway.

Nope, you will not go out of ketosis. Based on your weight loss, you seem to have an average degree of metabolic resistance. This means that you'll probably be able to eat about 40-60 net carbs and still lose weight. This number can increase to 60-90 net carbs if you are a regular exerciser (in the way Dr. Atkins defined this).

[myabigail]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

I think one issue is that I haven't been able to work out at all during these 5 weeks because I've been in an orthopedic boot & am supposed to avoid pressure on my foot.

I'm reading up on constipation now, and exercise seems to be key.

Most of the sites dealing with constipation also say to get more fiber and less protien. Ugh. I honestly don't know how I can do that and stay on Atkins.

Thanks for all the suggestions, though. I will try magnesium and psyllium husks. I may also try Rung 1 for more veggies w/fiber.

[Georgiana]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

I think one issue is that I haven't been able to work out at all during these 5 weeks because I've been in an orthopedic boot & am supposed to avoid pressure on my foot.

You can still exercise. Do an upper body workout instead and for cardio you can do things that are not hard on your foot, e.g. hula hooping.

I'm reading up on constipation now, and exercise seems to be key.

Yep, exercise helps a lot.

Most of the sites dealing with constipation also say to get more fiber and less protien. Ugh. I honestly don't know how I can do that and stay on Atkins.

That's because most sites assume one's diet is based on carbohydrates. Keep your protein around 30%, increase your fiber, exercise, find a supplement that works for you... and then you shouldn't have any problems.

[liv]

Re: Caution: Gross - Laxative -- horrible but necessary?

I agree with G. It is OK to Google for info - but may sites just repeat each other without really having much of a clue what they are talking about - so always use with caution. But yes exercise help (I know because running makes me loose ) But you may be able to find alternate methods just being sensible about things. No need to change the diet drastically.