Constipation question

[elsy]

Hi everyone! We've been discussing this in my Journal but thought maybe I could get more ideas here.

I'm on the 2nd Rung of OWL and never had a problem with constipation. This weekend, I over did it on the carne asada. Must of had like 3/4 of a lb. Anyway, I log my meals in FitDay, so I know in spite of that I didn't go over 1800 calories. I also had more protein than usual the next two days but still withing the allowed percentages. Ever since then, I have not had a BM. I'm ebarrased to ask this question but some of us would like to know what can we do to soften it up.

Is there any specific foods that would help. I don't want to resort to laxatives. I drink over 140 oz of water a day and do cardio 5-6 x a week. Any suggestions?

[Sherri]

Re: Constipation question

Hi Elsy, Sorry to hear about this. It happens to me too, only mine is due to diet and prescription medication my doctor has me on. I don't like laxatives either. You might want to try from the other end with a suppository. Don't wait to long in whatever you decide. Also, you may want to add flax seed to your diet this will help keep you regular. Hope this helps. Sincerely Sherri

[mitzimarie]

Re: Constipation question

Hi, Elsy

Very timely, as I had a problem with this Friday for the first time. I usually go like clockwork, but I was short on water for 2 days, and with the amount of fiber I eat it there was trouble. I don't do laxatives, either, and I remembered something a doctor gave me to help after some surgery I had. It is called Surfak (taken by mouth) and it is not really a laxative; it is a stool softener. It works by drawing water into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. You can expect to return to normal in 12 to 72 hours. I only had to take one, but I guess it depends. It can be bought over the counter at any drug store.

Sherri is sooo right - you can't wait too long on this. You may want to go with some sort of suppository if it gets to the crital point. You might even want to have some on hand in case of emergency as a last resort. Try not to let it get that far. It can be miserable. (Can you tell I had a bad experience Friday?)

[CDRAKE1234]

Re: Constipation question

instead of a laxative...what about a stooler softener? it doesn't have as harsh of effects...

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Constipation question

Also, you can take magnesium. It is a natural laxative.

One other thing is the muffin in a minute (flax seed muffin).

1/4 cup flax seed
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 pat butter
1 tsp maple flavoring
1 packet Splenda

In a large coffee cup mix dry ingredients together, then add in the egg, butter, and flavoring. Microwave for one minute. Optional: Top with either butter or cream cheese.

235 calories, 18 grams fat, 11 grams carbs, 10 grams fiber, 12 grams protein.

One word of advice, drink lots of water when eating the muffin. It is sure to get things moving.

[Erin80]

Re: Constipation question

I've been eating these muffins for breakfast (2 every morning!) for 3 days in hopes to help the same problem......and I swear it made it worse? You'd think it would have helped because there is SO MUCH fiber in them. Maybe I wasn't drinking enough? It seemed I was, because every time I finished a bottle of water, I'd open another one. Ever since I started Atkins a month and a half ago, I've been having problems with this! Not so much constipation, but very hard stool....eww!

[elsy]

Re: Constipation question

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I will certainly keep in mind the stool softeners, the softer laxatives, the flaxseed in meals and the muffins. I guess what works for some might not for others. Fortunately, I'm better now. Feel lighter and more energetic after the terrible cramping. I've been drinking more than 1 gallon of water a day, so I'm sure that helped to flush my body.

More suggestion, however, are welcome. Thanks.

[FlyLadyFan]

Re: Constipation question

Cholase without additional ingredients. Available at Wal-mart or any drug store. Draws water into colon in 12-24 hours ... does not cause contractions like a laxative. I live on the stuff because I have bowel adhesions from surgeries.

FLF

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[elsy]

Re: Constipation question

Hi FLF, sorry for the late response. How often do you use that?

[mitzimarie]

Re: Constipation question

Hi FLF, sorry for the late response. How often do you use that?

And what form is it in? (powder, liquid, capsule or pill?)

[samson722]

Re: Constipation question

Colace is a gentle stool softener that comes in capsule form. Drink it with a full glass of water. Watch out if you drink a ton of water, it can sneak up on you. It's not really a laxative, but it can have that effect if you drink a lot of water every day and eat your share of fiber. Good Luck!

Samson

EDIT: I should mention, unless you're still having a real problem, don't take Colace with a laxative like Dulcolax or milk of magnesia. Not that it'll hurt you, but let's just say the effects of both in concert are a little extreme.

[elsy]

Re: Constipation question

Samson, thanks for that and for your advise. It's very valuable.

I also know of an herbal tea, if anyone is interested and has access to this. It's called "hoja de sen" and it comes they sell it in the hispanic section of many grocery stores. You boil a quart of water and drop in 1 tbs of the herbs. Let it boil some more for about 3 more minutes, turn it off and let it sit (covered) for another 3 minutes. Let it cool and drink. It'll make it's magicall effects 6-8 hrs after. This thing will clean out your system for sure. Just don't do this everyday cuz your system will get lazy. And we don't want to mess with that do we.

[FlyLadyFan]

Re: Constipation question

Sorry so late responding, folks.

Cholase is a small gelcap, 100 mg each, Target brand. I take from zero to 300 mg a day, usually one cap at a time unless I'm in serious trouble.

GROSSNESS ALERT To be very graphic: I can actually feel the "corners" in my large bowel if I have too solid of material passing by, and it ain't a good feeling ... will double me over sometimes. So, a little cholase keeps things the consistency slightly firmer than, say, shaving cream. I've never had it overdose me into diarrhea ... not saying it can't, just it hasn't happened to me at least. /GROSSNESS ALERT

I tried Atkins once back in 2004 and thought I couldn't do it because of adhesions ... but I had really screwed up by eating handfuls and handfuls of walnuts one day during a time when I had not yet learned to manage the adhesions (results of an '03 surgery disaster).

So this time in '07 after years of cholase I did just fine ... and skipped the walnut overdose. I don't even drink as much water as I should, but the cholase works fine for me.

Good luck to you all,

FLF

CW 269

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