continuing constipation even though I am on "the diet"
#181958 - 05/30/05 07:01 AM
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Robgrey
Reged: 04/19/05
Posts: 14
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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I am looking for advice for those that suffer from constipation. I have been on the diet and taking Heather's supplement for about a month. I have received great relief from bloating, cramps and general discomfort. I feel much better; however, I am still experiencing constipation where I do not have a bowl movement every day, rather about every four days. I am not regular at all. My stools are very hard.
Any suggestions for me. I am so happy I found this way of eating to treat IBS, but I feel as if I need to do something else to help me become more regular. I don't want to take laxatives as I end up in the treacherous cylcle of
D/Constipation and back again. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
thanks, Robin.
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Try using Milk of Magnesia ( I find Phillips brand works best. I have to take between two and three tablespoons a night just to keep things moving. Start small and increase gradualyy untill you are satisfied. It is a natural laxative. Also drink lots of water, (which I am sure you are already doing). Hope this helps.
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Question
#181970 - 05/30/05 08:31 AM
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bellshel32
Reged: 10/28/04
Posts: 371
Loc: Kansas, USA
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Have you tried Miralax? That's what I take everyday, in addition to my fiber intake. It's an osmotic that pulls more water into your intestines. It has helped me a lot. There are several of us IBS-C'rs taking Miralax. I've had IBS-C my whole life, & diet alone has NEVER solved my symptoms. My gastro doc prescribed it for me several years ago.
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Please do not take this advice. It causes cathartic colon and damage as well as building up a tolerance just like other laxatives.
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I am so glad the diet has helped you to feel better. I think the next step for you would be to add more insolubles back into your diet. Do it slowly, and make sure that you cook, peel, mash and puree. This should help the constipation. Also, drink TONS of water, and get frequent light exercise. Even 10 minute walks will help.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Milk of Magnesia is not a laxative. It's simply magnesium which doesn't get absorbed by your body which is why it is such a great stool softener.
Also, according to Heather in the research library, stimulant laxatives, like aloe, cause cathartic colon. She doesn't mention anything about non-stimulant laxatives. In fact, SFS are non-stimulant laxatives.
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Elizabeth
all those years it wasn't IBS - it was celiac!
send me an email: liz@dopple.net
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For new D people
#182156 - 05/31/05 08:44 AM
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Sand
Reged: 12/13/04
Posts: 4490
Loc: West Orange, NJ (IBS-D)
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I'm not C and I don't know anything about Milk of Magnesia, so my dog's not in this fight.
For the sake of any new D people, I just want to expand on your statement that, "In fact, SFS are non-stimulant laxatives." SFS can act like non-stimulant laxatives for people who are C, but they do NOT act that way for people who are D. That's why SFS are good for both C and D.
In quick and dirty terms: in people who are C, SFS pull more water into the bowel contents; in people who are D, SFS sop up the water already there.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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and summing up how an SFS works.  If folks want more info, Heather also explains why SFS are not laxatives, both in her books and on this site in the section titled Soluble Fiber Supplements (link provided). . I'm also IBS-D and have had much success using a SFS.
I wonder if SFS are marked as laxatives for marketing purposes...? 
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You must make sure you are getting enough insoluble fiber. Have you tried whole-wheat bread? More fruits and veggies? Everyone has different triggers, so you'll have to find the stuff that loosens you up without giving you cramps or D. I'm partial to raw fruit (with peels), cooked veggies, and whole-wheat bread, but your mileage will most certainly vary. 
Also, are you getting enough exercise and liquid each day? Those are also key ingredients for dealing with IBS-C. I always add in yoga twists as well to help keep things moving.
I have been C nearly all my life, but now I'm almost *never* that way. (Still get D and cramping under stress, but it takes more stress these days...) It was Heather's diet plus insolubles plus fluids plus exercise that did it, and it wasn't an overnight process. Have patience and experiment, and you too can "go" every single day!
--AC, regular for the first time ever!
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I would also warn you to be careful of M.O.M. I used to be able to use it pre-IBS, but now it gives me horrible cramps. Just something to beware.
I also wholeheartedly second the insoluble fiber part! When people first start this diet (myself included!) they tend to cut them out TOO much, but you need some of them, especially if your C and trying to stay regular. Just make sure you eat them with soluble fiber and chop/grind/puree them whenever possible!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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