Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Help for constipation please!

Hi there:

Hopefully I can be of some help as I have had IBS for 5+ years. With regards to constipation there are several things I can suggest and hopefully one or more of these ideas, along with those from the other IBS sufferers, can help alleviate some of your constipation and frustration.

1. Food Journal: a simple spiral bound small notebook will do, one that can easily fit into your purse or bag. It needs to be done consistently to see what your triggers are and is also a good place to pen your thoughts.
2. Exercise: Any form will do, but get your body moving. This will not only help your body, but it will help reduce stress which is another IBS trigger.
3. Baebbe: I would recommend you to look into this product before buying it, but it has done wonders for me. (I have been taking it for 3 weeks as today.) It is not cheap, but I have literally tried everything under the sun to reduce my constipation. I got this product from my doctor's office but it can purchased online. It is called Baebbe and it is an all natural herbal product. My doctor and nutritionist both told me that this is NOT a lifelong product you need to be on and the literature suggests taking it for 100 days. Taking a regulator (or laxative) alone can weaken the colon which makes our problem of going to the restroom worse. I was told that this product actually helps HEAL the colon and will help get the colon back to its mobile state. Suggested length of use is 100 days, although my situation is so chronic that I plan to stay on it a bit longer.

It is not to be used by those who are pregnant or nursing and it is suggested you stop taking it when you menstruate. I take 2 capsules after breakfast and dinner and am going to the restroom every day and most days, more than once a day! (On my own my body only eliminates once a week - lovely.)

I mentioned the cost, so let me give you what I know, but please refer to their website for info as well. (www.baebbe.com) I bought a starter pack that contains 180 tablets. They suggest you take 2-3 tablets after dinner and the cost for the 180 tablets is $150. Again, I take it twice a day because of how severe my constipation is but you could stretch out the start pack to last 3 months if you take 2 tablets each day after dinner. They have smaller packs as well.

It is your body and wallet, so please see if this might be a viable option for you. I have used an enema (water bottle kind), Zelnorm (presciption med for IBS), fiber, a regulator to make me go to the bathroom, and literally everything that Heather has suggested. The last thing I want to be on is prescription medication or a laxative that will make me worse.

Additionally, I have been searching for something that will help heal the colon (probiotics are a great help, by the way - get the refrigerated kind) heal itself. Like any other wound, the colon needs to calm down and heal in order for it to get better. To me, this is one means to that end. I have been an athlete my whole life and figured there had to be a better way.

Don't forget a ton of water each day, try and reduce stress as best you can and know that you are not alone.

Good luck and let us know if you find any other great ideas or make any progress.

Best,
Sue

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