Sever constipation- HELP
#278486 - 08/15/06 07:43 PM
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I really don't know what to do about my constipation. Everything that should help me stay regular doesnt and in fact seems to make it worse...fiber, raisin bran, honey nut cheerios, dried fruits, fruit, vegetables....nothing works! I'll go 3-4 days w/o a BM and it really makes me uncomfortable and irritable. And when I do go I have to strain and the bm's are thin and smooth looking instead of bulky and fibrous. i'm so sick of hearing taht I need to take more fiber cause thats not the issue here. Does anyone have any advice? id appreciate it.
thanks
j
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magnesium citrate in the form of a product called natural calm, magnesium is good for spasms, but also when you take just enough your body responds with loose stools, so in your case it will help move things along, and it is probably something that your body really needs right now, take at night, it helps you relax and sleep and should satrt producing movements in as little as 1 or 2 days depending on the dosage, do go slow to avoid D.. also, ground flaxseeds specifically make me go when i get extra stopped up, 2-4 tbsp a day, depending on how badly i am stopped up.
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I also have IBS-C, and just got through a really rough constipation phase that lasted about 3-4 days. After two or three days, I take Milk of Magnesia before bed. I find that 2.5-3 tablespoons is just about the right dose to get things moving. I will typically have several BMs the day after I take it, and they are just as you described. For me, the MoM works wonders for C. It's something I make sure I always have with when I travel, too.
Good luck,
Lisa, IBS-C
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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I forgot about this! Thanks for mentioning it Miso. I have two jars of it...I will take some tonight!
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Thin and smooth stools (like pencil thin) are a possible indicator for colon cancer. Are they dark, or light?
Go see a doctor. At the very least there's something in there inhibiting free movement and that should be cleared up one way or another.
Go see a doctor.
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Quote:
when I do go I have to strain and the bm's are thin and smooth looking instead of bulky and fibrous.
Me too! Isn't it frustrating! 
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Hi Jenny, Don't panic! I have had the exact same thing. Right
now as a stop gap measure you should get a Miralax scrip from
your doc and take at least two doses per day. For the long
run you should consider an SSRI like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft,
etc.I take 37.5 mg of Paxil and it has helped me immensely.
However, I still take 1.5 doses of Miralax a day and I step
it up if I happen to start getting more C. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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hi
do you have a regular exercise routine? it's supposed to be very good for C. Also try doing some of the yoga poses on this site specifically for C- I find these really help
Godbless
xxx
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Hi Seggy
#278542 - 08/16/06 10:08 AM
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Jordy
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 2095
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What kind of exercise do you find helpful for C?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Like a lot of folks with IBS-C, eating lots of IF without any SF will make me more C. Have you tried increasing your SF without lowering your IF?
As Heather discussed in some of her previous newsletters, exercise and fluids are key for C. You need to exercise daily (perhaps increasing the intensity) and drink fluids all day long. Also, make sure that you're getting enough magnesium - if you're taking a calcium supplement you might be a bit out of balance. I take a supplement that has both.
My C definitely improved after doing the hypno program, so I recommend that as well.
--AC
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Do you still need to eat SF foods if you take an SFS?
I wonder why some people do great with SFS and for others they (any and all types) cause such horrible gas, bloat, and/or cramps.  Do some people just not tolerate any SFS?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I, personally, have never done well on SFS, but now I think it's because I always started with the "minimum recommended dose" which is too high for me. Starting the acacia gave me really bad gas (1/2 t. 2x daily), so I gave up after a few days. After prodding from Heather and Shell, I tried it again, but started with just 1/8 t. 2x daily. After almost 1 month, I am finally up to about 1/2 t. 2x daily, and I don't have the horrible gas and bloating that I did when I STARTED at that dose. You just have to start really small and very slowly work your way up!
--Lisa, IBS-C
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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Re: Hi Seggy
#278880 - 08/18/06 04:07 AM
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seggy
Reged: 04/24/06
Posts: 255
Loc: North East of England, UK
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hi 
if you go to the yoga for ibs part- the link is on the left hand side of the home page there's a list of exercises specifically for C and D and gas etc I only tried the one where you lie on your back and lift your legs up to your chest, this one seems to work really well for me
Hope it helps you too
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Quote:
Do you still need to eat SF foods if you take an SFS?
I do. Taking an SFS just means that I have some room for IF! Every meal I eat has some SF in it, and I try to have IF in every meal too. (Too many years of uncontrolled IBS means I'm still a little scared of IF cramping and a little too fond of baked goods!)
--AC
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I've been sick a long time too.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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whats the best dose of natural calm to start off with? how many times a day?
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Hi Jenny... I used to be excruciatingly C all the time. I went through a period of at least 5 years when I coudln't take a BM at all w/out laxatives.... and I was eating the cleanest, healthiest, highest fiber diet I could eat. Fresh fruits/veg ALL day long. After years, I have sadly found that I am almost totally intolerant of IF & even small amounts cause my stool to be very hard to pass. So, for the interim, you might just TRY eliminating all IF for a few days to see if that brings some relief. There are no EXACT answers for all of us, and different people will tell you different things, but you have to figure your body out. So who knows, you may be like me & just have to drastically cut out IF. Can't hurt for a few days just to see!
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Not sure if this will help you or not, but applesauce works for me. Don't why it works but it does, everytime. Just plain ole' applesauce. I eat about 1-2 cups throughout the day & it seems to help. And it's natural, no drugs or chemicals (except what's already in all processed foods anyway  ).
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IBS-A...I can never make up my mind 
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Have you tried flax seeds whole or ground? I take 2 tsp of flax seeds soaked overnight in an 8oz cup of water and I eat with my cereal in the morning. I drink lots of water after eating and it helps me with C. Won't hurt to try. Also, taking 4 caps of Magnesium citrate supplement daily. Hope it helps.
Blessings,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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The directions say to start at one teaspoon a day, I think. Going up to a max of 3 tsp, which is about 640 mg of magnesium.
But since I take a Cal/mag supplement 3 times a day, I only use a teapoon of the Calm magnesium at night if I need an extra boost. I think I'll be taking some tonight! 
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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i tried a supplement, and it did make me go, but i wasn't really happy with the outcome. is there any way to avoid too soft a stool when taking it? i guess i should keep trying smaller doses? (i have it in pill form.)
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Get the powder form. That's the best...I didn't know they made the Calm magnesium in a tablet even.
You could measure out as little as you need.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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it's not calm that i have, just a magnesium citrate supplement.
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This is the product web page I take cal/mag during the day, and if I need an extra boost for the C, I'll take this product. Works very well for the constipation....more than the tablets did for me, at least.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Jordy,
Is the Magnesium Calm same as taking Magnesium citrate supplement caps? I take about 400mg a day of the citrate supplement caps. Would it help me more to "go" if I take the calm instead?
About the fruits...I do eat fruits after each meal and when I do eat a fruit with like an apple or plum, I eat it with everything. Prunes do help me go, but I only a couple a day with my flax seeds and cereal in the morning. I forgot to tell I found another cereal with high in IF and some SF: "Fiber One Honey Clusters" from General Mills. I have been eating it and I like it. I also bought Go Lean Crunch Honey Almond Flax. It has the same amount of IF as SF. I haven't tried it yet, but I will.
I mashed my beans before I eat them, which makes them safer. I also eat avocado with my dinner, it's a fruit and I believe its SF.
Blessings,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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Well, I get better results with the powder. I do take a cal/mag supplement for total health (total of 500 mg of mag and 1000 mg of calcium...but this tends to constipate me up. The Calm mag helps me more with going. I would try it! Not a miracle cure by all means...but worth a shot! It's a fairly cheap supplement and could be substituted for the pills....if they aren't working for you. Are they?
Doesn't sound like you eat very many skins with peels, right?
What I don't understand is the IF cereal for breakfast. Aren't we suppose to not have high IF foods early in the day ? But if it is half SF maybe this is worth it! But should I increase the amount slowly like we are suppose to do with the supplements? I'm afraid it will cause more cramps and spasms though. Oh, do you rehydrate your prunes? I may try some at night first to see how they go....or is the "effect" better if you take them in the am? But if they don't go well, you will be sick all day.
What kind of beans do you eat? Do they serve as your veggie? And I never knew an avocado was a fruit! 
Isn't this a confusing situation?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I find that regular exercise keeps both C and D under control very well, but if I'm going through a bad period of C, I find that (ironically) taking one dose of Vitamin C usually helps. I take it in the form of a fizzing powder drink called Emergen-C, but I'd imagine any type of vitamin C pill or whatever would work. But I have to be very careful with it because if I take too large a dose, it gives me really painful D, followed by more C... ugh, IBS. 
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Jordy,
I'm planning to buy the magn. Calm soon, I want to see if it works better than the magn. caps supplement I been taking. I think the caps help, but maybe the calm in powder is better.
I know you a little confused b/c you noticed I eat lots of IF. I need to eat more IF and not so much SF to stay regular. I tried eating more SF and SF supplements for a while and got chronic C, the worst. I'm still trying to add some more SF to my diet, but I'm being very careful. I rather stay regular and then work up my SF as I feel I need it.
I eat all kind of beans, but my favorites are red beans. I pressure cook them and then mashed them before I eat them with brown rice. I also eat cooked green beans and carrots. Some lettuce, alfalfa and fish.
I always eat my prunes and mango in the am, but I eat papaya and pineapple after each meal. I snack on papaya dry fruit.
Blessings,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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Quote:
Like a lot of folks with IBS-C, eating lots of IF without any SF will make me more C.
I don't understand how? Is it because IF will cause spasms and that makes you more C?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I hope the Calm helps. With how today is going for me, I will be taking some of this tonight.
Did you see this post in this thread? web page
Maybe your IF is actually worsening your C? Do you have pain, gas, or bloat along with your C?
I don't do very well with dried fruits. You do okay with the dried papayas?
What kind of SFS did you try that made you more C? Maybe a different type would work? I'm no expert, though. I'm struggling with trying to find one that helps (versus hurts) me too. Maybe I should just stick to the SF foods? But I can't eat enough to get the high dose of fiber that an SFS can provide.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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flax
#280129 - 08/28/06 06:58 AM
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Jordy
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 2095
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What is a good brand to use? Or, doesn't it matter?
Should I buy it whole and grind it myself or can I but the pre-gound meal?
Or is it best to use the whole seed?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Quote:
I don't understand how? Is it because IF will cause spasms and that makes you more C?
Yes. Have you read Heather's books? She explains it more clearly than I could. Knowing this is very fundamental to her diet, so I really recommend reading her books or this web site (not just the message boards) so you know the importance of soluble fiber!
--AC
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Is Natural Calm not available in stores? My local organic grocery store has a HUGE vitamin/supplement selection (half the store!) and they didn't have it. So, instead, I purchased a plain magnesium citrate supplement powder. Will this work the same as the Natural Calm, or does the NC have other stuff in it?
Is it safe to take every night? I started last night with half the recommended dose. How long before I should notice an improvement? I'm having BMs, but they're not smooth and continuous; they have that pebble-like texture that's a C trademark. I also feel like not everything is coming out. Very frustrating!!
Lisa, IBS-C
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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I have found the Calm product at every HFS I've been to. Plus, Whole Foods and Wild Oats carries it too.
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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COOL! I will stop at Wild Oats this week. Thanks!!
Does anyone who happens to have a can of Natural Calm know if there are ingredients BESIDES the magnesium citrate? Just curious...
Lisa, IBS-C
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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Jordy,
I do get pain and bloating now, but when I was taking SFS it was a lot worst plus I suffering so much more with chronic C. It was such a bad experience for me, that I'm very nervous of trying any SFS now. I'm not really C anymore, but sometimes I feel incomplete. Bloating is still a big issue for me :-(
I do OK with dry papayas so far. I buy them at the Whole Food store and they only have a little sugar. I also buy my flax seeds whole at the Whole Food store. I ground them at home before, but I usually always have them whole with my cereal. They help A LOT with C. You should try 2tsp with your breakfast.
Blessings,
Abi
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The joy of the Lord is my strength !
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