Question:
What to do about severe constipation?
Hi, I'm 4.5 months post op and using a pre-natal multi vitamin as well as calcium supplements and b-12. In the past month or so, I have started to have really bad constipation and it's getting worse each week. I pretty much have a bowel movement once a week. The stool is really dark colored and very hard. (Sorry about how graphic i am being, but you know!) I eat high fiber cereal for breakfast about 2-3 times a week, but that is not helping whatsoever. Do you think I should start using a stool softener or a fiber supplement? I dont know what would really help but I dont think I can handle this. It is so painful, I can't imagine giving birth to be much worse!! hehehe please give me some feedback! Thanks — Iris B. (posted on February 11, 2003)
February 11, 2003
Sometimes too much iron in the diet can cause that but it doesn't look like
that is the case for you.
Are you still drinking plenty of water?
I think the fact that it's getting continually worse would make it a good
idea to get into the doctor. I would at least call the doctor before
taking softners or fiber supplements (believe it or not - too much fiber
can constipate too).
Good Luck.
— Carolyn M.
February 11, 2003
Hey I had the same problem and ended up in the ER. World most expensive
enemia.... They told me to get 8ozs. of magnesium citrate. I found this a
kroger over the counter. To take 8ozs. and wait it took 6 hrs to work, but
it did. For 2 full days... I also now take 3 stool softner a day, to
prevent this problem happening again.. Good luck.
— paulsgirl
February 11, 2003
Iris, don't know if this will help you, but I eat at least a cup or two of
popcorn every night-it works to keep me very regular, every other day or
so. Along with tons of water, it should help.
— Cindy R.
February 11, 2003
I had a very similar problem. I have commented on this topic before. Only
because I know how horrible it is to go through. I seriously wondered if
the surgery was the wrong decision for a while just because I was miserable
in this department until I got things figured out. I personally would use a
glycerin suppository at least to get you emptied out initially. Then try a
routine of some kind, for a week or so. I use 2 Sugarfree fiberchoice
chewable tablets every morning and drink at least a cup of prune juice
every night before bed. If I miss one part or the other of this faithful
combination I definately pay for it. I would just experiment until you
find what works for you. I know everyone is different. I honestly didn't
think prune juice would work for me because I could eat 5-10 prunes each
day and it did absolutely nothing. But the juice did the trick, along with
the fiber tablets. I buy the Sunsweet brand and I have found that the pulp
free doesn't work for me as well as the juice with pulp. Anyway, I hope it
helps. I would try something like this before you go for using stool
softeners permanently. I know they can have long term side effects from
using them all the time, which is why I went the route I did. I forgot to
mention that getting your daily water intake of at least 64 ounces also
helps tremendously. I'm not sure if I could say that I get that everyday,
(at least not without lying) HA HA! Good luck!
— Laurel C.
February 11, 2003
I feel your pain! Last week I called my surgeon's nurse and consulted with
her on this very subject. I have added a daily dose of Grape Nuts AND a
piece of fresh fruit and it still wasn't "moving things along."
So the nurse suggested I try also using Benefiber. I highly recommend it!
I'm now up to using 2TBS 2 times a day. I take it in the morning, mixed
with my sugar free Tang, and then again in the evening with my herbal tea.
It's been less than a week and I'm feeling SOOOOO much better already! The
Benefiber really does dissolve completely and doesn't change the taste or
texture of your beverage. You can also add it to yogurt, pudding, etc. At
first you may need to add Colace 2 or 3 times a day (a stool softener). But
within a week you should be able to do just the Benefiber, no Colace. Good
Luck to you! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -110lbs.
— Anna L.
February 11, 2003
I agree with Anna, Benefiber has been great for me!
— Susan A.
February 11, 2003
Sugar-free jelly beans work really well. I originally found this out, in a
bad way, when I was on the Atkins diet a long time ago, but since surgery
they have been my saving grace at times. Most of the people in our local
support group swear by them for constipation relief.
— Karen E.
February 11, 2003
Iris, are you supplementing calcium? I assume you are. If you are you
MUST also supplement magnesium. Calcium causes constipation, and magnesium
is needed to keep things flowing freely. Get yourself a magnesium
supplement and see if that helps.
— KelBurt
February 11, 2003
a bowl of cracked wheat cereal every day keeps the constipation away :)
at least for me it does.
— PATSY N.
February 11, 2003
Hi Iris, First of all, if you are eating high fiber cereal, you MUST drink
plenty of water, otherwise fiber can have the reverse effect and constipate
you.DRINK, DRINK, DRINK.Also, walk. As long as your doc oks it, I say use
the stool softener until you get this under control. Take care, Carol
— daisymae
February 11, 2003
How long have you been on the prenatal. Because the iron is mixed with
everything else, perhaps you are sloughing iron? The calcium is citrate,
right? And taken away from the pre-natal? Are you using any other irons?
— vitalady
February 12, 2003
I have almost constant constipation too. I've used colace (stool softener)
and glycerine suppositories, but I wanted something I could take every day.
I started using sugar free metamucil morning and night. It's worked like
a charm. I'm surprised at how much I can "produce" in that
department now (ahem). Good luck and hope you get some relief soon!
— Michele C.
February 12, 2003
I'm pregnant, so I really feel your pain! The thing that helps me (aside
from the raisin bran every morning) is eating a lot of fresh fruit.
— mandajuice
March 17, 2003
I found that powdered Benefiber added to your Crystal Lite or juice once or
twice a day really helps. This stuff completely dissolves into just about
anything.
— Suzy C.
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