Question:
Is there anyone else out there totally dependant on chemicals to go to the bathroom?

I am 8 months post-op RNY and i can't go!!! I am to the point i pick one day a week and pick one of the various methods of laxatives and go to the bathroom. now i have 103 pounds but i wish i could go sometimes it is really painful. I am getting to the point when laxatives don't work good anymore. I am tired of scheduling my bowel Movements. Please any advise is appreciated.    — Amanda P. (posted on May 24, 2002)

May 23, 2002
Amanda, I feel your pain!! Constipation is a very painful, terrible thing. My solution was to buy Fiber Choice chewable tablets at Walmart. I take two every morning, and have not had ONE problem ever since. I have regular bowel movements now. I hope this will help you, too.
   — blank first name B.

May 23, 2002
I have chronic constipation and depend on fiber to keep me regular. I use the fiber choice chewables in the sugar free. I had to take about 6-8 a day for the first week to get me going and now I take 2-3 to maintain regularity. I usually take one after every meal. I actually look forward to eating them because they taste like a big orange sweet tart. I wish I could eat more. But this does help in the BM department. I also like the fact that I'm not dependant on a laxative and that what I use is a natural fiber. I hope you find something that works.
   — Cheri M.

May 23, 2002
I learned the hard way that high protein/low carb diets cause constipation! LOL Whenever I'm having trouble there, I just purposely "break the rules" and eat a few popsicles with sugar in them. If I eat them slow, over a half-hour or so, I produce a bowel movement about 20 minutes later, like clockwork. Hope this advice helps and doesn't cause you to dump.
   — Terissa R.

May 24, 2002
You are right: taking chemicals to have bowel movements for long periods of time can cause you to be dependent upon them. I had a friend with this problem. I would start using higher fiber foods and weaning yourself off the chemicals. I have also had problems with constipation (one particularly painful episode--ugh!) but now try to eat more fruit, whole grain bread, etc. Coffee helps me, too. I still only go every 3-4 days but at least it is not so difficult. You might try a small bowl of high fiber cereal. You can add protien powder to oatmeal. Watermelon, mango, apples, strawberries--hey, it's summer. Take advantage of it! Good luck!
   — ctyst

May 24, 2002
Fiber One is a good high fiber cereal, I actually like it- it looks like rabbit pellets, but one serving is only 1/4 cup! In fact, it may be one of the highest in fiber/per serving- or it was at one time. You could even try munching on it dry during the day as a snack? I too, like Terissa, will sometimes choose something I know will make me go- like a piece of chocolate. I am a very regular gal, so when the plumbing stops, I feel it instantlty- using a laxative sometimes messes me up for days. I can only imagine how miserable you are! Usually coffee does it for me.
   — Karen R.

May 24, 2002
I was having an awful time with constipation, missing work, sever pain, I was dreadfully afraid of a fissure forming and requiring painful surgery. I was taking the chewable fiber choice and they didn't work for me. I was afraid of taking the fiber-con because you have to drink 8 oz water with them or they could swell and get stuck. My Dr. has me taking 250mg of colace or DSS twice a day. ever since then I am fine. I go on Sunday and Thursday, like clockwork with no pain (LOL). Mr. Dr, says DSS is perfectly safe to take.
   — Danielle M.

May 24, 2002
Hey there! This is horrible! At 6 months post-op I started getting constipated. Then, on top of that, for about a week I got non-bleeding hemmeroids! Ouchy! I was taking ex-lax every other day for at least 2-3 weeks because I could just feel that I was "full of it". <br> I always had protein for every single meal. I never had oatmeal, cream of wheat, waffles, pancakes...anything! <br> But, as my constipation continued, I ate 1/2 cup of instant regular flavored oatmeal with splenda and a little bit of butter on it! I felt SO guilty..not much protein, but plenty of carbs! But, within 30 minutes I was going to the bathroom. So, I did it the next day, and the day after that...and I still do it EVERY day. I've been regular since. My friend, who is only 3 weeks behind me, started in with the constipation and hemmeroids at her 6th month...she was using ex-lax, colace, etc, but it was becoming an every day thing! I told her to eat some oatmeal every day for her breakfast; she did, and she's completely normal. <br> Perhaps you could try this for a week, and see how it works. <br> Good Luck!
   — Kristin R.

May 24, 2002
Anything with sorbitol or manitol gives me the runs. I find I also go more if I have had salads and spinach. Good luck
   — Becky K.