What has helped your constipation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prebiotic fiber pills.
Flaxseed meal.
Plenty of water
Walking
Browsing gift shops
Being around plants

????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have IBS-C. It is so much worse now that I am almost in menopause.

Diet, diet, diet. That's the first thing and also recognizing what foods really work for me and what work against me.

Dried apricots, blackberries, un-soaked beans and lentils, and bananas? Make things 100x worse.

I rarely eat dairy anymore.

Broccoli is often my go-to wonder drug. Add a couple - few apples/day and we're in business.

Beans and lentils can be great, but only if soaked for at least 8 hours before cooking.

Drink water only in between meals. And a LOT of it. After and durning meals, only very small sips of water.

Avoid carbonated beverages like they're the plague.

When all else fails:

Thorne mag citrate pills before bed. I take 4 to start. If nothing, then I'll take 5 - 7 the next night and if my nutrition is on target, they will work. If not, then I'll need to take something like Renew Life Cleanse More (non-stimulant, no cramping). It is magical how well it works, but when taken regularly will stain your colon (melanosis) but otherwise is 100% ok (and cleared by my gastro).

fwiw, I took Miralax for years as directed by multiple doctors. But this past year or so, it started burning my throat no matter what I put it in. Not sure why, but now I steer clear.

What is the problem with carbonated bevs? I am pretty addicted to the fizzy waters (LaCroix, Bubly, Polar, etc) and figured I was doing myself a favor with a good water intake and 0 calories. But I've wondered if the gas in them is a problem.

No idea really why it causes such issues, it just does. I know that if I have more than one mid-size glass of sparkling water — DH has a soda stream — every few days, it causes a major flare up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My bowels seem to function solely on what my hormones are doing these days. To top it off I take medications that causes constipation and I will be on them for a lifetime. I've tried stool softeners, citrucil, milk or mag. I also have IBS so I can't take anything thats like a stimulant laxative as the cramping for me is horrifically painful. What works for you?

Dannon plain yogurt any fruit added or nothing added

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Miralax!! Works so well and is gentle. No cramping. But take it before you have a big problem.

After trying everything with diet my Dr recommended miralax. I take it every morning, but about a quarter of dose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prebiotic fiber pills.
Flaxseed meal.
Plenty of water
Walking
Browsing gift shops
Being around plants

????

DP, but HomeGoods and TJMaxx have this effect on me. I have to find a bathroom about 5 minutes in. It's weird.

To answer OPs question, I add Benefiber to my morning coffee. The daily routine is what works. I get single dose packets for travel. Since I drink coffee every morning, it's an easy routine to keep up.

[Anonymous]

black coffee in the morning and plain yogurt with 4-5 prunes mixed in. I go every morning.

I used to have IBS and the bloating still comes back if i mess up (eating out, stress, alcohol..)

But generally the rest of my diet is pretty perfect , i don't eat many things that would constipate me beyond a bit of rice here and there (lots of veggies, very little processed food, protein and some legumes but not too much).

[Anonymous]

Various things that have worked and or Dr suggestions -
Suppositories
Enema
Prunes, peaches, plums
Drinking warm water rather than cold
Hot water with lemon!
Pear juice
Not having lots of carbs or dairy
Dulcolax before bed
Hot shower to relax

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My bowels seem to function solely on what my hormones are doing these days. To top it off I take medications that causes constipation and I will be on them for a lifetime. I've tried stool softeners, citrucil, milk or mag. I also have IBS so I can't take anything thats like a stimulant laxative as the cramping for me is horrifically painful. What works for you?

Start every morning with warm at least half glass of water. If you can take it, start with a teaspoon (literally) or half tablespoon of olive oil followed by that glass of warm water. Have a break after this, at least 15minutes before eating anything.

[Anonymous]

Why are there such mixed responses on dairy? Several people avoid it, while others eat yogurt daily. Is yogurt different than other dairy and less likely to cause constipation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are there such mixed responses on dairy? Several people avoid it, while others eat yogurt daily. Is yogurt different than other dairy and less likely to cause constipation?

Yogurt has probiotics which aid in digestion and kill harmful bacteria

[Anonymous]

Raisins
Dark chocolate
Yogurt
Pistachios!!!!!! - really cheap at Aldi
Bananas
Watermelon
Sit in the car and listen to classical music really loud for like 30 minutes google it (and the person who said TJMaxx, maybe it’s the music)

[Anonymous]

Olive oil. Daily salad with lots of olive oil and lemon.

[Anonymous]

For several years, I did well with a nightly magnesium powder mixed into a beverage. Then they changed the formula to something awful and I struggled for years and years. I finally found a good substitute. It also helps me sleep amazing too.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnesium-Powerfully-Cardiovascular-Relaxation-Utilization/dp/B01BHF3GMK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_pp?crid=R8W8ANJMEPU9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IlDkJ6lWvzDJRkE9NybHcLoN31yhZfoG9ZPr1hAxlRF4hf7Q2k5gG25q07w-Ohsyv0Jg7lwKZpyO6JBuGuZ8lcuq5CWwO0GuU3V_5BwBUc641LLMHVFqywidu7uZdCi0ANlKEuy0mvP5EYSEB1tfujw9pCFi_a7AGKoZUoR00aKGdxyAdkFDzESNUWU9zJN6fzuKkKfiuYQOt6OijPoUnw.vCLu5z2IY85b3ctqeqRjqmdd3skwp9bgrTb9qR0tBNo&dib_tag=se&keywords=magnesium+citrate&qid=1725704980&sprefix=magnesium%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-3

[Anonymous]

On daily Miralax. Healthy diet (fruits/veg low dairy besides yogurt, etc) doesn’t do it for me. I wish I had done it years ago when I kept getting impacted, now things are structurally different in my bowel

[Anonymous]

Kiwis and magnesium.