9 Months out With Severe Constipation

[CBBP 44]

Sorry, to finish, many people are deficient in magnesium and don't know it.

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[Olypie 41]

I have this issue, but not to the extent that you have it.

I take two stool softeners every day and have started drinking the Smooth Move tea. So far that hasn’t helped at all.

Any time I bring up a problem like this to my surgeon he says it’s all in my head. Yeah he’s a bit of a prick at times.

[mylighthouse 782]

Thank you all for the suggestions, I believe I have tried everything suggested at this point. Unfortunately, we think my chronic Constipation is related to all of my previous 5 abdominal surgeries and the fact that they cause adhesions. Apparenty, constipation and adhesions go hand in hand. I had a partially blocked bowel last week thanks to ongoing chronic constipation. Still searching for help and hoping that there is light at the end of the tunnel, as chronic constipation in combination with scar tssue, nerve pain and adhesions keeps me constantly in bed. Not enjoying life at this moment.

Open to any other suggestions.

Thanks, friends.

[Berry78 4,259]

This is worse than I originally thought. Keep switching it up until you can find a solution. Some more ideas:

Stop Protein Shakes completely.

Try eating a zillion tons of fat. Olive oil/vinegar Salad Dressing, etc.

Try enemas every day or two

Work your way up to 3-4 quarts of Water a day

Spinach and banana smoothies

Probiotics

Hopefully something can help...

[mylighthouse 782]

Thank you for the suggestions, berry. Good ideas for sure.

I have cut back on my Protein Shake to 6oz a day, but as per your suggestion, I am cutting it altogether. I had been steadily losing weight by keeping my Protein over 100 grams a day, but I am cutting back on that. I'm shooting for 80 grams a day.

I get a good amount of fat, between 50-80 grams a day. I will add more. Another good idea.

No where near 4 quarts Water a day right now, maybe 2 and 1/2. Upping that and going to shoot for 3 starting tomorrow.

Also don't do the enemas often enough. I buy them in a 2 pack, and have one leftover. Time for another one tomorrow.

Spinach, have some in my fridge. Husband just bought bananas today. I have a blender, so I'm good to go.

As far as the probiotic goes, I started Phillips Colon Health about 2 months ago. I really thought it was making a small difference after week 2, but that didn't last. Spent some time looking at different ones, I don't really think the one I am taking is the best. I believe it only has 3 strains and maybe not enough cfu's. I don't really understand all that and am trying to learn more about it so I can take a good probiotic. If you have one to suggest, I would appreciate it.

Again, thank you and I am going to see what happens.

[Berry78 4,259]

I'm definitely not a probiotic expert. Probably just take the one you have until its gone, then next time look for something with different strains.. or buy a second kind soon and go back and forth.

You'll probably want to take 8-10 thousand cfu's since you are trying to fix a problem. 1000 is for maintenance.

I like taking them with meals. That's a bit of a debated topic, and I guess I should look to see if the empty/full stomach thing really matters.

[woo woo 872]

Ultimate Flora is excellent. I've been taking the extra care, which is the one that says 30 billion on it, for over a year. It helps a lot and has also made a huge difference for my immune system as well. The one I take has 10 strains. This brand also has a higher version as well.

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[DropWt4Life 957]

Lighthouse, have you tried drinking green juices? I find that adding a green juice of kale, spinach, cucumber, cilantro, celery, lime, zucchini squash and apple works wonders. It adds some calories to my diet, and also liquids. I drink about 16 ounces per day about 3-4X per week. It definitely helps move the bowels. Plus, the health benefits are great as well. Can’t beat raw. Making the stuff takes a little time, but you can find raw green juices in the veggie section of most grocery stores. Give it a try.

[MarinaGirl 608]

For me, lots of Water and walking help my Constipation. On days where I don’t walk I have the worst issues. I also try to eat spinach everyday; cooked, or raw in smoothies and salads.

[mylighthouse 782]

12 hours ago, woo woo said:

Ultimate Flora is excellent. I've been taking the extra care, which is the one that says 30 billion on it, for over a year. It helps a lot and has also made a huge difference for my immune system as well. The one I take has 10 strains. This brand also has a higher version as well.

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Thank you.

[mylighthouse 782]

8 hours ago, DropWt4Life said:

Lighthouse, have you tried drinking green juices? I find that adding a green juice of kale, spinach, cucumber, cilantro, celery, lime, zucchini squash and apple works wonders. It adds some calories to my diet, and also liquids. I drink about 16 ounces per day about 3-4X per week. It definitely helps move the bowels. Plus, the health benefits are great as well. Can’t beat raw. Making the stuff takes a little time, but you can find raw green juices in the veggie section of most grocery stores. Give it a try.

Going to start the juices tomorrow. Trying a 4 ingredient one to start: spinach, cucumber, banana and a little Water. Sounds like an easy recipe. Thank you for the good suggestion.

[Lovergurl 59]

Thank you for the ideas, Berry. I like to keep my Protein high, and for me, I have found that when my protein is not 80-100 grams a day, then I don't drop the weight. While the Protein Shake helps me get my extra protein, it also adds some much-needed calories to my diet. For a period of 2 months, I was not losing any weight at all. Then I upped my protein and upped my calories by adding that second serving of high-calorie almonds along with the protein shake. If I don't follow the meal plan that I shared with you, then I drop way below 1000 calories and that results in no weight loss. My current meal plan really satisfies my hunger, to the point where I literally can't fit in anymore food.< br> I am explaining all of this because I am honestly finding myself in a bit of a dilemma, as I have in the recent past mulled over the idea of adding a veggie like spinach to my daily food intake. But as you can see, I would have to cut a higher calorie food out to fit a lower calorie food in. Again, that would mean my calories would be way too low.
I wonder how small my surgeon actually made my stomach. At 9 months out, sometimes I can't even get in 2 oz. Of dense protein at lunch and dinner.< br> I don't mean to sound unappreciative of your advice. I am very appreciative. I am going to see what I can do with the spinach idea.

Are you taking probiotics? Also you didn’t mention your Water intake.

[mylighthouse 782]

Further down in the post I did mention that I am taking a probiotic. Also, that I am getting 2-1/2 quarts of Water, but have gone to 3 and will work my way up to 4 quarts soon.

Edited October 9, 2017 by mylighthouse