Please help... So constipated

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I just joined the group a couple days ago. 4 weeks ago I was told tha I have UC.

I have done so much reeding since then. I have been trying the scd mostly. My

problem is I am so constipated . 10 days ago I took 5 doses of miralax and it

didn't do anything so a friend of mine who is a nurse told me to take milk of

mag. It took 4 full doses to work. Debated about taking in some grains (mind you

I soak my grains,beans,and nuts before eating them). But then I thought perhaps

it better if I keep the grains out. I drink about 70 oz of water each day, eat

around 8 prunes cooked in skinned apples each day. I haven't had any sugar or

lactose for 6 weeks and mostly no grains (I was reading a lot on helpforibs.com

about grains). Please help me. I'm scared because I am worried I am doing

damage. Yesterday my cousin who is a nurse told me he thought I needed to go on

my asacol pills to calm my colon down. I was trying so hard to do this

nutritionally.

I have always had a problem with constipation. Dr's need to be more proactive

about people's pooping issues. :-)

I don't eat anything processed, make everything from scratch, drink so much

water, take probiotics, cod liver oil, and enzymes.

Does anyone think I should 1. Take more psyllium husk (I was taking about 1tsp),

2. Put lentils into my diet for good fiber (I'd soak them), 3. add soaked

oatmeal, 4. ????

I think I need the milk of mag just to get things moving. I can't decide if the

scd is more for those with loose stools and not for constipation. Please tell me

your thoughts. I'm a very good cook and willing to do whatever it takes to heal

my gut.

Sorry so long.

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I just joined the group a couple days ago. 4 weeks ago I was told tha I have UC.

I have done so much reeding since then. I have been trying the scd mostly. My

problem is I am so constipated . 10 days ago I took 5 doses of miralax and it

didn't do anything so a friend of mine who is a nurse told me to take milk of

mag. It took 4 full doses to work. Debated about taking in some grains (mind you

I soak my grains,beans,and nuts before eating them). But then I thought perhaps

it better if I keep the grains out. I drink about 70 oz of water each day, eat

around 8 prunes cooked in skinned apples each day. I haven't had any sugar or

lactose for 6 weeks and mostly no grains (I was reading a lot on helpforibs.com

about grains). Please help me. I'm scared because I am worried I am doing

damage. Yesterday my cousin who is a nurse told me he thought I needed to go on

my asacol pills to calm my colon down. I was trying so hard to do this

nutritionally.

I have always had a problem with constipation. Dr's need to be more proactive

about people's pooping issues. :-)

I don't eat anything processed, make everything from scratch, drink so much

water, take probiotics, cod liver oil, and enzymes.

Does anyone think I should 1. Take more psyllium husk (I was taking about 1tsp),

2. Put lentils into my diet for good fiber (I'd soak them), 3. add soaked

oatmeal, 4. ????

I think I need the milk of mag just to get things moving. I can't decide if the

scd is more for those with loose stools and not for constipation. Please tell me

your thoughts. I'm a very good cook and willing to do whatever it takes to heal

my gut.

Sorry so long.

[Guest guest]

My 2 cents:1) It's o.k. to take meds to jump start your healing.2) Cut out the grains entirely and try being SCD legal, that will probably help in the long run. Psyllium is also SCD-illegal.

3) What worked for me in addition to the other things you're doing (prunes, laxatives, etc.) was to cut out casein. That is any milk products.  You might try it for a week or two to see if it makes a difference. It did for me.

--

[Guest guest]

My 2 cents:1) It's o.k. to take meds to jump start your healing.2) Cut out the grains entirely and try being SCD legal, that will probably help in the long run. Psyllium is also SCD-illegal.

3) What worked for me in addition to the other things you're doing (prunes, laxatives, etc.) was to cut out casein. That is any milk products.  You might try it for a week or two to see if it makes a difference. It did for me.

--

[Guest guest]

I feel for you, , and I certainly hope you start feeling better fast!

There's no need to have grains, oatmeal or psyllium husks. It sounds like you've already found an answer that works for you - Milk of Mag. IMO the important thing is to keep your bowels moving so you don't end up with a blockage, perforation, or sepsis. Initially, you may have to take more M.O.M. than you'd like, but I'm trusting that SCD will bring about healing so that you can decrease the M.O.M. over time.

My son has a long history of severe constipation. He uses Miralax or Natural Calm along with an occasional OTC laxative if absolutely necessary (he'll only use the heavy hitters if he's home for the weekend and hasn't had a "Big Moment" in at least 5 days.)

From my experience with lots of cancer kids over the past 3 years, Miralax needs to be taken on a daily basis to be effective for severe cases like yours. ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:--:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*mom to , 18, cancer survivor, SCD 5 weeks

[Guest guest]

I feel for you, , and I certainly hope you start feeling better fast!

There's no need to have grains, oatmeal or psyllium husks. It sounds like you've already found an answer that works for you - Milk of Mag. IMO the important thing is to keep your bowels moving so you don't end up with a blockage, perforation, or sepsis. Initially, you may have to take more M.O.M. than you'd like, but I'm trusting that SCD will bring about healing so that you can decrease the M.O.M. over time.

My son has a long history of severe constipation. He uses Miralax or Natural Calm along with an occasional OTC laxative if absolutely necessary (he'll only use the heavy hitters if he's home for the weekend and hasn't had a "Big Moment" in at least 5 days.)

From my experience with lots of cancer kids over the past 3 years, Miralax needs to be taken on a daily basis to be effective for severe cases like yours. ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:--:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*mom to , 18, cancer survivor, SCD 5 weeks

[Guest guest]

At 08:59 AM 1/31/2010, you wrote:

Does anyone think I should 1.

Take more psyllium husk (I was taking about 1tsp), 2. Put lentils into my

diet for good fiber (I'd soak them), 3. add soaked oatmeal, 4.

????

I think I need the milk of mag just to get things moving. I can't decide

if the scd is more for those with loose stools and not for constipation.

Please tell me your thoughts. I'm a very good cook and willing to do

whatever it takes to heal my gut.

,

Well, first of all, being a good cook and already aware of the dangers of

processed food, you're about twelve steps ahead of many of us who come to

the SCD.

Be aware that there is no shame in needing medication, especially at the

beginning of your journey to health.

Although BTVC talks mainly about diarrhea, Elaine always said that

diarrhea and constipation were opposite ends of the same spectrum -- a

dysfunctional gut ecology.

Lentils are, of the three choices you mentioned, far and away the best

choice. The majority of fiber supplements and the traditional fiber foods

contain illegals or are, in and of themselves, illegal, and they will

only perpetuate the vicious cycle by feeding the bad bacteria. However,

lentils are somewhat advanced, and you may not tolerate them at this

point in time.

Since you are prepared to do anything to heal your gut, one thing you

will have to do is wrap your head around the idea that an awful lot of

the traditional wisdom about getting our bowels moving may not be

accurate.

Kim Mumbower is one of our resident experts on gut motility and

constipation, and she also has functional gut issues.

I always had the soft mushy stool with urgency, but sometimes, I felt

like I had to go, needed to go, and nothing would come out. My solution

for that was always plenty of peeled and steamed zucchini with butter.

The zucchini was, for me, an easy-to-digest food, and it apparently had

what I needed to get my guts moving again when they'd temporarily bogged

down. I used to eat zucchini at least three times a week because I needed

to (I ate it several times a day for the first few months I was on SCD)

but now I eat it at least once a week just because it happens

(fortunately!) to be one of my favorite vegetables.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

At 08:59 AM 1/31/2010, you wrote:

Does anyone think I should 1.

Take more psyllium husk (I was taking about 1tsp), 2. Put lentils into my

diet for good fiber (I'd soak them), 3. add soaked oatmeal, 4.

????

I think I need the milk of mag just to get things moving. I can't decide

if the scd is more for those with loose stools and not for constipation.

Please tell me your thoughts. I'm a very good cook and willing to do

whatever it takes to heal my gut.

,

Well, first of all, being a good cook and already aware of the dangers of

processed food, you're about twelve steps ahead of many of us who come to

the SCD.

Be aware that there is no shame in needing medication, especially at the

beginning of your journey to health.

Although BTVC talks mainly about diarrhea, Elaine always said that

diarrhea and constipation were opposite ends of the same spectrum -- a

dysfunctional gut ecology.

Lentils are, of the three choices you mentioned, far and away the best

choice. The majority of fiber supplements and the traditional fiber foods

contain illegals or are, in and of themselves, illegal, and they will

only perpetuate the vicious cycle by feeding the bad bacteria. However,

lentils are somewhat advanced, and you may not tolerate them at this

point in time.

Since you are prepared to do anything to heal your gut, one thing you

will have to do is wrap your head around the idea that an awful lot of

the traditional wisdom about getting our bowels moving may not be

accurate.

Kim Mumbower is one of our resident experts on gut motility and

constipation, and she also has functional gut issues.

I always had the soft mushy stool with urgency, but sometimes, I felt

like I had to go, needed to go, and nothing would come out. My solution

for that was always plenty of peeled and steamed zucchini with butter.

The zucchini was, for me, an easy-to-digest food, and it apparently had

what I needed to get my guts moving again when they'd temporarily bogged

down. I used to eat zucchini at least three times a week because I needed

to (I ate it several times a day for the first few months I was on SCD)

but now I eat it at least once a week just because it happens

(fortunately!) to be one of my favorite vegetables.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

Over six years ago I was diagnosed with a functional upper GI disorder that also

affects motility. In other words, among other symptoms I also deal with chronic

constipation. Because of my having Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction along with

mild gastroparesis I have to be super-careful with fiber and fats. My

gastroenterologist has given me a " lecture " on the dangers of fiber in my case,

and has said frequently that our digestions don't require as much insoluble

fiber as many current practioners recommend.

Anyway, I've done extremely well on SCD for six years, and with the help of two

supplements, do well without medication to increase motility. In my case, a

disturbed gut ecology contributed to a lot of my constipation problems, so time

on SCD has taken care of that. However I am left with poor motility. So I take

Miralax daily (and it does take 3 to 5 days initially to become effective), and

I supplement magnesium daily. I use the magnesium more for preventing severe

muscle cramps, but it does help with the constipation issue [grin].

I did have to experiment with all of my SCD foods, to find those that either

didn't trigger upper GI reactions, or didn't increase my constipation. For

example I don't eat more that one serving of a nut flour muffin or bread per

day; don't eat any high-carb veggies; don't eat dairy or dried beans. But I can

eat a lot of those foods my digestion and body will tolerate, and my chronic

symptoms remain minimal most of the time.

I'm learning more about gut dysbiosis and how profound the impacts from it are

on our health, not just our digestion. SCD helps significantly in restoring our

gut ecology, so I'd suggest you give SCD a try. I've found grains and starchy

vegetables make things a whole lot worse, and I don't require insoluble fiber to

keep my digestion functioning.

Keep asking questions, though. We all have to experiment to figure out what

foods and supplements work best for each of us.

Kim M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological deterioration 3+ years

>

>

> Does anyone think I should 1. Take more psyllium husk (I was taking about

1tsp), 2. Put lentils into my diet for good fiber (I'd soak them), 3. add

soaked oatmeal, 4. ????

>

> I think I need the milk of mag just to get things moving. I can't decide if

the scd is more for those with loose stools and not for constipation. Please

tell me your thoughts. I'm a very good cook and willing to do whatever it takes

to heal my gut.

>

> Sorry so long.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Over six years ago I was diagnosed with a functional upper GI disorder that also

affects motility. In other words, among other symptoms I also deal with chronic

constipation. Because of my having Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction along with

mild gastroparesis I have to be super-careful with fiber and fats. My

gastroenterologist has given me a " lecture " on the dangers of fiber in my case,

and has said frequently that our digestions don't require as much insoluble

fiber as many current practioners recommend.

Anyway, I've done extremely well on SCD for six years, and with the help of two

supplements, do well without medication to increase motility. In my case, a

disturbed gut ecology contributed to a lot of my constipation problems, so time

on SCD has taken care of that. However I am left with poor motility. So I take

Miralax daily (and it does take 3 to 5 days initially to become effective), and

I supplement magnesium daily. I use the magnesium more for preventing severe

muscle cramps, but it does help with the constipation issue [grin].

I did have to experiment with all of my SCD foods, to find those that either

didn't trigger upper GI reactions, or didn't increase my constipation. For

example I don't eat more that one serving of a nut flour muffin or bread per

day; don't eat any high-carb veggies; don't eat dairy or dried beans. But I can

eat a lot of those foods my digestion and body will tolerate, and my chronic

symptoms remain minimal most of the time.

I'm learning more about gut dysbiosis and how profound the impacts from it are

on our health, not just our digestion. SCD helps significantly in restoring our

gut ecology, so I'd suggest you give SCD a try. I've found grains and starchy

vegetables make things a whole lot worse, and I don't require insoluble fiber to

keep my digestion functioning.

Keep asking questions, though. We all have to experiment to figure out what

foods and supplements work best for each of us.

Kim M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological deterioration 3+ years

>

>

> Does anyone think I should 1. Take more psyllium husk (I was taking about

1tsp), 2. Put lentils into my diet for good fiber (I'd soak them), 3. add

soaked oatmeal, 4. ????

>

> I think I need the milk of mag just to get things moving. I can't decide if

the scd is more for those with loose stools and not for constipation. Please

tell me your thoughts. I'm a very good cook and willing to do whatever it takes

to heal my gut.

>

> Sorry so long.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I do need to change the name that shows up. First last IS goofy.

I have cut out lactose, sugar, starches, grains. I just need to give it more

time.

I was reding somewhere where it said that Aine said it was ok to use psyllium

for constipation. But you think that's wrong??

How long can someone be on milk of mag? Or a better question is how often can I

take it? I don't want my body to get used to having an aid like this if I can

help it but then again I don't want to get plugged up (sheepish grin).

Thanks so much for your help.

[Guest guest]

I do need to change the name that shows up. First last IS goofy.

I have cut out lactose, sugar, starches, grains. I just need to give it more

time.

I was reding somewhere where it said that Aine said it was ok to use psyllium

for constipation. But you think that's wrong??

How long can someone be on milk of mag? Or a better question is how often can I

take it? I don't want my body to get used to having an aid like this if I can

help it but then again I don't want to get plugged up (sheepish grin).

Thanks so much for your help.

[Guest guest]

At 01:37 PM 1/31/2010, you wrote:

I was reding somewhere where it

said that Aine said it was ok to use psyllium for constipation. But you

think that's wrong??

Psyllium husks Illegal They are loaded with

cellulose and lignin which some bacteria thrive on. We accept that the

cellulose in vegetables and fruit can be handled OK but a concentrated

form such as husks would not be in order.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

At 01:37 PM 1/31/2010, you wrote:

I was reding somewhere where it

said that Aine said it was ok to use psyllium for constipation. But you

think that's wrong??

Psyllium husks Illegal They are loaded with

cellulose and lignin which some bacteria thrive on. We accept that the

cellulose in vegetables and fruit can be handled OK but a concentrated

form such as husks would not be in order.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund