What is your preferred remedy for constipation? 🤔 🤔 🤔

[Bronn]

I have suffered with the dreaded constipation almost all my life. I am currently prescribed Docusate Sodium capsules. Unfortunately they are not working any longer. I am suffering and don't know what to try next. I am on iron tablets, which I've been told do tend to make one a lil constipated anyway. Any remedy that I have not tried I am willing to give a go.

[svfarmer]

I find dried apricots work wonders , about 5-6 a day I also take Inulin , I have 1 teaspoons in my cup of tea twice a day - this has kept me constipation free for 4 years now- there’s nothing worse - good luck x

[Tiggywoos in reply to svfarmer]

I bought some tinned ones the other day they were delicious 😋

[Polina44]

I’m 44 and suffered since a child. Been gluten free last 3 years and not had a problem since. Hope you find something that works soon. I know how it gets you down!

[DJK99]

Hello Bronn - I do empathise hugely... life long nightmare resulting in all sorts of other bodily issues as a result! MEDICATION - Well, I have been prescribed sachet of Fibogel in pm after meal and (subsequent to phone call with Gastro) another sachet after breakfast (which I have regularly - ho ho - forgotten to do). Prior to this I was prescribed bisacodyl which is rather like gun powder... I take 1.5 pills before bed (I break them in half using a pill cutter as too small to do yourself but used to try using a sharp knife and they'd ping off round the kitchen!) if I'v e not eaten anything too dense/dry ie bread or omelette that day... or 2 if it's all gone very quiet and not been for 1-2 days.. sometimes taking another in the afternoon if no joy. But the pain!! It's very gripey/windy... I have been diagnosed (albeit on the phone) with IBS so follow the FODMAP diet, and Slow Transit Constipation. So I also have buscopan which helps quite a bit, and if in utter agony/bloating worse than usual, I crunch on Deflatines.DIET - I would never ever eat any kind of white bread/refined carbs (what's the point? All the goodness and roughage has been taken out.. might as well eat polystyrene) - as I did at 7yrs old and had my first bout of constipation. V scary at the time! I eat a very high roughage diet anyway but this doesn't help. I make my own very seedy (chia which are excellent as product gel like stuff that helps move things through, sunflower, pumpkin) granola and have with live yoghurt.. and some non wheat fibre flakes on top. I eat dark green/orange etc veg(no more broccoli as very IBS inducing) and kiwi(v good for system), brown rice, quinoa, spelt or buckwheat(?) spaghetti etc... and........................

HYDRATION - The key is hydration.........! See how it goes.. but please try drinking at least 3litres water if you are a man, or 2.5 if a woman a day. I drink approx 4-5litres a day according to a urine measurement 48hr thang via urology - but this still doesn't get any movement as my system is very bad (I do this as always thirsty with sicca etc - do you have this or sjogrens?). It ALWAYS makes some sort of a difference for any friends who try this. So when you get up have room temp or even hot-ish water with squeeze of lemon if you can/have around and it is a game changer... drink a litre over an hour or so period first thing... without eating during. It really helps clear things through... and hydrate what's in your innards. Well, it might work and worth a try. And keep drinking water all day... and stop two hrs before bed to limit up all night trips to the bathroom or whatever er. Apologies if you do all this already! Would love to know if this helps....

I've tried top of range pro and pre biotics for 3mths but they didn't do much at all sadly (but good really as less cost as v expensive, recommended by gastro!).

If you don't drink much water (or maybe not enough?), I would try the water and diet bit first... as always better to try and limit stuff that irritates the tum/bum/our already inflamed systems... I wish I didn't have to take the meds but I've done all I can edit etc-wise.

That's my lot - hope not offended if you are a complete diet and hydration boffin... Best to ask your GP/rheumy or get referral to gastro after you tried the water/diet bit.

Good luck and stay safe - D

[Bronn in reply to DJK99]

No not offended at all. Thank you for all the info. Definitely need to increase my water but I add a lil squash as detest the taste of water. IBS and Diverticular Dusease sufferer so need to sort this out now. Thanks for message. Take care

[Boudica1]

Hi Bron sorry to hear that you have constipation problems I also have this problem but I've been diagnosed with Diverticular Disease so have an on going problems with it. It's also interesting to see that some of the Meds for other problems can be a cause and/or make things a lot worse in that department as well.For me I try and manage it by drinking water and plenty of it and also use some of the old "remedies" like prunes and prune juice, I also use Lactulose which you can get on prescription or over the counter and if nothing works I call the GPS for something stronger.

Be very careful not to get impacted because if everything you've done has failed you may need medical help which isn't nice 😜.

Have you ever had an appointment for a Gastroenterologist to get to the bottom of the problem, 😂 sorry no pun intended 😂😷😂🤣😂🙊🙉🙈.

♥️

[Bronn in reply to Boudica1]

Oh dear sorry you suffer diverticular disease as I know thus well being a sufferer myself. I used to takelactulose years ago so think I'll call GP for script. Thank you for getting in touch.

[Boudica1 in reply to Bronn]

Hi Bronn. Yes DD on it's own is the pits and can be painful, as you know it can not only get worse but can be dangerous if it gets infected.As if we don't have enough to contend with.

Take care and I hope you have a script for your extra problem.

♥️

[Treetop33]

I had terrible constipation for a while which I think might have been related to a hormonal suppository I was taking, but also managed to cure it (thus far, fingers crossed) with a mixture of inulin and psyllium husk before bed, and then (as recommended on here) two glasses of water before breakfast. In emergencies I have lactulose, but haven't needed it for a while. Do go to the docs if you are concerned. Constipation is horrible.

[Bronn in reply to Treetop33]

Thank you psyllium husk yes deffo try. Water I really detest the taste of water so drink squash but probably not enough. Much appreciate your message

[Bronn in reply to Treetop33]

Thank you for your message. I used to take lactulose years ago, think I'll call GP.

[Treetop33 in reply to Bronn]

Try the inulin as well. It's a prebiotic which is essential to seed probiotics, and critical for gut health. You can get a big bag for £10 on Amazon. It can also be used as a replacement sugar, in part. I use it for baking cakes.

[Bronn]

I am not a vegetarian but I eat VERY little meat as I love my fish. Fibogel does not work for me but am going to call GP for script of Lactulose as used to be on this year's ago with some success. Thank you, a lot to take in by all the helpful messages. Take care

[MoominMomma]

Hi Bronn, sorry to hear that you’re suffering. Like you, I tried Docusate but after a while they seemed to have no effect. I used to find prune juice helped but like so many other things, they stopped helping. I now take I sachet of Laxido (more if needed) along with prucalopride 2mg tablet each day. Touch wood, these have been my saviour for a couple of years now. Hope you find something that works for you soon. 😊

[Cathyan]

I used to like prunes in the evening as a good regulator but now I find them too sweet; problematic because of the steroids and menopause hot flushes. Dried figs in my breakfast cereal seem to work well for maintenance.

[Mala23]

I find prune juice works wonders. I have 1 small glass every morning. It does not taste the best to me but it really does help to regulate my system. I always make sure that it is NOT made from concentrate as these do not seem to work for me.

[Bronn in reply to Mala23]

Hi Mala, I'd rather eat the prunes but thank you for the info. Take care 💐

[CecilyParsley]

Hi Bronn, I am on morphine and iron tablets which made me constipated. Then I became vegetarian and the constipation went. I tried everything prior to this Lactolose, Laxido, Fibregel, Senna all either did not work or gave me diarrhea. I found that eating grapes in the evening and drinking plenty of water, I drink between 3 litres and 5 litres daily. I hope you find something that works for you xxx

[Bronn in reply to CecilyParsley]

Wow that is a lot of water 😮 grapes ay OK. I don't eat much meat hardly any really but I'm not vegetarian. Thanks for the info. Take care 💐

[CecilyParsley in reply to Bronn]

Yes my Urology nurse tried to tell me to drink less water 😳. Tell that to my dry mouth lol. The grapes are amazing though. If ever I get a problem a bunch of grapes sorts me out xxx

[bluebell99]

Lactulose is my saviour! Husks and senacot and others are extremely harsh and I end up with painful bloating. I also have the dried prunes, but make sure they are not the dried cooking prunes! Half a tin of prunes is also effective if I have run out of lactulose.

You can take lactulose up to three times a day but I usually take it only once as I eat plenty of fresh fruit. It is very gentle, doesn't give you stomach ache, works in about 6-8 hours and doesn't have you rushing to the loo.

[Smudge4465]

Morning, Nothing worse than constipation so I sympathise. All Bran has the highest fibre content of cereals particularly Kelloggs brand. Other brands have less fibre but are cheaper to buy. Prune juice is expensive and you would need to take gallons to compare to the effectiveness of 7 prunes. Tinned prunes in apple juice are less calories than in syrup both are easier to eat than dried prunes. Dried prunes need to be luscious and plump to enjoy. I would recommend Lidl's own brand that are very cheap or Sainsbury's. But what's very important is hydration.If you action all the above and dont drink then it's no where near as effective.Almost a waste of time. If you dont like tap water use half flavoured sparkling water topped up with half tap water. This takes out the fizz and you can drink it very easily. I drink this all the time. That will work much quicker through the system than water with squash. At times I've put an alarm on my phone for every hour to make sure I have a glass of this water. Makes a massive difference. Difficult to keep up on a daily basis. But if you try it you'll see what I mean. Hope this advice helps.

[Bronn in reply to Smudge4465]

Hi smudge, I do actually like prunes so they'll being going the shopping list regularly from now on. Thank you for the water tip too, a new 1 on me. Thank you very much. Take care 💐

[Meg52]

Hi Bronn, I’ve always suffered from constipation despite eating all the recommended foods for it. My GP prescribed fibogel, lactulose etc but they didn’t help and I ended up in hospital for surgery as my bowel was so impacted and enlarged it tore away and was resting on my uterus. The surgeon told me it was the size of a grapefruit and would have burst if they hadn’t operated when they did. The hospital prescribed movicol and I’ve used it ever since. Hope you get sorted soon 😊xx

[Bronn in reply to Meg52]

Hi, fibogel gets no where with me lactulose yes used to be on this until I moved home and GP and they did a review of my much medication and cut it from my repeat prescription. The GP said it was financial reason. Have since changed GP again so will see what GP says as I do need some help. Thank you for the info. Take care 💐

[Cas70]

My husband is bed bound and the best thing for him is Cosmocol. Dissolve powder in your favourite drink, and it softens everything up. Read instructions. Tried everything else as well as my two trusted methods - lots of beetroot or cauliflower. Drink lots.

[Bronn in reply to Cas70]

Oh I am so sorry about your husband, must make life difficult. I am bed bound quite often so can imagine what you're going through. Thank you for the info not much if a beetroot fan but yes cauli. Take care of yourself 💐

[miccika1]

My super smart gastroenterologist first recommended Miralax and when that made me puffy he said senna max 4 pills a day

[Bronn in reply to miccika1]

Miralax gave me the same problem, but I'll see what GP says about senna. Thank you 💐

[CBW54]

Hi Bronn,

High fibre diet and hydration have already been mentioned numerous time so won’t go there again. Majoool dates are great for me but also microwaving/ boiling dried prunes in a bit of water until they are rehydrated and soft. You should ideally have some liquid left too. I usually have three at at time with yogurt or in porridge. Orange juice with bits too.

I find that being active, even if it is just walking helps. Your organs don’t like being stuck in one position! IBS will compound the problem as it will make everything very tense. You can get peppermint capsules over the counter now and they can provide great relief.

If you are open to it, try relaxation techniques (meditation, yoga, chi Kong). You could also try massaging the ‘tiger mouth’ acupuncture spot. It is between the thumb and index finger (see photo) and can help things move along. It was a tip from my Tai Chi teacher to help my kids when they were younger and it worked for them 🙂

I hope this helps.

[Bronn in reply to CBW54]

Thank you, the tiger mouth is a new 1 on me so are the dates. I'll give the tiger mouth a go, and yes I've started increasing g my water intake. Thank you for the tips. Take care 💐

[CBW54 in reply to Bronn]

I hope it works for you. I should say that the tiger mouth point is on both side (not obvious from the picture), so in effect you pinch it between your fingers to massage it. Take care too.

[Krazykat26 in reply to CBW54]

Oh wow!! How did u do that? Post a photo on a reply? 🙆Sorry I'm not that cyber savvy 😹Thank u for posting the tiger mouth CBW 🤗 I practised tai chi in my younger years n I still do it now as much as I'm able.

Thank u so much 🌈😽😽xx

[CBW54 in reply to Krazykat26]

Most welcome Krazykat26. If you click on the little square with the mountain on the right hand corner it will give you the option to take/ upload a photo. Quality of mine not brilliant sorry as I was relying on children to press the ‘shutter’ and it was hard to peel them away from their screen and concentrate on what they were doing 🙄.

Take good care 🧘🏻

[Krazykat26 in reply to CBW54]

Thank u 🙏😉🌈😽😽xx