helpful tip for regular bowel movement

[Qp22]

For most of my life I’ve had issues with irregular bowel movements and- sometimes- bad constipation, which I’ve managed to deal with. Now, at 70, I’ve been diagnosed with IBS, mainly because of persistent pain in my upper right side for 2 or 3 years. I thought it was a gall bladder problem- awful pain. GP have me Buscopan and pain relief. Told to use heat pad to relieve episodes (good job I’m retired!) I felt desperate. I Googled like crazy and read that olive oil can help with constipation- helps to retain water in the stools. I learned that 10-30mls a day is actually good for you in all sorts of ways - heart health etc. Since I’ve been having Olive oil at night followed by the same amount of prune juice I’ve only had two flare-ups of severe pain and I have regular bowel movements for the first time in my life! Still early days but fingers crossed. Hope this may help some of you fellow sufferers.

[Linley]

Well done and thanks for the tip🙏

[Iguvup]

A morning coffee (fresh, not sure if instant coffee works) keeps my system moving in a good routine every morning. Porridge and fruit and yogurt for breakfast. Plus I exercise every day (even if it’s a short brisk walk) and drink water throughout the day when I remember. This has worked for me so thought I’d pass it on in case it’s helpful. Hope things improve for you soon.

[Edgar77 in reply to Iguvup]

Is it the olive oil or the prune juice. It may be just the one thing helping. May be worth experimenting

[Qp22 in reply to Edgar77]

Thanks. Yes, I’ve thought that too. But I’m sticking with what works at the moment. I don’t feel either are unhealthy but I may experiment at some point. Thanks again

[Qp22 in reply to Iguvup]

Thanks

[Edgar77 in reply to Qp22]

I've cut out a lot of foods some of which I probably can eat, but like you I'm afraid of a horrible reaction.

[E3178]

I have found taking olive oil on an empty stomach is also helping me

[Qp22 in reply to E3178]

That’s great to hear. Glad it’s helping.

[Andann]

Wow, it feels like you should be congratulated for your years of persistence, thanks for the advice.

[Morzine]

have you tried those big dates, two a day work wonders

[Qp22 in reply to Morzine]

thanks. I think I’ve got a weird digestion really. - eating prunes/dates or lots of vegs/fruit/nuts/pulses/seeds etc (all the roughage you can think of) just doesn’t help usually. Hence why I’m currently fingers crossed at the moment

[casares8]

Thats good, i think i will try the olive oil, i like it on food anyway. It probably softens the stools. Prunes are not fodmap friendly and can cause pain, so i assume its the oil that is helping

[Qp22 in reply to casares8]

you may be right about the prune juice. I definitely can’t have too much without it causing pain.

[Readmeastory]

I read somewhere that olive oil can help . Will give it a try at night

[Qp22 in reply to Readmeastory]

great. Certainly can’t hurt 🤞

[SteveR12]

Just to mention, I guess you are having plenty of liquids all day every day, as that has always been cause of my Constipation, basically too lazy to keep drinking, it definitely takes willpower in my case to keep forcing myself to keep bother getting a drink, need more self-discipline!