Constipation. A smooth number two makes my day!

[camino9]

Hello T-warriors

I have constipation. It is genetic and also, I believe, due to high doses of antibiotics as a child.

In essence, my digestion is skewed and it is hard for an easy number two!

I also have a bloating belly and feel digestion grew more complicated taking senna tablets long term.

senna, oregano oil, and magnesium citrate also seem to cause a spike in the T

(I am pretty sure, but it is always loud, to be honest).

Psyllium husks seem to further belly bloat.

Pro-biotics ...little effect (also pricy)

I am wondering if anyone out there has any suggestions they have found to be effective.

I prefer natural products.

I am also on day six of taking Magnesium threonate. I have not noticed any difference in T levels. I am still hopeful.

Thank you kindly!

[bridgeit]

Hi Camino, well, I think this is one of those things where something that's a "marvel" for one person will do absolutely nothing for someone else!

However, here's my two penn'orth. I turn to semi-dried apricots when the need arises. Most supermarkets sell semi-dried fruits in foil packets. About half a dozen apricots cut up and well chewed before swallowing, preferably with a nice hot drink such as a mug or two of ordinary tea. They're also good to add to yoghurt for breakfast.

Just get the timing right. It's not wise, for me, to arrange to go out until the apricots have done their job!

I suspect others will post with lots of ideas; just work your way through them.... ..... until something you try works its way through you!

Best of luck.

[camino9 in reply to bridgeit]

Thank you..semi dried is something I have not heard of!

[RunBrianRun]

Have you tried going gluten free? You probably have, but I found it made a massive difference to me. It needs a few weeks and strict adherence to realise the true benefits. Got to be worth a try if you haven’t already. Bear in mind that gluten lurks in all kind of places such as beer and lager so sacrifices have to be made. Good luck

[DownUnderInAus]

Hi, I suffered from ongoing cramping, wind, irregularity etc for most of my life. A few years back my doctor put me on 10mg of Crestor a day, to be taken in the morning (this was for my slightly elevated cholesterol levels). To both my and the doctors amazement the cramping, wind, irregularity etc went. I'm not saying that this will work for others, but it certainly has for me. A great outcome, both in cholesterol level reduction and the unexpected elimination of the other problems.

[Happyrosie]

For me, a fig a day keeps the doctor away. Well it doesn't, but it does help to keep things moving, along with cooked beetroot (not the one in vinegar).

Also, a few years ago I started to take "friendly bacteria" in a capsule form to deal with wind. 5 billion bacteria per dose. It was so good at the wind issue and also constipation that I lashed out and bought, from the same manufacturer, a more expensive one with (I think) seven or ten billion of the little creatures. This worked less well!!.

I started buying from this particular manufacturer in Guernsey many years ago before the internet was so awash with adverts of "cures" for everything, so I trust the manufacturer.

And, I find that if I don't drink plenty of water, things don't move so well.

Some years ago I had chemotherapy for cancer and this caused massive constipation which my usual figs etc didn't move. The chemo nurse suggested Lactulose, which is quite cheap and worked a treat.

[camino9 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks, Happy for your suggestions and also sharing some of your journey x

[camino9]

Thanks, DownUnder

[AussieHeart]

Same here, gut micro biome smashed by antibiotics and surgeries. If you can afford the Microbiome test do it. Meantime ActiLAX which is a mineral oil similar to what toddlers are given but for adults is the only med that works. I remain on Magnesium and drink copious amounts of water. When badly dehydrated take an electrolyte drink. All the bowel meds you mentioned just bulked me up and made a bad situation worse. Gastroenterologist said get off Senna, Benefibre, FibroGel as I tried the lot without success. Movicol is ok and ColonLghtly. He got me to clear my bowels for 10 days with a Movicol daily. Followed by up to 3x pkts ColonLghtly (or C-Prep) as if I was preparing for a colonoscopy. A few weeks taking nothing as long as my bowels went before starting on ActiLAX. It’s safe to take long term but you might want to take this info to a GP/Gastroenterologist as like people are saying, what works for one doesn’t for another as no one has lived your life or has your physical makeup. And yes T improves for me on being regular

[camino9 in reply to AussieHeart]

That's helpful info. Thank you very much, Aussie. Yeah, a smashed microbiome is a bummer. Do you take a probiotic? Have enemas? Use suppositories?

I have a high-fibre diet, to little avail. I have truly tried so many products. Some people are of the view vitamins/minerals simply feed interior parasites. I cannot recall not having a bloated belly.

Magnesium citrate seems to spike my T, but it was also effective.

I also use glycerine suppositories more than I would like.

I am thinking of going back to drinking coffee as this seems to help! But then a stange loop with T, so not a great idea for me.

[AussieHeart]

hi I often take 100 billion probiotic but that’s it. The magnesium is a mix of salts called MagMin, suggested by the gastroenterologist. I have adhesions from surgery which are supposedly the cause for my stubborn bowels but my diet is great and as long as I drink water and follow all the other stuff I can get on with life

[Loco99]

Another vote for apricots, I take three with every meal. Heaven help me if I forget to take them! I am taking magnesium citrate but that has no effect, I’m going to change it to the tinnitus friendly type as soon as this bottle runs out. I think I have adhesions from surgery but none of the doctors I have been to have mentioned them. I also take a probiotic drink daily. Good luck.

[camino9]

thanks so much, loco...three apricots....good title for a memoir...

[Hidden]

You have my sympathies, I have no spleen, took antibiotics every day for 15 years, constipation, tinnitus of 4-5 years, now wear hearingaids & major problem with corn, which is in just about everything! Sorbital is now made from corn so I came to grief being prescribed Cosmocol by the Dr recently so my go to at the moment is Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia from Amazon. Good luck with your search let me know how you get on! Maisie

[camino9]

Thank you kindly for the suggestion.

As you also experience T, I assume this does not cause a spike. You have been on a tough road, Maisie. Wishing you peace. I just use a glycerin suppository at present as my insides feel so inflamed. I am yet to try linseeds which may be effective. Unfortunately, apricots do not agree with my constitution.

step by step.

(Wow, you can buy anything on Amazon these days!)