Severe constipation

[Readaholic4]

I have been on the new healthy eating journey since Monday.. But feel so bloated.. I have taken some lactulose on a doctors advice.. But its so sweet.. I know prunes help I think I need to eat more fibre.. Perhaps

[Hidden]

Water, and more water, Fybogel, linseeds, chia seeds to keep things going day to day, but if you are already constipated you need to keep going with the medicine. It works by drawing water into the gut to soften things, do be sure to drink loads.

[Subtle_badger]

Hidden is right, on completing your treatment. You will feel better when it's cleared.

Be careful when adding fibre. I overdid it, and too much fibre can have similar effects as too little. Bulk isn't always a good thing.

What sort of healthy eating are you doing?

[Sewn]

I am wondering what you mean by a healthy diet.

Any big change in diet can effect your digestive system.

The most important thing is to drink a lot of water. Try to eat your 5 fruit and veg each day and choose whole grains and lentil based meals.

If I eat too many processed high fat foods like sausages I become constipated.

If you track your food intake on an app like My fitness Pal you have a record of your food intake and can check if the balance between fat, carb and protein lies in recommended guidelines.

Fibre is not equal, bran can be irritable to some people. Too much fibre with a low water intake can cause problems. Soluble fibre like that found in oats and fruit and veggies is easier to digest.

Your body maybe reacting to a huge change. Sometimes cutting down more slowly can give a chance for your digestive system to be happier.

I hope you feel better soon and keep in touch with your Dr as they will know your whole situation.

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI]

Plenty of water, senna or plenty of fresh pineapple can help, less processed sugar can help too but sometimes it's psychological.

If you bottle things up, your gut can hold onto food and once you start talking about things, things can start to move. (That wasn't supposed to sound like a poem! Ha)

Lactose is literally just pure sugar and stops working after a week or 2. I call it flactulose because of the flatulence it causes as a side effect, its not worth it in my opinion.

I've personally never found more fibre to be helpful either.

It's worth exploring different ways and finding something that works for you.

[Bexxsy10]

I’m on a lot of meds and get these I find anything fibre helps digestive biscuit weetabix etc or glass of orange juice 🤍

[CateyE]

Hi, I’m very new on here but your post caught my eye. I’d been having bloating issues and swinging between constipation and bloating due to medications for various health issues.

I struggled with lactulose and so I looked into other ways to ease the discomfort and bloating. I now make sure to drink a pint of room temperature water on waking up as your bodies loses water as you sleep. I’ve also found taking a pro and pre biotic capsule before bed really helps. I haven’t lost loads of weight but since starting these little things, I’ve actually lost 4” off my waistline.

I can’t always face eating porridge in the mornings so I make a bowl of natural yoghurt (I use fat free, plain Greek) with 1tbsp of mixed seeds, 1tbsp of sugar free museli, 1tbsp of chopped walnuts and almonds (or depending what’s in the cupboard, can be pecans, Brazil’s etc!). I then add a handful of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. A sprinkling of cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey. Mix it all up and it’s like heaven in a bowl!!!

Once I’ve eaten it, I have my hot drink of the morning (either a cup of normal tea or green tea depending on how I feel 😁) and things definitely move!!! My mum who has early stages of Alzheimer’s had to stay with us whilst my Dad was in hospital so I made it for her. She had been struggling with not being regular and after 3 days of being with us and eating it for breakfast, her constipation eased and in her words “I feel so much brighter!”.

If you do have bowel issues, it might be worth soaking oats, seeds and nuts overnight so they are easily digested.

Really hope you soon find yourself in a comfortable way x

Ps... it looks expensive but I shop in Aldi and Lidl!!

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to CateyE]

Hello and welcome, CateyE

This is a great place for support and information, and it may give you a new angle on 'healthy eating' so have an open mind and jump in. You'll find everything you need in our Pinned Posts by following this link healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... I recommend joining a weekly weigh in on the day of your choice (why not today?) and using the Daily Diary, where members share their meal plans.

Active participation can give a great boost to your own efforts so I hope we'll see you joining in forum activities

[DragonMumX]

I totally agree with slim_for_good. I used Linseeds in my breakfast for years, then Swapped to chia a few months ago, 10g of chia mixed into fage yoghurt with a little water, oats etc soaked overnight then eaten in the morning is lovely - and I’m back to daily movements! Good luck xx

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to DragonMumX]

Hi, DragonMumX, are you wanting to lose weight and join this forum or just browsing? You're very welcome either way

[DragonMumX in reply to BridgeGirl]

Yes please 😊

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to DragonMumX]

You're very welcome to the weight loss forum

This is a great place for support and information, and it may give you a new angle on 'healthy eating' so have an open mind and jump in. You'll find everything you need in our Pinned Posts by following this link healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... I recommend joining a weekly weigh in on the day of your choice (why not today?) and using the Daily Diary, where members share their meal plans.

Active participation can give a great boost to your own efforts so I hope we'll see you joining in forum activities

[Hidden]

These guys are serious experts.....even ive made a shopping list from this post. Hope things get better soon

[PurpleStitches]

Yes definitely increase the fibre. Also drink lots of water. A glass of fresh orange or apple will help too. Hope your feeling better soon xx

[Jack2019 Visitor]

If you are having digestive (bloating) and/ or elimination problems, the last thing you need is more fiber in your diet, it would be like adding more cars to a bottle neck traffic jam. Fiber by nature is not digestible . Drink lots of water and eliminate, or cut down on, fruit and veg for a few days and see if you feel better. Also dairy products can cause a lot of bloating. test them separately so you know if was too much fiber, likely if you are eating a lot more than you had been, or it is a dairy issue.

[emilyknight in reply to Jack2019]

This is ONLY true in some situations: the point of contention is insoluable fiber vs soluable fiber. If someone takes Lactulose, their BMs May need the bulk of something like Psyllium Husk or Chia, both of which don’t cramp up the hose: they aren’t actually digested so they sweep everything up. However- even with that- one must continue to drink water, and continue with their laxative/dietary routine.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to emilyknight]

Hi and welcome, emilyknight

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

If you haven't already taken it, here's a tour of the forum healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best

[Hidden]

Hi readaholic4, I tend to fine if I have a couple of the frozen cube spinach in one of my meals helps me. I don’t no if you can or have that. Good luck in finding something that works for you.