Help with constipation, TMI
 

I was wondering when everyone else does for constipation and if you can recommend a laxative that works for you. I have honestly NEVER had this problem before. I regularly take Tylenol 3 with codeine for my back pain and I eat rice and popcorn etc with no ill effects. I started taking iron supplements four days ago because I am anemic, don't eat red meat, have a heavy TOM and I am losing hair badly. I noticed my weight went up two pounds after taking the first iron supplement. I thought it was water weight but it has not decreased yet and I have not went off plan at all. I noticed when I "went to the bathroom" two days ago there was a lot less than usual. I am always very regular. I barely went at all yesterday and my stomach started to hurt. Today I haven't went at all and I feel bloated. I bought some stool softeners yesterday and took two. I took one today too but they haven't worked. At this point, I think I need a laxative or something. I have never taken one before. The problem is that I am going out tomorrow and I don't want to have to run to the bathroom.
Not sure what type to choose and what effects it will have. Sorry for too much information LOL, but I have never had to deal with this before.

Any suggestions?

First, I would take a look at your diet and make sure your eating plenty of leafy greens and veggies, maybe lay off the rice, and add some whole grains. Add a lemon wedge to your water if your not already doing so. Are you exercising? Sometimes exercise gets things moving. Also, I know when I first started eating clean, I was having the same problem. It took my body at least 3 weeks to get back in to synch and its only starting to become regular again. As a last resort on a few occasions when things became very uncomfortable I did have to purchase Sennekot - a natural, overnight laxative that helped things along.

Thanks for the help stella. I guess I made it sound bad like I was eating tons of things that bind me up LOL. I actually don't eat badly, I was just making a point that I have never been in this situation even though I "can" eat things that may cause problems for other people. I have upped my fiber today, drinking more water than usual and I always eat lots of veggies. I am actually having a big salad for lunch right now ;)
I may just try the exercise, I was actually putting it off because my stomach feels uncomfortable. I will keep the Sennekot in mind, thanks

It's most like a reaction to the iron supplements. It should even out once your body gets used to them, though! Make sure you're eating enough fiber and getting enough water. And exercise--even if you're feeling bloated and just plain don't want to, it'll help!

I've heard that iron can bind you up so that might be what's going on. I know before I started eating healthy constipation was never ever a problem at all however, since giving up junk food if I don't get plenty of fresh low starch veggies every day I'll feel the results the next day. I drink coffee, which really helps with this issue but if you're low in iron then coffee isn't a good solution for you at all (it reduces your absorption of iron).

There's a great herbal laxative called "Swiss Kriss." It's all natural and comes in either tablet or a sort of twiggy form. (Go with the tablets.) It's gentle but really works -- no explosions. I take two and it works by the end of the day, without any emergency "gotta go" feelings. Three is pushing it and I'd avoid taking four. You get it at Whole Foods or any health/vitamin store. I haven't seen it in pharmacies tho.

another vote for exercise. Run if you run, if you dont run do hills or things that work the glutes. When the glute muscles work it massages the intestines. As any runner will attest. Sigh

Iron is a killer.

Yeah, it's probably the iron (although I'm surprised that the narcotic pain meds don't cause this problem for you...I have a neck/shoulder injury and every darned time I have to take them, everything slows down).

Traditional Medicinals has a tea (it's called Smooth Move) that works well for me...normal laxatives make me REALLY sick for an entire day, but the tea just takes care of the problem. One cup before bed and I'm good.

I prefer fiber suppliments to laxatives for curing that problem. I love fiberOne cereal (the rabbit pellet kind, not the flakes). It contains enough fiber to keep me regular. Also, a good yogurt with active cultures helps too.

A good quality psyllium fiber suppliment can help - like the fiber one, it usually takes a day for it to kick in and work for me. But it works.

That is why. Your body will adjust. Drink plenty of water. When I was PG with my son, I had to adjust to the prenatal vitamins with all that iron. I think I was back to normal after about a week.

Also make sure your getting enough fiber.

I can't take regular laxatives. They make me crazy dizzy and sick from them. Back in March I got severe constipation, and I called my doctor, I thought I was going to have to have surgery or something it was so bad. They told me to try Miralax, and that worked.

I took iron supplements.. contrary to what everyone says you may not get use to them. I swear I was constipated for 6 months. I suggest a mild stool softener. It will help Ducolax is a good one. It's safe to take for long periods of time and shouldn't make your stomach cramp. I also found prune juice helped. the activia Light is low calorie and should help too. Glycerin suppositories can really help it it gets REALLY bad. Hope you find some relief. I know how miserable it is.

Metamucil sugar free or regular has been the only thing to help me...taken with hot water the affects are almost instant...and then once you get it over with you don't have to worry about urgency. I drink it every morning.

Thanks everyone ;) I figured it was the iron supplements since I was fine before I started taking them. I will try some suggestions and give it until Thursday evening. If I am still having trouble by then, I will think about a mild laxative or the herbal remedies some of you mentioned. I am getting ready to do a workout in by basement after dinner. Its raining hard and storming here so no running tonight. I just hope the power doesn't go out LOL

I can't eat gluten so I sprinkle some flax ontop of my peanut butter on rice cakes and that helps, but I find it makes me gassy if I haven't had it in awhile.

Lemon juice in water also get's me pooping in the morning!

Ohhh... just came to me (in addition to my previous post).

Also add beans, corn and carrots to your diet.

And make sure you get your omega 3-6-9's either naturally or in liquid or pill form. They are found in flaxseeds (grind them), walnuts and fish as well. Or you could put the liquid form in a smoothie.

Sweetnlow, please check in & let us know how you're doing.

Actually, whenever someone posts on this topic, I'm unable to forget there's a 3FC member out there who just can't go, and it bothers me, and I worry about that person, and I absolutely require a followup post telling me they've found some relief, so that I can regain my peace of mind. Because otherwise, in my imagination, they're still wandering around out there, all corked up tightly as a bottle. And I just can't bear that thought. I mean this. Seriously. Must be my thwarted motherly instincts.

LOL, thanks for your concern :) I am a mom too so I understand that ;) . I took two more stool softeners yesterday and things seem to be moving again, slowly but moving. I think all will be well soon. I am going stick with the high fiber and stool softeners and lay off the iron for another day until everything passes (for lack of a better word LOL) I managed to get in a good workout as well, I think I needed that.
Thanks so much for all your help everyone. It is great to have support when you need it!

Relieved to hear that things seem to be moving along for you. Thanks for checking back in with us. Stay well!

The iron supplements tend to do this....

All I can stress is fiber, fiber, fiber, water, water, water, exercise, exercise, exercise.

So...I suffer from constipation all. the. time. And what works for most doesn't work for me.

I exercise 4-6 times a week (3 days Zumba, 3 days yoga)
I drink 96+oz water per day
I drink coffee
I eat lots of fruit and veggies - plenty of spinach, broccoli, etc
I stay away from refined carbs - eat lots of oatmeal (steel cut and thick cut), etc
I eat plain yogurt with live cultures every day
Miralax does nothing

I still get bound up all the time so I always love coming across suggestions....I tried Smooth Move last night and OMG...the runs! I've been to that bathroom about 5 times this morning...the mild cramping is subsiding and I'm going less and less each time but I'm telling you....this stuff gets things moving! It's not something I'd take every day (as I think some do) but I'm definitely going to pull it out at first sign of constipation :D.