Chronic constipation

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Shelley81

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi Newbie here, looking for help.
Type 1 for 10 years now suffering chronic constipation. Gastroenterologist has tried all types of meds with no effect. Only thing that helps is Sodium Piccosulphate 15ml but too aggressive and smaller dose has no effect.
I’m so low, it’s ruining my life.

Any success stories to share their treatment please?
Thanks
 
I don't know what you have tried and what you haven't tried but daily chia seeds work well for many people including myself and my sister. I have mine with psyllium husk in a glass of water with a dash of apple cider vinegar and balsamic, but you can use squash or whatever you like. We have one member here who puts them in his coffee. They absorb the water and form a gel of soluble fibre which passes through your system and clears everything with it, Having them with fluid is important as it is the formation of the gel which helps them to work. My bowels have never been so heathy and regular and easy since using this combination.... I used to just use Psyllium husk, but it became less effective after a while, but adding in the chia seeds has made all the difference.

I appreciate that this is a very simple remedy and your situation may be more complicated but worth trying if you haven't used chia seeds before. Most supermarkets sell them. I prefer the whole ones as they keep better. The milled ones start to taste/smell a bit fishy after a while to me but then they are a very good source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids like fish oils. The whole seeds don't smell or taste of anything so not unpleasant to use at all and keep for ages. I just use a 10ml scoop every day in my drink.
 
I’ve seen people use magnesium supplements to good effect if you haven’t tried that yet. Particularly the citrate version. Perhaps ask for levels to be checked by the dr if going that route to establish a baseline and monitor overall.
 
I used Normacol for years but now the chemists can't get it so I'm going with the chia seeds recommendation as they sell them in bags in Quality Save so will give them a whirl. Hope you can find a solution. I would rather have the trots, constipation is a nightmare. 🙄 Having Diverticulitis I have to be regular. Do you eat enough veg and drink enough water?
 
rebrascora said:
I don't know what you have tried and what you haven't tried but daily chia seeds work well for many people including myself and my sister. I have mine with psyllium husk in a glass of water with a dash of apple cider vinegar and balsamic, but you can use squash or whatever you like. We have one member here who puts them in his coffee. They absorb the water and form a gel of soluble fibre which passes through your system and clears everything with it, Having them with fluid is important as it is the formation of the gel which helps them to work. My bowels have never been so heathy and regular and easy since using this combination.... I used to just use Psyllium husk, but it became less effective after a while, but adding in the chia seeds has made all the difference.

I appreciate that this is a very simple remedy and your situation may be more complicated but worth trying if you haven't used chia seeds before. Most supermarkets sell them. I prefer the whole ones as they keep better. The milled ones start to taste/smell a bit fishy after a while to me but then they are a very good source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids like fish oils. The whole seeds don't smell or taste of anything so not unpleasant to use at all and keep for ages. I just use a 10ml scoop every day in my drink.
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Thank you for replying. I will def give this a try
 
Shelley81 said:
Thank you for replying. I will def give this a try
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My OH (not diabetic) find prunes very effective. He never had a problem (almost the other way) until he had a hospital stay with intravenous antibiotics and nutrient drip for 2 weeks for what they diagnosed as stump appendicitis.
 
rebrascora said:
They absorb the water and form a gel of soluble fibre which passes through your system and clears everything with it, Having them with fluid is important as it is the formation of the gel which helps them to work.
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Yes, as I understand it sufficient fluid is really important otherwise there's a risk that it'll absorb liquid, leaving your gut too dry so you end up making things worse. Everything in moderation, I guess.
 
Bruce Stephens said:
Yes, as I understand it sufficient fluid is really important otherwise there's a risk that it'll absorb liquid, leaving your gut too dry so you end up making things worse. Everything in moderation, I guess.
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That is why I always have it as a drink and I usually drink it once it has absorbed the fluid and become gel.
Making a chia porridge is another way to ensure that it gets plenty of fluid. I know some people suggest sprinkling it on salads but I would rather ensure it has plenty of liquid with it when I ingest it.
 
rebrascora said:
That is why I always have it as a drink and I usually drink it once it has absorbed the fluid and become gel.
Making a chia porridge is another way to ensure that it gets plenty of fluid. I know some people suggest sprinkling it on salads but I would rather ensure it has plenty of liquid with it when I ingest it.
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It's ok, but it definitely needs water.
I use it in cooking, but I take it down to a gravy type consistency, or use it baked im bread type stuff after it's soaked in liquid, but not dried out again
 
Shelley81 said:
Thank you for replying. I will def give this a try
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I'm the chia-seeds-in-coffee guy. Works brilliantly for me, along with lots of other fibre from grains, almonds, fruit & veg.
 
Hope it works well for you @Shelley81

Fingers crossed!
 
I've always had IBS so i have two psyllium husk sachets a day with 200ml of water, and at least a litre of fluid a day. If that doesn't work I use a spoonful of lactulose.
 
Eddy Edson said:
I'm the chia-seeds-in-coffee guy. Works brilliantly for me, along with lots of other fibre from grains, almonds, fruit & veg.
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Eddy I am just downing my first chia coffee in honour of you! I haven't had my fibre drink today and didn't fancy an acidic drink before bed but I have taken to having a decaf coffee as a bedtime drink so I thought i would throw the chia seeds in there and give it a go and it's surprisingly OK.
 
rebrascora said:
Eddy I am just downing my first chia coffee in honour of you! I haven't had my fibre drink today and didn't fancy an acidic drink before bed but I have taken to having a decaf coffee as a bedtime drink so I thought i would throw the chia seeds in there and give it a go and it's surprisingly OK.
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Yay!

One convert at a time.
 
Eddy Edson said:
Yay!

One convert at a time.
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The question is, can I tempt you to try my ACV, balsamic, diet cola and water with maybe a splash of pickled beetroot juice and 10mls each of chia and psyllium husk??
 
rebrascora said:
The question is, can I tempt you to try my ACV, balsamic, diet cola and water with maybe a splash of pickled beetroot juice and 10mls each of chia and psyllium husk??
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Well I cook or eat those separately.
Hopefully that works too?
 
rebrascora said:
The question is, can I tempt you to try my ACV, balsamic, diet cola and water with maybe a splash of pickled beetroot juice and 10mls each of chia and psyllium husk??
Click to expand...
Thanks, but that sounds like too many things at once for my food weirdness to handle ...
 
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