Constipation

[belugalad]

I'm on a low carb diet and I'm on my first week of taking Metformin,I used to be very regular passing stools,but a couple of times they have been a bit stubborn,last night I did have a good plate of broccoli and sprouts with my chicken and it was still tricky ,I'm sure I could drink more water,but has anyone got any tips please?Are there any supplements or food items that are a good idea to take?

 

[Eddy Edson]

I suffered for a couple of months last year after some dietary changes. Nothing I tried really worked - just time, the great healer 🙂

Not very helpful, sorry.

 

[mikeyB]

Yes, any chocolate or sweets labelled “for diabetics”. That’ll bring back the old Metformin feeling in no time.

 

[belugalad]

I'm making home made vegetable soup today,I hope that helps

 

[Eddy Edson]

I'm making home made vegetable soup today,I hope that helps

What puzzled (actually, annoyed) me was that it happened even though I'd increase my fibre intake by a lot. I think it just took time for my bod to adjust. Maybe the same for you?

 

[Drummer]

Sometimes going low carb simply means that there isn't as much to get rid off - the food you are eating is more nutrition less - not.
If you feel the need then adding a small spoonful of psyllium husk to your salad - I mix it into the coleslaw - will do the job. The advice to add the husk to water usually means you end up trying to get it off the glass afterwards, but a full glass of water before and after eating is advisable.

 

[eggyg]

Yes, any chocolate or sweets labelled “for diabetics”. That’ll bring back the old Metformin feeling in no time.

I read something the other day on FB, so it must be true, that dark chocolate has fibre, I know I have a dodgy gastric system but too much 85% does it for me! 😱

 

[belugalad]

Sometimes going low carb simply means that there isn't as much to get rid off - the food you are eating is more nutrition less - not.
If you feel the need then adding a small spoonful of psyllium husk to your salad - I mix it into the coleslaw - will do the job. The advice to add the husk to water usually means you end up trying to get it off the glass afterwards, but a full glass of water before and after eating is advisable.

Thanks @Drummer ,where is the cheapest place to find that?Holland and Barrett

 

[belugalad]

I read something the other day on FB, so it must be true, that dark chocolate has fibre, I know I have a dodgy gastric system but too much 85% does it for me! 😱


I like the sound of that,I should grab some 85% next time I'm at Tesco

 

[Drummer]

Thanks @Drummer ,where is the cheapest place to find that?Holland and Barrett

Possibly - I buy mine from bulk powders via Amazon as I get the powdered form to use in baking - it turns purple when heated, so things can look a bit odd - but it is great for adding bulk and stickiness to doughs and batters.

 

[belugalad]

Possibly - I buy mine from bulk powders via Amazon as I get the powdered form to use in baking - it turns purple when heated, so things can look a bit odd - but it is great for adding bulk and stickiness to doughs and batters.

Hi @Drummer can you tell me how much psyllium husk you use to keep things regular,I'm wondering how long a 1kg bag will last,I'm going to order it from Bulk powders via Amazon,I know it may vary from person to person the amount needed,I just wanted a vague idea of quantity

 

[Drummer]

A few teaspoons a week - a 1Kg bag will last a long time.

 

[rebrascora]

I am now using a mixture of chia seeds and psyllium husk. I put a 3rd of a glass of Aldi equivalent Pepsi Max in an half pint glass and fill it up with water. Add 2- 3 teaspoons of chia seeds (got them from Aldi) and a teaspoon of physillium husk, give it a good stir and leave it for 20-30 mins for it to absorb the water. Give it another good stir and drink down the resulting lumpy gel.... sounds awful but it's not and then a glass of water to follow. The only reason I add the cola is that I get sick of drinking water and it just adds a bit of flavour and sweetness without being too sweet or adding any carbs and makes drinking the gel more pleasant. This combo is helping my bowel movements now but it takes a few days to start working. Previously I was drinking it straight down after adding the seeds and husk but my body seemed to be removing the fluids before the fibre had a chance to soak it up and swell, so it was adding to the problem rather than helping. Leaving it to soak in the glass first then drinking it as a gel means that the mass of soft fibre gel passes through my gut in the form that it is supposed to, providing bulk and clearing debris as it goes. It has the advantage of being quite filling too so helpful if you are trying to cut back on your food intake.

 

[belugalad]

A few teaspoons a week - a 1Kg bag will last a long time.

That's great I thought it was going to be something like a table spoon every day

 

[belugalad]

I am now using a mixture of chia seeds and psyllium husk. I put a 3rd of a glass of Aldi equivalent Pepsi Max in an half pint glass and fill it up with water. Add 2- 3 teaspoons of chia seeds (got them from Aldi) and a teaspoon of physillium husk, give it a good stir and leave it for 20-30 mins for it to absorb the water. Give it another good stir and drink down the resulting lumpy gel.... sounds awful but it's not and then a glass of water to follow. The only reason I add the cola is that I get sick of drinking water and it just adds a bit of flavour and sweetness without being too sweet or adding any carbs and makes drinking the gel more pleasant. This combo is helping my bowel movements now but it takes a few days to start working. Previously I was drinking it straight down after adding the seeds and husk but my body seemed to be removing the fluids before the fibre had a chance to soak it up and swell, so it was adding to the problem rather than helping. Leaving it to soak in the glass first then drinking it as a gel means that the mass of soft fibre gel passes through my gut in the form that it is supposed to, providing bulk and clearing debris as it goes. It has the advantage of being quite filling too so helpful if you are trying to cut back on your food intake.

Thanks for the tip,did you get your physillium husk from H&B?I've just got to decide where to buy it from I think I will just get it from Amazon

 

[rebrascora]

Yes I got mine from H&B as Regucol which is a bit more expensive because it has probiotics added. I have used it on and off for years, so I have plenty in the house but this time on it's own, it hasn't helped, which I was quite surprised at, but the combo of soaking it with the chia seeds is definitely having a more beneficial effect.

 

[belugalad]

Yes I got mine from H&B as Regucol which is a bit more expensive because it has probiotics added. I have used it on and off for years, so I have plenty in the house but this time on it's own, it hasn't helped, which I was quite surprised at, but the combo of soaking it with the chia seeds is definitely having a more beneficial effect.

How long do you think that tub would last then at a tsp a day,I have a H&B about 200 yards from my home,they see me every few years when I'm going through a crisis😉,at least the second one is in the penny sale

 

[rebrascora]

Actually, I have just had a good read of the label and it says that you should consult with your GP before using the product if you have a history of bowel obstruction or diabetes! So I may lay off it until I next see the nurse and find out what the possible problem is with diabetes.
I would say that the 350g tub will last you a few months if you decide to go ahead but I would advise checking with your GP before splashing the cash on some! .

 

[belugalad]

Actually, I have just had a good read of the label and it says that you should consult with your GP before using the product if you have a history of bowel obstruction or diabetes! So I may lay off it until I next see the nurse and find out what the possible problem is with diabetes.
I would say that the 350g tub will last you a few months if you decide to go ahead but I would advise checking with your GP before splashing the cash on some! .

I will ring them tomorrow,I had asked before but they just asked me to take a laxative called Cosmocol which is an osmotic laxative they prescribed it and I was talked over when I asked did they have a fibre supplement that would prevent the constipation in the first place after I rang them again.

 

[belugalad]

I read something the other day on FB, so it must be true, that dark chocolate has fibre, I know I have a dodgy gastric system but too much 85% does it for me! 😱

Well I'm cycling to Aldi later and I'm going to get 85% Moser Roth chocolate,I buy it every other week,I'm much in need🙂