bowel problems?

I've been dieting now for about a month.  I lost about 7 pounds and two pant sizes. I drink 8-10 glasses of water a day and am now eating about 20 grams of fiber.   However, I haven't had a decent bowel  movement in 2 weeks and it's very painful.  I've been reading that mostly it's because of dehydration or lake of fiber and exercise.  Now, come on... I drink plenty now, I eat well, and I exercise for the first time in my life every day. So, why am I so much in pain?  I work in health care and my nurses said to drink prune juice... it had small results.   So- do you think I should go out and buy a laxative like Milk of Magnesium to try?  I want to prevent this again... so does anyone know why this could be happening and ways to prevent it? Sorry if this grosses anyone out.  However, it's a part of everyone's life and when you stop going it turns into a serious problem that affects your entire life.
Thanks.

are you eating a lot of cheese or bananas?  that will cause stoppage...

anyway, my trick is to eat watermelon ....  will usually open the valves

Hey Kelly - I was having the same problem (and wondering how on earth to post without getting too graphic and gross - so congrats on putting it as best as you can!!!) I've lost about 7 lbs (still in the same pant size - which leads me to believe that I was wearing pants WAY too small previously!!!). It's been about 3 weeks that I've been having the problem. My hubby is really athletic and fit (5'10" and 155 lbs). He marathons a lot and does a lot of physical activity every day. He says that part of the reason that you aren't "going" is that your body is using up all the fuel and there isn't a whole lot of "waste". I'm not sure I buy it entirely, but I don't know what else to suggest. I'd be careful of laxatives - I tried one last week and it gave me the WORST stomach cramps ever. I took the stuff at night, hoping it would work while I was at home and I could deal with the benefits in the morning. I was up half the night buckled over - it felt like someone had kicked me in the gutt. I've tried drinking crazy-insane amounts of water - but it hasn't seemed to work. I'm now eating raisins and prunes. That helped me today.........let me know if you discover anything!!

Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables should act as a natural laxitive if you're having trouble.  Soft fruits will work the fastest :-)  If you can't find fresh fruits then dried ones work just as well.

thank you so much for this post....i have had this same issue but it has been going on for much longer at least 3 years. i drink around 90 ounces of water a day, i eat fruit and veggies all day, i eat brown rice and beans, i exersice and i will go days without any movement. i don't know why, sometimes laxitives don't even work.....it makes me feel so sick.  i saw an ad about chronic constipation and they now have a prescription....i really am thinking about doing this...but it has some side affects that seem worse than being constipated. haha

seashel:

you said bananas???  i eat one every morning with my oatmeal and have eaten bananas like that for a long time...maybe i will cut that out and see what happens first. 

Banannas stop me up like nothing else - and it's really sad because I love banannas - the problem lies within your diet most likely - if it continues maybe go and see your doctor for some brainstorming!  I don't see any harm in taking a laxative if you need to - that's what they are for right?  Great job on the weight loss!!  :)

Bananas sure don't stop me up!!  If I'm having issues, I have a banana and it takes care of that. :) 

Have you tried Colace?  They make one that is a stool softener, and one that is a softener and laxative.  My doctor recommended those when I was having problems. 

I've read that not eating enough fats can cause this problem.  I've cut fats way down in the past and had a similar problem.  I've been trying to eat 30% fats lately and have been better.  I've also had good luck with eating that Activa yogurt every day.  It gives you the good digestion bacterias. 

Yeah - give the stool softeners a try (try 2 a day - around 250mg of Docusate Sodium, preferably one without a laxative).  Then, at least when things get moving, it won't be as painful.  Other than that, keep up on your fiber - 25 g is recommended for women I think, my doctor said to shoot for 35g though.  Also, I notice that if i get out of my semi-normal routine, my intestines get all out of wack.  Maybe yours are still getting used to things. :-)  Good luck!

I've had the same problem and I'm convinced it's because it's the lack of fat.  Make sure you have enough fats in your diet to "slide it out."  I had the same problem the last time i cut down my fat intake and the beginning of this time as well.  Try it, there should be a difference.

interesting i just went back and looked at my fat intake...it is usually around 16% of my daily intake sometimes much lower....i know that i have also been very cold lately.  i don't even try to watch my fat intake, but it is very low.  Suggestions?  Olive oil? It just freaks me out since it is so high in calories....

Olive oil is good, as are other non-corn oils.  I've learned to not be so afraid of peanut butter (and it tastes good!).  There are a lot of calories in fats, but they are important!

mexican food would probably do the trick lol

coffee in the mornings sometimes help me

my morning coffee always does the trick.  If I go without it, i do not go, Literaly lol

htide

try metamucil -- it has the psyllium husks which are a great herb for regularity.  It will take about 72 hours to start working.

In the meantime, I suggest an enema -- that way you will see if there really is anything in there.  Sounds yucky, but it's the best way to get immediate relief. 

also, you may want to try elevating your feet on a stool or something while you sit on the toilet.  There's evidence that this position makes elimination much easier -- just imagine the squat position, and you'll know what I mean.  My grandkids have their little stool in the bathroom to use the sink, and that is just about the right height for my short legs. 

I agree about the bananas -- they are trouble makers for me, too. 

All Bran -- it's GOTTA work! 

i thought bananas were full of fiber?

anyway, i've had the same issue for a while now, and the weird thing is, i'm not in pain from it at all.  so that worries me even more- like i have a tapeworm or something.

see to me it sounds like you're doing nothing wrong that would lead to being stopped up...honestly i'd consult a doctor. two weeks is a long time to go to end up with a painful bowel movement. dont wanna worry you, i bet its just your body adjusting...but who knows. play it safe :)

I was eating great before I went on my honeymoon and ended up with the same problem. It could be nothing more than stress. I finally got desperate (and I'm cheap) and stirred about 2 tbsp of Epsom Salts in a glass of water and drank it. Worked in 45 minutesand only cost about 50 cents. Good Luck!

if you ramp up your fiber intake too quickly that can happen. too much too soon.

My father did not go for two weeks and suffered painful cramps, it turned out that he had a real blockage and had to have a coloscopy.   You should talk to your doctor just to make sure that you're okay.