constipation

i got an upper gi yesterday .. yes, tons of barium :(

 anyway .. i'm extremely constipated now, and they told me that my intestines were COMPLETELY full of stool .. and i feel soooo terrible now.

i don't want to take laxatives because i always seem to have a terrible experience with them. i've been drinking tons of water and eating lots of fibrous fruits and oatmeal and stuff .. basically getting fiber in any way i can. still no luck.

 

any other suggestions besides laxatives? thanks :)

Definitely drink tons of water.  If that doesn't help use a stool softener.  They work different thatn laxatives and aren't uncomfortable.

I got that once for a whole week (I was on holiday with my boyfriend's family, who live on sticky white rice). It felt awful to be bloated all the time! When I got back, I made a big batch of bran muffins and ate them instead of bread. It took a day or two, but it worked and was all natural.

Strong coffee or green tea works as a mild stool softener, too: they're both diuretic. Remember to replace the water they make you lose.

chocolate milk is a type of laxative effect,

I have had gastric bypass and I take Citracel 3 timesa day. It helps clear out things without diarrhea or added constipation. Make sure you drink water with capsule...if you can a hot liquid. A hot liquid and bran muffins works great as well.

 

Mix in some chopped prunes with a regularly prepared bowl of oatmeal and a sprinkling of additional wheat germ.  Then drink lots of water.  Worked for me like a charm.

thanks everyone for the suggestions! i'm at work, and i've been drinking green tea all morning so hopefully it'll have some effect :)

unfortunately .. i apparently have a VERY VERY slow digestive system (upper GI w/ small bowel took 7, yes SEVEN HOURS yesterday. Food was sitting in my stomach for 5 hours and finally made it to my colon after 5. just a tad bit abnormal, don't ya think?) .. so i feel like laxatives may be my only choice since i'm SO SLOW to begin with .. but they're just so terrible!

ahh the story of my life lol.  Minie suggested stool softeneres, but I would be warry of those as well. I'm actually allergic to them and I get the same effects of a laxative overdose. Nausea, diahrea, black outs, sweats, etc.. I started to realize that every time I took a stool softener I got the same reaction.

Take a fiber supplement and make sure you are getting enough water and fat. Low fat diets can cause constipation aswell. Try drinking a couple cups of coffee, as it is a natural stimulant and acts as a mild laxative for many people. If that doesn't work, get some coconut milk.. it is high in fat, but it will clear you out as it is also a natural laxative. Don't mind the extra calories for that day because your body can't work properly if you are clogged up anyways.

I was having frequent and serious bouts of constipation for awhile.  No matter how much water or fiber I consumed, it was difficult to go.  About a month and a half ago I added in a magnesium supplement and I have had no problems since.  It's the only thing that worked for me.  Laxatives, stool softeners, fiber supplements-none of it worked but the magnesium.

Was having big constipation problems until recently. I had really upped my fiber and water and it still was a problem. Now, I've been eating at least a cup of probiotic yogurt everyday. It has REALLY HELPED me. I sympathize. Hope you feel better soon.

Upper GIs are MISERABLE.  I agree with whoever suggested a stool softener, it's definitely a different thing.  Maybe you could do a lubricant suppository?  They're usually pretty helpful I understand (I don't have this kind of trouble, but my dad and brother do with frequency).  When you get through this, find a good yogurt that you like and eat one cup a day.  It should help.