Handy icon over the years, this has been.

[navygreen]

I haven't pooped in over four days now. I'm feeling extremely "backed up," and I don't like it. Yesterday afternoon, I took a dose of laxative - my first time ever doing so. The package says it should work in 12-72 hours.

72 hours?! Gah. I thought these things were supposed to work overnight (hazy memories of old Correctol commercials, I guess). Though I'll happily take it whenever it comes, I'd rather it not happen while I'm at work, so I purposely took the dose right after school yesterday, giving me 18-ish hours before I next had to be at work.

But, alas. Nothing yet. I head to work in minutes, and I'm planning to take another dose when I return home this afternoon now. Then I don't have any more laxative to take, actually, as these two doses are only here because I received them as freebies in the mail.

I've tried lots of water, as well as apple juice and even a glass of orange juice. I've eaten bananas (usually a sure-fire thing for me) every day for months. I've had some applesauce. I'm trying things, but they're just not working.

I just want to poop!

(This warning is late, but yeah: This entire entry is made of Too Much Information.)

Comments

[prosodic.livejournal.com]

Prune juice works better than apple or orange. Or even dried prunes.

Sorry your laxative isn't working. Some brands take longer than others. But if you take one of those that promises to give you overnight relief, it usually gives you pretty painful intestinal cramps as well.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

oh yes, I can attest to that!!

from someone who knows your pain

[laurushka.livejournal.com]

MAGNESIUM CAPS

http://www.amazon.com/TwinLab-Magnesium-Caps-400-capsules/dp/B00012NBVW

one or two every night.

Re: from someone who knows your pain

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't usually have this problem. That's what makes it so strange and so frustrating!

[magnummom.livejournal.com]

You could also try fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements. Or drinking two tablespoons of olive oil, but capsules are easier, less icky.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

But I do have olive oil on hand... that just sounds so ick, though.

[inkedmama.livejournal.com]

i am so sorry! i totally know that feeling. ALL too well these days.

maybe some greasy food would help. :) how's this for tmi: mcdonald's is usually good for a good poop. ps - chase's ped said that apples can actually be constipating (which i did not know).

also, i've had good luck with metamucil fiber capsules. they usually do the trick overnight for me.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

At least YOU have a good reason, though. ;-)

If nothing by Friday, then I'm going to try the overnight remedies. Even if they result in awful cramps, I'll have the weekend with no work to deal with them.

[desertmommy.livejournal.com]

Miralax/Mirilax (not too sure of the spelling) works wonders too. My darling Kate has major issues in that department and I was told to give her that once or twice a week to keep things regular.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I don't usually have troubles with this, so I'm really puzzled. Thanks for the tip - several of you have now recommended Miralax.

[hetterrific.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't take another dose. If it says 72 hours, wait until that time has passed. Because if you take more now and the original dose starts working, you could be in big trouble.

[lotsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Ditto to this. If you take too much, when it hits you you'll be in the bathroom for the next 72 hours, wishing you'd never been born! LOL!

You could add some fiber though. I highly recommend Benefiber in a glass of juice, or if you want to bring on the big guns on the fiber front, go get some Miralax. That's what the Ped gave us for the girls when they were "withholding." It's not quite fiber, but unlike other laxitives, it's not habit forming and can be used daily if necessary.

[lupin-spirit.livejournal.com]

I second the Miralax. It really is a miracle worker. Ivy takes it daily.

When you're already backed up, it's recommended that you do a clean out: Starting first thing in the morning, take one dose in 8 oz of clear liquid (apple juice, white grape, Powerade etc. -no soda) You do this every 60 minutes until only liquid is coming out the other end. (Usually 4-6 doses start to finish, the first BM is usually within the first 90 minutes though. Also you're not supposed to eat real food while you're doing it, just stuff like jello, Popsicles, broth etc.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I drink about 160oz. of water a day - I just can't fathom how that's not enough already. *sigh*

[lilmissriss.livejournal.com]

Well if you want TMI, I have almost a whole box of suppositories left from when I was pregnant that I can bring over this afternoon if ya want? I hope it doesn't happen while you're at work though. Laxatives imo are not too kind to your tummy, especially in terms of crampyness.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the offer. So far, no cramps. Then again, no progress either.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_stacy/]

Senna Tea had me moving in like 2-4 hours, it was INSANE. Just one cup, and it's an all-natural remedy :)

Broccoli and coffee work for me too...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_stacy/]

oh, and i should add, the senna tea didn't cramp up my stomach and make it hurt - it was just "oh, i have to go? again?!" for about 24 hours

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[poetlady.livejournal.com]

My dr. said bananas and applesauce are constipating.

Try GrapeNuts cereal and/or pears (canned are fine) or pineapple.

I'm sorry, I have that trouble after surgery and I know it's a horrible feeling!

I hope things turn out all right.

Maria

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

That just seems so crazy to me, as both have ALWAYS been sure-fire poopers for me (and for the boys).

[poetlady.livejournal.com]

Other helpful choices can be peaches (canned fine), Raisin bran and/or grapefruit.

Maria

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[jchammonds.livejournal.com]

Bless your heart! I know how awful that feels - I've dealt with constipation my entire life.

Double Fiber bread (do you have Nature's Own? it has 5 grams per slice), salad (no cheese), beans! Kashi cereal - either Go Lean or Crunch - has tons of fiber and really helps me. And keep drinking that water.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I had a big bowl of bean chili tonight, and I'm really hoping that helps...

[kechara.livejournal.com]

Fiber One cereal! Mix it with yogurt and it's actually tasty.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I have a big tub of vanilla yogurt on hand... but no Fiber One. :-/

[rafferty.livejournal.com]

I 2nd, 3rd, etc, etc the fiber recommendation, not speaking from personal experience, fortunately. Another thing you might try is grape juice. That and apple juice are two things I have to be careful about drinking, as well as certain grapey types of Kool-aid (although I haven't had that in years)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

See, but apple juice ALWAYS make me go. Like, you can be assured of the runs anytime I have apple juice.

Except this time, apparently.

[cmmunchkin.livejournal.com]

I'll third the prune juice. Also, pretty much any unhealthy food sends me running for the bathroom-- particularly Pizza Hut pizza. Also, when we were little, my mom used to give us Karo Syrup for constipation. I haven't tried it as an adult, but I thought I'd throw it out there. :)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I've never had prunes or prune juice - it looks so... yucky? I'm afraid.

[poetlady.livejournal.com]

Also whole kernel corn whether on the cob or not (not creamed corn)and popcorn actually has quite a bit of fiber if you want to try that.

Maria

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Ooo, good idea. That does usually work for me, and I'd forgotten it. I'll make sure to serve some corn with dinner tomorrow night.

[shoebox_addict]

LMAO! Sorry...my gross out moment is over now, time for the advice!

This happened to me, actually, not too long ago. Just relax...I know it's stressful and makes you anxious cause it's not normal to be like this. But, relax and keep eating normally. It will happen eventually. If not...look for further help! Eep! Anywho, good luck to you.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to relax, and it's making me NOT relaxed! Argh! ;-)

[livemockingbird.livejournal.com]

I always thought Bananas were binding?

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

They never have been for me. In fact, it always seemed that when I *wasn't* eating them, I was a bit backed up. I've eaten one every day since October, so I don't know why they would make a difference suddenly.

[redwink.livejournal.com]

I spent several days pretty miserable with constipation a few months (weeks? it blurs) after Jamie was born, and have had less intense bouts a few times since. What seems to work best for me is to get moving. I'd go on walks - mostly just around the block endless times, so I could be close to home in case the movement inspired, well, movement. It's something to try, and works well in conjunction with other treatments. Good luck!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I'm planning a walk for tomorrow AM. Thanks for the advice.

[greencow.livejournal.com]

coffee does the trick for me...

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I've never been able to bring myself to try coffee... it smells so bad!

You couldnt give a shit ;)

[billzy.livejournal.com]

I thought bananas had the opposite effect!

Re: You couldnt give a shit ;)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

LOL at your subject line. Funny Billzy. ;-)

They never have been that way for me. I eat one every single day and have for almost six months now. Why would they suddenly back me up like this?

[jespere.livejournal.com]

Applejuice and applesauce are good for when you have diarrhea honey.

Stay awaaaaaaaay from it!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

It's not just me, though. Apple products have ALWAYS been a sure-fire way to get diarrhea - for me, for the boys, and I know for my best friend Heather.