Effect of medicine? I need suggestion please

[deelicious88]

Hi all. Since I was little I have been having trouble going to the toilet. Lots of time the stools are hard to pass. I've been to the doctors and they have told me that it is genetic (my mother had it too), and the best thing to do is to eat and live healthy (eat lots of vege, drink lots of water, etc). I try to go to toilet everyday, but sometimes I could only go once in 3 days or more. I take medicine if I haven't gone to the toilet in more than 3 days. Anyway, earlier this year I undergo a vegetarian diet for a month, after that I just eat lots of vege and eat less meat. It has been a little easier to go to toilet, less painful and been more frequent and sometimes I can go really easy two days in a row. However, I just had my wisdom tooth taken out and now I got stitches in my mouth, I'm on soft food diet (I'm still limited to mashed and liquid food/anything that has no bits in it) and lots of pain killers. Since this, my stools are very hard to pass and it's painful to go to toilet. Some drugs like painkillers can cause constipation, but without the painkillers, the pain is really bad. I don't know what to do. I eat supplement to get more fiber in me, but still, the effect wouldn't be as good as actually eating vege, and being on the normal diet. It would be awhile until I can get back to it. I'm getting the stitches out at the end of the week, hopefully then I am able to eat more towards my own diet.

But in the mean time, does anyone has suggestion of what food should I eat to help this? I really don't want to take medicine to make me go to toilet if I can help it.

[Lalasoto]

Processed foods very often cause constipation. So be very careful with all that instant, easy to prepare food. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. lol
Keep a record of your symptoms in a note book. When you go to the dr. have it all written down and address each one of your concerns until you get answers. Good luck & God Bless you.

[boron]

Really many prepared baby foods exist, you don't need to eat baby formula, but those "mashes" with rice, fruit cedars and so - choose one without milk.

Soy juices are another option, they contain proteins and quite some calories. You can try ones with or without sugar - those with sugar may constipate you. Tophu - soy cheese (no milk) is soft, easy to chew, rich with calories.

Search for "soft food diet", there are tons of recipes soutthere.

[deelicious88]

whoops... typo... I mean bowel movement :)

[deelicious88]

Thanks for the responses. I drink juice too, I drink v8 vegetable juice. As well as trying to down as much healthy food as I can (not much, that is). As for the baby food, I bought one today, so lunch time today I'll give it a try :) The only problem is the liquid food I'm taking contains milk in it. Is Ducolax included under stool softener? I remember having it when I was little (my mother always make me take it when I haven't been to toilet for more than 3 days), but now I drink this herbal tea to help with bower movement.

THanks a lot :)

[grannydi]

Try some prune juice or applesauce, even buy the food prepared for babies/toddlers.  It usually has less sugar and no preservatives.  Also, buy an over the counter stool (generic store brand is fine) softener and start with one tablet.  Should help in about an hour.  Stay away from dairy until you're better.

[boron]

What about some vegetable juice? Easy to drink, and they contain all the fibers, and you get enough water.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_juice