Constipation treatment

[Fluffysmom]

Hi, everybody, lovely topic, eh?

Well, I've tried just about everything; I eat lots of fiber, drink lots of nice clean water, fresh veggies and fruit, and still deal with constipation that makes my back hurt and makes my bladder issues even worse.

After hearing glowing reports about Miralax, and having my PCP tell me I could take it every day without bad effects, I bought the two-big-bottle pack from Costco.  I'm at least half way through the second bottle, and all that it produced were occasional deposits that would not have looked out of place in a litter box.

So, 5 weeks after my urogynecologist gave me the "Constipation Recipe"  put out by the Michigan Bowel Control Program, and a week before my follow-up with her, I finally decide to mix up a batch.  Today was my second day of trying a dose, and let me tell you, it started working yesterday, and today I have even passed what would make a Spaniel proud!  More than once!  My back ache is lessening...

Anyway, I though I would share this recipe, in case anyone is interested in giving it a try.

Constipation Recipe:

1 cup Apple Sauce
1 cup Oat Bran or unprocessed Wheat Bran
3/4 cup prune juice

This recipe is commonly suggested to promote regular bowel function by increasing dietary fiber.  You may expect bloated feeling and have gas when adding fiber to your diet, but this should pass in a few weeks.

Begin with 1-2 Tablespoons each evening mixed with or followed by one 6-8 ounce cup of water or juice.  This shoud soften and regulate your bowel movements within 2 weeks.  If no change occurs, slowly increase serving to 3-4 Tablespoons.  You should plan on making this a part of your daily routine for the rest of your lifetime.
This may be stored in your refregerator or freezer.  One to two Tablespoon servings may be frozen in sectioned ice cube trays or foam plastic egg cartons, then put in plastic freezer bags and thawed as needed.

I mixed some with a bowl of granola with almond milk, and it was really good!  I used some organic apple- blueberry sauce, so it was extra yummy.  I used oat bran, as I'm sensitive to wheat, and oat bran is good for reducing cholesterol, if I remember correctly.  Besides, I like it better than wheat bran!

Hope this helps somebody!

Kathy

[LoveMyBostons]

Thank you for posting this recipe!

I had an "ordeal" that lasted about 6 hours yesterday and I don't EVER want to go through anything like that again.

Could somebody please describe the back pain associated with constipation? I think this whole situation happened to me because I've been taking a lot of Aleve lately. I was taking it for lower back pain that only got bad while I was lying down. Now I'm wondering if it was related to the constipation and then I just made it worse by medicating it.

I definitely need to start a regular fiber routine so thanks again :)

[jensequitur]

That prune juice will get anything moving!  

[Fluffysmom]

Quix, I'll try to remember.  I'll keep the recipe on the desk, to remind me.

Shell, the first dose I took, I mixed with hot water so it was like a cross between tea and hot cereal.  I experienced gas while I was still drinking it, and I think it was within and hour that I had to use the restroom.  It was normal, not urgent or loose, just a relatively normal bowel movement.  I passed some more a few hours later, with some gas in between.

When I had my next dose, I tried it earlier in the day, as I was home for the day and thought it would taste good on my granola.  I'm still passing gas, but not so you couldn't go in the other room before passing it if you were around people.  I also had a bowel movement about three times yesterday, still nothing urgent, just my body finally moving all that stuff that's been backed up.  

I actually weigh two pounds less than I did two days ago, by my digital scale at the same time of the morning.

Ooh, have you ever tried grilled plantain bananas?  You get the ones that are so ripe they're mostly black outside; grilled with a little olive oil, they tast carmelized.  Sorry about that side trip.

I definitely use your help making a HP on this.  I don't know how good I'd be at organizing one at this point in my life.  

Kathy

[sllowe]

Oh my, I'm so glad you posted this.

It is horrible.  I've had the constipation so bad that I had spasms which made taking a step, sitting, etc., unbearable. So painful that even when you are finally able to go, your mind won't allow it.

So, may I ask if you would please describe, in not so much detail, how this special brew alleviated the problem? Was it painful? Was it natural? And, how long do you suggest being home while this begins to work?

Kath, we really do need a HP on this.  Let me know if you need help doing that. We can call it member constipation remedies, or something.  

I ended up being successful using asparagus and bananas. Not eaten together of course.  Just grilled asparagus in every meal, and 1/2 a banana at a time, throughout the day.  Crazy, but I finally saw improvement.  

Thanks very much for this.
Shell

[Quixotic1]

Thanks for this.  We should place it in the proper HP when we get to the treatment of some of the symptoms of MS.  Will you try to remember?

Quix