Frequent Constipation

[cnoevl21]

My bowel movements are so irregular its really aggravating. First, let me mention that I am 33 (male) and have Celiac Disease and was diagnosed in 2001. I try as hard as possible to never consume any type of gluten or dairy (also allergic to milk). I drink loads of water every day (basically the only thing I drink) and try to eat things with fiber. My breakfast is usually a mixture of high fiber gluten free cereals: Vans Cinnamon Heaven (5g) and Flax cereal (6g) So probably its more like 5-8g per bowl. The bread I eat has 5g per 2 slices and I always add a handful of baby spinach to my sandwiches. I also try to have spinach and/or broccoli with dinner as well. My snacks throughout the day include cereal bars (2-5g) and gluten free pop tarts (5g). So I'm probably in the 20-30g a day which I'm sure is not enough, but I feel like I shouldn't be constipated on a regular basis.

What usually happens is that I can go anywhere from 2-4 days without a bowel movement, or I'll have very small bowel movements. Then, usually once a week, I will have a huge bowel movement (20-60min) where it basically looks like a mound of pudding (sorry for being gross). A doctor told me once that it seems that my body is missing the trigger to go to the bathroom, so im basically letting out a weeks worth in one shot. That doctor told me to take miralax everyday to help regulate my digestive track. Well, that was a really bad idea and I stopped because all it did was give me the worst smelling gas ever! Didn't help move my bowels one bit so I stopped (the gas persisted for almost 2 weeks after stopping).

Other problems are stomach bloating and foul smelling gas (which is usually when I know one of my giant bowel movements is on its way the next day or possibly two). And of course that is embarrassing and causes anxiety which im sure makes the constipation even worse.

I've tried adding a fiber supplement, but that didnt really help, nor could I take the recommended amount because it was causing such awful smelling gas and not producing bowel movements. The fiber I was using was Acacia because all the other ones I found were not gluten and dairy free.

If anyone knows of anything I can do to help this, please let me know. Like is there any fiber supplement or specific food/drink that is gluten free and won't cause foul gas as a side effect?

[CalGal]

Make sure all products you're using are casein free - in any of its many forms. The casein that can be 'hidden' in foods could be part of the problem. For example, some 'white' fish are whitened in a slurry of casein to make them look better, and that can be a BIG problem for many.

Consider doing some IgA/IgG general food testing. When one has casein/gluten issues the other two 'biggies' are soy and eggs........many with gluten issues also have problem with those items, or others.

[cnoevl21]

I've been tested before, but will be getting the test done again in my next blood work up. I try to exercise, but unfortuantly extreme fatigue is also an issue I face so exercising for more than a few minutes is quite difficult.

I take Ultra Flora 15 strains daily. And as for yogurt, I need dairy free so that limits my yogurt to soy or almond, neither of which I've found organic ones of.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, hope hypothyroidism had been ruled out, this can cause constipation. You can add exercise to your lifestyle. This will promote bowel movements. Take frequent small meals and try to include probiotics in your diet. You can get some good organic yogurt and take it with your meals. Regards.