ice cream and constipation

[sirris]

Hi there,

I've been suffering from internal hemorrhoids for about 5 months now. The doc says that they're better every time he's checked them (3 times in the last 2 months (that many because I got scared and went back). That being said, the pain is worse now than it's been in a while.

I've been very, very careful about my diet and have been sure to get enough fiber and water each day. I'm fairly regular, as I usually have a BM a few minutes after I wake up.

Now, about the ice cream. I wanted to treat myself to something and thought of some chocolate ice cream would be great. I tried to research it online and came up with some people saying ice cream is constipating and others saying that it's the opposite. And then there's the chocolate (although, I've heard there's very little real chocolate in things these days).

If the rest of my diet is covered with various forms of fiber and water, is it safe for me to get some ice cream?

Gah! I feel like a little kid asking something like this here. I'm just terrified of making my miserable days even worse.

Thanks.

[sirris]

Oh, yes, I'm definitely getting enough water. I may have been a bit lax, in the past, regarding fiber but I've always liked drinking water over most other fluids. I would say that I drink between 8 to 11 glasses throughout a  day. So, say about 64 to 88 ounces. And that's just water, not including any other source.

My fears of constipation are more about my 'roids getting worse. I suspect that it might be harder than I think to get me really constipated now. I'm sure if I took an opiate-based pain killer I'd lock up in a second but other than that it's unlikely.

Still, doesn't stop the fear though.

[ggreg]

I hope you're drinking enough water, can't recall from all the postages here if you do that.  That helps a lot with constipation.

[sirris]

Thanks for the reply again.

I did try some last night after all. It did slow me down a bit this morning; I had to go about an hour after I ate breakfast as opposed to a few minutes after I get up from bed. Of course, this isn't the perfect experiment.

I agree that having a reasonable amount, along with a healthy fiber diet, won't cause me much of an issue. Others may find it a completely different experience. For example, my mother doesn't get constipated from ice cream it gives her the runs instead.

I'm glad that I can have some ice cream! I only have it about twice a year, so it's quite special treat.

[ggreg]

You ARE in gastro, and yes, you CAN have your ice cream!  Just have a small scoop of it (a couple of my relatives would eat a whole carton in one sitting...ha!).  I have a tendency to get constipated from the pills I have to take, but it comes and goes, but one thing never changes and that's all the tons of milk I drink, same ingredient in ice cream.  So, I think you're good to go.  At least this way you'll find out if you're "cleared" to eat a little bit of ice cream once a week or something.

[sirris]

Ack! I put this in the wrong category, I think. I wasn't paying attention. I can't figure out how to edit it.

If any mods see this and think it should be moved to General Gastro, please do. Thanks.