Constipation 😖

Sarahr thanks but I’ve had a CT colonoscopy and various scans for other Gastro problems (the constipation a new development) but nothing more sinister detected. I do have a redundant colon but could’ve had that for years apparently without knowing it.

Soft dried apricots work like dynamite for me (TMI)

Get it checked out ASAP. It could be more than constipation. You can end up with a twisted bowel due to constipation.

I remember, Margs, it was a Friday night thing when we were at primary school.

Anyone recall being dosed with Syrup of Figs as a child?
Appalling stuff.

Constipation is the absolute pits! I find coffee, lots of water, any fresh fruit juice and prunes. Along with a bit of exercise works, when it doesn’t I take tow dulcolax along with their stool softening pill, dulcoease, taken a night, does the trick

Grandma I use Andrews salts for constipation. 2 tps in warm water before bed. Guaranteed to go loo in the morning.

Take Oxypowder (you can get it on Amazon) - no more constipation and a lovely, clean inside feeling

Decaffeinated tea helps keep you hydrated for bowel movements. If taking account of these recommendations from gransnet and you still have problems do seek medical advice as it can be a sign of a more serious condition.

Lots of water, no processed foods and exercise. Lactose will help better if you do these.

For lactose to work you need to drink lots and lots of water. That's how it works.
Good luck

I'd go for a spicy chicken saag curry! That should do the trick!

Hello, I’ve always suffered from constipation, ever since I was a child, so you have my sympathy.
I initially found that dried prunes did the trick, then once I had it under a bit of control, a few a day worked well.

As it’s difficult to get dried prunes on holiday, my go to nowadays is kiwis and Activia prune yogurt. Sometimes I only have to think of taking some and it works!🤣

Good luck and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all on here xx

Fybogel and Ortisan fruit cubes from Holland and Barrett are both good.

Agree with the others about prunes, I have 5 a day. Also as warned, go steady with pure liquorice, I ended up in Resus with a very high heart rate. I no longer eat it all, although I loved the taste.

Licorice - if you eat a lot of it.

It worked wonders for my husband - too well in fact - more so because he overindulged after not having licorice in a while. He had had 'full clearance'. I say no more!

I take a sachet of Movicol every night because I am on strong Co-codamol. It's very gentle and effective. I have Crohn's disease so need something gentle or I will never stop 'going'.

I make a smoothie for my husband that works well: 1/4 c prune juice, 1 banana, 1/4 c milk or cream, an apple & frozen berries if on hand, 1 serving of fiber (I use Trace Minerals liquid fiber on Amazon), ice and blend well. I may substitute chocolate protein powder and 2 TB peanut butter for the berries, but that's not for constipation.

I have been prescribed suppositories as well.

But I find the outer plastic casing very difficult to get of.
It’s a real struggle as they are so tightly packed.

I have now given up on them.

Jumbo porridge oats from M&S. £1.65.
Guaranteed a “jumbo” result!

If you take Lactulose you should then drink a large glass of water. It doesn’t tell you this on the bottle.
My hubby has this issue and has been advised to use Movicol which has helped him.

I have been troubled in the past, these days I take 2 fiber capsules twice a week , and drinking extra 500ml water a day minium, do not like cold water in winter but do love soda water so brought myself a soda stream

I agree with all of the above. Some worked for me at times, some not. The big game changer since last week is that I bought a "squatting stool" from Amazon £11.99. Good luck!

Just a warning to those recommending liquorice that this must be taken in moderation as it can raise blood pressure and also cause heart arrhythmia

Massage your abdomen clockwise. Also look up acupressure points to massage those too. After drinking water and eating fibre etc. Joyeux Noel