chronic constipation - Bowel Disorders Message Board

dandoosha · 08-18-2002, 11:45 PM

I am a 24 year old woman and I have almost constant constipation. I am so irregular that I usually go only about 1 every other day. I drink a lot of diet coke and I'm sure some of it has to do with that, but what else could it be.

Sometimes I'm so bloated but yet can't relieve myself.

HELP!

Happy_At_Last · 08-19-2002, 01:20 AM

Hi,

WATER.... WATER.... WATER.... FIBER.... FIBER.... FIBER
I drink about 64oz of water a day. I try to walk to. That seems to stimulate the bowel. Hope it works!!

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Judy A. Weltin <'}}}><

mlgable · 08-20-2002, 07:54 AM

First of all a BM every other day is perfectly fine. There is no set rule that you have to have a BM every day. What is important is the consistency of your stools. Are they soft and formed or are they hard and dry? If you stools are hard and dry then that would be constipation. Constipation refers to the consistency of your stools and not specifically to how often you go. You would be wise to add Metamucil to your daily routine and drink plenty of water with it. Hope this clears things up for you regarding the definition of constipation.

dandoosha · 08-20-2002, 10:57 PM

Thanks so much!

I'll try what u said!

D

drs · 08-21-2002, 10:24 AM

Try adding 200mg of magnessium citrate with a little food, don't ever take more at one time though, this has really helped me, I had hard stools, that would break me open almost everytime it went, I've got it under control now though. But as far as Magnessium goes, you can take one 200mg. in the morning and another at night w/food. It helps relax the bowels. All the other suggestions are good to do daily too. Diana