Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 03-16-2003 08:54 PM            

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I was hoping someone could recommend a multivitamin that will not add to my already awful contipation problem. Perhaps it's the iron in some of these formulations? I know I need to take a vitamin as well as a calcium supplement. Does everyone really "feel" better since they take their vitamins? I would if I could find one that would not add to my "problem". Any input?

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Newbie

Posts: 2
From:canton, ma
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 03-17-2003 02:49 PM            

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HI
I GIVE MY SON A CALCIUM W/MAGNISEUM AT NIGHT BEFORE HE GOES TO SLEEP. MAGNISUEM IS SUPPOSED TO HELP INCREASE B/M.
GOOD LUCK
LORI

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 03-18-2003 11:38 AM            

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Thanks for the reply. How old is your son, and what strength is this calcium? Was this prescribed by a pediatrician? My almost 3 year old never goes either, even though he eats apricots or prunes every morning. Thanks for the info. Any other vitamin ideas for his mommy?

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Junior Member

Posts: 10
From:Rhode Island
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 03-18-2003 12:36 PM            

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Dee, I started to take GNC Muliti Vitimans for WOMAN. God it has been heaven scent. I have had problems moving my bowels my entire life and usually if I take a multi the iron it would bind me even more. so far I have been going daily, which for me has never been. I was lucky if I'd go once a week. since I have been on these vitimans, my hair is shinier, I am going to the bathroom daily and I feel great. go to GNC website and ck it out.

Good luck.

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Wanda

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Member

Posts: 39
From:USA
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 03-18-2003 12:51 PM            

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I take one that I get from my health food store. It's called Theravits 100. It has all the necessary minerals as well. I've never been constipated since starting this. It was highly recommended to me.

Good luck
Cowspots

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 03-19-2003 08:56 AM            

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Thank you for these great alternatives...I will check them out today. Appreciate your feedback, D-

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Veteran

Posts: 295
From:Tampa, Florida, USA
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 03-19-2003 10:58 AM            

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This is the first time I've ever heard of constipation being caused by vitamin supplements. Is it possible something else could be the cause? I don't know if you're on any anti anxiety/depression meds but constipation is a common side effect of these. BTW, calcium supplements are another cause of constipation in many people.

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Senior Member

Posts: 140
From:Tyler Tx
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 03-30-2003 01:00 AM            

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You should try two tablespoons of psyllium husk mixed with one cup of water one hour before lunch and supper.
Alacer Desi-cates in the morning with BKF should help you. YOU are putrified and any vitamin will not help till you use the psyllium to open up your digestive
tract. It will take two weeks + before you will notice the help from the Desi-Cates.

Please post back if you receive help from my suggestions.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 03-30-2003 12:56 PM            

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Thanks pinecone. Will have to research the Alacer Desi Cates.....never heard of it. Also which psyllium husk do you mean? A Metamucil or Citrucel type of formulation? Does it taste nasty?? Thanks, D-

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 5324
From:stoughton WI USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 04-05-2003 08:39 PM            

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Vitmains do not cause constipation so you need to look for the cause of you constipation and take care of that. In the meantime you need to start with metamucil 1-2 times daily. Also remember that constipation refers to hard dry stools and not the number of stools a person has per day/week. If your stools are not hard and dry then that is not constipation but irregularity. For hard dry stools add colace aka docusate until your stools are soft. As for feeling better from your vitamins. If the vitamin you take does NOT make you feel better and keep you from getting ill with colds and flu then your vitamin isn't doing it's job. The vitamins I use come with a 100% money back guarantee and also have a 90 day challange.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-07-2003 09:34 AM            

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Stools are definitely hard and dry and difficult to pass. I thought that Metamucils and Citrucels would just increase the bulk and make them harded to pass. I am super guilty of not drinking enough and try daily to increase my fluid intake. As for the vitamins, do you guys really think taking them keeps you from getting ill or a cold? I'm sure the Vitamin C in there is the one doing that. As of yet I've still not been loyal to regularly taking one. I'm really waiting for someone to tell me, they are so much better off because they do take a supplement.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 5324
From:stoughton WI USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 04-07-2003 09:49 AM            

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Yes a good multivitamin as well as an antioxidant supplement will keep you from getting sick. I used to get sinus infections/severe sinusitis 3-4 or more times per year needing antibiotics to clear it up but haven't had one for over 3 years now. That should tell you something about a good multivitamin/anitoxidant supplement. I have not had any colds or illness at all this winter and trust me they have been going around as I work in a nursing home so I am exposed to lots of colds and flu. When you use a good multivitamin/antioxidant supplement you will know it is working when you notice how good you feel. If your supplement doesn't make you feel better then it is not doing the job it is supposed to. Hence the money back guarantee and the 90 day challange on the vitamins I take. As for metamucil that will definately help your constipation and for the hard dry stools you need to take colace aka docusate for a while until you get them soft and under control with the metamucil. Also consider adding prunes or prune juice to your daily routine as this has a natural effect on your bowels. You also need to work on finding out the cause of you constipation and correcting that be it poor fluid or fiber intake, lack of exercise or side effects of some medications etc. While working on your constipation if you have not had a decent BM by the third day you may want to use a glycerin suppository until you get this under control. Good Luck.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-07-2003 02:11 PM            

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mlgable:

Thank you for your helpful info. I have used stool sofners with not much success in the past, but perhaps I need to start them up again. What must-have vitamin supplements are you speaking of? Thanks, D-

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 5324
From:stoughton WI USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 04-09-2003 01:31 AM            

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As for the stool softeners not helping much you may need to increase it to 2 capsules twice a day and see if that does the trick for you.

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 04-09-2003).]

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Veteran

Posts: 335
From:New York
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 04-22-2003 03:16 PM            

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Hmm, usually there is alot of good info to be had on these posts, but some of the info you have been given above is just not correct.

Truth is, constipation is not an uncommon problem with the iron in multi-vitamin supplements. If you wish to continue taking a multi, the better brands such as Twin Lab make a formula without iron.

If changing this does not help the problem, there could be various other reasons for the constipation, including antibiotics taken any time in the past, which has the effect of wiping out the beneficial bacteria that your colon needs to be healthy. In this case, a good probiotic such as Primal Defense (available in any Vitamin Shoppe or on the net) should help restore your bowel to working condition.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 5324
From:stoughton WI USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 04-23-2003 11:20 AM            

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When you have bowel problems post taking antibiotics that causes C-diff not constipation just to clarify that. Women should already be eating plenty of yogurt with live active cultures or taking acidophillis capsules to help prevent the occurance of vaginal yeast infections. And yes a mulitvitamin with iron could contribute to constipation but it is the iron not the multivitamin that is doing this. Most vitamins come in an iron free brand and those made with fructose compounding are also very easily absorbed.

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Junior Member

Posts: 11
From:hartselle, al. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-26-2003 09:49 PM            

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try "SeaSilver", its a liquid suppliment. Has every known vitamin and mineral. its also half the thickness of water so its absorbed better. Ihave been takeing it for a while now and no adverse reactions. good luck

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Junior Member

Posts: 15
From:
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-30-2003 12:42 AM            

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I had just asked my doctor about this the other day. (Constipation with vitamins) He said some people just can't take supplements of any kind...his wife included.

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