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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 9, 2016 14:23:41 GMT
I have had constipation my whole life (according to my mom it was even a problem when I was an infant). I have tried various products, foods, fiber supplements and so on over the years with little change. I have really been working on increasing my veggie intake and drink a lot of water. I have also just recently started taking a probiotic. It is pretty common for me to have a BM every four-five days or sometimes more. Most of the time I do not feel uncomfortable except for maybe the day that I end up going.
I recently found a tea that was supposed to help with digestive issues and it seems to help. Then I read the package more closely and it says not to use it for more than seven days but doesn't say how many times a week you could use it? Does anyone have suggestions for helping with the
Constipation or know how often I could drink the tea?
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Post by disneypal on Jan 9, 2016 14:34:30 GMT
It sounds to me that you would drink it daily until it either works or 7 days are up, whichever comes first.
Have you tried green tea? That works well too.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 9, 2016 15:07:57 GMT
That makes sense. But wondering I could drink it every other day or every few days? I drink green tea occasionally but will try it more often
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jan 9, 2016 15:08:53 GMT
You might also try a magnesium supplement.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 9, 2016 15:24:09 GMT
You might also try a magnesium supplement. I know there was a discussion about this not long ago but can't recall the form of magnesium that was best? I have magnesium oxide but am not sure if that was what was recommended? |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jan 9, 2016 15:55:40 GMT
I suspect the reason it says to use for 7 days is because, like with most OTC meds, if your condition hasn't cleared up, the manufacturers think you should see your doctor to rule out a serious condition. So, I'd go have a chat with the doctor if for no other reason than to ask if it's okay to use the tea more often. Then you can ask about magnesium, too. (Although for that, you could probably just ask a pharmacist.) But also, and this is just a rhetorical question that you don't have to specifcally answer  , have you ever been evaluated for something more than "constipation?" I believe there is an actual condition that is the slowing of bowel activity-- not sure whether there are specific meds for it or not. |
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milocat
Drama Llama
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Post by milocat on Jan 9, 2016 18:24:39 GMT
You might also try a magnesium supplement.  I started taking magnesium because it could help with migraines. I've never been a regular person. I was taking PGX, which is a fibre pill, and even that wasn't doing nothing like the magnesium is. |
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Jan 9, 2016 20:22:36 GMT
Have you tried Miralax? You can take it daily.
Senna is a plant used in some OTC laxatives, like Senokot. If it's working and you know that you don't have a serious underlying medical issue, then I think you could use it daily. There are many teas on the market to help with this issue. Republic of Tea has a caffeine-free red tea with senna called Get It Going.
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Post by dazeepetals on Jan 9, 2016 20:27:02 GMT
Pharmacist here
The problem with taking something that has sennosides (senna) in it for more than 7 days is that your body can become dependent on the stimulant effect that it has, to the point that you will need to take it daily and may not be able to stop. This isn't a problem typically for people who have chronic constipation caused by narcotics, and other issues.
I would suggest trying a magnesium supplement (magnesium oxide), just start with 1 pill a day and see what happens. I'd also continue trying to get more fiber than you think you need. I know for me personally, now that I'm vegan I have NO problem what so ever with constipation....
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jan 9, 2016 20:59:21 GMT
You might also try a magnesium supplement. I know there was a discussion about this not long ago but can't recall the form of magnesium that was best? I have magnesium oxide but am not sure if that was what was recommended? Magnesium citrate is specifically the form that will get things moving. I take the Solgar brand. 250 mg I think, three a day. |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 9, 2016 21:27:22 GMT
I drink mugi cha which is barley tea. For whatever reason it works well for me. If I haven't had any for a couple of days I am uncomfortable.
I was Senacot dependent for years. I can't say the word without nausea building in my throat. It works fine but I was taking 20 pills to go.
I have nothing more to add other than it's not fun. I have been there and solved my problem. I do wish you the best because this is an awful problem to have!
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peaname
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Post by peaname on Jan 9, 2016 22:24:22 GMT
If you're not uncomfortable I wouldn't do anything at all. It's not a necessity to have a bowel movement every day.
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Post by librarylady on Jan 10, 2016 0:56:44 GMT
FWIW, my SIL had a constipation problem for YEARS! Nothing helped. Finally other problems happened and her GI doctor did food allergy tests. She is allergic to onions. Once she eliminated onions from her diet the bowel problems disappeared.
Perhaps you have a food allergy also.
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Post by TeuchterPea on Jan 10, 2016 1:17:38 GMT
Oh dear me. This brought back painful memories.
I was dieting and attending weekly group meetings where someone recommended a product called Slimatea. She reckoned it was helping her weight loss- though didn't elaborate how it was helping.
I bought a packet.
The instructions were "Use one tea bag per cup". I don't have and cup so decided to have 2 in a mug instead. It was quite pleasant- minty and refreshing.
About an hour later the pain started. My insides felt like they were on fire and I'll swear I could feel molten lava making its way through my system. The spasms and rumbling intensified and I was doubled up in pain, knowing something spectacular was about to happen.
Well, without dwelling on the details, I was grateful for the quality of our plumbing system when a short while later everything inside me exited. If you picture the mine cart scene in Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, you will be close.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 10, 2016 1:27:55 GMT
I drink mugi cha which is barley tea. For whatever reason it works well for me. If I haven't had any for a couple of days I am uncomfortable. I was Senacot dependent for years. I can't say the word without nausea building in my throat. It works fine but I was taking 20 pills to go. I have nothing more to add other than it's not fun. I have been there and solved my problem. I do wish you the best because this is an awful problem to have! I think I found this tea when I was at the store looking for barley tea after reading your previous thread. . I definitely don't want to make the problem worse by using it too often. I have tried Miralax and Metamucil. Miralax helped but after awhile I was just going small amounts all the time and it was very soft. I do wonder if I have a food allergy or sensitivity since it has been this way my whole life. Maybe dairy since it started when I was an infant and would have had dairy in my formula? |
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 10, 2016 1:34:46 GMT
Nature's Way makes Senna in caplet form. Two of those and things slowly start moving.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 10, 2016 1:42:40 GMT
If you're not uncomfortable I wouldn't do anything at all. It's not a necessity to have a bowel movement every day. I know it's not unusual to only go every few days but I worry that going how I go is not good for me. It can't be good to have that sitting in my colon so long. And when I do go it isn't a lot. |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 10, 2016 3:06:12 GMT
I drink mugi cha which is barley tea. For whatever reason it works well for me. If I haven't had any for a couple of days I am uncomfortable. I was Senacot dependent for years. I can't say the word without nausea building in my throat. It works fine but I was taking 20 pills to go. I have nothing more to add other than it's not fun. I have been there and solved my problem. I do wish you the best because this is an awful problem to have! I think I found this tea when I was at the store looking for barley tea after reading your previous thread. . I definitely don't want to make the problem worse by using it too often. I have tried Miralax and Metamucil. Miralax helped but after awhile I was just going small amounts all the time and it was very soft. I do wonder if I have a food allergy or sensitivity since it has been this way my whole life. Maybe dairy since it started when I was an infant and would have had dairy in my formula? I still have dairy in my diet, but nothing like I used to. I was a milkaholic and would go through 2L a day. That's the size of a whole big bottle of pop except it was milk! In 24 hours. I loved my milk. I ate a ton of cheese, too. It adds up. I have cut back to a glass or two of milk a week now and the constipation has improved a LOT. I forgot I cut back on dairy by a large amount. I have tried senna tea and it worked well for me. Sennacot works well (you can become dependent on it like I was), the powder in the purple and white bottle I have heard works well, too. I have some under the counter and I haven't needed it. Also medication can cause constipation. One of my antidepressants can cause constipation. It doesn't like the old one I was on. This one is much better that way! |
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jan 10, 2016 5:48:32 GMT
MagOx (ask the pharmacy for it) usually will loosen stool without the nasty effects like Senna.
I take it for leg cramping and not being able to fall asleep and stay asleep but it causes loose stool unless you eat at the time you take it and regular meals.
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, have you ever been evaluated for something more than "constipation?" I believe there is an actual condition that is the slowing of bowel activity-- not sure whether there are specific meds for it or not.
I started taking magnesium because it could help with migraines. I've never been a regular person. I was taking PGX, which is a fibre pill, and even that wasn't doing nothing like the magnesium is. 
