Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: pixie on August 02, 2012, 06:39:54 AM
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Has anyone else noticed that consitipation has become an issue since being perimenopausal. To put it crudely my bowel motions are like rabbit pellets! I eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day, and drink a lot of fluids. I am managing it with suppositories at the moment, but has anyone found a more natural way to shift it! I think it must be hormones, because I used to be like this just before a period, and then when the period came, I went loose! I'm going to try all bran, but it looks like something that belongs in the the rabbit hutch! I usually try to walk at least 30 minutes a day, but find I don't have much time at work to go to the toilet. I am going to drink lots of water today, to see if this will get rid! Coffee has sometimes worked in the past but even that isn't doing the trick.:)
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Yes Pixie I have problems there too.
Like you I eat fruit,veg,whole meal/ seeded bread.
I drink 6-8 big glasses of water a day.
I never go regularly.
I did go to Doctors and was given something called menovac :-\ it worked but you can only take it for 2 wks and it's very unpleasant to take.
I have All bran crunch with prunes for breakfast which is much nicer than plain all bran.Kelloggs do it in caramel and chocolate flavours.
I think this meno has a lot to answer for. >:(
Dyan X
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Fybogel has sorted it for me too but I do need to eat a bowl of porridge and at least 2 slices of wholemeal bread a day too.
Bette x
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Yes Pixie, i have this on and off, i too use lactulose occasionally, fybogel etc. I think hormones, stress etc can upset the bowel - arent we complicated?! good luck
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Fybogel :beaurk: I find Actimel helps a lot. When I don't drink 2-3 pots daily my bowels get very slow. Rabbit pellets: yep mine comes out like that sometimes. 2 weeks ago I had a day eating only fruit, 2 days later I had to dash - I was in the bathroom around 3 hours all told ::) - not ill, having a 'good clear out'. Since which my bowel has been really slow >:(
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I tried the drinks and they did nothing for me.
Bette x
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I range from constipation to really loose depending on where my anxiety level is on that particular day.
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That sounds like IBS, paisley, which is what I've got, although I'm only like that when I have a bad flare-up. Have you read "Irritable Bowel Solutions" by Prof. John Hunter? Brilliant book.
Bette x
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Thanks everyone for your really helpful suggestions. I may get my thyroid levels checked Mrs P and no I'm not on any meds. I do take paracetamol and ibuprofen sometimes, but it got worse last year when the hot flushes started, and I wonder if we can sometimes get mildly dehydrated which mean more water is reabsorbed from the the bowel, so yet more water and all bran. I tried fybrogel in the past and it blew me out a bit! 8) X
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Yep I'm just as you described Pixie! Having said that when I was on Femseven Sequi patches my bowel was much improved. I've just changed to a pill HRT and my bowel has gone wrong again!
No suggestions other than what the others have written already. Good luck
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HORMONES >:(
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Would you believe I'm still passing rabbit pellets - sorry to be so crude! I drank nearly 3 litres of fluid yesterday and nearly half a container of grapes and all bran and that was the outcome. Anyway I thought sod it going to have a small glass of wine tonight. Have also got some fibrogel and prunes. Really feel like an old lady now. Apparently it can take up to a month before the extra high fibre diet kicks in. Thing is constipation gives you such a headache. :-X
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I've got a great book - "Irritable Bowel Solutions" by Prof John Hunter - which explains the different types of laxatives and how to use/combine them (with dietary and lifestyle ideas too.) Well worth buying, even if you haven't actually got IBS.
Bette x
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I found I was suddenly constipated, and yes it was thyroid problems, I have found a good product called Dulcobalance you take two sachets mixed with water take in morning and rather than give you bad tummy ached and suddenly making you want to go which is really really painful it gradually softens your stools over a24/48 hrs period and no tummy ache and enables you to go really easily and is just soft.
I still find I'm constipated if I don't eat a lot of fruit and plenty of seeded bread warburtons is really nice. I still think my thyroid dose is too low at 25mgs as still tired and still get horse voice every now and then.
I also found out pixie that one HRT is started it can mess up your thyroid and it's recommended that it's checked after being on HRT for three months or so.
Hope you feel better soon.
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Thanks Bette, I will have a look at the book. I've read a bit already and on part one of the Bristol scale! Will give my new gut regime 70 hours to work and update then!
Smokey, thanks for your suggestions, could be thyroid, no other symptoms of it and I'm not on HRT. ;) X
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Opposite effect recently >:( well, last night ::) - 2 weeks ago I had a nearly fruit only Sunday by Tuesday afternoon I was dashing to the loo - whoever said that fruit is good for us :D - 2 days ago I drank a lot of fruit juice with bits in plus ate other fruits: last night, dashign to the loo ........ not ill but in a hurry :sigh: ........... staying clear of fruit ;)
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except fruit, I'm avoiding it and the fruit juice ;)
my bowel has been not unwell in recent weeks but I am aware of alterations >:(
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Oh dear, best to avoid it until better. Fruit doing zilch for me. :-X Its lentil curry tonight - fingers X
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yep but there's alovely bowl of mixed fruits in the fridge .......... I think I will do a 'sensitivity' test this week ;D
Oily fish can get my bowel working too .......... as can fried tomotoes
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I'm having the same problem Pixie and it has been that way now for the last couple of years. Tomorrow I see my doctor so I'm going to ask her to check my Thyroid as I seem to be gaining back all the weight I had lost. Thing is I really don't over eat and work out regularly at the gym. My brekkie is a bowl of coarse cut oatmeal, a handful of Flaxseed and raisins then snacks of fresh fruit, apples up the yin yan and still nothing >:( >:( >:(
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I tried (and failed) to control it with diet alone for years. Stuff the gp gave me had the opposite (and dramatic! :o ) effect so I was amazed when Fybogel sorted it for me. I think it's just a case of finding the right thing for you.
Bette x
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Ducolax they worked brilliantly
I had a perm sore bum chum xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Just an update. Normally i eat the recommended amount of fruit and veg, but it wasn't working. Since I have added a large teaspoon of all bran to porridge a day and also eaten 5 taste the difference prunes, I have noticed things are getting back to normal. The prunes were expensive, but taste quite nice! Fybrogel there on standby. Thanks everyone for you helpful suggestions. 8)
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Glad you seemed to have found something to suit you Pixie. My bowels have been problem forever ::) stress has a huge part to play. If i get anxious etc my bum just ceases up! I have laxatives on stand by, but i have persevered with All bran and a pear a day. Eventually after about 2 weeks it seems to "kick in". If i miss a day of either that's it, back to square one. :'(
When my hubby says just off for quick poo - I am so so jealous :o ;D
x
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Hi ladies,
I have had bowel problems since I was a little girl, and the menopause just magnifies everything for me! I have a rectal prolapse, so really have to watch that I don't get constipated as I don't want surgery. I have found that the best combination for me is plenty of fluids, good nutrition inc veg and fruit normally, and then a concoction of a squirt of lactulose, desertspoon of flaxseed mixed with linseed (good form menopausal symptoms also) mixed with apple juice first thing in the morning after I have opened my bowels. Then it is low down in my bowel the following day and makes a soft loose stool. I also have a fissure which splits now and again if the first bit of stool is hard, so use Nelsons H Care haemorroid cream which helps it 'glide' out. Hope some of this helps! What a bloody palaver . . . .
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Thanks Sandi those fissures can be nasty >:(
I feel very bunged up in the bowel dept today and queasy as a result :-\ ............
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The costipation has gone, after increasing fluid intake, eating 5 prunes a day and all bran on porridge in the mornings! :D
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Susan I wouldn't bother with home made enemas, not very safe. You could try 1 or 2 Bootes glycerine suppositories first, if you really think its impacted? My mum gets irritable bowel and swears by them. ;)
xx
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Speak to a Pharmacist about what to use .......... something gentle. Senokot?
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Laxido is another, my GP said that they all take it when they go cruising in the Carribean! It works well!
For constipation that has been present for a long time or impaction. He gave me some, but i haven't needed it yet! :P
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Lactulose should work, but it does take a few doses, loads of water with it. Fybrogel will also help, both pretty gentle but perhaps taken together will be more effective. I use Manevac granules, they work a treat for me.
Eddie. x
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I know it seems obvious but are you using a hot water bottle?
Eddie.x
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I always find heat helps. I don't think I've had an impacted bowl though. Not sure how to tell.
Are you any better today?
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Hi
I've just had 3 days constipation even though I ve had loads of water and fruit, I missed one day with no fruit and it mucked me right up again.
Last night I felt so bloated and ill but I took Dulcobalance 2 sachets before bed and hay Preston this morning I went and not to painful as it softens stools.
I went shopping yesterday and was in supermarket for about an hour, when I got to checkout I could of collapsed I felt so exhausted, and with the constipation I'm thinking I need to ring doc again to get thyroid antibodies tested as 25mg thyroxin just seems to low a dose if I don't do anything at all I feel a bit better, but my energy level is just not right, does anyone know if adrenal glands could be effected and what sort of test they do for it?
I thought life was meant to start at 40 not go down hill!
So far I've had in the last two years, hiatus hernia, parathyroid op, menopause MS, constipation , silent migraine, and now under active thyroid.
Susan di I read somewhere that you also have Ms? Are you okwith it?
If you don't feel comfortable discussing this, don't worry I will understand.
I hope you feel better soon everyone
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Hi mrs purple
Have been taking the 25mg since 26th of may, when I was on holiday for a week in Cyprus in the first week of July I felt so much better and thought they must of started working but now think it was probably due to being in the sun so much and doing nothing except walking and sunbathing.
My doctor did say they may take a while to work and the recovery may be very gradual but I think this is now getting beyond gradual.
She did also agree to test my antibodies if there wasnt any improvement after taking them seveal months.
I will be phoning her on Monday morning,as I simply cannot remain like this as it's effecting my quality of life and I'm thinking that I have had this under active thyroid right from the start back 18months ago and because it was borderline I was never treated. My concentratiom Is bad and memory terrible in fact I think it's getting worse my eyes are really tight and sore and after googling this it seems that is another symptom.
I'll let you know the outcome on the thyroid thread I originally started back in may. It would be nice to extend my hours at work as I can only manage two at the moment as concentration and energy levels are so bad and when I've finished I'm really tired physically and mentally,which I don't think is normal.
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Thanks mrs purple, I have looked at thyroid uk website and do feel that if my bloods fall between recommended results (which they did last time) they may not be normal for me and feel amazed at how many people are still feeling ill due to there's being so called normal I just hope my doc will go by symptoms as my highest result was 8 before taking thyroxin and then so called normal but I can't remember what they were although they were lower. Maybe she will let me increase my dose to50 for a trial period and then see how I feel and re test again. Do you know how long I would need to wait on an increased dose before it could be re tested as I guess it would take a while to get into my system?
I do know if the dose was too high I would feel ill with diarrhoea and restlessness and to be honest I do think you know loads about thyroid issues having been there and done it. It's like my son having diabetes since 2 I know all about that too.
I'm also sure you probably no more than the doctors too.
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I've bought those californian prunes for 79p a tin, Mrs P! :D
Susan: I hope you feel better soon after your suppositories. ;)
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yep, same here...
when I had periods i was bunged up the week before then cleared out as period started so it MUST me hormonal hence...no periods for 7 months...bunged up :(
I cycle time trials 3 times a week , eat fruit etc but have to take sennacot once a week to clear me out (nothing else works)....great eh??
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Oh dear, well i hope it works soon for you. It took a while for mine to work! xx
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hmmmm i always thought Banana was binding as mum would say.
if I eat citrus, oranges or juice it loosens things up but I get awful heartburn with citrus
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I've suffered with the dreaded constipation too since the start of the Peri. I think it was one of the first things I posted about when I joined this forum as it had got so bad that I had a fissure and going to the loo was like trying to pass Freddie Krueger's glove (a real horror story!! lol). I think I tried every remedy under the sun to no avail. Then I found Dulcobalance sachets that they started to sell over the counter and (touch wood) they work a treat for me, although I don't know how they would suit anyone with additional bowel problems such as IBS etc etc. The GP has given some on prescription for me now and when things start to get "difficult" I take them for a couple of days which sorts it out again and I don't have to use them again for a couple of weeks or so. I think things have improved since starting the HRT too.
Jo xx
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Susan, I found once I had got things moving with the suppository, and possibly another the next day. I had to change my diet straight away, and it took 3 days before there was any improvement, and now its fine. I've had to increase my fluids by double the amount in this weather, which you are already doing and also increased the fibre, and cut down some carbs. Although it takes a while to work, it gradually got better each day now back to type 4 on the bristol stool scale!!! Sorry if TMI, but the scale is a good indicator, not that we want to keep checking! I am active, but that helps too. I ts ounds like you are turning the corner.X 8)
The water and lemon is also a great idea. ;)
I agree bananas are binding but good for potassium.
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I remember having been 'starved since mid-night' prior to surgery. Surgery took nearly 2 hours. I was able to have tea and toast that afternoon. It took 4 days before my bowel even felt like working as it had nothing to pass.
The occasional stool mover is OK. I tried Senokot but it don't work for me ::) - and my bowel has been very sluggish in recent weeks probably because I don't drink as many Actimel pots as I have in the past. Getting lazy, tired at night and can't be bothered ......... then I had the fruit 'thing' 3 weeks ago :o. I can eat prunes till the cows come home, don't move anything at all however ......... it's finding what works to get us regular again which is so wearysome >:(
Swimming can help ;)
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Good idea, think I'll go for a swim tomorrow. Noticed I've gone backwards slightly again! Will have to cut back on the wine, carbs and drink more again. What a nuisance. :-X
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You'll be OK again, I think we notice the setbacks more than we realise when we feel 'better' ::)
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You were right I went for a swim and did help! :D
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:o not in the pool hopefully ;D
My bowels were hormone related for years. Now they are lazy due to being a recoverying anorexic ....... the spasm simply stopped working in the 1990s hence the need for medication etc..
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;D ;D Was in the sea!
Must say I'm enjoying the prunes, I don't why they have such a bad image!! :-\ X
I think exercise does help the bowels to start being more active. I never realised anorexia stopped function like that, once you were recovered.
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Lactulose should work, but it does take a few doses, loads of water with it. Fybrogel will also help, both pretty gentle but perhaps taken together will be more effective. I use Manevac granules, they work a treat for me.
Eddie. x
I'm stuck on Lactulose .... Fybrogel made me go but too fast ... not enough time to soften up :(
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Fybogel :sick02: ;D - I bypassed the gut, opened the packets and poured contents into the compost.
My Mum finds H&B sweeties with figs in eases her bowel. Again 'yuck'. Liquirice?
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I'm back on prunes instead of choc raisins lol and a tablespoon of organic coconut oil at night,it's working tummy so much better and I've just bought the clever guts diet by Dr Michael Mosley and the Pioppi diet by Dr Aseem Malhotra.one thing I can tell you is I'll never put another bottle of yakhult past my mouth,4 teaspoons of sugar is just one of the nasties that go into making this up imagine that first thing every morning,I don't think so,I'm going back on the kefir milk and sauerkraut now so if anything I've turned a corner in the right direction.xx
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Sugar can encourage bowel movement ;-). I never think about sugars in drinks/yoghurts etc. as my diet is mainly natural sugars.
I could eat a pound of prunes ;D
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Right I need to brag now I've had two of the best ever movements today, in one day!!!
I had a handful of prunes instead of a lunch today and a bottle of water so it was obviously lurking in there just needing a push to exit.I feel a stone lighter lol.
Whitworths snack on Chilean prunes in a reasealable pouch from Asda's just lovely lol.xx
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that's known as a 'good result' in Hospital parlance ;D
same again tomorrow?
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Deffo lol