getting regular

Don't want to gross people out, but I have to ask. I am a little over 2 years out and haven't had many problems. Regained slightly and am getting back on track. About 3 weeks ago I had terrible pain that lasted about 23 hours. Did the exlax stuff etc and was fine. Now I can't seem to have a bm unless I take exlax. I don't want to depend on this stuff but wasn't sure how everyone else is doing. Why the change now? donna

Many folks swear by having a bowl of quick oats every morning keeps them regular.  I have been doing Raisin Bran myself for that same reason - and it works great for me; but with colder weather here, I have started with oatmeal.  So far - so good! 

Hi Donna - I haven't had any issues like that without obvious cause (like I changed to low fiber diet and needed to supplement, or was on codeine based pain meds).  If you haven't changed something in your 'routine'  to explain the pain and need for exlax (please watch out using that, it is a stimulant of your intestinal muscles and can cause dependency) I would call the doctor.  And, maybe better to start fiber supplements to reduce the possibility of dependence/damage to parastaltic muscles.... I just this week had to do some heavy duty fiber supplementation because I started Atkins rules of induction to break carb addiction... after a day and a half, finally got some results... hth - good luck

a month ago I had a terrble pain, like your talking about. My doc (new one by the way) put me in the hospital, ran testsn  & told me I was full of sh*t. Not those words but close enouph.lol. well He also said that I should be taking Beniful fiber & colace every day for the rest of my life. Well my other doc had forgotton to tell me this. I have been taking both now every day & no problems. It's no fun being full of sh*t. lol. good luck getting regular. Brenda

I swear by daily fiber and 3 stool softeners every night (just stool softener not ss w/ laxative). I was worried when I did the 5 day plan b/c I wasn't able to eat my Fiber One cereal, but it went ok for me. This is a very common problem for post ops and its no fun at all!

Try eating a few prunes everyday.  Healthy alternative to laxatives and is full of Iron (a nice treat) it incorporating fruits into your diet.  I've yet to have problems.

I use generic Colace every day.  it's a softner not a laxative. C

I struggled with that for 11 yrs and even went as far as risking wt gain to try prunes!

For about 3 yrs, there simply was nothing left to try, so it left me dependent on enemas, which is a heckuva way to live!

Finally, I found the combination that works for me. Although I've taken Miralax off and on for many years, the GI doc told me to take it daily, no goofing off. I take 4 stool softners at night. With that, at least I could eventually pass something. But still, it was an efffort.

I tried soluble fiber (I used Liquafiber, which is in the same family as Benefiber); insoluble fiber (Metamucil, brans, those kinds); more fat, less fat; more water; less water; more fruit (gained wt); more veggies......... no change.

Finally tried adding just ordinary magnesium oxide, the most common, cheapo form. We can't get too much of it (and fresh labs bear that out) and finally, the combo of all that plus a hot drink FIRST before food in the morning and I have a fairly reliable system.

Identical thing has been happening to me for about 6months now....was ALWAY regular before....I take stool softner daily and some days take 3 and 3 correctal and still nothing...I am really sick of it....however pain isnt an issue   for some reason I can keep it in for days with no pain.....longest 10 days...& hospital visit and they said dont worry....I gave them my list of stuff I had been taking to help and they didnt belive me.....not sure why they would think i was lying especuially since I wasnt asking for meds or anything....so now I juts pop my 3 pills every nite and when its been 3 days I add 3 more  and usually go some but nothing like you think I would.....Good luck PS oatmael , fiber NUttin worked for me Diana RNY 9/17/03 360/196/aiming for 180

I am fairly new at this, not a grad...but wanted to post. I had a terrible problem with this and found this article which supports what Michelle is saying. http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Calcium-and-Magnesium-for-Co nstipation&id=40719 I added 2 Magnesium tablets (250 mg each) a day.  I take them before bed. I have been regular (and normal softness) every morning at 7 AM.  It really has worked wonders.