Problem with constipation at 82.

[giddyup]

I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables but at 82 I'm finding my bowels just aren't regular any more. Sometimes it's 3 or 4 days between poops. If I take some of the powdered "Posh Medica" brand of high fibre for constipation it really cleans me out, but not sure if regular use of that kind of product is a good idea.

Appreciate any sensible suggestions to help with the problem.

 

[mahjongguy]

It's probably true that extended use of laxatives can have consequences. The better choice, if they work for you, is stool softeners (e.g. Fybogel).

 

Best I can tell from Shopee, Posh Medica sells several flavors of high-fibre powders.

Note: Have you tried eating ordinary bran flakes for breakfast? Add some fruit.

Note: Whatever you settle on, use no more than is necessary to get  the results you need. Too much fibre can actually make things worse.

Note: The classic is a glass every morning of prune juice. It is a laxative but at least it's natural. Del Monte brand is at TOPS. 

 

[giddyup]

9 minutes ago, mahjongguy said:

It's probably true that extended use of laxatives can have consequences. The better choice, if they work for you, is stool softeners (e.g. Fybogel).

 

Best I can tell from Shopee, Posh Medica sells several flavors of high-fibre powders.

Note: Have you tried eating ordinary bran flakes for breakfast? Add some fruit.

Note: Whatever you settle on, use no more than is necessary to get  the results you need. Too much fibre can actually make things worse.

Note: The classic is a glass every morning of prune juice. It is a laxative but at least it's natural. Del Monte brand is at TOPS. 

 

I've just ordered a kilo of dried prunes from Lazada. I do eat high fibre cereals like oat bran, Special K, porridge etc, all with a heap of mixed fresh fruit.

[sometime]

senokot laxative , just Google it

[brewsterbudgen]

Eat two whole unpeeled kiwi fruit every day.  Guaranteed to work.

[giddyup]

Just now, sometime said:

senokot laxative , just Google it

Like I said, laxatives are fine short term, but it's not good to use them too often. I'd rather try and get regular by using natural products daily.

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Eat two whole unpeeled kiwi fruit every day.  Guaranteed to work.

OK thanks, worth a try.

[troy]

Fiber intake in important, but are you getting enough hydration? Living in the tropics when you're used to more temperate climates can dry you up without you noticing.

[ModdaPunk]

Sometimes you need to think out-of-the-box.

 

[giddyup]

9 minutes ago, ModdaPunk said:

Sometimes you need to think out-of-the-box.

 

You missed the part about sensible replies?

[ModdaPunk]

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

You missed the part about sensible replies?

 

I missed your sensible parts ?

...

What do you mean ?

[LosLobo]

3 hours ago, giddyup said:

I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables but at 82 I'm finding my bowels just aren't regular any more. Sometimes it's 3 or 4 days between poops. If I take some of the powdered "Posh Medica" brand of high fibre for constipation it really cleans me out, but not sure if regular use of that kind of product is a good idea.

Appreciate any sensible suggestions to help with the problem.

 

Holland papaya or ripe green papaya is very good.

Half a dragon fruit is the bomb.

Cut down on tea and coffee and at least two litres of water and exercise every day, at least a 30 minute walk.

A 'squatty potty' aka a foot stool that elevates the knees can be beneficial.
 

Edited 8 hours ago by LosLobo

[Gecko123]

Don't know if you have mobility issues, but exercise is key component for bowel regularity. Green tea for its soluble fiber might also be helpful.

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, sometime said:

senokot laxative , just Google it

Works very well but should not be used regularly.

 

I use 'Hotta Plus' (ginger tea with 4,000mg of fiber), 2 or 3 cups a day is fine. 2 Weet Bix for breakfast is great and very effective.

 

Vistra DT Daily (fiber powder drink with 7,000mg of fiber also works well.

[transam]

Posh Medica fibre Tamarind, it will clear you out, give it time to work, do not go out further than your garden..........😲

 

https://shopee.co.th/POSH-Medica-Tamarind-Dietary-Supplement-with-High-Fiber-15000-mg.-พอช-ไฟเบอร์-มะขาม-15000-มก.-x-6-ซอง-กล่อง-i.153772007.19312265927

 

Watsons, Lazada sell it too......

 

Other than that, you can buy a salt water thingy that you insert and squeeze into your bum space, it works in about 60 seconds............😱

[novacova]

4 hours ago, giddyup said:

Appreciate any sensible suggestions to help with the problem.

Drink a lot of water and watermelon to help leak it out. 

[giddyup]

27 minutes ago, transam said:

Posh Medica fibre Tamarind, it will clear you out, give it time to work, do not go out further than your garden..........😲

 

https://shopee.co.th/POSH-Medica-Tamarind-Dietary-Supplement-with-High-Fiber-15000-mg.-พอช-ไฟเบอร์-มะขาม-15000-มก.-x-6-ซอง-กล่อง-i.153772007.19312265927

 

Watsons, Lazada sell it too......

 

Other than that, you can buy a salt water thingy that you insert and squeeze into your bum space, it works in about 60 seconds............😱

Posh Medica also sold at 7/11's. I found 1/2 the packet was more than enough for a major cleanout, in fact a couple of tablespoons would probably do the trick.

Edited 7 hours ago by giddyup

[transam]

2 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Posh Medica also sold at 7/11's.

Probably, but a lot cheaper on Lazada......😉

Not that you will need much of it..........😲

 

I only used it once, about a month back, been OK ever since..🤗

[3NUMBAS]

Use an enema with soapy water as a last resort ,works for me

 

i have used senocots but upsets my guts after

[Lacessit]

6 hours ago, giddyup said:

I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables but at 82 I'm finding my bowels just aren't regular any more. Sometimes it's 3 or 4 days between poops. If I take some of the powdered "Posh Medica" brand of high fibre for constipation it really cleans me out, but not sure if regular use of that kind of product is a good idea.

Appreciate any sensible suggestions to help with the problem.

 

PEG 4000, sold as Macrogol. It dissolves in water, has electrolytes added.

 

It works in about 12 hours. It is a stool softener, not a laxative. Harmless, non-habit forming.

 

It functions by drawing water into the colon, making the feces soft.

 

IIRC 500 baht for 20 sachets. I use it if the bowels have not moved for a couple of days.

 

Nothing wrong with high fibre, but if laxatives are included in the formula it can be harmful long term.

[giddyup]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

PEG 4000, sold as Macrogol. It dissolves in water, has electrolytes added.

 

It works in about 12 hours. It is a stool softener, not a laxative. Harmless, non-habit forming.

 

It functions by drawing water into the colon, making the feces soft.

 

IIRC 500 baht for 20 sachets. I use it if the bowels have not moved for a couple of days.

 

Nothing wrong with high fibre, but if laxatives are included in the formula it can be harmful long term.

It's advertised as a laxative.

[Lacessit]

27 minutes ago, giddyup said:

It's advertised as a laxative.

It may be advertised as such, but it's not. It is biologically inert.

 

 

[save the frogs]

Going for daily walks will help.

 

Hot liquids. I have ginger tea an hour before bed. I think this helps the bowels for a morning poop. And then I have coffee first thing in the morning. 

 

Adding lemon juice to water might help. Maybe first thing in the morning. 

 

And Magnesium Citrate capsules. Specifically Citrate, not the other forms of Magnesium. 

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/magnesium-for-citrate-constipation#magnesium-citrate

It’s a type of osmotic laxative, which means it relaxes your bowels and pulls water into your intestines. The water helps soften and bulk up your stool, which makes it easier to pass.

Edited 5 hours ago by save the frogs

[giddyup]

58 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

It may be advertised as such, but it's not. It is biologically inert.

 

 

I think the definition of a laxative is anything that helps move the bowels.

[Lacessit]

15 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I think the definition of a laxative is anything that helps move the bowels.

I suppose it helps if what's coming out is soft, rather than hard.

[zhounan]

Two free and real solutions:

1. Walking, as much as possible;

2. Drink lukewarm water, as much as possible. Stay away from cold water and ice cubes in restaurants.

 

Don't take meds, your intestine will be affected in the long term.

Edited 2 hours ago by zhounan

[KhunLA]

@giddyup I use the brand, (photo below), when eating starchy carbs (rare), and needed.  So much for 'healthy' advice of eating more fiber.  Actually fibrous carbs (green leafy veggies / ruffage), and aspargus & broccoli, etc,  is good, just not starchy carbs; grains/flour/bread, potatoes, pasta.  Starchy carbs might slow sugar & insulin spikes, but too much fiber that doesn't get digested, and fills/clogs things up.

 

With that, if eat a lot of oats, may want to ease up on them, as suck up a lot of moisture in you digestive tract.  Helped when I stopped eating oats in my morning cereal.  Or drink a couple more liters of water during the day    Get to P, 20 times a day instead of 10.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if same people make this, and the brand you use, as ingredients are almost identical, and the only 'laxative' that works for me.  All rest suck, and not in a good way.

 

If a change in diet diet doesn't work, maybe just drink 1/2 a pack (9gr vs 18gr), on a more regular basis, and try that for a while.  See if it eases things up enough, without overkill.   I think the Psyllium husk powder, is the ingredient doing all the work.

 

Which I've actually though about searching for that, when I run out of my stash of ...

 

Edited 1 hour ago by KhunLA