constipation

[sophiegray]

hi, i tried to find a thread about constipation during refeeding and maintenance phase but cant find one. i am enrolled in cohen, only 3 weeks into it. i have experienced severe constipation, and as a remedy,i take senna tea or dulcolax.

a friend of mine, who enrolled before me has already finished refeeding and is now on maintenance. as opposed to what the consultants said that constipation will improve during refeeding, she is still suffering from constipation. she was a regular before starting cohen.

my question is this... do you still experience constipation during refeed and maintenance? im considering to discontinue because of my constipation.

pls share. thanks!

[Ciors]

hi Sophie...have you spoken to your clinic for advice? Mine recommended at least one apple for the fiber...I found bowel movements difficult on plan, but cured that with 1 tablespoon of psyllium husk in water everyday...you may need less. Some people mentioned a tea that helps but I can't remember what it's called do hopefully someone will chip in with that. My BM's were normal during refers and maintenance...I. Would strongly recommend your friend talk to their clinic as well. Don't give up for something that can readily be fixed x

[feemonic]

Hi Sophie,

Try eating kiwi fruit every day as one of your fruit allowance. Since I have done that I have been extremely regular like clockwork if you will. One serve either at breakfast or lunch time always has things moving by the following morning.



I have been here for what seems like forever and have not had a problem since I started eating the kiwi fruit about 2 months into plan.

[Ciors]

Fee...do you eat them skin on? I heard that, but hate the skin lol...

[feemonic]

no I peel them, I just cant bring myself to eat the skin.

[sophiegray]

yes, ive already talked to the consultant. she suggested dulcolax and senna tea. although senna is natural, like dulcolax, it can cause dependency on it. the colon becomes sluggish without them. senokot is also from senna.

apple makes me more constipated, even before cohen days.

psyllium husk doesnt help me, it only makes me bloated.

i was only 20 lbs overweight. if i was 200 lbs and up and had a lot to lose, then the advantages of losing those weight outweighs constipation.

ive been constipated most of my life. if i knew that cohen could make me constipated, theni wouldnt have enrolled in the first place.

[lil_doll]

I think you definitely need to talk to your consultant, sophiegray.

Sounds like you had issues before starting Cohens.

Are you actually in pain... or bloated? We eat only a small amount on Cohens, so it is natural not to 'go' as often as before. It takes a little getting used to, but when you think about it, it makes sense.

[kazaj]

Hi sophiegray,

I had constipation initially and like you psyllium (metamucil) just bloated me and even made it worse. I started taking a magnesium tablet every night (two on occasion) and it works a treat for me so maybe worth a try.

Be careful with teas as alpine tea which is available in supermarkets in New Zealand and Australia for constipation has fennel in it which is not allowed on our plan.

Hope this helps

[makingmemories]

One thing I'm not looking forward to is constipation, although I don't remember having the issue when I did sureslim. Although from what I hear we were allowed more food, I think higher grammage for protein and veg, and lettuce, cucumber, celery and a few other greens, were free so we could eat them unlimited. We also ate seeds and they kept me very regular, I loved them. I'm not sure if there are the seeds on cohens, I don't think so but haven't got my plan yet.

I tried the hcg diet last year (was a natural homeopathic version) and I didn't go in like 5 days, which was hell for me. The tea they recommended was 'ballerina tea', if that helps you at all.

[lil_doll]

no seeds on cohens...

I haven't suffered from constipation. The first time I did plan I didn't use any remedies but this time I have decided to use Psyllium (spelling) husks and I enjoy them a lot. I don't know how much of a difference they make, but I enjoy the bulked up soup.

Remember we are eating less and therefore there is less to.. umm... expel

[Mimij]

Are you straining when you go or just not going enough? it is normal to go only once or twice a week....especially considering how little we are eating...
I use benefibre in my black coffee every morning and I haven't had an issue.

[Ladi-lani]

I guess reality is that we're not eating enough to poop every day. But when you can feel that it's there and it's just not comin' on out, then I'd recommend what these other ladies are saying,
psyllium husk seems to be a winner (I don't know what it is but people talk about it a lot lol).
I eat some good ol' kiwifruit and the Cohen's peeps recommend eating an apple as part of your fruit allowance because of it's fibre content. I also add a fresh chilli to my food whenever I can coz I loooove chillies.

[JoG]

Omg i am eating apples and kiwi till they are coming out my ears... But lol nothing is coming out my rear... Not since Saturday last week. I think i will be full of crxp when i weigh in tomorrow!

[Abbyb412]

Originally Posted by JoG

Omg i am eating apples and kiwi till they are coming out my ears... But lol nothing is coming out my rear...

haha crack up I hope you get some movement soon! can be frustrating aye!

[ciaranfurness]

If you are already constipated, then microlax suppositories really help clear everything out then try all the other ideas. If you're blocked up then putting stuff in the other end won't help lol

[chantalv]

I remember becoming so badly constipated when I was on CD the first time, that I had to have an enema. I have IBS, so it was very uncomfortable. I believe it's due to the lack of fats/oils in the diet. Also, the amount of fiber in fruit doesn't really compare to those found in whole grains, which makes this diet hard on someone with an existing bowel issue.

[geenamiller89]

Drink plenty of water. Try not to depend on dulcolax. Green tea is good but water is still the best. Constipation is also caused when you are not moving around regularly. If your work involve a lot of sitting/passive, have a walk or other physical activities.

[Fadwa14]

Take some laxatives or milk of magnesia. After that, buy Benefiber or Fibersure. It's a powder you can put in your food or your drinks. It gives you all the fiber you need and keeps you regular. Plus it dissolves fast and you won't taste anything.

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