posted
Constipation Help: I've been severely constipated off and on since starting treatment months ago (I'm on 2 abx and 2 anti--malarials, supps, etc) It only gets worse with time. I am very cognizant of eating greens.
I have had to take miralax (which was only thing that helped in past) but has been helping zero now. I also heard that it contains awful chemicals.
I take at least 400 billion probiotics per day as well as Florastor (Sacc B). Can too much probiotics cause constipation?
I found out through an Alcat food sensitivity test that I have a strong sensitivity to Flax which has been confirmed when I eat it.
Anything else I could try? I thought I would have the opposite problems with antibiotics. very surprised.
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I hope Miralax isn't bad. My young daughter has been on it three YEARS straight. All her docs say it's harmless.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I found that Florastor was VERY constipating to me. The other probiotics should be fine. If you were not taking enough probiotics, then you might have diarrhea... but don't "go there!" You don't need yeast complicating your life.
As for greens.. do you mean lettuce, spinach, etc or green vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, etc??
The first two have VERY little fiber. You need foods rich in fiber.
You can also try upping your magnesium intake or taking a lot of Vitamin C.
and yes, Miralax is a chemical I choose not to ingest. My stomach really does not like it.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Jamers
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Member # 28016
posted
I agree with the intake of Magnesium or Vitamin C. For immediate relief you can do a vitamin C flush. Take 4,000mg of vitamin c every hour until you go. 12,000mg usually works for me. You can do the same with magnesium, take small amounts every hour until it helps.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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lax mom
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I agree with everyone else about the Magnesium and Vit C.
When my son is constipated, I give him Magnesium Citrate.
I use Magnesium Glycinate and it helps keep my bowels moving.
Mila chia seeds soaked in liquid overnight also helps me. Amazing Grass Wheatgrass does too.
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
If you are gluten-free, do not use wheatgrass. There is no way to ensure there is no pollen or seed residues on the grass, which is where the gluten is contained.
If you do the Vitamin C flush, be sure to drink lots of water.
Also, I find going on a liquid diet while doing the flush helps a lot, so I'm not adding to the problem.
And I have found many probiotics to be constipating. I have found drinking at least half a glass of water when I take my probiotics helpful for cutting down on this particular issue.
One option for helping with severe constipation (recommended to me by a physician) is to drink the juice of half a lime in a little warm water, with a sprinkle of xylitol or a drop of stevia, every morning on waking and evening just before bed.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
See, I believe that too about wheatgrass. I see protein drinks and vitamins that contain wheatgrass and they claim it is gluten free. I don't see how they can guarantee that.
Good info on the lime juice. I can't tolerate citrus, but I know it's good for us!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
I had this problem the first couple of months of treatment also! It was horrible!!!
I added Magnesium and Vit C as suggested by those on this forum. That seemed to help! Also took lots of long soaks in the tub. Enemas. Stool softeners.
That was a few months ago for me. I'm still on the Mag and C, haven't had that issue any longer. I too was surprised as I thought the ABX would have the opposite affect on me.
Hang in there it gets better.
Posts: 250 | From East Coast | Registered: Jan 2013
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posted
I would only add that you make sure you are drinking alot of water in addition to the other suggestions.
-------------------- "Yeah, I miss me too." Posts: 234 | From NY originally registered in 2008 | Registered: Nov 2012
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
From the Amazing Grass website:
Are you products gluten free?
All Amazing Grass products are gluten free, except the new Chocolate Chip Coconut bar. It contains rolled oats.
The young grasses are harvested at their peak of nutrition, prior to jointing and before any gluten is formed in the plant. We have lots of customers who have gluten intolerances including celiac disease who consume our products daily. Our products are tested internally as well as by a 3rd party using an R-Biopharm RIDASCREEN Fast Gliadin at 10 parts per million and they are all confirmed BLD.
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
10ppm? Yeah, I know there is no test that can detect less than that, but I have absolutely NO desire to TEST their theory that wheatgrass is safe for gluten sensitive/Celiac.
And the ONLY way to PROOVE it is safe is to feed someone this stuff for weeks and weeks, then do a biopsy to look for Celiac-type damage to the small intestine...
But the caveat is, it usually takes an average of 12 biopsies to find one area of damage, and NO endoscopist will take that many biopsies from ONE area of the gut...
So I say, use wheatgrass at your own risk if gluten is something you know causes damage to your body. I for one will abstain from any wheat derived product, no matter with how much reassurance the manufacturer tries to claim their product is safe for Celiacs.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Dogsandcats
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posted
I found that "Calm" by Natural Vitality (raspberry-lemon flavor) helped me.
It says it "balances your calcium intake -restores healthy magnesium levels"
vegan and gluten free. Sweetened with Stevia
Sorry - it is miserable.
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
There is a Miralax protocol for cleaning out your system and maintenance of same.
I will find it and let you know.
FWIW, DD tried EVERYTHING under the sun and this protocol has been THE most helpful.
She continues taking Mag and Vit C and the Miralax PRN.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
lax, you are WAY ahead of me on the learning curve.
The term "wheatgrass" alone raises red flags for me in terms of being GF, "wheat" being part of the name.
And off topic, a freaking big mosquito just flew across my computer screen. Jeez.
I tried smacking him once. Next time I'll hopefully get him before he gets me. I HATE bugs.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
I ended this problem by drinking mangosteen juice daily. I like the mango-xan version, which is the most tart. You can find it in healthfood stores and also online.
I really drink it to stop Lyme eye symptoms, but found that the juice can also clear the sinuses, keep the intestines regular like a baby's, and stop gums from bleeding. Pretty good, if you ask me!
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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lax mom
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Member # 38743
posted
No beaches, I am way behind you on the learning curve.
It's no big deal, just don't eat the wheatgrass if you don't want to. I was just saying what I was told to use for constipation and what works for me.
posted
The easiest solution is Oxy Powder. It's ozonated magnesium, and works like scrubbing bubbles in your colon. Just take a few each night and all the toxins are cleaned out in the morning.
Posts: 964 | From san diego | Registered: Oct 2009
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Magnesium does the exact same thing Miralax does, but without the synthetic chemicals.
I tried Miralax once...never again. That stuff turned my gut into cement, that took DAYS of liquid diet and tons of magnesium and Vitamin C to clear. Horrible stuff, that Miralax, IMHO.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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How long have you been using this with success? Does one have the same issues where you have to space magnesium from other medications?
Posts: 833 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
I inject magnesium subcutaneously. If I don't get results with this form of magnesium, do you this product will work for me?
Posts: 833 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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