I must eat the wrong foods because I am always constipated. I know fiber is suppose to help with constipation.

What are foods that do help with constipation. I use laxatives all of the time but I would like to find a way not to have to do that.

I remember Jose saying she deals with constipation from her meds. I'm sure my Methadone does the same.

I'd like to know what cereals and foods seem to help the best with constipation.

Thanks,
Ada

Ada,
Methadone will do a number on you. Drink lots of water and try to eat alot of salads. The oxycodone bothers my a little bit but not as bad as the Meth. Good Luck.

SUE K

I am constantly blocked. I know this sounds funny, but do you know what helps??? Pistachios and or almonds. Eat a hand full a night and it helps you get regular. Has started working for me. Believe me, if it works for me it must be working!!!!

Just a thought, Chin Up!!!! Mark

somewhere on the forums is something called
Yakima fruit paste and the recipe for it how to make it.

Prunes , prune juice and that kind of stuff

Ada,
What you take for constipation come sometimes make things worse. Laxatives will often damage the bowel if used for a very long time and the bowel may become even more sluggish and result in worse constipation.
It is best to use naturally high fibre foods and plenty of fluid.
If you do need some type of laxative then things like psyllium are the best nothing with chemical bowel stimulants like danthron .
Most PM doctors here who insert Intra-thecal pumps recommend psyllium in juice twice a day.
Good luck and hope it all works well
Tayla

Hi Ada

In addition to the good things already recommended here, like the psyllium and prunes etc, I would also like to mention magnesium citrate as it is a really good and natural laxative. Just be sure you are allowed to take extra magnesium with whatever meds you are on.

There are a couple of brands of mag citrate powder that one dissolves in water and get a fizzy good tasting drink. We use Natural Calm and I think mrsD also mentioned one called Ionic Fizz

A cup of that at night promotes good sleep and a regular morning movement

YAKIMA FRUIT PASTE!!!!! Dose: 1 to 2 tablespoons per day 1 pound prunes 1 pound raisons 1 pound figs 4 oz. senna tea 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup lemon juice 1. Prepare tea- use 2 and a half cups boiled water and add it to tea and steep 5 minutes. 2. Strain tea to remove tea leaves and add only I pint tea to large pot, then add fruit. 3. Boil fruit and tea for 5 minutes 4. Remove from heat and add sugar and lemon juice .Allow to cool. 5.Use hand mixer or food processor to blend mixture into smooth paste ( I imagine you could also use a blender) 6.Place in plastic container and place in freezer. Paste will not freeze but will keep for ever in the freezer. 7. Spoon out what you require each day. Enjoy eating it right off the spoon. Spread it on toast like jam or add hot water to it and make a drink. * If the fruit paste is not working ( you are not having a bowel movement ) then you need to increase the amount of fruit paste you are taking in. *If the fruit paste is causing you to have very loose stools then you need to cut down on the amount of fruit paste you are taking in.Perhaps even taking it every other day in some case.

Note: for me it's strawberry licorice. Goes through me like you wouldn't believe. I have never tried the paste cause I can't have any lemon juice.
This recipe comes from us old old timers who used to be on the ICQ group.

Hugs and Prayers

I wrote down the recipe to try Farmwife. Thanks for that.

Mark, I ate some almonds a couple of nights ago and it did help me to go to the bathroom. I just never put eating them with helping with the constipation.
They tell you now to eat a hand full of almonds to help with diets and they are suppose to be good for you. I have started eating a few now.

Tayla, I have heard what you are saying from my Dr. so many times. He tells me to eat apples but they don't help. Last night I was sick at my stomach from the constipation. I deal with that a lot also.

I try to eat healthy but bread and meats do constipate me. Yesterday, I got this bright ideal to make some cornbread. I ate a piece and that really did a job on me.

What I have found is no matter what I eat though I get constipated. I do know that the Methadone messes me up and I have had part of my lower intestines taken out so I'm sure that has caused a lot of my problem.
I can't eat much at all or I end up constipated. The only laxative I can use is Ex-lax. I pretty much live on them. That's why I wanted some input on foods.

I am going to try that paste. That is something I can keep around and the boys won't want it. My almonds don't last when they are around.

Thanks,
Ada

Ada,
Any food that is predominantly water is good too. Celery, Watermelon, Grapes (in moderation of course)
If you like bread, then the very grainy bread is a wonderful natural aperient, particularly if there is linseed oil amongst the ingredients-this is also good for hormome issues with women.
Good luck
Tayla

Hi Ada,
The advice given above is very sound.
There is one other thing I am reluctant to say to a CRPS sufferer - don't forget that horrible word movement of any kind will help. I am sorry to say this but it is part and parcel of the digestive process & peristalsis. I find it hard too & even harder to say that word "m" word to you cos it isn't easy.

I have trouble walking to the loo, sitting on the loo, getting off the loo, & washing my hands, let alone the rest of it like replacing clothing. I do understand.

It is one of the most difficult things we are asked to do but any movement naturally promotes peristalsis & that coupled with the excellent advice offered above could make a big difference & I would utterly agree with avoiding the chemical laxatives.

Good luck & hopefully "successful" toileting
Auberon