Chronic Constipation after over 1 year of wellness

[LydiaS]

Hi, Tex and everyone,
Long time no see!
My husband had had diarrhea daily for over a year back in 2020. He was skeletal. Then we found this website, figured out a diet, the diarrhea stopped and he started gaining weight. That was in the early fall of 2020.

But now, just over a year later, he has developed what appears to be chronic constipation. It started at the end of September. I didn't think it could be MC -- but decided to come on here again to check if MC could manifest as constipation and low and behold, Tex says it can. We did start to experiment with different foods, mostly vegetables like artichokes, brussel sprouts, lettuce; different fruits like apples, kiwis, berries. Also coconut yogurt. But no junk food -- although they did give him a cookie after he had his cataract surgery in early October.

I remember the constipation coming on every time he had artichoke. Well, when it became evident that the constipation is chronic, we went back on the original diet. But he still has constipation.

Is it possible that a diet that worked for well for over a year, needs to be tweaked? Do you think we messed this up by trying to see if we could introduce new foods? Any suggestions for how to get back on track?

Thank you so much!

[tex]

Hi Lydia,

Sorry to see that your husband is having symptoms again. As long as his diet isn't being cross contaminated with any of the known common food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, soy, and eggs), the constipation probably isn't due to MC. If adding foods with more fiber don't seem to help, he may have to try a stool softener. Unlike laxatives, long-term use of stool softeners normally doesn't cause any problems. Some members here have had good luck with a soluble fiber supplement, such as psyllium, but you may have to experiment to find the best choice, and the best dose. Usually though, more vegetables and/or fruit can help. If he seems to react to oranges, for example, then the problem may be associated with MC, because we all react to citric acid when our MC is active. Maybe someone else will have some better suggestions.

Tex

[LydiaS]

Tex, you're the best. Thank you so so much, as always!

Yes, I will try to add more liquid, fruits, and veggies and take it from there.

Re citric acid -- how interesting. If the MC is active, does consuming citric acid result in diarrhea? Or could it also result in constipation?
I ask because I do sprinkle some ascorbic acid powder on his food now and then to make sure he is taking Vitamin C.

And another change he made to his regimen is that he started taking baby aspirin again instead of Plavix. That was to please a cataract surgeon -- but he has maintained it. So perhaps the aspirin might be causing constipation, non?

What an adventure! But it is amazing for us to know that there are people like you in the world always helping others with their time and dedication.
Thank you!
Lydia

[Gabes-Apg]

after the initial watery diarrhoea, diagnosis, etc
within 2 years Constipation became a major issue for me. My poop was either constipation or MC mud.

Some suggestions that worked for me, and didn't cause diarrhoea

- increasing fibre naturally, with vegetables. Sweet potato, cauliflower are good options as they also have Vit C
- a peeled apple is a good option (small amount of gentle fibre) eaten slowly, chewed well
- increase water intake
- coconut oil tablespoon once or twice a day
- increase magnesium and Vit D3 (the muscles need this to push the poop through) Increase oral magnesium and doing daily foot soaks.

with these suggestions, start slow /one at a time dont do all at once!


minimise any processed food items like cereal / flour / baked goods

the coconut oil is also very useful topically - I used to have a seperate bathroom only container, and using this on the skin around the anus helped protect it if the poop was painful to pass. this will help to minimise haemorrhoid issues starting
please note it will mark underwear etc but worth it to protect the skin.

With time he (and you) will learn patterns, listen to your body type thing, you will know when constipation is happening, and start to do a bit more of what works.
sadly it is a constant thing, having to adjust as stuff happens

hope this helps

[tex]

Lydia,

To answer your question about citric acid, I believe that It's dose dependent. In other words, if we're highly inflamed, an amount that would be fine for most people will virtually always cause us to have diarrhea. I doubt that it could cause constipation for anyone. The less Inflammation we have, the more citric acid we can tolerate. The small amount in supplements normally doesn't bother most of us.

Tex

[LydiaS]

Wonderful. Thank you.

I think this confirms your earlier guess that my husband's constipation isn't the result of MC -- cause he can tolerate 1,000 mgs of Vit C ascorbic acid powder just fine.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate you. THANK YOU
Lydia

[LydiaS]

I realize that I was assuming that ascorbic acid and citric acid elicit the same irritation response from inflamed MC tissue. Is that a fair assumption?

[LydiaS]

Thank you, Gabes, for your suggestions too. I just read your post. Yes, yes, and yes to all your recommendations.

Love the idea of foot soaks! Any excuse to turn out home into a spa. Ha.

[tex]

Yes, as far as I'm aware, citric acid and ascorbic acid should cause similar reactions for patients whose MC is active.

Tex

[LydiaS]

Good to know. Thank you!