CONSTIPATION--problem with so many of our drugs

There was just a report on the Kashi cereal that said that it was not the "organic food" that they claim...I have boxes in my pantry so thinking of throwing them out.  I am going to check google and get more info on this report before I do that.

Just wanted to share with you something that has saved my sanity. I have diverticulitis and have been sick since December. My onc said my BC treatment had probably made my condition worse. I was on several antibiotics which worked for a few days and then the fever would come back. I got a sinus infection in April and was given Clarithromycin (sp?). Of course, it caused another case of thrush on my tongue. ARRGH! I went to GNC to get some strong probiotics and a lady came up to me and asked me if I was taking the probiotics for stomach problems so of course we got into a discussion of our tummy troubles. I told her I was looking at either an intestinal blowout or surgery. She suggested I try taking 8 ounces of Aloe Vera juice with fruit juice daily. She said she'd been drinking it for years and it had cured her GERD. (Oh by the way, she was buying Bert's Bees lotion.) I figured what the heck and started drinking it. And it WORKED! No more stomach pain, nausea or diarrhea! It's been a month now and so far so good. I need to hang out in GNC more often. I don't know if this will help anyone else, but I used Aloe gel on my radiation burn with awesome results and now I'm getting the same by using Aloe on the inside.

Ok everybody get ready for this tip. If it's mentioned earlier, then take this as another endorsement.



Everyone needs to try CHIA SEEDS! It works! I have had an anal fissure since chemo --ouch. Could not get regular, but voila! Success.



Lot's of positives for chia seeds:



Has a favorable soluble/insoluble fiber ratio. It is one of the few plant based sources of omega 3s (also has good omega 3/6 ratio). It's shelf stable, doesn't go rancid or need to be ground. When soaked in water, it absorbs 9 times it's weight in water and forms a gel like substance that actually helps you retain hydration longer. And, reportedly helps block or slow the absorption of carbohydrates.



Whew, it's a superfood. You can even cook with the gel, where it can replace fats, sugars in recipes.



It is a little awkward to take. I do one tablespoon a day and holy sh*t -- literally! . Only you ladies can truly understand the relief I'm talking about.



Seriously, get at whole foods, google it and go for it! (put in smoothies, sprinkle on cottage cheese, shove it in your mouth, just DO IT,,,,,,)



Amanda

Yesterday I had the colonoscopy that I told you I was having earlier in this thread, and the doctor says he can't find a thing wrong with me, and I don't have to go back for 10 years.  It's really good news, especially as the problem that bothered me originally after my breast cancer surgery was already getting better.  Being told there's nothing wrong with you when you feel awful can be worse than being told you're sick, because when you know what's wrong, something will be done about it.  The doctor suggested that I have a consultation with my regular family doctor.

I hope constipation isn't a side effect of any of the sedatives that I got.  I was given Fentanyl and Versed.  If constipation is a side effect of either of these, could someone let me know so I can start taking a stool softener?

I am a recent adapter to a magnesium supplement called Natural Calm. Helps with the bowels and I also notice it helps with some toe cramping I was experiencing.

I have been taking gummies, called Fiber Well by Vitafusion. Got them at Costco. They are working, finally feeling normal. They are 5 grams of fiber per serving. Does anyone know of any negative issues with taking supplements in this form? I also take the calcium and multi in this gummie form. Makes it easier than swallowing all those pills.

Another vote here for the Uncle sam cereal.

Avocado! As long as I eat one or two a week, I'm good.

I have always had irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, but have noticed that for the 3 1/2 years I've been on tamoxifen, it has gotten worse, to the point that I "go" only one good "go" maybe once a week, and the rest of the time, when I do "go", it's pellets.  I take daily fiber, magnesium and prune or apple juice.  I eat lots of natural fiber in fruits and veggies.  Drink lots of water.  The only thing that helps is either casgarda sagrada (spelling?) or stool softener.  It's been getting worse, so 2 days ago I used magnesium citrate, and spent that evening and the following morning with explosive diarreah.  I am going to my GP for a routine exam next week and am going to ask him what to do, because I forsee being on tamox for a while still.  It's so frustrating!!!