Constipation and hard stools

Hi

Susan is correct about the stool softener.  Here in the UK is is prescribed once Diverticulitis is diagnosed.  I think the name in the US is Metamucil.  It is certainly available on the internet.  It is a natural vegetable husk mixed with 12oz water  which bulks and softens the stools, makes them easier to pass and has a mild laxative effect.  I would give it at least a week to start working.  What ever you do, don't let it stand, but gulp it all down straight away.  That way it will go straight down and start to thicken in the place it should.  It is not one of those violent emetics!! 

After an attack such as you have had it will take time for your bowel to heal and settle back into a normal rythym, and that may be different to before.  It can take a few weeks, or even months.  I go 3 - 6 times a day, one small hard, followed by one normal soft in the morning (like a plug has been released and then normal flow), plus one normal soft in the evening and the odd few small, sometimes hard motions.  I take my softener once a day in the morning, but if I feel particularly bunged up, I will take a 2nd after 12 hours (about twice a week).  Some people take 2 a day, but I found that was giving me the runs.  You really should try and drink lots of water though.

I too feel sometimes that I can't empty properly, but straining is a bad idea.  So is getting into a laxative/binder cycle.  Liquid only after an attack is standard, but if you think about it, not much is going in, there is not much to come out, and there is not much fibre to bulk and soften it, hence what I describe as bullets!  So I don't think returning to a liquid diet will necessarily help.  The thing about this diet is everyone is different, and we each have to find what suits us.  Hence very little helpful information from the medical profession, just suggestions, and the posts on here about what works for each of us.

I suggest you keep a food diary and note what effect various food have on you, so you can work out what helps, and what to avoid.  For me it is gluten and full fat, for others it can be dairy, red meat, nuts, popcorn, spices - all sorts in fact.  I have a lot of my fibre now in the form of my supplement, home made blended soups and vegetable purees.  I avoid skins on potatoes and apples and cook any other vegetables quite well.  As you are feeling OK apart from the constipation, it sounds like you are recovering pretty well.  Hopefully this will be your first and last attack, but if you are in any doubt you should seek medical help.  Best wishes

Felinia and Susan

Thank you so much for the helpful advice! Yes metamucil is the US product and I will absolutely give this a try as a matter of fact I'm going to go pick some up shortly. What you said about returning to the liquid diet also makes sense, You need food in to make a "real" bowel movement happen. I'm going to start the metamucil today, keep a food journal as well, today I will have some broccoli, roasted turkey, and some beef bone broth and see how things go. I really appreciate all the help, and will keep everyone informed how things go. Maybe our discussion will help someone else! It's just the start of this journey for me and thankfully I have some great guides to help me along the way!

So I tried the metamucil for a few days and wow the difference it made was tremendous! Stools are not exactly soft, however I no longer have pain during bowel movements. I take it about twice a day and I'm sure things will begin to improve even more. Thank you so much to everyone on this forum, I have an appointment with my colon doctor to make a plan from here. I will continue to look on here for good foods and other strategies. Thank you so much everyone!