It's So Nice To Be Able To Poo

[Sandstone]

For 49 years, my bowels were a subject of little interest. I went about 10 times a week, and apart from noticing the colour change after eating beetroot, I paid very little attention to the whole issue.

Then, along came anti-depressants.

I've been lucky to poo three times week, and that became a major exercise involving a newspaper to keep me entertained for half an hour, something to lean forward against while I strained, very soft loo roll to mop up the blood, cream for the anal fissures, and a rest afterwards to get my breath and strength back. It's a long time since I gave birth, but the similarities were inescapable.

Meal selections revolved around the fibre content of each dish, and the local greengrocer was thinking of opening a branch specially for me. I'd tested every sort of stool bulker available on the NHS and setled on the best, and could write an essay on which over-the-counter laxitives had any impact (Tesco own brand, the little yellow pills, are best for results and value, but you can only use them a maximum of twice a week before they lose effect.)

A few days ago I crashed off Venlafaxine (Effexor). Now I know you should spend months tailing off, but another side effect had me so frantic that I've gone cold turkey.

In the last three days I've poo'd six times, and in the last two days there's been no blood. I've lost three and a half pounds.

It feels great.

 

[Lucycat]

Hi Stenni!!

I love this post. I wish more people would talks about their poo - it is such a stupid taboo.

I am glad that things are looking better for you. I have always had problems with constipation and have taken laxatives for years. However 3 years ago I decided to try and get things under control. I used to save pooing as a weekend activity, but decided to get into a routine. I started needing 4 senna tablets every day ( yep - more than the recommended dose) in addition to all the fibre you describe so well. Now I am down to just one tablet and only 5 days out of seven. But I still do a poo every day.

As you so rightly say - it feels great!!

 

[Anna]

I agree!! There is nothing better than having a regular poo as long as it is pleasant and no need for straining!

I had constipation for years, it was absolutely terrible! I changed my diet, use plenty of olive oil and fresh veggies. It is so important for the digestive system and plumbing to be working properly.

It is like the body is full cleansed.

Glad that is working again :)

 

[Sandstone]

I changed my diet, use plenty of olive oil and fresh veggies.

Do you think olive oil makes a difference? I used to cook with it, but changed to a low calorie spray oil

 

[intothelight]

I so much want to say this is a great subject and lets no longer make it "tapoo". :)

There are so many drugs that cause constipation and it is not something that is spoken about. Yes, plenty of water, olive oil, lots of fiber and exercise are all natural ways to keep it under control.

No one should ever suffer this and it is really something to speak to your doctor about. I hope that other people who read this thread will talk to their doctor and not suffer unnecessarily.

 

[Anna]

Do you think olive oil makes a difference? I used to cook with it, but changed to a low calorie spray oil

Aye. I found it helps when combined with a mediterranean diet. It helped me loads, but have to be careful, too much can give you stomach pains and the opposite! The runs!!!

 

[Bilby]

Constipation is a very well known side-effect of Efexor - and man, did I suffer with it when I took Efexor. Horrible, horrible, horrible.....

 

[Innordinate]

I take Effexor - no plumbing problems. I just drink a lot of coffee.

 

[Sandstone]

I've had the same problem with sertraline (Zoloft), but with that I also had painful abdominal cramps. They were part of the reason I was moved to venlafaxine. I think my digestive system must be quite sensitive to drugs.

Although stopping the venlafaxine suddenly gave me a rough few days, overall I feel much more like myself now I've been off it for a week. I'm not so flattened and apathetic, and have emotional responses to things again. I cried over a sentimental song yesterday, and later on got excited about Strictly Come Dancing.

I may change my mind again, but right now I think anxiety, erratic sleep, hyper vigilance and startling are easier to live with than the frozen bowels, frozen feelings and hallucinations I experienced with the drugs.

 

[HëllaBubz]

I've had the same problem with sertraline (Zoloft), but with that I also had painful abdominal cramps.

Hmmmm. very interesting you should say that.
Since I've been on med's I've developed anal fissures, nasty business that! Now have a cream for it that is supposed to give me headaches....been too scared to try it because the headaches from teeth grinding are bad enough, thank you very much!

Coffee, fresh fruit, exercise and drinking heaps are the way I've been managing, the more hydrated you are, the softer your stool, unless you aren't getting enough fiber, in which case, go chomp down a bowlful of Just Right, or wholemeal pasta, or even a bona fide burger, with a decent sized drink, and you should be ok.

Damn. Now I want a burger.