constipation

[meggit13]

well woke up this morning blood sugars were good 6.1 but ive got the headache from hell and im constipated is this to do with the low carb diet or just one of those things if it is the diet what am i doing wrong can any one help

 

[Hobs]

Are you drinking enough? If I neglect my fluid intake, I definately develop a headache before bed time and next morning I'll usually 'sit' for much longer.
Have you tried Fybogel? My GP prescribes them because he is of the opinion a good regular throughput is essential for good BG control.

 

[Indy51]

Low carb diet and constipation:

(1) increase fluids
(2) increase salt
(3) increase fat

Forget fibre

 

[viviennem]

How long have you been low-carbing? Some people get what is called "Atkins flu" which includes headaches. It doesn't last long; persevere, and drink plenty of water - at least 2 litres a day. I fill a 2-litre jug every morning and drink some every time I pass; it's usually empty by bed-time.

If you're eating very low carb (around 25g daily) you may not have a bowel motion every day; you're not eating enough 'waste' to create a stool every day. You can eat rhubarb sweetened with (eg) Splenda powder, with either cream or live yoghurt. Live plain yoghurt is good for your innards anyway. Flax seed is good, or plain bran (wheat or oat) added (eg) to casseroles. When all else fails I use Andrew's Liver Salts, but that's only about once a year. It's not a good idea to use laxatives too frequently!

You could search "Constipation" through the search facility at the top of the index page. There's been lots of discussion about it on here previously.

Hope this helps

Viv 8)

 

[goose64]

it's def the low carbs - I drink like a fish (not alcohol) but still get it - someon recommended flax seeds to me but they don't sell them locally so can't tell you if they work

 

[Fraddycat]

I'm quite sensitive to polyols found in diabetic chocolate (they go right through me) so if I am feeling constipated I treat myself to an Atkins bar or Boots diabetic chocolate.

 

[Tower01]

I got constipation a lot after starting low-carb. Plus I packed in the fags which are great in the morning as an assist. However, it seems to be getting better after two months on the low carb diet.

 

[modesty007]

Try some Magnesium citrate tabs 100-500 mg, I usually take them in the evening and end up with a pleasant tour to the loo next morning.

 

[welsh_kev]

Ive been suffering this for a week now. Started drinking hot water with a slice of lemon at night instead of coffee and that has helped matters :0)

Kev

 

[GraceK]

If all else fails, I take one tiny Entrolax (Bisocodyl 5mg) at night as prescribed.

If you take 1 they work very gently so you don't get the trots or anything embarrassing, you'll just find you might need the loo two or three times the day after taking it, but not as a matter of urgency and no need for embarrassment.

Don't be tempted to take 2 unless taking 1 hasn't worked for you, because I did that one night and woke up at 5am with griping pains and was trotting back and forth for an hour or so.

They're very cheap, only a few coppers in ASDA or Morrisons etc.

 

[viviennem]

it's def the low carbs - I drink like a fish (not alcohol) but still get it - someon recommended flax seeds to me but they don't sell them locally so can't tell you if they work

Tesco sell flax seed, so I would have thought that the other big-name supermarkets might. Or you can get it on line. Healthfood shops sell it but that's no help if, like me, your nearest if 50 miles away! I was in a Holland & Barret a couple of days ago while visiting relatives, and they had both Golden and Brown seed, and also ground flax seed. They definitely sell on-line.

You can also get flax-seed oil capsules, which I would think your pharmacy might be able to get for you. Or again, order on line.

Viv 8)