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Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:22 am
by fumaros
I have had chronic constipation since 2016 after my hemicolectomy. I hardly ever got relief. I also take iron supplements because I am anemic which only makes constipation worse.
I take docusate (stool softner) with every meal (3 times a day), that helped but not as much as when i recently started drinking a ton more water. I try to drink slightly upwards of 120 ounces of water per day and I have finally found some relief from the constipation. I hope it stays that way.

Re: Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:57 pm
by AmyG
I should drink more water.... :shock:

Re: Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 12:35 pm
by CRguy
fumaros,

Just wondering if your Docs have any concerns / tested you / warned you about overhydration issues ?

Usually with normal kidney function you would likely be fine, BUTT as one of the CRC homies
just interested if they had any specific info for you, that we could share ??

... and yes iron supps are the shits for constipation ! :twisted:

Cheers
CRguy

Re: Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 11:36 pm
by Pyro
fumaros wrote:I have had chronic constipation since 2016 after my hemicolectomy. I hardly ever got relief. I also take iron supplements because I am anemic which only makes constipation worse.
I take docusate (stool softner) with every meal (3 times a day), that helped but not as much as when i recently started drinking a ton more water. I try to drink slightly upwards of 120 ounces of water per day and I have finally found some relief from the constipation. I hope it stays that way.


Standard disclaimer as I am not a doctor. I tried this, I too have had the problem all my life and it’s worse since the big bag surgery. It showed up in my labs, my doctor told me to knock it off. It didn’t seem to help a lot, maybe some. If your really nervous get 12 ounces of magnesium citrate.

Re: Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 10:20 am
by boxhill
Do you drink coffee? I think it helps.

This may seem ludicrous, but based on my personal experience, a combination of metformin and lots of coffee --doesn't have to be caffeinated--in the morning is sure to guarantee loose stools. And plenty of them.

Re: Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 4:27 pm
by CF_69
I’ve been experimenting with smoothies for my first meal of the day.

My latest concoction is:

1 banana
Handful of blueberries
5-6 strawberries
5-7 prunes
1 cup spinach
1 cup coconut water
1/2 cup Greek vanilla yogurt

Usually I’ll have a coffee alone before I ingest anything else.

I’m constantly trying to get my bowels moving and so far this seems to be working.

Re: Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:28 pm
by fumaros
CRguy wrote:fumaros,

Just wondering if your Docs have any concerns / tested you / warned you about overhydration issues ?

Cheers
CRguy



It was quiet the reverse, after I started, the onc told me to drink more water (i had elevated creatine levels, probably related to protein shakes) although I didn't tell him that I was already drinking more water than I ever did per day.

I have been doing this for about a month now, it still works for me and has been a big relief. It's even helped during chemo when I wouldn't be able to go to the bathroom till i do a colonprep style purge.

I do think concerns about over hydration are legitmate, but i am not sure 120 oz. is close to reaching that point. A quick internet search shows:

"Your kidneys can eliminate about 5.3-7.4 gallons (20-28 liters) [676 oz. - 946oz.] of water a day, but they can't get rid of more than 27-33 ounces (0.8-1.0 liters) per hour (14, 15).

Therefore, in order to avoid hyponatremia symptoms, you should not drink more than 27-33 ounces (0.8-1.0 liters) of water per hour, on average (14)." The article links to scientific journals so that's kind of legitimate.




boxhill wrote:Do you drink coffee? I think it helps.

This may seem ludicrous, but based on my personal experience, a combination of metformin and lots of coffee --doesn't have to be caffeinated--in the morning is sure to guarantee loose stools. And plenty of them.


I do not drink coffee, but I am planning on starting (i have been planning on starting for a few years now, but I am close).


I do consume elements of your smoothie. CF_69, but I am curious to try the whole thing.

I think this is a good discussion to have. I will bring it up specifically with my onc. and see if he has any concerns. In the mean time it feel nice to go to the bathroom and not wince.

Re: Constipation - Drinking Water (>120 ounces)

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:06 pm
by CF_69
It actually tastes pretty good.

It seems most people are on the other end of the spectrum, but for us that tend to get constipated this shake may help. I know everyone is different, but give it a shot.

I tend to eat as though nothing ever happened to me so I can get plugged up pretty easily if I’m not careful.

Striving to find that elusive happy medium :)