Extreme constipation from supplements?

Hey guys, well I've had a very interesting first few weeks with the supplements. I'm taking Vitamin C, D, B, curcumin 95, resveratrol, and ecklonia cava. So after the first week I started getting constipated every day. Just dropping lots of little stones. Of course dumb 'ol me noticed but didn't do anything to change my regimen, unaware that it was getting worse and worse.

Then it happened. Dum dum dum. A day that will live in infamy. Excuse me for the gory details: I tried to take a dump, but to my horror a huge piece of rock-hard excrement got stuck right in my rectum. It was like a huge rock that was blocking intestines. It was very painful, and I could hardly sit down for the rest of the day. I thought I might have to go to the emergency room. I took many stool softeners and shot several suppositories up there (glycerin), which were supposed to work in 15-60 minutes. Welp, 7 hours later I finally was able to pass it, with much pain. Kinda like giving birth. When it finally came out, it was peppered with orange speckles (obviously curcumin).

Now I've been constipated before, but this was like a medical emergency. And now that it happened, I haven't had another bowel movement for almost 5 days now (very strange). Is there something wrong with me?

Also, it seems like it was the curcumin, although I've seen other people on these boards blame the resveratrol. What can I do to prevent this from happening again? Or should I just cut the supplements out completely? I'd hate to do that, considering Curcumin is #1 on IH's list).

you are taking. They are possibly not all dissolving. You need to be drinking a lot of water if you are going to be on this regime.

Jocko59 wrote:you are taking. They are possibly not all dissolving. You need to be drinking a lot of water if you are going to be on this regime.

Hi Jocko59, I do drink a lot of water, more than I ever used to drink. Several glasses a day. I drink all my supplements with water, although I don't pointedly attempt to gulp down extra water with the curcumin - maybe I should.

Also, I forgot to mention - I don't take all these supplements together at one time. I spread it out. Usually I take the curcumin/resveratrol together after dinner with maybe a zinc or a B complex, but that's about it. Most of the other stuff I take at morning or night.

thissucks - Usually these supplements do the opposite (increase intestinal motility).

Ecklonia Cava is actually the top supplement (maybe I should change the order on there).

One or more of the following should correct the constipation issue:

Spirulina (or Chlorella), Magnesium, or Mineral Ascorbates (which is a complex of vitamin C-bound minerals).

Here is an example: http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Ascorbate-Mineral-C-90-Tablets/405?at=0

Lastly, constipation is a potential sign of an iodine defiency.

Thanks CS! I bought the Jcrows iodine but I wanted to try to fix my adrenals first, so I also bought some Drenamin. My adrenals have been burnt out for a long time and I've been taking hydrocortisone for too long so I weened off of it. I'm hoping the Drenamin/new diet/better sleep can finally get them back to normal. Should I wait on the iodine or start it with the Drenamin?

I also have the magnesium oil, but have had weird results. I'm going to pick up some magnesium/calcium pills. I will probably try the Spirulina too as I know that has great antioxidant health benefit.

thissucks - Wouldn't delay on the iodine, it is complementary to the other glands.

I have a hard time digesting supplements and suffered early on as well. I took herbal laxatives, fiber, and probiotics and nothing helped. The two things that have helped me: I drink a 16 oz. glass of water right when I get up in the morning (some times add some organic lemon juice), and have Dr. Gillham's Natural Calm magnesium tea drink with breakfast. That combo has done wonders for me. Good luck and let me know if you find anything that works for you. I'm always on the look-out for improving the flow down there...

thissucks wrote:Hey guys, well I've had a very interesting first few weeks with the supplements. I'm taking Vitamin C, D, B, curcumin 95, resveratrol, and ecklonia cava. So after the first week I started getting constipated every day. Just dropping lots of little stones...Now I've been constipated before, but this was like a medical emergency. And now that it happened, I haven't had another bowel movement for almost 5 days now (very strange). Is there something wrong with me? Also, it seems like it was the curcumin, although I've seen other people on these boards blame the resveratrol. What can I do to prevent this from happening again? Or should I just cut the supplements out completely? I'd hate to do that, considering Curcumin is #1 on IH's list).

thissucks,

No, there is nothing wrong with you. Curcumin gave me horrible constipation as well. But after adding MSM to my regimen for hair thickness, etc., I noticed that my bowel movements returned to normal. I take 1000 mg. of Nature's Way's MSM during the day and 1000 mg. right before sleeping.

TN

i dropped msm for a month or two and i noticed a difference with this so im back on it again.