constipated or appendicitis?!

[Avia Juliet]

About 10 days ago I accidentally ate gluten (I'm gluten intolerant) and it triggered a very bad bout of anxiety which i'm currently recovering from. It was probably the worst my anxiety has ever been and I barely ate for a week. I only started eating again the other day, and I'm getting better but still have a bit of anxiety after I eat and don't have a huge appetite. Anyway, in addition to making my anxiety worse gluten also makes me constipated.. And the fact that I didn't eat for a week probably made it like 10x worse. But in the past 10 days I've gone #2 one time, and even then it was barely anything. Then all day today I've had this weird pain/soreness on my right side sort of under my ribs. So naturally my first thought is that I have appendicitis and I'm dying.. yeah. I know in the back of my mind that most likely I just need to go to the bathroom, and normally I probably would not get so anxious over this. Bu I'm just getting over some very bad anxiety and it doesn't take a lot to set me off right now. I mean, I don't have any of the other symptoms of appendicitis and the pain (almost more sore, like i pulled a muscle but i don't know how i would have done that) I feel is maybe a 1 on a scale of 1-10. More of a nuisance than anything..

So.. um, any tips on how to deal with this constipation haha (i really don't know why this feels so weird to talk about.. it's a normal bodily function!)? My stomach is pretty sensitive right now so laxatives are out of the question. I've heard dried apricots are good.. I know I'm not drinking nearly enough water either, so I'm trying to work on that. But the main thing is that I still don't have a huge appetite. Because I tend to feel a bit anxious after I eat I would rather NOT eat and almost enjoy the feeling of being hungry and find it to be a relief when I start feeling hungry again after eating. I just eat what sounds good, which usually isn't a lot and is almost always junk food. I know it will take time to really get my appetite back and to feel completely better, but I really need to go.. and this kind of can't wait. Help!

[Nowuccas]

Hey Avia Juliet,

Short term, you could take a laxative, from a pharmacy.

A previous post, not intended for people with gluten intolerance, follows:

CONSTIPATION:
Eating more stone fruits, such as peaches, plums, apricots, also figs, will help with constipation. If they're out of season, eat prunes, possibly canned, or soaked in boiling water until soft. Prune juice is another option.

An old remedy is Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate / sulphate). Pharmacies, some supermarkets, or Google supplies. I take almost half a level teaspoon daily; don't overdo it, and start off gradually, with less; a small pinch, until you know how your body reacts. Most people are deficient in magnesium, but magnesium citrate is preferable, although considerably more expensive. Try pharmacies/supermarkets for the magnesium supplement types at http://www.naturalnews.com/046401_magnesium_dietary_supplements_nutrient_abso rption.html & http://www.real-depression-help.com/magnesium-for-depression.html

You need to drink plenty of water; most people don't drink enough.
See http://www.google.com/search?q=constipation+remedies+epsom+salts&hl=en&gbv=2&oq=constipation+remedies+epsom+salts&gs_l=heirloom-serp.12...0.0.1.2400.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1 ac..34.heirloom-serp..9.4.3282.DCxO5VtTSMo &
http://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/five-home-remedies-for-constipation.aspx

Check out http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=fecal+impaction%3B+mercola&gbv=2&oq=fecal+impaction%3B+mercola&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3...11766.16214.0.17054.10.9.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0.. ..0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..10.0.0.OvLC0yBaTNI &
http://www.wikihow.com/Special:GoogSearch?cx=008953293426798287586%3Amr-gwotjmbs&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=constipation

Increase the fibre in your diet; eat more vegetables (not so much potatoes, or corn) and fruit; much less flour products such as bread and pasta; switch to wholemeal. Try seed and nutloaf. Have either bran cereal or oatmeal for breakfast. Add psyllium; (health food stores; some supermarkets) I have a heaped teaspoonful, daily, and it helps a lot. From http://www.homeremediesweb.com/constipation_home_remedy.php Psyllium is a wonderful treatment for constipation, which is why it is a common ingredient in many over the counter laxatives. Therefore, a simple remedy is to take 1 teaspoon of psyllium mixed into a glass of juice three times a day until your constipation is relieved. Be sure to drink the mixture immediately to prevent it from thickening, since it may become more difficult to swallow. Also, drink plenty of water throughout the day when using this remedy.

Don't rely on commercial laxative products in the long term.

Also check out https://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=constipation%3B+mercola&gbv=2&oq=constipation%3B+mercola&gs_l=heirloom-hp.12...4682.11500.0.18142.21.18.0.0.0.0.2990.2990 .9-1.1.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..21.0.0.-aiidVCT5yA&gws_rd=cr&ei=1CMxVcvzEaawmwWjrIGoBg such as

Natural Constipation Remedies You Should Know
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/11/natural-constipation-relief-strategies-you-should-know-about.aspx
Here are some natural constipation relief to help you stay regular and healthy.

----------------------------------------------------

I suggest that you check out https://www.google.com.au/search?client=opera&q=junk+food%3B+microbiome%3B+mercola&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 such as:

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Junk Food?, &

Importance of Gut Bacteria for Neurological Disorders, &

Processed Foods Hurt Your Immune System and Gut Health.

The bacteria in your digestive tract produce B group vitamins, a deficiency of which can cause anxiety, and junk food has an adverse effect on the diversity in the microbiome; check out https://www.google.com.au/search?client=opera&q=anxiety%3B+deficiency%3B+B+vitamins&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 such as:

Panic attacks, anxiety linked to low vitamin B and iron levels ...
www.naturalnews.com/040563_vitamin_B_deficiency_panic_attacks_iro...
May 31, 2013 - Symptoms of vitamin B deficiency may include anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and emotional instability." If you are looking to ..., &

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Brain Health | Blog | Kelly ...
kellybroganmd.com/b12-deficiency-brain-health/
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause brain problems that manifest as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and even psychosis. Most can benefit from B12 supplementation.

Also, people who eat a lot of junk food are highly likely to have low magnesium levels, which are a known cause of anxiety.

They are also far more likely to have a vitamin D insufficiency, which can result in secondary deficiencies of vitamins B12, & B6.

See http://www.vitamindwiki.com/Gluten+Intolerance+-+with+notes+on+vitamin+D

Why Everyone with Celiac Disease Desperately Needs ...
scdlifestyle.com/.../why-everyone-with-celiac-disease-needs-vitamin-d/
Jul 30, 2012 - As it turns out, vitamin D deficiency is common in Celiac Disease[1] and ..... If a person is gluten intolerant would there be the same tendency to ...
https://www.google.com.au/search?client=opera&q=gluten+intolerance+vitamin+deficiency&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

View my post on vitamin D at http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?34051-Wobbly-eyesight

See http://www.vitamindwiki.com/Gluten+Intolerance+-+with+notes+on+vitamin+D about gluten intolerance.

I now limit junk food to once or, at the most, twice weekly.

So, as I see it, your current diet is largely responsible for your symptoms, and changing it should help a lot, but it may take some weeks to recover fully.

You could enhance your microbiome (mainly the beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract, which produce a large proportion of your neurotransmitters, and some vitamins) by regular consumption of fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, tofu, natto, and take a probiotic, preferably a yogurt containing Shirota, or one with an enteric coating; Google supplies, or mercola.com have some. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/20/gut-brain-connection.aspx refers.

[gadguy]

About 10 days ago I accidentally ate gluten (I'm gluten intolerant) and it triggered a very bad bout of anxiety which i'm currently recovering from. It was probably the worst my anxiety has ever been and I barely ate for a week. I only started eating again the other day, and I'm getting better but still have a bit of anxiety after I eat and don't have a huge appetite. Anyway, in addition to making my anxiety worse gluten also makes me constipated.. And the fact that I didn't eat for a week probably made it like 10x worse. But in the past 10 days I've gone #2 one time, and even then it was barely anything. Then all day today I've had this weird pain/soreness on my right side sort of under my ribs. So naturally my first thought is that I have appendicitis and I'm dying.. yeah. I know in the back of my mind that most likely I just need to go to the bathroom, and normally I probably would not get so anxious over this. Bu I'm just getting over some very bad anxiety and it doesn't take a lot to set me off right now. I mean, I don't have any of the other symptoms of appendicitis and the pain (almost more sore, like i pulled a muscle but i don't know how i would have done that) I feel is maybe a 1 on a scale of 1-10. More of a nuisance than anything..

So.. um, any tips on how to deal with this constipation haha (i really don't know why this feels so weird to talk about.. it's a normal bodily function!)? My stomach is pretty sensitive right now so laxatives are out of the question. I've heard dried apricots are good.. I know I'm not drinking nearly enough water either, so I'm trying to work on that. But the main thing is that I still don't have a huge appetite. Because I tend to feel a bit anxious after I eat I would rather NOT eat and almost enjoy the feeling of being hungry and find it to be a relief when I start feeling hungry again after eating. I just eat what sounds good, which usually isn't a lot and is almost always junk food. I know it will take time to really get my appetite back and to feel completely better, but I really need to go.. and this kind of can't wait. Help!


Currently in same boat due antibiotics for an infection....what works for me is high fiber diet (lots of veggies, think broccoli) An over counter probiotic once a day, prunes, and about 2 tbls of apple cider vinegar with the mother in it. I hope this helps. Gotta Go, hope you do. LOL sorry could not resist.