Hi Damian,

I have lots of empathy for you on this, I know how awful and frustrating chronic constipation can be! Luckily there are so many ideas here you can experiment with, some of which will or won't work for you. 

I think that a constipated bowel is often caused by a constipated liver/gallbladder. The liver and gallbladder regulate the production and release of bile which is a natural laxative. So when your liver/gallbladder is clogged up this might cause you to become constipated.

If this is the case for you something that would be useful is taking bitter herbs which both improve digestion and stimulate bile production. You could take a herbal formula or if you want to go the food route lots of bitter greens might do the trick. Doing liver flushes had quite a noticable effect on my constipation, Rudy mentioned the olive oil and grapefruit juice formula.

You could also be deficient in magnesium, especially if you are stressed and tense a lot of the time. If you don't mind supplements, taking a magnesium supplement (magnesium oxide specf) can give you fast relief, it draws water into the bowel and relaxes your muscles.  You said the parsely juice enema really helped so maybe getting in more magnesium by drinking green juices will be an effective way to go for you.

Also if you aren't producing enough bile you might feel better reducing the fat in your diet or even just eating lighter fats eg. coconut oil.  I hestitate to mention it but I also found urine therapy good for constipation, whatever works right!  

Just some ideas to add to the mix, all the best 

Gina

Hey Love, good to see you here, it's been a while!

It's funny, just this afternoon I was relating to a friend that story about eating and the anxiety in my stomach... and I was thinking, I don't think I've felt that anxiety for a while, I will have to be mindful again and check.

Haha, glad to hear you are feeling the fear and running anyway, or better, channeling it into motivation to run. Laughing again at your re-realisation about the calories, yes I even remember the exact post where you mentioned your 1200 calorie a day habit. Yeah, experimentation and experience is the only way to truely know what works for you.

It's great to hear that you are feeling so well again on living foods, you sound really vital. It also sounds like your decision to eat raw is clearly coming from a place of positivity and self-love thesedays rather than regiment. I know you went through some doubt and self-questioning for a while there so that's really great to see.

Look forward to reading more about how you're going, it's always good to see your thread up again

Thanks Jen 

Ditto, if anyone could send me Luke's number it would be much appreciated!

Hello Jen

I know I haven't been around for a while but I just read your recent posts and felt moved to pop in and say, Thank you for sharing your Humanity.  I am comming to believe that it is the most valuable thing one person can offer to another.  I think what Jungle said will be true for so many people who read your posts, that by releasing yourself from guilt you help other people to release themselves too.

I'm sorry you've been so exhausted this year but really glad to hear you got the helpers you needed.  I've had a really rough year too, it has been really challenging. I also like to remind myself that adversity makes us stronger and ultimately happier. I think adversity propells us to the core of what really matters in life, and away from the superfluous and distracting.  Yes I think adversity can teach us how to be truely happy

I'll raise my glass to adversity  

Much love to all

xo Gina

Good news? That sounds exciting. No, I haven't gotten any further with my plans to come up your way, I'm just going with the flow at the moment.  But now I'm wondering what surprises you might have for me if I do?!

Hi Jennie   I've been good, thanks, I hope all is well with you too!

Hi John,

Sorry I only just saw this... yes click on my name and give it another go, maybe my inbox was too full. It should be fine now.

Thanks,

Gina

Yoooowwwwch! Talk about carnage

You're a brave chick Free, hope it heals up soon

xx Gina

Wooah, that reminds me of the red cream filling in Monte Carlo biscuits....I wonder what it looks like inside?  Thanks for sourcing this durian magic Rawgasm.

Borneo here I come!!

Oh I forgot to add something else that might be helpful! 

Aside from other dietry changes, for me the most important thing has been to stay away from adrenal stimulants like coffee and anything containing caffeine. And also artificial additives, sweetners, preservatives etc. I have found that eating anything containing artificial sweetners leaves me feeling anxious. The same with anything you're allergic too as well, i.e. anything that aggravates your adrenals.

Hi Katie

Diet numero duo is my choice... I think that means 2! 

Hi Lou,

I've also had a history of anxiety and panic disorder,not as severe as yours but I can relate to much of what you've said, including about hiding the problem.  I have disguised panic attacks when I was around my own family, I don't really know why, I guess because I was afraid.

My anxiety problems have been strongly connected with my physical health and what I eat.  I found a vegan diet by itself really helpful and then a raw diet even more so.  Excercising regularly helps too.  In my experience though a good diet isn't enough if you don't deal with the emotional roots of the problem and make sure you're getting the support you need, something which seems to have been really lacking for you from the beginning...but it looks like your working on that

Its interesting what you say about the psychologist, I know what you mean and yet I'm wondering if you avoid people helping you because it makes you feel patronized.  It may not be the case but its just an idea I'm throwing out there because I can be defensively independent myself and am really sensitive to anything that sounds like criticism which means I often avoid getting help or advice.

I think your decision to put it all out there is great! Its probably a large part the issue, keeping such a big problem to yourself is very stressful and would make you anxious in itself.  I'm sorry that its been such a huge frustration for you and affected your life so greatly, you deserve to be well and happy so I hope that a raw diet is the beginning of a big healing for you.

Wishing you all the best!

xx Gina 

You need to go to Flemmington markets early to get those bananas! I agree that cheap deals are the way to go though.

You mentioned something about starting a Sydney co-op a while ago Michelle,  I would probably be able to go to Flemmington's Organic markets on Friday mornings if other people are interested.  I don't know how consistent their produce is though, it depends what's in season.

Good for you RawGasm! 


I think Shazzie intended it to be funny in a ludicrous sort of way, thats how I interpreted it at least.  But yes, as I suggested, some people would find it offensive, so that doesn't surprise me.