side effects

**bangbang** · November 26th, 2007, 03:22 PM

I have been on phen for 3 mo. and have just started having trouble with bowel movments, only going once a week to ten days. Has anyone else had the same trouble and is something to worry about? And is there something that helps?
Not a nice subject I know!!!!!!!!!!!

**ItalianIndian** · November 26th, 2007, 03:40 PM

Yeah Phen can "stop" you up. I found the most gentle and natural way to get going again is to load up on fiber. I mean, eat a lot of fiber and take some too. I take the Benefiber and eat Fiber One bars and lots of fiberous fruits and veggies and adding probiotics. (That is like the added stuff in that Activia yogurt, they also have that Naked brand all natural fruit juice with added probiotics for a healthy digestive system.)

If that don't work, they now sell Miralax over the counter, it is one of the safest and gentlest laxatives so the risk of your colon becoming dependent on it and getting lazy is way less than some of the other stuff like Senna. I was taking that after I developed IBS after a medical test I had and went off of it now and am still regular.

That's just what I did, you might have to try some different things. I think to give something a good try it would be two weeks and if it isn't working for you try something different.

Lol, I think I have talked about poop more on this page than I ever have in my whole life. =)

***dirtymartini*** · November 26th, 2007, 03:49 PM

Yup, same thing happened to me, but it happened in the first few week. I HATE that feeling, ugh! I took senekot every few dyas if I felt backed up. I also reminded myself that I was eating a lot less, so of course there will be less waste. I hope it gets better for you!

**Band Mamma** · November 26th, 2007, 04:20 PM

I eat a high fiber cereal for breakfast almost everyday. I also occasionally eat Wasa Fiber crackers- that really helps with missing crackers and bread, too. Once a week, I eat an apple for a snack. If I get desperate, I'll eat a serving of no-sugar added applesauce. Other than that, keep drinking water to keep things moving. I had issues with this before the phen, so I just kept using what works for me. I do only have bowel movements every 1 1/2 days now instead of every day, and I too figured it was because "less in, less out." You didn't mention your body's habits before phen, so I assume every 7-10 days is pretty unusual for you. I've never gotten to the point of using any kind of laxative, but I've been close!

**flasht75** · November 29th, 2007, 04:58 PM

Have you tried taking magnesium before bed? Most people are lacking in it and it does a wonderful job of keeping you regular, trust me!

**SecretO** · November 29th, 2007, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by flasht75

Have you tried taking magnesium before bed? Most people are lacking in it and it does a wonderful job of keeping you regular, trust me!

Yes, i agree! Natural Calm is a magnesium supplement and it works wonders! I use the raspberry-lemon kind. Its pretty good!

**dream2bthin** · November 29th, 2007, 07:36 PM

I have also had that problem with phen in the past. BUT this time I eat activia yogurt which regulates your system and I also eat alot of fiber one bars they have 35% of your daily fiber and apples and this time I am very regular.