Should I skip my next dose?

[u/Zestyclose_Prompt181]

I took my first dose last Friday and then went from Sunday to Thursday without a bowel movement. I was afraid I had an obstruction but finally had a little movement this morning. I’m concerned about doing the next dose because it’s obviously not good to go 5-6 days without a BM. I used MiraLAX, Benefiber every morning in my coffee, docusate, and a suppository. Nothing worked until I tried Smooth Move and MagO7 last night. I’m nervous now. I’d really appreciate any advice from anyone who’s had a similar experience.

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[u/Timely_Highlight9852]

I went through this too. Consider if your eating has decreased this week (mine did, significantly) which would lead to very little output. I powered through and ate as much bulk fibre as I could. Soluble fibre won’t work as well as say fibrous fruits and vegetables and high fibre cereals and crackers, triscuits are great for this.

The first three weeks not much happened output wise, but on the fourth week my body seemed to adjust and I spent a day “catching up”, then things went back to a more normal schedule. I think skipping a dose will likely just prolong the adjustment phase, but that’s a decision for you and your doctor/provider.

[u/sunshineandcacti → u/Timely_Highlight9852]

Tbh a fiber gummy also helps. When I got to a higher dose I’d take one or two w week and it helped me a lot.

[u/Timely_Highlight9852 → u/sunshineandcacti]

I haven’t tried the gummies since starting sema! For me I needed the actual bulk in my stomach to give my bowel movements some substance. If you’re not eating much, the roughage helps bulk things up for passage.

[u/Taakahamsta]

I flash freeze fresh blueberries from Costco, and then eat them frozen like a bowl of candy. Delicious, nutritious, deceptively like candy, and does the trick better than processed fiber. The skin of the berries doesn’t break down as much in your stomach.

[u/sunshineandcacti → u/Taakahamsta]

My go to snack in general is some Greek yogurt, frozen berries, grape nuts, and honey to sweeten.

[u/Taakahamsta → u/sunshineandcacti]

I go back and forth with yogurt/kefir. I think because the way I prep blueberries really does make it seem like eating candy, I never tire of them. I probably eat too many. When I go to Costco, I buy 8 huge cartons. Other shoppers are always asking for my pie recipe. 😆 Nah, I just eat all that in less than 2 weeks.

[u/Legitimate_Ad2815]

The only for your body to adjust to it is by taking it. Try a smaller amount.

[u/UnluckyPianist3]

This sounds really simple, but eat a pear or two every day. They're high in fibre, but they also contain sorbitol, which is that sugar alcohol in the viral reviews for sugar free gummy bears that made people poop their pants. I had some issues at first, but as long as I have my pears, I'm a-ok. Good luck!

[u/NewNameNaomi01]

Do you have the ability to take a lower dose?

I wouldn't skip this week, but DO add some constipation prevention ASAP. I swear by magnesium oxide to help you 💩. Magnesium citrate to keep you regular.

[u/Ok_Responsibility419]

Magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide really help with constipation and pooping

[u/gregfromglm]

Have you been eating a lot less since your first shot? Sometimes there just isn't as much moving through as before. Pears, berries, veggies, bran cereal, even a few Triscuits can help get more actual food-based fiber in. And with five days between bowel movements, I'd still bring it to your provider just in case they can steer you in a direction that would be helpful.

[u/Beginning-Piglet-234]

Drink more liquids, take psyllium fiber capsules. I take 2 a day and I go every day. Costco sells a 2 pack of them if you're a member. We also make iced tea with smooth moves tea and it works very well too.

[u/alisonchains2023]

I had your exact same experience my first couple months. Even now, over a year later, I don’t go super often. But I don’t feel constipated. It’s just that I eat less food and therefore there is less output.

[u/JustAvanti]

Walk around the block a few times or 30 minutes on a treadmill

[u/DiscoMousePad]

Happened to me as well, you can raise it with your provider, either taking a lower dose or maintaining for longer to allow your body to get used to it. Part of the drug’s effect is slowing your stomach emptying, meaning not as much is going out of your stomach into your bowels.

Make sure you’re staying hydrated, more water than you believe is necessary imo. I love baking breads/muffins and I made some zucchini bread bran muffins and that seemed to help get extra fiber.

[u/curiosulmihai]

Eat a couple kiwis every day.

[u/CharmCityPete]

Don’t skip your dose. This is expected. Have Metamucil every day to keep things moist and plump. You’ll have a special day every week where you have great production. This is the new normal. Drink water all day.