Constipation Question
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 10-13-2004 - 1:33pm |
I know this may sound crazy, but has anyone ever heard of or experienced constipation due to drinking diet soda? I have been constipated for 3 weeks now, and the only thing that has changed in my diet is that I have switched to diet sodas. I usually have about 2 per day, 1 for lunch and 1 for dinner. I have tried laxatives and drinking lots of water, but nothing is really working. The laxatives just give me a "water" effect, if you know what I mean. I am seriously considering seeing a doctor about this b/c it has lasted so long. I usually expereince some constipation around my period every month, which I understand is pretty common, but it certainly never lasts for 3 weeks.
Does anyone have any suggestions, or have you experienced the same thing from diet sodas? What are some good laxatives or foods to try? Thanks a lot for any help!

Hi and Welcome blondie121984,
I am over 50 here and in my life-
Hi Blondie!
Yes, Aspartame can cause a lot of digestive disorders, and a lot of other problems too.
Do you know if C2 (the Coke with half the calories, not calorie-free) has aspartame in it? Do you know what kind of sweetener is used in it?
Hey Blondie!
I know that diet coke is sweetened with aspartame and I am trying to find out from the company about the C2.
In addition to Asparatame (sp?) giving digestive problems, I would add Sorbital, another arStificial sweetener.
I found a few years ago that I would get bad stomach cramps after chewing sugar-free gum. I finally saw that Sorbital, another "fake" sweetener, was an ingredient. I researched it and found that Sorbital can cause gas and stomach pain; sometimes constipation or diarhea (sp). So now I never buy any food or gum/candy that contains Sorbital if I can see it on the label.
I like foods, etc., with Splenda...it's almost like sugar and doesn't cause pain. My husband hates artificial foods but likes Splenda (it is expensive) but it doesn't cause cavities to my knowledge or weight gain and he uses tons on his tea/cereal and I don't say a thing because it's a lot better than sugar!
I have always had (all my life, since a little girl) chronic constipation (runs in the family) though I eat fiber, exercise lots, drink water, etc. I have to watch the fiber intake (esp. apples unpeeled) because I will get bad stomach aches...I have had colonoscopies, ultrasound, gallbladder tests...nothing wrong.
Running and abominal exercises/yoga help, but it's hard to spend the time necessary to help, and I need to do the running, etc., every day or here comes the stomach ache. I have to eliminate every day or there's gss/pain. Sometimes I go to bed with a stomachache and the pain will awaken me early.
I've read of a natural grain coffee known as Kashi? (not the cereal) but can't find it. Anyone know of it? One "net" person swears by it.
Also, anyone have any ideas of nonaddictive herbs, teas, foods, exercises, etc. that help with elimination without a lot of gas? I do use whole grain cereals/breads and flaxseed.
Also Metamucil and such.
Thanks for any help out there!
Hi Linda!
Some herbs that I would suggest you try for gas would be: