REAL S**T TODAY
It might not smell like roses!
Hi, Everyone! First of all, I wanted to thank you all for the sweet comments about my doctor’s appointment yesterday. You have no idea how much it means to me that you all would take the time to send me messages of good thoughts and prayers! My appointment went great! Everything is good, and I even got my blood work back, and all is well there. There is a cancer antigen test that they look at, and that looked great! Praise the Lord!!! I am having an ultrasound this morning to rule out gallstones. I am sure it is nothing (trapped gas is my guess!), but my doc wants to have it done. I had some pain right where the gallbladder was last week, a pain that I’ve never felt before, so we shall see. So, speaking about that…
I am talking about something different today. It’s not about fashion at all (although it might affect the way your pants or dress fits). It’s a real problem that I and many other women have. It’s IBS and constipation. Now, if this doesn’t affect you or you don’t want to hear about poop, then I would say to move along, and I will catch you on Friday with “Chic at Every Age.”
I have been battling this problem forever. My dad used to say that I needed dynamite to blow that S**T out! I remember going to Oxford, England for six weeks of summer school with SMU and only going to the bathroom about three times the whole time. This is the way my body has always reacted. My body does not get up, smell the coffee and have to go! I have tried everything from smoking cigarettes with coffee and chocolate, laxatives, teas, magnesium, whatever…I have tried it. I have a few friends that suffer from this as well, and it’s always, “have you tried…fill in the blank? I will tell you, that if you have this problem, it is life controlling! Most of the time I look like I am four months pregnant with a poop baby! It is so uncomfortable!
I have been using two products recently that have helped me immensely. The first one is the Squatty Potty (yes, it was on Shark Tank). I first saw the video for this product and didn’t think anything about it, other than it was hysterical and I have watched it about twenty times! The Squatty Potty is all about having your body in a squatting position. There have been studies on Iranian and European bowel habits, and the Iranian style of using an unraised, ground level bowl helped bowel evacuation (that sounds so gross!) better than a toilet type bowl. I had tried putting my feet up on a basket from time to time, but to no avail. For some reason, I decided to order it this past Christmas and got the Ecco style. I started using it, and not that I am cured, but it does help. My oldest son got one at a White Elephant Christmas party and swears it has changed his life. I love it so much, that I am getting ready to order the Ghost Style and the travel style. Once your body gets used to this, it’s hard to go without.
The second thing that has helped with this issue, is MCT oil. This oil has become popular of late from the “Bullet Proof” coffee drink. If you are not familiar, you add grass fed butter and MCT oil to your coffee and blend it. Supposedly, this concoction is supposed to make you sharp as a tack. I have been adding a teaspoon of the oil to my coffee without the butter every morning. There is something about consuming the oil that I think makes things a little more slippery (if you know what I mean). I am not saying that these two things are a cure-all, but they have definitely helped me, and if you are at this point like me, why not try them?
I am not in any way being paid to tell you about these products. I have found that they work for me, and wanted to share them with you. If you or someone you know suffers from IBS or constipation, then you know it really can be debilitating. I hope these things work for you…or you could try dynamite! Let me know if you have success.
Okay…one small fashion note…SHOPBOP is having a huge sale for three days. This is a great time to stock up on white jeans and basics! Take advantage while you can.
Thank you for reading today’s “real life problem” blog post. None of us are perfect and we all suffer from something. I have a list of them! Have a great day! xx
Rosie Humphrey-Donohue
April 12, 2017 @ 9:04 am
All I’m gonna say is…I just love you! (Love your honesty) xoxo
Jennifer
April 12, 2017 @ 9:13 am
I do have this and know your pain! I used MCT oil everyday, in my salads.
What has helped me tremendously was going off all gluten. It was like a switch flipped and everything improved. I’m not sure if you’ve tried it, but it only took 2 weeks, totally gluten free for me to see the improvment. It was my endrocronoliigst who recommended it and I thought she was nuts. Nope! Miracle for me and a life changer. Triphala also helps was better than magnesium. Good luck XX
ellen rowe
April 12, 2017 @ 9:40 am
I too have had this problem but not all the time. I found a product on line that is a water soluble fiber.
It has lessened my bouts of irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhea & constipation. I take & mix 1 spoon full with some water in my coffee cup and then brew coffee over it. I also, take and pot a half of glass of water in my wine glass & add water before dinner. I order this thru “Heather’s Tummy fiber” on line. I take 2 ammonium of I have diarrhea. Hope this helps!
Cynthia Kendrick
April 12, 2017 @ 9:53 am
Love your honesty and thank you for keeping it real with everyday stuff that happens. Much success to you with your IBS and remedies.
Mish
April 12, 2017 @ 10:08 am
What works at our house is 16oz of warm water with a 1/2 lemon first thing each morning. If you google it, you’ll see 20 great things it does and keeping you “regular” is just one of them. Love you, Cat and glad you got a great report at the Dr ?
Joanne
April 12, 2017 @ 10:16 am
Made me laugh because I feel your pain – and your poop baby! 🙂 I am part of the “have you tried…” and slowly but surely things are getting a bit better. Like Jennifer, I too reduced my gluten intake – I honestly can’t give it up all together! Keep on keeping it real, I know there are lots of us going through this, but it is nice to hear someone talk about it OUT LOUD! I just recently started following your blog and will continue to do so, as I love your spirit! Have a great day.
June
April 12, 2017 @ 10:46 am
Same problem! My GI doc put me on a low FODMAP diet (google it). It was miraculous how well it worked for me. It’s overwhelming when you first see the restrictions, but you are supposed to add back the foods one at a time after a few weeks., so you can figure out what you are sensitive to. The problem for me is, I need to find a dietician who can help me and it takes time. None of which I have! Good luck!
Carolyn
April 12, 2017 @ 10:48 am
Yes, love your honesty! Thank you Cathy!!
Susan Iseman
April 12, 2017 @ 10:50 am
Sorry you have this issue! I am wondering about your diet. Have you spoken to a nutritionist? Food and nutrition is everything, as you know, and can have a huge impact….
Karen
April 12, 2017 @ 10:50 am
I can relate I’ve always battled with constipation and was also diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis which really complicates thing. I just bought the squatty potty as suggested by my gastroenterologist. I’ll have to give this oil a try. Debilitating to say the least with dealing with this issue, whatever it is doing to my body is also altering my emotional well being as well. Thank you for being so open!
ellen rowe
April 12, 2017 @ 10:56 am
We eat a very good diet. I am a diabetic too & am under control with meds. The tummy fiber has helped a lot!
emily lunstroth
April 12, 2017 @ 12:39 pm
amennn!!! I should have stolen some of your oil when I was over..next time 😉
Deborah Hunter
April 12, 2017 @ 1:29 pm
Have you looked at the book The Prime which is about improving you gut health? It is by an American practicing Indian neurologist who also added Ayurvedic practice to her skills. It is not a diet and the thing it REALLY helped me with in addition to gut health was eliminating my intense sugar cravings. It is available on Amazon, and I have recommended it to all my friends.
Catherine
April 12, 2017 @ 5:28 pm
The best post ever. You go my courageous friend. I’m ordering one for sure.
Maria Murphy
April 12, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
You absolutely kill me!! Your hysterically real and honest post is just what I needed to read after a tough day at work! Love following you Cathy! And btw wanted to share with you a natural product that my husband swears by called Herb Lax- if always does the trick for him give it a try!! http://m.shaklee.com/us/en/shop/healthysolutions/digestive/product-_p_herb-lax_p_
Glad to hear your Doc visit went well! Hope to chat soon! Maria
lei-lei.net
Kathy
April 12, 2017 @ 6:05 pm
I agree with the no Gluten experiment. At age 56 years old, I have some of your same symptoms and decided to pay for a blood test that showed food allergies/intolerances, and it came back High Intolerance for both Peanuts and Wheat. Once I stopped eating them, I had a flat stomach and no more gas or constipation problems. I was advised to go without these foods for 6 months and then try introducing them back into my diet.My husband also ordered two Squatty Potties for our house and they sure help too !
BethA
April 13, 2017 @ 5:50 am
You are my spirit animal!! My husband is always shocked when my friends and I discuss this issue, but I say thank God for women!! We talk and find out cures for problems — poop or otherwise! Love you! And I’m so thankful you had a great report at the doc!!
Wendy Going Forward
April 13, 2017 @ 7:18 am
I found your blog a few months ago. As a lover of fashion, I enjoy what I have read. Being fashionable and not looking like mutton dressed as lamb, is important at a certain age, but it is your dose of real life situations that makes you a must read. Thanks for your candor and grace! I have to go shopping now. I need MCT oil!!
Shauna
April 13, 2017 @ 9:28 am
Greatest post EVER sweetie! XO
debbie bowker
April 13, 2017 @ 12:19 pm
Thank You!!! I struggle with this as well.I used to smoke and when I quit it became really bad.I figured it would get better on it’s own but it didn’t.My doctor has me taking a probiotic.It has helped some.
I also notice it is better when I eliminate bread and pasta.Things of that nature seem to aggravate it.There probably is something to the no gluten.
Anyways, keep up the good work.I’m so happy about your test results too.
Debbie
Heather
April 13, 2017 @ 10:20 pm
Hi, I just started following your blog. I know from experience it’s all down to diet. Dr Atkins was right all along. Eating a Low Carb/High Fat diet not only makes you skinny but also regular. It is true that all the healthy fats make you full (I only eat 2 meals a day now), make your skin glow and insides run smoothly.
I don’t eat grains of any type, but lots of fat. I follow Prof. Tim Noakes’ book “Real Meal Revolution”. I highly recommend a “Banting” lifestyle. Hope this helps ?
Jeila
April 14, 2017 @ 8:35 am
My children have all bought the squatty potty for each other! They swear by them!
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:21 pm
Your children are really smart!!! xoxo
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:36 pm
Hi, Heather! Thank you for reading my blog…I so appreciate it! I pretty much follow the Atkins diet. I don’t eat carbs or dairy. I don’t know agout the book you recommended, but I am going to get it! Thank you so much for your comment and I do appreciate you taking the time to tell me about what you do and the book. xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:39 pm
Debbie, I am sorry that you deal with this too! I don’t eat gluten, and I really try and stay away from “gluten free” too. Most of the time its eggs, protein, veggies and some fruits. Thank you for the comment. I think there are so many of us that deal with this. xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:39 pm
Ha! Thank you so much! xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:41 pm
Wendy! Hi and thank you for reading the blog! We can never look like mutton dressed as lamb…not allowed!!! You words are so kind, and I appreciate them so much! Hope you got your oil!!! Keep in touch!!! xoxo
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:46 pm
HAHA and yay!!!! I hope this comment is not a repeat. I thought I responded, but cannot find it if I did. My husband gets so tired of me talking about the issue and he does hear it when my friends and I discuss. Why can’t we talk about it? Everyone does it (or just sometimes)! I am so thankful that you read the post and that you commented! Have a great week!!! xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:51 pm
Hi, Kathy! I forgot to say in the post that I am Gluten free. I have not gotten the blood test, but I am going to. I had the worst eczema for over a year. I was eating a lot of almonds every day and I decided to give them up. My eczema has gone away, but my stomach is still messed up. I will only find out what I am really sensitive to with the blood test.So glad you have the squatty potties! Thank you so much for commenting! I really appreciate it! xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 6:53 pm
Maria! Haha! I have to be honest and forthcoming about my issues! I don’t know any other way! Thank you for sharing the product that your husband likes. I may need it to get it to get into a dress at the end of the week! Hope all is going well and that your Easter was great! Big hugs to you! xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 9:58 pm
Haha! Let me know if it helps you!!! xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 10:01 pm
Hi, Deborah! I have never heard of that book, but I do think there is something to Ayurveda. I am going to get it!!! Thank you for reading, commenting, and the tip! xx
Cathy Williamson
April 16, 2017 @ 10:01 pm
come back and get some!!!
Colette Bourassa, M.S., CHHC
April 21, 2017 @ 2:50 pm
Hi Cathy, this is an important issue and it’s unfortunate that there is not more conversation about it. Thank you for posting this! I talk about poop and bowel habits in my practice every day as a nutrition and wellness coach. 😉
It is critical to gut health and good elimination to repopulate the gut with heathy bacteria and remove all inflammatory foods and beverages from your diet. It sounds like you’ve done some of that. Also very important to have proper supplementation to heal the gut lining.
Check out functionalmedicine.org to find a functional medicine/nutrition practitioner in your area.
Enjoy your blog and your sense of humor (and style of course!)
Cathy Williamson
April 25, 2017 @ 1:16 pm
Hi, Colette! I am so glad that you agree with me that it should be talked about! Too many women (and men) struggle with this issue. Thank you so much for passing on the website, I will definitely check it out! I so appreciate your comment! Have a great day!
1010ParkPlace
April 26, 2017 @ 8:18 pm
I’ve had the same problem since I was in my early 20’s. I can spend the night in a different room in my house and my “Princess and the Pea” system is so sensitive that I”m plugged up for days! I used to dig for Mayan artifacts in the jungles of Mexico and Central America every few weeks for 10 years. Everyone else was having the opposite problem, because of the water and local food, but not me!! Thanks for talking about this. It’s great to know I’m not alone. BTW, chemo only made it worse! xoxox, Brenda
janie
April 27, 2017 @ 4:13 pm
Hi! Love your blog!…..Just wondering if you’ve ever considered a totally plant based diet?
LisaandTrixie
April 29, 2017 @ 7:33 pm
I might suggest every who has a possible issue with gluten be screened for Celiac Disease. It’s a serious disease and can lead to other health concerns. Best of luck everyone!