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Any suggestions for easing constipation? (Please, no jokes)

I never had this problem for my first 73 years.

But now I'm old and it's become a real problem.

Anyone here figure out how to change this condition of bowels that feel like I'm packed with cement?

The last time I posted a question about this was when I had to give up keto dieting because the keto diet causes constipation for me. I got a series of jokes and smart remarks. Please don't treat this as a joke. It is a very painful condition for me. Really, it's not a joke for those who suffer from it.

Here is what won't work for me, so don't bother to suggest these ideas:

I hesitate to take a laxative. I live in a rented room in a roominghouse with several people sharing the bathroom with me. If I have to use the toilet suddenly, I may not be able to get into the bathroom in time. So taking a laxative could be a mistake.

Legally, in my town, social workers inspect roominghouses and if they find a portable toilet, or any kind of potty, they can close down the entire house and I'd be out on the street looking for a new home. You can only have a portable toilet in a specially licensed señior care facility here. So putting a portable toilet in my room isn't the answer.

I eat a lot of veggies in my diet, and I love salads which I eat every day. I also drink a lot of water.

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cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

There are little probiotic drinks that have two different probiotics in them. Very good for digestion. They are often sold in the yogurt sections of grocery stores especially in Mexican markets butI have found them at some Walmart’s, Winco, and local stores. They sell in 5 or 6 packs for about $1. There is another brand that costs about $3, I go for the $1 ones and take one a day on an empty stomach and eat something about 30 minutes later with a little bit of sugar in it to feed the bacteria, fruit is good. Golden flax meal is good for your liver, about a tablespoon per day. Helps to get things moving. Broccoli or other veggies from the cabbage family should be consumed daily, broccoli seems to be the best though. Beets or beet juice is helpful because it contains betaine which also helps the liver. I went on the keto diet and had to stop for the same reason. Also get more resistant starches in your diet, they will form prebiotics and aid digestion.And if I feel like my food is not digesting well after a meal I will eat a raw carrot and can tell a difference within 20 minutes.

greenmountaingal · 80-89, F

@cherokeepatti Could you give me an example of a "resistent starch"? I've never heard of that.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@greenmountaingal there are at least 5 types, you need to google and read up on them. One type is rice and potatoes. When they are cooked and cooked overnight and eaten cold the resistant starch levels increase greatly.