Constipation

[millgirl]

I have read all the old posts on this. I have tried so many things both otc and prescription. Does anyone have some new info?

[kennethhoff]

What works for me is psyllium every day. One tablespoon in a glass of OJ helps build fiber. Metamucil is one brand, but generics are just as good and cheaper. The powder is what works, not the tablets.
Ken

[cindybear]

My Doc precribes Miralax...To use 2 times a day...I use it once a day...And thats too much !!! I have a inoperable brain aneurysm and I'm not aloud to push ( I know , to much info ) But this stuff is good...As long as you use it everyday...It does tend to make you gassy though...But that gets better with using it often..The generic is just as good...HUgs, Cindy :p

[Quahog]

I also use miralax and it works wonders. If it wasn't for this RX I would be in a world of S*** :p Sorry I just couldn't resist.

I was also told to take a stool softener with it everyday as well.

It does say to use one capfull everyday but personally I found that to be too much and I use it every other day and I have no complaints.

From experience I find that the generic is stronger than the name brand.

[Eppy]

I take Glycolax which is prescription and it works really welll as long as I remember to take it. If I don't, I am screwed up for 2 days.

Luanne

[millgirl]

Thanks everyone. i take glycolax twice a day, magnesium 500 mg bid and i still have trouble. I have tried zelnorm and amitza too. sometimes i add senna. Even with the glycolax, i find that the suppositories work best. Problem is that i do go but i guess it is just not enough. A recent ct showed a lorge amount of stool in the colon. I am always bloated and uncomfortable.

My gi doc suggested going off morphine. I was ready to cry but i told him i wouldn't consider it. I was taken off the morphine this summer and for 2 months the pain was so bad that i couldn't get out of bed. Not only that but the extreme pain sent my bp up to 190/110 and I had a episode something like a tia during which i was unable to speak for about 20 minutes.

So it has come down to pain in the gut or pain in the head. Ugh!

[Spiney]

Sometimes, with some folks, the answer isn't just about the medicinal remedies. Some folks do not respond well to the medicinal fiber remedies and need to be on a strict high fiber diet in conjunction with drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day to flush it through. The water is also imperative with the fiber supplements or you could set up a cement block. :eek: It helps to avoid foods that tend to constipate along with caffine which dehydrates. Highly processed foods constipates some also. The Battle of the Bowels is rather complicated. Good Luck!!!!!

[millgirl]

Spiney, thanks for your contribution too. My diet is high fiber. I add flaxseed and I don't take any caffeine. I find it hard to drink that much but i make an effort.

I take avinza 90 mg daily btw. How does that compare with the doses the rest of u take? Maybe my difficulty is dose related although i don't think i could get by with less.

[Headspin]

I suffer from it every few days due to the number of medications I am on. On simple task that helps is to drink plenty of water. The body is made up of 80% water, and so, the more that is put back, the better. The more you drink, the better it keeps your system flushed out from all basic impurities.

-Craig- :D

[Spiney]

While there is no doubt that the pain meds, amoung others, certainly constipate, I have IBS and have had these "issues" going back to childhood.....long before spinal damage and the meds.

Yes!!!!! I throw freshly ground flax seed on everything. It is easy to do as I find it yummy and inhances the taste of many things. Drinking as much of my mandatory water intake with my meals seems to increase the effect. That also helps to keep me from over eating. Vigorous walking, if possible, really helps me.

The bottom line (no pun intended) is that this problem is like an onion with many many layers. ;)

[millgirl]

I saw a new gi doc today. he says it is ok to take miralax up to 4 times a day. i think that might fix me up. I have only been taking it twice a day. Does anyone else take that much miralax? fortunately, i don't pay for the specific quantity of medicine. i pay for a 30 day supply. I also told the doc that if i don't have a bmon any given day that i take a dulcolax suppository on the following day. He was ok with that too.

[moonstar]

I Also Am On Alot Of Meds That Do The Same Thing....believe It Or Not Besides The Usual Stool Softeners I Make Sure That I Eat A Handful Of Peanuts Everyday..it Was Worse Before The Peanuts..so Maybe It Will Help...

[Boopers]

This is one of many reasons I am so thankful that BT is back! I, too, have this problem as I am on alot of meds and pain meds. :( I have learned alot from this thread and now know what to go to my doc and ask for.
Thanks,
Linda:)

[Linda25]

Hi folks,

its nice to not be alone on this one, it's boring, embarassing and frustrating!

My combo of calcium (osteoporsosis runs in my family), antidepressants, decongestants and other meds makes things clog up pretty bad:eek:

I take 250 mg of stool softner per day

eat a big bowl of All bran and add ground flax meal each morning

the clincher is to drink PLENTY of water and add a bowl of plain oat bran in the evening (I cook it with a vanilla flavored protein powder and more flax seed)

snacking on prunes helps, also eating at least 2 servings of fresh fruit

I don't like this problem, but at least there are some solutions:rolleyes:

love,
Linda25

[october]

Spiney, thanks for your contribution too. My diet is high fiber. I add flaxseed and I don't take any caffeine. I find it hard to drink that much but i make an effort.

I take avinza 90 mg daily btw. How does that compare with the doses the rest of u take? Maybe my difficulty is dose related although i don't think i could get by with less.

I take 60 mg of avinza 2 times daily and it still barely touches pain. I also take hydrocodone as needed and aspirin. I am very constipated all the time and take nothing for it, which I definitely need to do. All your suggestions have been very helpful, thank you. It is an embarassing problem, but need to talk to my doctor about it.:o

[Debbie T]

I recently watched a health show about digestion that was really interesting & informative. The doctor talked about eating to aid digestion & helping constipation with the food you eat.

If you eat a steak or other meat, it can take your body 2 days to digest (that's why you can sometimes feel bloated the next morning after a big meal). If your digestion is slowed by opioids, it can take 4 days (or longer) to digest meat. You basically wait for it to rot in your stomach to break down (yikes!). Meat keeps your stomach from emptying & can actually pack up in your esophagus to cause even more problems. Fish will break down faster & provides essential oils needed to aid stools moving. Fruit & vegetables will digest much faster & empty out of your stomach more quickly.

You need a lot of fluid to move digested food through your intestines. Women actually have longer intestines than men because they have to go around your uterus so that's why women are more likely to have problems in this area. Water is important but so are oils like Fish Oil & Flaxseed Oil (lubricate your intestines better than water). Stool softeners are made from some type of oil that does this same thing.

Too much fiber & not enough oils/fluids can actually pack waste in your intestines causing more problems. They stressed how important it is to have the right combination of the right food, enough fluid/essential oils, and fiber. Any way, I just thought it was really interesting.

[joy]

thanks for taking the time to post this. I had not heard about opiods slowing things down either. Also good to know about too much fiber and not enough oils. I knew I had to be doing something wrong, lol. I try and drink plenty. Now to see if my fish oil has expired...

[Just~Mike]

Hello All ;

I think all this info is good , and it's good to know as much as we can. ~ I like the cheapest and easiest way.

~>I use the generic form of MiraLax > Polyethylene Glycol,
it works great .... I am now a "regular guy" :rolleyes: .

I don't know how much the M'lax costs , but the Poly.Glycol costs about $21.00 a month. = I have mixed it water , juice , gatorade etc. and it has no taste , T.G. !:cool:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I copied & pasted this ;

MiraLax
aka
Polyethylene Glycol 3350
pol ee eth' i leen glye' col



Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#why)
How should this medicine be used? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#how)
Other uses for this medicine (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#other-uses)
What special precautions should I follow? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#precautions)
What special dietary instructions should I follow? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#special-dietary)
What should I do if I forget a dose? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#if-i-forget)
What side effects can this medication cause? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#side-effects)
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#storage-conditions)
In case of emergency/overdose (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#overdose)
What other information should I know? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#other-information)
Brand names (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#brand-names)
Other names (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603032.html#other-names)
Why is this medication prescribed ?

Polyethylene glycol 3350 is used to treat occasional constipation. Polyethylene glycol 3350 is in a class of medications called osmotic laxatives. It works by causing water to be retained with the stool. This increases the number of bowel movements and softens the stool so it is easier to pass.

It may take 2 to 4 days for polyethylene glycol 3350 to produce a bowel movement.

To use the powder, follow these steps:
If you are using polyethylene glycol 3350 from a bottle, use the measuring line on the bottle cap to measure a single dose (about 1 heaping tablespoon). If you are using polyethylene glycol 3350 packets, each packet contains a single dose.
Pour the powder into a cup containing 8 ounces of water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea.
Stir to dissolve the powder.
Drink immediately.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Psyllium

(sil' i yum)

Brand names ;


Fiberall®
Hydrocil Instant®
Konsyl®
Metamucil®
Modane Bulk Powder®
Perdiem Fiber®
Serutan®
Siblan®



Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#why)
How should this medicine be used? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#how)
Other uses for this medicine (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#other-uses)
What special precautions should I follow? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#precautions)
What special dietary instructions should I follow? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#special-dietary)
What should I do if I forget a dose? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#if-i-forget)
What side effects can this medication cause? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#side-effects)
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#storage-conditions)
What other information should I know? (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#other-information)
Brand names (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601104.html#brand-names)
Why is this medication prescribed?

Psyllium, a bulk-forming laxative, is used to treat constipation. It absorbs liquid in the intestines, swells, and forms a bulky stool, which is easy to pass.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?

Psyllium comes as a powder, granules, and wafer to take by mouth. It usually is taken one to three times daily. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take psyllium exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
The powder and granules must be mixed with 8 ounces of a pleasant tasting liquid, such as fruit juice, right before use. Chew wafers thoroughly. For psyllium to work properly and to prevent side effects, you must drink at least 8 ounces of liquid when you take it.
Do not take psyllium for longer than 1 week unless your doctor tells you to.

Take care ~ Mike

[Just~Mike]

Hi Gloria ;

I am on the generic form of Miralax ~ it's called " Polyethelene Glycol 3350 " , it comes in 2 week and / or 4 week supplies. So you're right about the price. > My g/f let me try it and now my Dr. gave me the R/X for it.
-- I have had some bad episodes with "C" in the past , but nothing like you explained above (my sympathy goes to you , yikes ).
~> I will always have this with me , AND I was suprised to see that W.C. paid for it .... wow ! :)

Take care ~ Mike

[Spiney]

Debbi T.............you are soooooooooo correct in addressing the need for balance in all things that are related to bowel function.

Sometimes it is also helpful to rotate your "cures". Several years ago, I went for six weeks without a meaningful movement. Yep, it's possible. I was hospitalized and they threw everything at me to include three gallons of Go Litely and high hots. Nothing happened. Senna tea finally did the trick.

I just recently had a week long episode in spite of daily prunes, stool softner, Miralax and the faithful gallon of water. A strong cup of senna tea at bedtime produced a huge but normal movement the next morning........one of those spiritual bowel movements. ;)

[Tbackpain1]

Spiritual Bowel movements?? LOLOL, you mean that praying it will be over soon kind?

I totally agree about switching up your regiment. Sometimes stimulant type, sometimes just a lubricant type. I tend to use the Yakima Fruit paste, but when I make it, I add flax seed to it for it's own benefits. But when necessary, I have a bottle of Miralax (YAG!!). Water, water, water. We often get mildly dehydrated as a result of the medications, so its especially important to drink at least 8 8oz glasses of H2O. I keep bottles of water with me all the time, so I don't forget to drink. Change it up by adding a sliced lemon, lime or orange...water can be so blah.

Hopefully we can compile the tips and make them part of a sticky, since this issue is so very important, and folks are sometimes hesitant to address it till they get to the "point of no return", so to speak.

Theresa

[illusion129]

Tback- I was surprised to see that you were the only one who mentioned the Yakima fruit paste! I will copy and paste the recipe (I saved it as soon as I saw it) for others to see.

Yakima Fruit Paste:

DOSE: 1-2 tablespoons per day

1 pound prunes
1 pound raisins-pitted
1 pound figs
4 oz senna tea (look in your health food store, it looks like a bunch of leaves)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup lemon juice

1. Prepare tea-use about 2 1/2 cups boiled water added to tea and steep 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea to remove tea leaves and add only 1 pint liquid tea to a large pot then add the fruit.
3. Boil fruit and liquid tea for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add sugar & lemon juice. Allow to cool.
5. Use hand mixer or food processor to blend fruit mixture into smooth paste.
6. Place in plastic container and place in freezer. (Paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer).
7. Spoon out what you require each day.

Enjoy eating it straight off the spoon.
Spread it on toast or add hot water and make a drink.

* If the fruit paste is not working (you are not having bowel movements) then you need to increase the amount of fruit paste you are taking.

* If the fruit paste makes you have very loose stools then you need to cut down on the amount of fruit paste you are taking, perhaps even taking it every other day in some cases.

--Luckily I can say that I don't have much trouble with having a bowel movement thanks to my doctor prescribing Reglan (an anti-nausea medication that also helps speed up the GI tract) as well as taking two stool softeners (the generic kind) a day.

One softener in the morning and one in the evening. I can take the Reglan up to 4 times a day as needed for nausea but have found that taking one in the morning, one in the afternoon (only if needed), and then one at night before bed usually helps me stay nausea-free and have a good bowel movement at least every other day...which is fine by me! -RH

[hermit]

hello, ive found a good swig of "mineral oil" or "olive oil" at bed time an drinking lots of water did the job for me. ormineral oil or olive oil an a table spoon of "sea salt" in a quart of water in the morning gets the show on the road too.
sincerly, hermit