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

I also use miralax and it works wonders. If it wasn't for this RX I would be in a world of S*** 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. 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-

[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.