Lets talk constipation

[peekawho]

How is everyone managing their constipation issues, or am I the only one with it?  Not a pleasant subject, but we all "gotta go", right?  I think it would be a helpful issue to address.

I don't even use narcotics regularly, but when I do I get very constipated.  Right now I take Colace twice a day, and senna tablets once a day,  and try to get in Miralax once a day (but have a hard time remembering that one).

Of course the obligatory fruits and veggies, dried prunes, water, etc.  Its mostly that I don't get the exercise I used to.  

Ok--what's your remedies?

[Qannah]

For constipation try magnesium citrate which many people are deficient in and which is important to health.
It will draw water to the bowel. It helps opiate induced constipation--a tough one -and is non toxic.
A nice way to take it is dissolved as a tea by Natural Calm.This is recommended by the Charlie Foundation as appropriate for children on a ketogenic diet. Works for adults too,

[Ashelen]

I personally think that they should just include a stool softener and laxative in the "additives" in our medicines..it would just skip the whole middle man. To be honest, I think that taking mid-low dose narcotics for so many years (coming up on 5 now I think) has made my intestines immune to the constipation. Occasionally if I have a bad headache and have to go through a spell of more-than-usual meds I'll get it but I think my body's adjusted. I DO eat a lot of fiber and drink water like a fish though.

Who'd've thunk that at 25 I'd even CARE about regularity? Ugh.

[mellie4]

I take a capful (or two) of Miralax every day and 2 to 4 stool softeners.  This seems to work for me.  When things do get to the problem level (usually after a surgery ... though this time it didn't, thank God), I tried suppositories and in the past have even done enemas ... NEVER thought I'd do that, but when it gets that painful it's that or the ER.  I wish I had thought of the mag citrate.  (I've actually called the doctor's office ... wonder why they don't recommend the mag citrate?  Maybe because it's so easy to get dehydrated with it??)

Before taking narcotics, I had the trouble of going too often.  Initially, on low doses, the narcotics just made me normal, but as my doses went up, I ended up with the constipation and at times impaction.

I think doctors need to talk a little more directly about narcotics and constipation and that they need to sort of let you know it goes beyond regular constipation.

I've been caught with impaction twice and it will never happen again.  My BF, who is also a pain patient, just can't seem to "get it."  He lets it happen to him repeatedly ... then swears he'll stay on top of it and then forgets.  I have no idea how he forgets ... impaction is imbedded in my memory for life.

Tuck, I find prune juice works great (and I used it with my last pregnancy when I had trouble.)  But I sometimes find it hard to drink and have found drinking it at room temperature or slightly warm works better for me than cold from the fridge.

[Jaybay]

I can choke down prune juice a whole lot easier than Metamucil.  And just why is it that every doctor I've ever talked to ALWAYS pushes the Metamucil?  I can't believe they've ever used it themselves or they wouldn't be so darn excited about it.  GAK!  

Tuck, you might try Citrucell as an alternative daily fiber supplement.  It's water soluble and doesn't blow you up as bad as Metamucil and other psyllium products.  If you're talking EMERGENCY I'M ABOUT TO EXPLODE! time - go for the mag citrate before bed and plan on staying home for the day.  :-)

[Tuckamore]

Oh goodness. Constipation has struck me for the very first time in my life. Because I lost 99 cms of small intestine in the MVA I always had diarrhea or at least very loose stools. Opiates for pain management had an added benefit in bowel regulation. All was good until a slow release opiate was recently added to my PM meds.

I am allergic to all the fiber products like Metamucil's and the colace products. Because of the allergy I am afraid to try the Miralax which did absolutely nothing for my father. So I drink...actually choke down is a better term...two glasses of prune juice a day. It is a bit helpful but I still struggle.  I drink lots of fluids and as much fruit as I can...but I have little appetite so if I eat even a small apple that is my entire meal.

Magnesium citrate is in my closet for an emergency. I haven't tried Magnesium or Chia seeds but will discuss these with my PCP.  I'm too an very tired of the discomfort of constipation and am getting desperate for some solutions.  :o)  

[mkh9]

I agree with Miralax and dried prunes and or lots of fruitand water too. Although, You shouldn't take Miralax long term according to the package.
mkh9

[JadedSweetheart]

The chia seeds sound like a good healthy thing.  I will look into the safety of those during pregnancy.  When dealing with pregnancy constipation and narcotic constipation at the same time, I usually need all the help I can get.  
I took magnesium citrate once, the drink that Jaybay recommended for blockages.  I had to take it before having a kidney test done once (where they inject dye to see how well the urinary tract functions)  That stuff definetly cleans you out!  They didn't tell me at the time why I had to take it, but I soon figured it out.  It's almost like an enema, but without the uncomfortable "application" of an enema.
I've been taking two magnesium 5,000 i.u. a day.  That really helps to keep things moving and is supposed to help muscle pain and spasms, but I don't think it helps there very much.
I've also been eating a lot of apples lately and I think that's helping, too.  

[RunningMom]

If you do decide to try the chia seeds.  I put them in applesauce, pudding or with some of my shake to eat them.  They tend to gel up and I don't like that feeling in my mouth.  They are also loaded with potassium and vitamin B's along with other vitamins.  The chia seeds help you retain the water you drink, which keeps you hydrated longer.  I take narcotic medications everyday and I would be in horrible shape without the seeds. :)

[RunningMom]

You can buy chia seeds at any health foods store.  I buy them from amazon.com.  I either buy the 3 or 5 pound bag.  The 3 pound bag will last me about 3-4 months.  Chia seeds are much better tasting then flax seed.  They have about the same nutrients and they do more then flax seeds do.  I bought the chia initally to help me lose weight in my protien shakes.  I found out they work the best in aiding me to go to the bathroom.  

[houseofgirls]

The only time I really have these issues is after surgery.  But when I do, I have used Colace, Miralax and if desperate, a suppository.  

Unfortunately, I usually have the opposite problem...loose stools, sorry tmi!  So when I do take narcotics for my pain, I get the added bonus of being "regular" lol!  

Whenever I do have to take those meds after a surgery, I do make sure to drink plenty of water.

[Jaybay]

Ah yes... the periodic scatalogical discussion; this topic is as reliable as our bowels are unreliable.  ;-)  

Mostly, go with whatever works, BUT avoid the senna.  It's a stimulant laxative and it doesn't take long for intestines to go on strike and refuse to work without it.  Daily miralax is a good choice along with the usual water, prunes and fiber like, flax seeds (unless you have bowel adhesions).  For anyone approaching impaction status, Fleet's Phosphasoda or magnesium citrate is an option, but not exactly fun.  Those products work like the ones used for colonoscopy prep by taking water from the body and sending it to the colon.  Increased water consumption is essential when using them to avoid dehydration.   Here's to regularity!  :-D

[peekawho]

Where do you get the chia seeds from?  

[RunningMom]

I take miralax every so often and 1 tablespoon of chia seeds daily.  The chia seeds are a miracle.  They work much better then anything else.  When I wasn't taking the chia seeds, the miralax barely worked.

[melissaky]

Hi Peek ! Oh yes the constipation thing .! I too take Colace usually one a day .I have IBS also so constipation is a fact of life for me .The Colace works well most of the time but there are times when I get in a real bind .I will use a suppository then .I also try to eat foods that are conducive to keeping things moving and I have been eating an Activia yogurt once a day ..I like to take a nice leisurely walk in the evenings after supper so I count that as my exercise .This is a good subject to address as this is a fact of life for many CP patients .Take care Peek !
Melissa