Constipation Remedies?

[Mags711]

Hi All,
With a topic near and dear to our abdomens, I would like to ask everyone what their constipation remedies are....
I am struggling right now and could use advice (and a little humor) to get through the day.  I have used prune juice and exercise pretty successfully, but today I am just not having any relief.  I know there are lots of OTC remedies, prescription remedies and I would love to hear what others are using and having success with.  Thank you from my bottom, it's tired!
Maggie

[alanpvegas]

Don't know if anyone saw my reply post, but if you are having Opioid induced constipation, "Relistor" is now FDA approved and available to PREVENT Opioid pain medication induced constipation.  Opioid's target part of your gut that causes constipation, Relistor blocks Opioids from attacking it...thus...no constipation.  Just like that.  Their website is not fully up yet, but they have a press release on it.  It was also featured in Cure magazine recently about constipation (speaking of, go to curetoday.com to view a whole constipation and cancer article that may be of help).

[stillstruggling]

My husband is using  Benefibre for constipation from pain medication, he uses 3 heaping teaspoons a day, but that can go up or down as required.  No side effects and is avalible in most grocery & drug stores.

[bohan54]

Can't stand prune juice but bought can munch a few dried prunes and they seem to work pretty well too.

[Kimchi]

I am also 51, clear cell OC stage 4,,,I stopped my chemo last year Oct and now doing very similar to you...Acupuncture 3 times and reflexology once a week....Now brewing chinese herbs to keep fluid out of lung and abdomen, cleans out the lymph nodes as well...Stoped eating beef, chicken and allowed one glass of natural milk a day, lots of fruits, especially papaya and pomela (live in Thailand), take mulpitle vitamins, enema once a week and reishi mushroom.  Feeling really good and hope when I go in for next CA and scan, will have great news...Have always felt western medicines create other problems in the body, so have decided no more chemo one way or the other.
Glad to hear you have been cleared...Going to look at your diet more carefully.
Love
Kimchi

[nodie]

I am 51 have been clear of rare agressive ov cancer for 18 mths-I have made real changes to my diet -given up wheat and dairy -also increased salad and cooked veg greatly -still eat some fruit -I found website called canceractive very helpful re diet.
I had to got to hospital several times due to chemo and various medication to stop me vomitting-had the side effect of causing constipation so I got really fed up of taking more and more drugs that were aggravating things.

[ireneo]

All I know is licorice is not recommended for folks with heart problems. It can contribute to increased BP, electrolyte imbalance (especially lowered potassium), edema and should probably not be used by anyone on digoxin. I can't find anything specifically about the DGL that has the glycyrrhizin  removed. All I read is the g----- (tough word) is much sweeter than normal sugar. The report I read didn't mention that removing the g----- would make licorice safer for heart patients. I know you all aren't heart patients but still watch for edema or electrolyte imbalances.

[helenl89]

I use miralax once to twicw a day eat cereal with lots of fiber bran etc, eat lots of fruit and drink lots of water. this is weird, but pistachio nuts and popcorn work for me. Also drink prune juice, yeach.... and apple juice, sometimes use senacot also. Is a on going problem, for me. have to think twice before i eat  foods.

[marie3B]

The last time I had bad trouble I started eating All Bran cereal at vegas2cr's suggestion.  Is is gross??  Yes.  Did it help.  Yes.  Do I prefer Apple Jacks and Cocoa Puffs??  Of course.   Good luck.  Marie

[Janet535]

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice, also known as de-glycyrrhizinated licorice, or commonly referred to by the acronym DGL.

It is typically used as an herbal supplement in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is made from licorice from which the glycyrrhizin has been removed.

There have been no known cases of overdose, and very little reported side effects (nausea and diarrhea sometimes reported).

Maggie, is this what your Naturpath prescribed for you? I saw your post earlier and asked my neighbor about it, he's a chinese herbalist. He was curious to know what dosage was recommended and is it the chewable table form you were given?

I was pleased to see by your mood that your appointment with your new oncologist went well. I sent you an update via pm.

Look forward to hearing from you soon....cheers...Janet   :-))

[doicat]

Ditto bohan's question, what's DGL?
Glad to hear your meeting went well.  Would love an update.

Doicat

[bohan54]

What is DGL?  Ate some prunes today, not too bad.

[Mags711]

I saw my naturopath today. She has prescribed DGL for good bowel health.  I am excited to try it and the oncologist was in agreement.  Bliss!
Maggie

[tiffers40]

Lots and lots of water and miralax and senokot.   Honestly, it is a constant problem...tried benefiber too but doesn't work too well without one of the the others.  I think it helps though.

Tiffany

[melenzbee83]

Hi,
I would highly recommend flaxseed oil, It is completely natural and also supplies oxygen to the cells as well as relieving constipation. I have OVca plus IBS and it has worked a treat, just one capsule each day. I also take a home made vege juice each day which has seemed to also help. Best of luck.

Mel

[alanpvegas]

You don't even have to look for other remedies for constipation due to pain medication...they FDA approved a new drug this year that prevents pain (opiod class) medication from affecting the gut.  Pretty clear cut and eliminates the mixed usage of alternatives.

I posted info about it a while ago here:  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/651095

That being said, my mom did take Plum Smart and also Mirilax...mixed results.

[ireneo]

My favorites: Plum Smart (a tangy alternative to the syrupy prune juice of old; similar in taste to cranberry juice cocktail) and my new favorite cereal - Fiber One with Honey Clusters. It's lightly sweetened and has a hint of maple flavor. One little bowl provides 51% of daily fiber requirement. I eat a small bowl each morning and things flow smoothly. It's much nicer to eat than pills and oils.

[Mags711]

Thanks for everyone's response.  I am not on pain medication and would, of course, clear any medication with a doctor.  My hope was to hear more non-medicine related remedies.  I think most of the OTC medicine remedies are not very good and prefer to find something more natural to ease my way.  I exercise when I can, drink my prune juice, eat my oatmeal and although these help, I still have days when the constipation never feels better.  I know the tumor pressing on my bowel has much to do with it. Thanks for your responses, I hope we all have a wonderful, peaceful, movement filled day.
Maggie

[manneca]

I used 3 ducolax tablets each night and miralax in the morning and evening (twice the normal dose). I also used ground flax seed in my cereal in the morning. I thought I would have to go to the hospital one time. Are you taking pain meds? Could you switch to tylenol or ibuprophen?

[Terrin2]

Sometimes a spoon of mineral oil helps or even olive oil to keep the stool soft.   We will have to see which works best for you.   It took me a while to find something that did not make me get terrible cramps....  I found that even with the strong laxatives, it was not worth the pain,  but some of the milder ones worked better.

[momofsandj]

My son was on Miralax for years and it worked like a charm -- I am using prunes and Colace but I'm taking Colace three times a day and trying to drink a lot (not booze!) --- I ended up having to use Dulcolax laxative and finally had some activity -- yippee ---- the first cycle of topo this time around I used nothing and I ended up bleeding trying to go ---- I haven't tried Senna but my doctor recommended it ----- This cycle I'm starting the colace the day before I start chemo and will use it all week as I have chemo 5 days -- then for an extra week just to make sure ---
It's just one more indignity we seem to have to live with
Good luck
Jeanne
P.S. Hi Chris

[crecco]

  After my surgery, my gyn/onc told me to take a stool softener in case of constipation.
I have heard that Miralax is also good. But I think that before I took anything for sure, I would call your Dr and see what he suggests. Many times what is good for one is not so good for another.
       Chris

[westajul]

Hi,
I also use Senokot-S and it works for me. If my stool is really hard then I use a glycerine suppository...but Senokot seems to keep me regular and is available over the counter. I have used Colace but Senokot-S works better. Julie

[lvfrogs]

I have been dealing with this for over a year. My doc put me on Miralax first and then he added Senokot-S, both over the counter. The Senokot-S has finally gotten me back to a more regular basis and it is in capsule form. Good luck!

[bohan54]

I take a stool softener in the morning and night.  Also use the Senna laxative and if all that fails, I use a glycerine suppository.  My intestines are still quite sluggish even with all that stuff but it usually works!
Sharon