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725248 tn?1316162245

constipation issues

How many out there have problems with constipation.  I have severe problems with constipation, I have tried stool softeners, laxitives, many different brands.   And talk about painfulas far as teh 1-10 pain scale, my pain is usually a 50, sometimes almost causing me to pass out from the pain.    I do drink lots of water.  So does anyone out therre have any advice for me I am desparate for advice.....please.help me.........Thank you so much...........Chuck
13 Responses
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874521 tn?1424116797
i'm sorry to hear just how severe your constipation is!!...it will take more than the usual measure, keep up with your routine and keep a chart to take to your doctor than maybe you will be taken more seriously....you are more than constipated you are in crisis.
Keep using the softners, more to get you started than everything when it does happen at least won't be as painful for you.
And have you resorted to enemas?
Talk to your Pharmacist there are the straight lubricant ones that are easier on the system and in your case may be called for to save yourself a trip to the ER...
Like I told you before in a post you could easily become inpacted and that is an emergency...working in a nursing home its IS possible to faint when having a bowel movement, and I too have come close before starting the milk of magnesia that is working for me.
good luck and keep us posted, you do need to get this taken care of and soon.
Helpful - 0
678449 tn?1263554616
It seems many of use have constipation issues. I go between severe constipation to diarrhea.  When I have terrible constipation I get fissures also which make me yelp in pain.  I have used over the counter suppositories, stool softeners and even enemas when needed.  I am hoping to avoid adding another medication to my medicine cabinet so for now these remedies work for me. Hope you find some relief.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem but maybe not as severe.What works for me is a bowl of shredded wheat before bedtime each night.
Helpful - 0
725248 tn?1316162245
Well so far nothing has helped, I am drinking lots of water, I take 8-12 stool softeners a day, 4 fiber tablets a day.  I started eating lots of fruit and salads as that in the past usually worked, still nothing.  I have had bad experiences in the past with butt exams, they scare the you know what outta me.  I hate to think of even trying to live without my pain meds, my family would surely boot me outside with the dogs.  I have tried some of the stuff suggested.  Nothing.  I did mention it to my pain doctors PA and she didn't seemed to concerned, but then these are the same people that when I had my pain pump put in they just took me off all my meds cold turkey.  That was not a pleasent experience.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Peppermint Oil is the best. The product I use is "Pepogest." One of my doctors told me about it years ago.  I use Miralax too.  Use Miralax nightly even if you do not go.  It will work. Then with a meal take Pepogest and Fish Oil.  You will go.  What you eat also matters.  I can't eat a lot of fiber, that's what they always say to eat but it bothers me.  Vegetables do helps, salads, always put a tablespoon of good olive oil on your veggies.  That will help keep you regular. A diet they say is excellent and I follow pretty much, I'm Italian, is the Mediterranean diet. It's basically a diet consisting of foods from plant sources and good olive oils and no processed foods.  That also can help you.  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
these OTC laxatives aren't helping you enough because you have allowed your stools to become to HARD and too LARGE....thats why the fissures and horrific pain when trying to pass these stools.
You need to use a STOOL SOFTENER along with the laxative(which ever one you use)...
You no doubt have a condition called 'mega colon' from long term constipation. and will always need to use a stool softener DAILY for safety....or you risk impaction.
Helpful - 0
725248 tn?1316162245
I have tried over the counter miralax and even prescription strength miralax and it didn't help me one bit.   I hope this is not too graphic, but I now know what pregnant women feel like, then only problem for me is it causes anal fissures and they hurt worse then my back and nothing takes the pain away, the only thing that remotely helps the pain is a product called Nitro-bid, its a nitroglycerin ointment, its main use is for heart patients and it has a read bad side effect, it causes intense headaches.  This back pain sure is a pain in my butt....humor
Helpful - 0
655875 tn?1295695107
My PM has me on Miralax and it is one of the best medicines out there.  It is sold over the counter and it even comes in generic form.  I have to take it every other day due to it working so well.  If I didn't take this, I would be impacted due to the narcotics I take.  Also, getting up and going for a long walk helps too.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Forgot to mention, there is also another medication prescription only called lubristone (sp?). It is a long term med, it's not a laxative, it's a one of a kind drug, nothing quite like it on the market. Having said that, it is expensive, I have excellent insurance, and my co-pay is $150. But it works great. Also push come to shove the antibiotic zithromax works great, the three day pack. Also Keflex, another antibiotic works as well. I use those as last resort though, they work good, but why build up a tolerance to anti. you don't need for infection. But seriously try osmoprep first. You're getting advice from someone who only goes once a month on my own. From someone who can take 10 doses of Miralax at once and still not go.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem with or without narcs, although narcs make it worse. Mine is severe and chronic, severe to the point of only one movement a month. However, I have found a cure. There is a prescription tablet called osmoprep. It is usually only used for bowel cleansing before a colonoscopy, but drs. will prescribe it for severe conditions. It is available over the counter in liquid form, called phosphosoda. To drink enough of the liquid form it will make you sick, it tastes awful and most likely you'll start throwing up before you drink enough. I only have to swallow 4 tablets with 8ozs of water and I'm running to the bathroom. Works immediately, with little to no cramping!
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
HI...I know what you mean I have had this problem for 30+ years, there are no easy fixes and I've been told them all from doctors....water/exercise/fiber/stool softners, they DO all help SOME, but for chronic long term sufferers its alot more complicated issue. I don't know if your problem is chronic or recent due to narcotic usage?
I haven't YET tried Reds advice.
When I started on narc's my PMP told me to use 2 tbsp Milk of Magnesia a.m. and p.m....I kinda laughed because most laxatives don't work for me either except for large doses.....But I can say this one does at least so far..
hope you find some relief!!!          
Please be very careful when on narc's you could get impacted than that would require a fast trip to the ER.
Helpful - 0
765775 tn?1366024691
Take 500mgs. of Milk Thistle every night before bed. You will have solved your problem and will be doing your liver a favor in the process. Add 250mgs. of Dandelion Root and you will feel even better.

Trust me!
Helpful - 0
653169 tn?1303446369
if u take narcotics, you may need to decrease does or change meds as advised by a /doctor. Increased activity also helps.
Helpful - 0
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