[Nervous]

Over the last three months, I have made no progress with my constipation. The dozens of constipation threads in this forum all offer about the same remedies. So, here's a different question:

Is there any risk to frequent, or even daily, enemas? It is not a perfect solution for me, but it helps.

Thanks.

[mrsD]

I would wonder? If you take magnesium supplements as you say, you should be better in this regard.

But constipation is a side effect of many drugs. Also it is a sign of hypothyroidism.

Is yours a side effect do you think?

I'd try to find a cause. Chronic enemas can be bad for you in the long run.

[Nervous]

Thanks, mrsD.

I'm not taking any prescription drugs.

I take 100-400 mg magnesium supplements daily. Last night, I added 800 mg to that. Not much result.

My gastroenterologist has no insight.

My rheumatologist tested me for hypothyroid and said that I do not have it (I'm getting a second opinion from an endocrinologist next week).

My constipation is not affected by diet or exercise.

I am well-hydated.

Could it be neurological?

Do frequent enemas create dependency?

Is it possible that I have _too little_ calcium, and that is somehow throwing things off?

Thanks.

[mrsD]

Yes, it could be neurological.
But I would not be able to help you with that.

Serotonin is a typical player in GI transit. Low Serotonin levels lead to constipation, and higher ones cause diarrhea.
SSRI drugs may cause diarrhea in some people because of this effect.

There is just a subset of people who as they age become constipated.

There is a drug out now, called Amitiza, which GI specialists use for chronic IBS which is constipation oriented. But I think you should check with a gastroenterologist first to see if you qualify for it.

[Susanne C.]

Is there a reason that you can't take miralax? It would seem to be much safer than enemas.

[Nervous]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Yes, it could be neurological.
But I would not be able to help you with that.

Serotonin is a typical player in GI transit. Low Serotonin levels lead to constipation, and higher ones cause diarrhea.
SSRI drugs may cause diarrhea in some people because of this effect.

There is just a subset of people who as they age become constipated.

There is a drug out now, called Amitiza, which GI specialists use for chronic IBS which is constipation oriented. But I think you should check with a gastroenterologist first to see if you qualify for it.

I has reading here on the forum about Amitiza. Is is dependency-forming, I wonder?

Am I right in thinking that there is no risk to high doses of magnesium?

Would melatonin at night help regulate (even mildly) serotonin levels?

[Nervous]

Originally Posted by Susanne C.

Is there a reason that you can't take miralax? It would seem to be much safer than enemas.

I have used it in the past, and continue to use it occasionally, but my experience with it is that it works on the second day and, lately, it hasn't been working all that well for me.

Also, it is not without suspected side effects.

[mrsD]

To try and get your serotonin UP... the most likely candidate is l-tryptophan to use.

Melatonin is synthesized in the brain from serotonin, using methylB12 as a cofactor. So melatonin is an endpoint, and would only possibly spare some brain serotonin from being converted.

About 90% of the serotonin in your body, is NOT in the brain.
It is in platelets, and the GI tract and skin, etc.

There is a good book about it called the The Second Brain, by Michael Gershon, MD. You might find excerpts from it on Google.

It is not so simple, when something goes wrong in the GI tract.

[norahs]

Originally Posted by Susanne C.

Is there a reason that you can't take miralax? It would seem to be much safer than enemas.

I am severly constipated due to Neurotin and I may as well take nothing as to take Miralax. I took it for several weeks with no luck whatsoever. I also take 500-800mg of Magnesium chelate daily which also doesn't give me any help with this problem. My doctor prescribed Lactolose (sp) and it was supposed to really work well but with me it just caused lots of gurgling and nothing else. It is kind of nasty but it might be worth a try if your doctor will give it to you. Everyone is different so it may work for you even though it didn't for me.

As I'm sitting here writing this I do remember what finally worked for me but it's not something you would want to do all the time. It's Magnesium Citrate (saline laxative oral solution) found at drug store in laxative section and it's a liquid. A nurse told me doctors use this to clean out patients before they do some tests. MrsD can probably tell you more about it and give you her thoughts on the subject. I only took it once (i took the whole bottle) and it worked within about 4 hours but I was up all night because I took it too late. If you take this I would suggest 1/2 the bottle to start then adjust accordingly. It's also very cheap.

Good luck and if you find another alternative I would be grateful if you would post it.

[Gammy Sue]

I have had trouble with constipation most of my life. My doctor told me to use a vegetable laxative daily, when I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. The neuropathy pain has been unbearable at times this summer - we've had the hottest weather that I remember and it seems as though my feet particularly were swollen. I decided to go cold turkey and quit all caffeine. My feet and hands are still hurting, but the swelling is gone and the bathroom issue has resolved itself totally. One less pill to take.