As we all know, some of these drugs we take for pain relief can cause constipation. I do try to eat well and eat plenty of fiber but sometimes things get out of whack. This is one of those times.

What is a good, cheap source of extra fiber...such as metamucil? I have a drink mix I use that has fiber but apparently not enough and there are times I just don't feel like drinking a bunch of liquid to get that little bit of fiber (5grams, I think it is, per envelope).

Also, I know there are two different kinds of fiber, soluable and non-soluable. Do I need one or the other or a good mix of both?

I'd sure appreciate any insights any of you have being as you're probably dealing with the same constipation issues I am: From the pain killers. For me it's Tramadol (Ultracet to be precise).

I could say eat more greens so on...But went to the Dr.Family one,and
help i'm a mess..Well this is her husbands Thing or i mean job.
She took rare pity,I think my eyes were rolling around,i was bent over
and there was a tear or 2...

She said you try everything,hmmmyes i have..She said ok I will write some-
only to be used on rare occassions YOU HEAR ME,hmmmm,at this time
she could of ordered a blow torch. It was a precription Laxative called
Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Np you put i tablepoonful in water or juice.
I had to promise i would not abuse and i didn't...Now I think you can
buy over the counter Milcerlax sp. It is not like that stuff we use to use.
But if what you are using doesn't help well i'm just saying,if your really having a bad time call you family dr. Meds help but cause problems.well you
tummy will say thank you and other parts but I don't think anybody it going
to lose a ton of weigh,just the part that makes your eyes roll...Sue
I was about to go out and eat grass.

cause less gas, and help with cholesterol too.

Benefiber is the most common one out there.

Magnesium also works for many people. (some is not absorbed, and acts to loosen you up). The citrate is an example of one type that has both systemic and laxative actions.

the benefiber mrsd mentioned is great. has no taste and can be mixed into any food. hot or cold. a commercial for it shows mixing into a pot a spaghetti sauce.

making sure you are getting enough water daily helps.

There is always prunes cooked or not my 91 yr. old Aunt swearw by them.
She is a wise woman,hard work and prunes. Sue

This is a problem I'm well familiar with due to autonomic neuropathy of the colon as well as a pelvic floor disfunction. Muscle clamped around the colon. I use Miralax and Mrs. D's fizzy magnesium. I mix it all up in a glass of Pedialyte and this was all approved by my doctor. You can buy the Miralax in the stores otc now. Mine is prescription and since I have very little colon function it is cheaper that way.

The GI doc told me that it was essential to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day when you are taking pain meds. He also said that for every glass of tea or cola I drank to drink an extra glass of water.

Billye

I have the worst constipation. Always have and in the hospital they were shocked at how long I could not go. Very yuck feeling. A few things for me sometimes too much fiber regardless of water intake can bind me or make it get stuck. This is with lots of water. I have ibs in addition to this and get a lot of pressure and cramping. This is increased with certain foods like spicy or beans. I do still try to eat a high fiber diet,healthy fats to lubricate,liquids. When I was in the hospital they gave me stool softners but haven't used them since cause I felt it didn't help but you may want to try. I tried adding fiber 1 too but it rips my stomach to shreds. Anyhow good luck.

My aunt had very stubborn constipation due to various things. The only thing that finally got her moving was a good dose or two every day of magnesium citrate in a powdered form (the same very good brand in a tablet form didn't work for her at all).

rose

Just sipping hot water does the trick too, it stimulates some nerve that makes things move and i haven't seen it fail ever.
When i was in hospital there was a guy that was in traction and he hadn't gone for a few days, he was feeling awful & starting to vomit because of this, the doc's were giving him everything but nothing worked, so i told him to try sipping a couple of cups of hot water, like you would drink tea, so he did that night, the next morning after one more hot cup of water it worked boy i was sorry i told him i was on my crutches that quick and took off like lightning
and didn't come back until the coast was clear.

Brian

We both know and use the same thing,you do not want to be put,
in the hospital,it use to be brutal,and i'm not fooling...I was there
and all I could think never me,plese never me..We get broken bones
in enough places,that are to close to that surounding area..Sue
Brian that use to work with Bob,still does nost of the time. .I have not
asked my Dr. friend,but believe me I almost did!!!!!