Magnesium and constipation?
 

Has anyone tried magnesium for constipation, if so what dose do you take. Thanks:):)

i take phillips MOM tablets. I take 2 each night on a regular basis, and up to 4 if I am getting backed up. I also take a stool softener like colace that has a senna laxative in it. Very gentle way to keep the workers moving. its easy for me to get stopped up, as I have a gastro issue where my tummy doesnt want to move, so I like magnesium as my drug of choice.

I haven't tried it but I know many people take magnesium for it's laxative effect. Apparently, magnesium oxide has the most laxative effect.

I try to deal with it naturally. I have found that canned pears help me the most. I am not sure why but it works for me.

I can vouch for both canned pears and magnesium. I have not had the neurological
constipation for a long long time, because I take magnesium, not the laxative form, but
as a supplement. A neurologist told me to take it for spasm and jerks many years ago when I could not tolerate Baclofen or the other usual one. I have to take about 900-1000
to keep spasm and jerks in line, and a side effect is no more constipation.

i read here on the MS forum about pears many years ago, and I gave them daily to my
husband, who was wheelchair bound and likely to get constipated. It worked for him too.
On that rare occasion when I myself get constipated (once a year or so) I use canned pears.

When I was younger and chronically constipated I used the senna tablets. But i don't need them now.

I have dealt with problems of constipation from a very early age --- as an infant. By the time I was 2 years old I had surgery to remove 3 feet of intestines.

Since I have dealt with constipation for most of my life I don't necessarily consider it part of my MS, although it is possible.

Well, this ended up being a roundabout way of saying yes, I use 500mg Magnesium to regulate my bowels along with metamucil and fish oil. For constipation I do feel Magnesium works quite well. I use Magnesium alone, not a Magnesium/Calcium as I have found calcium supplements causes constipation...for me.

I get constipated all the time...say at least 4-5 times a month. Nobody has ever said anything to me about magnesium! I'm going to start this this week. As for the pears, they are loaded with fiber just like apples. ;)

Snoopy, I take my mag separate from Calcium. I take my mag with lunch and dinner,
and calcium between meals, whenever I remember between lunch and dinner, dinner and bedtime, or even breakfast and lunch. I learned that it was best to keep them separate because we need both but they are antagonists in what they do to our nerves and muscles.
I have to have calcium too, to keep from jerks and spasms, which are more pronounced now....but it I get enough of both, I do not jerk and spasm at night. I also take B1 at night.

Constipation
 

I can attest to all the above. I find that increasing water intake is HUGE, as is exercising (a simple walk can make a world of difference, if you can't walk, movement involving the gut if possible).

I like the Metamucil clearly fibre stuff, I will mix teaspoons of it with my herbal (caffeine free) tea. Can't even tell the stuff's in the tea.

Fiber (or in Canada, Fibre) One Bars are Amazing!! I love the oats and peanut butter the best. Sooooo yummy, and they do help you to go!

Fiber One Honey Clusters Cereal