I don't know where 'this' should go? Regarding 'constipation'?
 

I am not normally one to advocate any particular product? Unless It works?
Here is one: http://www.fiberone.com/Product/cereals.aspx It's the 'original one;? Look like rabbit pellets at first? But they can and do work! Start out at 1/4 cup? w/milk to soften and then work your way to 1/2 cup... I don't suggest more at any one time? as your plumbing might just be affected! Too much too soon? I have found it to be a lo-sugar, hi fiber and almost tasty food product. Just don't start out w/ too much too soon?
Besides, it's not cardboard! Almost tastes good too. But best of all? IT WORKS! This has, does and IS working in my household. No more should be said after almost a year, should it?

I eat a few of these cereal bars (love the apple strudel) every day, along with
2 doses of Clear & Natural fiber supplement (by Metamucil-no taste), every day to counteract the s/e of my meds.
Works good, for me!

A delicicous soluation
 

POPCORN, and its delicious.

*** So I take 2 or 3 Senna-S pills daily to prevent that particular SE. I'd like to switch to something more "natural", but afraid of going without my reliable Senna-S (or actually, afraid of "not going" without my reliable Senna-S). Is there some sort of conversion chart I could study to plan such a switch?

*** Just askin', ya know.

Cowboy

Chronic use of Senna is not advised.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/comp...ex/a/senna.htm

But many people use prunes and dates, made into a paste and spread on toast.

Miralax was once thought to be "safe" but the FDA is looking at it also.

You have to be careful with fiber, if you are taking opiates. Fiber can compact in the bowel and lead to obstructions.

I have seen some patients respond to extra virgin olive oil, 1-2 tablespoonfuls with a laxative response.

I just buy those individually packaged prunes, they are soft and chewy and actually don't taste that bad. Occasionally I will take store brand of Dulcolx and I drink lots of fluids, mainly for dry mouth. Its just another annoying side effect from our drug cocktails that we have to work with!

I have found that corn chips
 

--often work very well for me (though I don't have this problem often, given the magnesium that I take; tends to be only after certain foods).

And, of course, magnesium of the oxide kind, not being appreciably absorbed, is rather laxative.

My hub swears by a good dose of creamer in his coffee or if it's really bad, syrup on the pancakes.

Never works for me, though.

[QUOTE=mrsD;653044]Chronic use of Senna is not advised.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/comp...ex/a/senna.htm

*** OK, so the safest way to titrate off? And how many prunes and/or dates would be the replacement suggestion?

*** I'm sure glad to have this discussion. This particular SE can sometimes make me forget all about the foot pain, if you know what I mean.

*** So please share more from your experiences.

Cowboy

[QUOTE=rscowboy2005;653237]Hi there;

I thought I would just chime in and tell you what works WONDERFULLY for me.

I use Benefiber. Not the orange one because it has aspertame in it. Just regular Benefiber powder. It dissolves clearly, no residue, no taste, NO NOTHING. It's fiber.

I do 2 teaspoons in my morning coffee and in the evening, I do 2 teaspoons in my evening tea. You can put this in ANYTHING EXCEPT SODA. No carbonated anything.

I never drink soda of any kind so all I do drink is water, And I use a product called True Orange and I just pour two little packets in a glass of water, and I add two teaspoons of the benefiber.

Since the benefiber has absolutely no taste at all, all I taste is the refereshing orange.

Next morning, HELLO!!!! (as soon as I come home from breakfast).

My routine does not consist of "get up and go", never did that. I have to have my coffee first.

So after I walk home from the coffee shop, my "system", gets to working and HELLO!!!! when I get home.

Feels great.

To me, Benefiber is the best thing since my sprouts!!!

lol
Melody

Re some laxatives? I'll go w/cereal thanks...
 

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdo...cines/861.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...-psyllium.html

http://www.drugs.com/drp/benefiber-supplement.html
Now do you know what it is?
See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guar_gum YEP, GUAR GUM!
Guar gum is used as a thickener for sauces, wallpaper pastes toothpastes, shampoos and let's not forget Hydroseeding!

Yep, I'll stick with bland simple cereals, maybe add some fruit? - j

PS anyone have that prune-paste recipe? I know it's mentioned on BC Boards, but not lately....
There is also a paste that includes sesame or flaxseed, but I can't remember where! I hate not recalling 100%! Ill find it! Hugs all...

Hi.

I just looked at the ingredients in my Benefiber and on the side it says

"wheat dextrin".

doesn't mention Guar Gum

How come?

Melody

Never mind. I just went to the Benefiber home page and found out that they reformulated it. They don't use Guar Gum anymore

Maybe they should have stayed with Guar Gum?? I don't like what they said about wheat dextrin and how it's made.

I can't win!!

lol
Melody

There is also a yogurt made with a specific probiotic in it for this problem. It is called Activia.

I find that Activia tastes BETTER than most other yogurts, too!

I'd give that a try daily as well. It is also a good source of calcium.

Here 'tis:

Yakima Valley Anti-Constipation Fruit Paste


1 lb pitted prunes
4 ozs senna tea leaves (at health foods store)
1 lb raisins
1 lb figs
1 cup lemon juice
1. Prepare tea; use about 2 1/2 cups boiled water, add to tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea and remove tea leaves.
3. Place 2 cups of tea, or amount left, in large pot.
4. Add all of the fruit to the tea.
5. Boil fruit and tea for 15 - 20 minutes, until soft.
6. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Allow to cool.
7. Use hand mixer/blender or food processor to turn fruit and tea mix into a paste.
8. Place in glass jars or Tupperware and place in freezer (paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer also very long in fridge).
DOSAGE: 1 - 2 Tablespoons per day

Suggestions for use:
Can be spread on toast, english muffin, bagel, bran muffin or rice cake. Good breakfast. lunch, or snack: toasted bagel or english muffin, spread with low fat cream cheese or goat cheese and topped with fruit paste.
For a change of flavor mix in some raspberry or strawberry jam.
The first time I made this, I cut the recipe in half, used the full recipe after that. The stuff seems to work just fine, as long as you use it regularly .... it's all natural, no chemicals, no preservatives, just a little bit of money and time invested.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Notes:

-. Use hand mixer or food processor to blend fruit mixture into smooth paste.
-. Place in plastic container and place in freezer. (Paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer).
-. Spoon out what you require each day.

- Enjoy eating it straight off the spoon.
Spread it on toast or add hot water and make a drink.

* If the fruit paste is not working (you are not having bowel movements) then you need to increase the amount of fruit paste you are taking.

* If the fruit paste makes you have very loose stools then you need to cut down on the amount of fruit paste you are taking. Perhaps even taking it every other day in some cases.

I would leave the Senna out, myself.

The rest looks okay... It would work on me just reading about it!:eek:

Some people use sorbitol too. I am hesitant to suggest it, because diabetic neuropathy involves sorbitol in the nerves.

But if someone wants to try it.... It is in some sugar free candies (you have to read labels carefully) and also in sugar free maple pancake syrups.

Some people with longstanding constipation, turn out to have gluten intolerance. Anyone with this problem, and not taking constipating drugs, but just constipated for no reason, should investigate gluten issues.

I wouldn't go near sorbitol if you gave it to me FREE.

Runs right through me, with cramping. Haven't used it in years. I read all the labels so I know what I put in my body. If I see sorbitol, forget it.

Like what happened with the Imitation Crab meat. Those things have sorbitol in them. As well as other stuff. Didn't know that.

Some time ago, I picked up a package. I believe it was called Oyster flakes. I made a salad and added some of the chunks of the imitation crab stuff.

Well!!!! one hour later I was in the bathroom. I said to my husband "what the heck happened?" I knew what I had just eaten. I checked the label. SORBITOL.

From that day on, I NEVER BUY ANYTHING without reading labels. I am so shocked at what they put in packages, that's why I mainly eat what I grow in my kitchen.

And I think I keep using benefiber because it's a mental thing with me. I like to go to the bathroom every morning when I come home after breakfast. Sets me up for the day. I feel good.

I feel like a brand new person after this.

I don't see much harm in continuing to use the small amounts of benefiber that I do use. I drink plenty of water.

Absolutely EVERY ONE of my friends have constipation. ALL OF THEM. Most are over the age of 60. They don't eat fruits and vegetables. They live on carbs and they say to me "How can you go to the bathroom".

I expain that I don't eat any refined carbs, I eat my veggies, and I drink my water, and I take a bit of benefiber in the am. and again in the p.m. I don't always remember to take the benefiber in the p.m. so maybe I'm using two teaspoons a day, but for me, it works just fine.

I just read on the internet, that many people with IBS, well benefiber saved their lives. They always had diarrhea and cramping, and for some reason, benefiber makes them go one time in the morning, relieves their gas and bloating and they say "I wouldn't be without it'.

I have no idea why it works for them, but who cares.

Constipation can ruin a person's whole day. You walk around with this full feeling, and you think "oh m god, I can't go to the bathroom, etc. etc."

So when you don't have to take enemas, and you find a product that won't kill you, and you go naturally every morning, without taking any stimulants, I say "go for it'.

And believe me ...

I GO!!!

lol
P.S. I make my own greek yogurt with live active cultures. It's great for the calcium. But I won't take calcium pills EVER. They constipate me.

Let's not forget one of the best things for keeping regular - exercise, if you can tolerate it. If I get a walk in daily, things "go" much better for me :)

Very interesting what works for some won't work for others - again, must be like medications; one man's salvation is another's poison.

That's why I WALK the 12 blocks to the breakfast cafe and back.

By the time I get back, I'm ready to 'GO'

lol
Melody

Thanks all! That recipe should go up into the 'sticky world'!
 

I've seen it on BC sites and on other pain sites and could I find it for the life of me? NOT! Prune Jam.... Recommended for many issues! Whew! I don't think I've found a pain relief pill that doesn't possibly or actually cause 'blockage'!
Reading food labels is second nature to me due to family issues,,, not too much sugar or salt or artificials in foods? Then there is an allergic reaction to sunflower seed oil and oils concentrates... http://www.allallergy.net/fapaidfind.cfm?cdeoc=1490
I myself cannot use one great skin product because it uses the oils...broke out in a VERY NASTY bout of HIVES! :eek:
As for bad PN? That capper tag I have? Says I can't walk 100 FEET safely! And, On a good day I can! But am bushed for the next two days after. My goal has been and still IS to be able to walk a mile w/o a day of pain afterwards! So, Mel? You are doing too good!
Hugs and hope to all! :hug::hug:'s - j

Neurontin does it for me -----
 

If I take my whole 600 mg dose at once, zoom!!!

If I plan to leave the house anytime soon after taking it, I need to split the dose by a couple of hours.

***Not to hijack this thread (which so far has provided me with a lot of good information about the embarrASSing problem of {whispers} constipation as well as humor -- lots of quippy people around here), but,

what is it with "greek" yogurt? My wife sees a program on TV about it and now that's all she will eat.

Cowboy

*** Sometimes I can walk great -- others not so great. When my wife introduced me to water exercise, well -- I am now a big fan and am lobbying for going 3 times a week.

*** Before I started having this problem, there were 2 reliables for me -- coffee and cigarettes. I've quit smoking and am only drinking decaf coffee now (not that the caffeine is the "active" ingredient).

*** It's hard to find any silver linings about my disease, but a bright and shiny one is my overall health has improved a lot because I've had to read and learn about my disease. Yesterday when I was shopping at Fred Meyer (a Pacific NW subsidiary of Kroger -- it's where we buy our staples), I noticed I was doing what the pain counselor last summer called "shopping at the edges" of the store. Milk, bread, vegetables and fruit. Pre-PN I would have just stopped at 7-11 to get beer, smokes and a Slim Jim.

*** The irony? I'll probably live longer and have several more years of pain.

*** Sheesh.

Cowboy

That post gave me the first smile I've had all day, thanks, cowboy!!!

For me this cereal just bloats me like a balloon with pressure and still nothing happens. As for prunes a nutritionist I saw suggested having baby food prune food that it is easier to get down and helps people. Healthy fats too to lubricate.
I like the sense of humor though sorry for everyone's struggles and pain. Laughter is good medicine though

The term river rock took on a whole new meaning for me.....

I had to cut way, way back on pain meds in order to avoid river rock....so, OK, now I can go, but I hurt to much to get to the bathroom!:o

I got my little chickies today...heh, heh, maybe I will get salmonella and have no problems! Gosh, they are cute.....give them a few weeks they will be ugly as sin.

You mite be able to find 'greek yogurt' at...
 

Whole Foods? Or a local health store, or a greek grocery? It's the latest 'trend' among foodies as well. But, I understand, it's one of the least 'processed' dairy food products around. I only get it in the greek foods restaurants... it's very tangy tho. Thus won't go with all things?
Daniella? As for the cereal? That's why I clearly stated to start SMALL. W/1-4 cup and work your way up once things work out? Being cautious and careful is what it's all about, isn't it?
A little less healthy, but effective is some corn chips w/salsa? That can work for many w/less agressive issues.
Cowboy? Sounds like you ARE 'getting it'? The simpler you keep it, the better? Now It's farmer's market time in my area for seasonal veggies? I just hope I CAN Walk thru and get the goodies I want! Green and simple and CLEAN! Less fuss, muss and 'storage'!
Mel? Yesterday I walked from a parking lot to get a blood test? Back to car, out to get a hair cut? back to car...slept rest of day! My GOAL has been, over the last 6+ years to walk a mile w/o paybacks. I am glad you can walk 12 blocks! BTW? 12 blocks where I live?=1-1/4th miles! What does your pedometer say? I am truly envious. And, wish you good improvements.
Hugs to all? Good that we ARE discussing this problem! Don't know about others? But I've had it BAD and GOOD BAD! No idea how else to put it?
Happy ends and all that? :D :hug::hug::hug:'s to all! - j

Well, I wish this was all 'behind' me because I am 'bottoming' out lately. Well, love ya all....gotta 'go'.

Well, I live in Brooklyn, NY, so I don't know exactly how long a block is but I can do it in about 8 minutes give or take. Now Avenues are a WHOLE other thing. My doctor is 6 Avenues away from my house. I once walked home from his office. Alan could NEVER do this with his feet.

It was a hot day AND I ADORE HOT WEATHER. So I strapped on my water bottle, and I walked. Took me a good hour to walk home but I got my walk in. I don't run. I CAN'T run, I would never attempt running, but I CAN walk, so I walk.

And Cyclops, I understand about pain meds leading to constipation. When Alan was on the Fentanyl pain patch all those years ago, he went once a week. I will never forget that. Once a week. Who goes once a week?

I think that's why he will never go back to pain meds (unless he has no choice, but for now, he deals with whatever he deals with).

Because I sprout our baby plants, and Alan eats plenty of vegetables, well he's as regular as a clock. He LOVES this.

But as far as pain meds go, I have a question. I know that medical marijuana is not legal in our state yet. If it ever become legal, I know MANY people with neuropathy who will use it.

I have a question. If pain meds lead to constipation, does medical marijuana do the same?

Thanks to anyone who knows.

Melody

Kroger's sells Greek yogurt in Texas. Joan

Well? Don't know what to 'think' about some 'reactions'?
 

THAT's Why this is a good topic? Particularly since many recent posts have brought up this 'issue'?
Cy? That term 'river rock'? Is truly positively absolutely APT! Kind of creeps up on you? Don't know ya got it until it starts to hurt? And, THEN! Getting it all out is one new adventure? OOOOH! The Fun things we go thru? That the docs neglect to tell us about? And then???!!! The problems those issues can cause? I was diagnosed w/a new problem? Because of the conditions & the meds? I am suffering the consequences of it all. I am NOT a happy camper? As IT ALL could have been prevented by more astute coordination of medical practicioners? I KNOW I have tried to herd the cats? And I've actually done it at times? But some of these cats, I believe don't get it unless forced to read anything at times.
Good thing I walk with at least one cane? Get my drift? One can provoke me, but not the labs or test results! If I break my cane? They can carry me home!
I suppose? My last words would be: Do NOT GET WITHIN BITING RANGE OF THIS PERSON! Do you think I should wear a sign? Sort of a 'dangerous dog' type? There are too many times when I feel like growling at these guys and starting to swing. My neuro not, but the others? Yeah. Hugs to all anyhow? And, Keep on Being not-quite-rabid about getting answers! :hug::hug:'s - j

Greek yogurt you can find in most grocery stores. I like okios the best which I find at Whole Foods but also I have found at Walmart. There are other brands too even dannon and yoplait makes it. I agree about starting slow on high fiber items. I learned that the hard way and making sure to drink plenty of water. As for docs and the side effects I often feel if the side effect is not in that docs specialty they don't care as much cause they can just ship you off to another person to deal with it. I know it is not all doctors but some. As for activity for me when I joined this thread I could barely get out of bed from pain. When my docs said I had to get moving in fear of atrophy I started very slowly and increased my walk time by 5 min a week or even 2 at times when the pain was so high. It took awhile to build up but it worked better for me. When I try something new like when I did pool therapy and they had me in the pool for too long and too much for the 1st time my pain went sky high that I fear doing it again. That approach does not work for me. Everyone is different of course. When I think back before this on how active I was and how I took my body for granted gosh it makes me sad. Well sending good thoughts to all

[QUOTE=MelodyL;654088]

I have a question. If pain meds lead to constipation, does medical marijuana do the same?


*** I never had the problem being discussed until I started pain meds. I was on medical marijuana for at least 18 months before I added opiates to my pain treatment. No problem at all.

Cowboy

Well, J, I am in the same frame of mind.....and I am getting meeself a cane! Hubby insists on a sporty looking 'walking stick' for me....I don't care as long as it can swat and poke....wayward cats...you know.:deadhorsebeat: My experience lately, is the cats don't read what you give them.....My experience lately is that hospital and clinc adminisitrators are soooo in bed with insurance companies that our treatment is in jeopardy. The sicker one gets and the more labs that are off.....the more the cats tell you, how good you look, or how depressed you are (which is is?).

I think one of my doctors has taken up wine tasting as a hobby. I think this was my last appointment with her.

I use a walking stick made for hikers. It is light weight, and easy to handle (it scopes down too for compact storage).

I find it better than a cane. I use this on our stairs outside (of which we have many) and going to and from the car, and walking around my yard and street and for some planting/weeding balance.

Mine is made by Coleman. It was not expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-802-25.../dp/B0009PUQHI

UpNorth, I have my own cedar stick that I made myself. It is more substantial, with the rocks up there etc. The Coleman stick is not for heavy weight bearing.

Cyclelops:

I had to laugh at your last paragraph about the doctor taking up wine tasting as a hobby.

I will never forget (and this happened about 5 years ago), my husband had to get his nose cauterized because he broke some blood vessels and bled all over the bathroom (he was just put on Plavix and aspirin therapy).

So it clotted up, I did what one does for a nose bleed, and this is 2 a.m. and I put a call into his doctor, who called back in a few hours, and said "Melody, you did the right thing, now bring him in today and we'll cauterize his nose.

We did this, but it wasn't enough and soon he had another nose bleed. That's when his doc said "what he needs is a detailed cauterization". So we found an ear nose and throat specialist.

We made the appointment and we arrived, we told him exactly what Alan's doc had said. His reply; 'Nah, he just needs vaseline in his nose, that's all he needs, he doesn't need any cauterization".

Well!! I just looked at him as he stuff Alan's nose full of vaseline and some gauze. When the guy came over to me and came in my face I SMELLED THE BOOZE.

We paid the co-pay, I got Alan out of there, and BAM, two days later, Alan's nose bled again. I then told Alan's doctor what happened and he said "for goodness sake, go to this other guy, THAT GUY didn't know what he was talking about". I never mentioned what I smelled.

We go to the new guy, he gives Alan a detailed cauterization and HE NEVER HAD ANOTHER NOSEBLEED.

It's amazing what one learns in doctor's offices.

Melody

Just wanted to give you a tip on "greek" yogurt.

You don't have to buy it. You can make your own. If you have ANY brand of plain yogurt in the house, (I'm talking live active cultures, yogurt), but you can do this with ANY brand of plain yogurt),just take a bowl, a colander and some coffee filters. That's right, I use Mr. Coffee coffee filters.

This is so easy, you won't believe you did this.

Take the colander, line it with 5 or 6 coffee filters. Doesn't matter how many you use but DO USE MORE THAN 4, you want it to hold together.

You place the colander over a bowl to catch the whey that will drip out.

Then you simply dump the yogurt into the colander, and you will see (if you pick up the colander), that there is liquid dripping through the filters, into the bowl.

That's the whey being separated from the rest of the yogurt.

I leave this on my kitchen table but if it's the dead of summer, then put this whole thing on the shelf in your fridge. In a few hours, go and take it out, and you will see much of the liquid as dripped to the bottom of the bowl. This is why protein. People do LOTS of things with whey protein. Add it to the other things. Me? I just throw it out.

Now here's the kicker.

If you let this sit for 2 or more hours, you'll have green yogurt, and you can do ANYTHING you want with it, add some cilantro and garlic and make a dip, do some research and you'll see what one can do with greek yogurt (other than just eating it like it is, which is VERY HEALTHY).

Now, here's what it interesting. If you do this overnight, the next morning, when you open that refrigerator, you will find that you have made CREAM CHEESE.

Because ALL THE whey will have dripped out of the yogurt. You can actually mold this stuff and spread it on crackers, or bread or whatever. I've used this in some pound cakes, and muffins.

But you can add some fresh garlic and make garlic cream cheese.

Try it, experiment.

You'll have the benefit of adding live cultures to your digestive system. So it helps with THAT also.

Just note that because the liquid is separating from the other stuff, you will not have A LOT OF GREEK YOGURT or cream cheese or whatever you decide to make.

what's the solution? Buy A BIG TUB OF PLAIN YOGURT. Whenever I buy big tubs, when I open the lid, there is liquid at the top anyway. So I bring it home, do my thing, and BINGO, GREEK YOGURT.

Give it a whirl!!

Melody

I think if I asked my docs for medical maryjane, they would have me clinked in jail! Most of us don't have that option, but, my thought is this.....mj would NOT cause constipation....perhaps a bit of weight gain, and a great sense of humor.

Opiates cause constipation (including fentanyl) because they slow gastric motility. I am really in a quandry since my autonomic system is very affected by pain meds and I am very susceptible to back up.

Like I said, if I take nothing or not enough, I can bearly move to get to the bathroom and if I take stuff, it isn't worth making the trip. Oh well.

Oh yes, that is what hubby is getting me....a hiking stick. I have an oak one a friend made....duck head on it...cute, but no rubber tip, it needs that. I need one with a tip for indoors too. I don't need heavy weight bearing potential, just something in case I misplant. Misplants are getting more likely, ankles are going.....and right foot is quite numb.

Which brings me to the issue if my current regimen is really helping. I honestly think I have been blessed with hereditary, autoimmune AND traumatic PN. I have had funky labs, including urine billi, serum billi, up, and signs of distal renal tubular acidosis. Beginning to wonder. Also....TSH is 3.92, which seems on the high end....and Vit. D is low, I don't know the number, but, I have never had a low one before.....eh....I'm falling apart right now.

I am going to go comfort myself with my little peeping feather balls.

Thanks for letting me know that medical mj does NOT cause constipation. I just told that to Alan, and his response was "I haven't gone in 3 days". I said "what???" then it hit me "You haven't been eating my sprout salads have you?" and he sheepishly said "no, I've been eating my carbs".

I looked at him and said "You DO know what you are having for dinner tonight don't you? and he laughed and said "Yeah!! SPROUTS!!

Now answer me this one. You said that taking medical mj might cause a bit of weight gain.

why??

Every time I see a pothead on tv, they are always skinny and unhealthy looking.

So how could medical mj (or any mj) cause weight gain?

Thanks if you can clear this up.

Melody