Suffering with Constipation
 

Hi Friends
I always know where to go for advice - this time I'm posting two questions - the first being this horrible constipation. I have been on opiates and Lyrica for many years and my usual routine has included Myralax and Senna tea (called Smooth - move). I was doing ok -- but then I took most of the gluten out of my diet and I think that is where the problem began. Because it has been winter I haven't been great about salads and fruits -- and I am really struggling with the pain on my left side. You all know what I'm talking about if you take these drugs.

When it comes to laxatives -- this is one experience I had -- I had a HORRIBLE reaction when I tried to have a colonoscopy done. She had me drink liquids for two days and at the end of the second day I took 3 Ducalax -- and then then next day I was to drink the stuff... etc. Well -- two hours after taking those 3 Ducalax I thought I was dying. I went into terrible shakes from my very core - sweat poured off my face and I was going both ways. I felt like I had been literately beaten up for two days. My poor husband had to hold me on the toilet as I had no strength to do so myself. I cancelled the procedure and ever since have stayed away from any other type of laxative. That was about 5 months ago - and honestly I have never been so uncomfortable. I am terrified to take anything other than natural due to the experience I had -- which also I should add when I would take 1 Ducalax - I had the similar experience just less intensified. I always thought it was because I was so backed up - and maybe it is -- but it was terrifying.

I have increase eating prunes, added more fiber like fresh berries, and have increase the fiber through eating steal cut oatmeal. I am also drinking as much water as humanly possible. Any other thoughts - I know if I go to a doctor they will try to do something to intensive and fast and I am scared.

Thanks --
Tina :confused:

My suggestion would be flaxseed. Start out with 1 teaspoon a day and work your way up to 2 heaping tablespoons a day. Make sure you drink enough water with any fiber.

Good luck

Are you still taking the miralax and it isn't helping or did you stop taking it?
I take about 1 1/2 doses daily and it works well, allowed my fissures to heal and continues to work even though I am on opiate pain medication which is very constipating.
I find apples to be the best fruit for this problem, and many people are helped by probiotics- such as Activa yogurt or kefir.
From your other post, it sounds as if you may be being too hard on yourself. It is all right to feel overwhelmed by circumstances and it is not always possible to keep a positive outlook. It sounds as if you have done a stellar job up until now and that you really need to take your feelings seriously and put taking care of yourself at the top of your priority list.
Good luck.

There are so many great foods for that. I have a smoothie each day. Berries, green's powder, carrots, apple, banana, protein powder, Bob's oats, and Kale. Kale is SOOO good for so many reasons. I add ground flax seed also.

Broccolli, pears, asparagus, grapes and drinking plenty of water is good.

I am so sorry you got so ill. I have not heard of using that for that procedure.

The laxative regime Tinaanne describes is pretty much the same one my hubsnd will be taking for his colonoscopy next week. It is fairly standard, 4 dulcolax and 2 bottles of magnesium citrate.

I too have major problems in this area. I take MS Contin and it is very constipating. When all else fails for me, I eat a bunch of grapes. Works every time. I take 3 senna tablets a day and that usually keeps me pretty good if I eat right too. I know this is kind of gross but sometimes you have to do a little manual labor if you know what I mean. Better you than the doctor.
Good luck. I know that is uncomfortable.
Brain

I am still taking the Miralax each day - sometimes taking it twice a day. I have started taking pro-biotics and that seems to help get the stomach bubbles back that I haven't felt in years - but I think I'm just too backed up.
I so have to thank you with your kind words. I am so hard on myself - always a bit of a control freek, and the one thing PN does it teach you that you are not in charge of much in life. My faith has gotten me through most of it, but I do need to put myself on the top of my list -- THANKS so much!:)

I just asked at the health food store and the recommended the flaxseed too. How do you take it - in a salad? in a shake? Thanks so much!

I hope you husband hasn't had problems with constipation - I have heard from a couple of people that had the same "seizure like" problem. That is why she had me fast longer from food and take the dulcolax ahead of the drink -- I hope and pray he doesn't have a bad experience. I am now 57 and haven't had a colonoscopy yet - which is a concern, but if they can't clean things out how can they ever do it! One step at a time!

Thanks friends
 

I appreciate all the replies. I made an appointment with my new GP for tomorrow - see what he has to say. I am new to this town so finding a new GP and natural path MD is top of my list. I saw the GP for the horrible bug that went around last month -and I really like him. We will see how "natural" he can be. I go to Mayo Clinic for my PN stuff and I may end up there for some help.
Thanks for all the support and advice
Tina

If you are use to taking fiber then you could start out with the 2 heaping tablespoons. They say start out slowly but like I said, if your body is use to fiber you can start out with the normal dose.

I take 2 heaping tablespoons of the organic, ground, flaxseed and put it into a small cup of juice, like 3 or 4 ounces. It really is just preference how much juice. I like to down it quick and be done cuz its thick and I want it over with. Stir and drink.

Never take flaxseed or fiber with ANY OTHER SUPPLEMENTS OR MEDICATION. Fiber can interfere with absorbtion. It can be taken with food or not but never with supplements or medication.

It's best to drink a full glass of water afterwards.

P.s. flaxseed is sooooo healthy for you in sooooo many ways. My 22 year old daughter finally listened to me and is taking it and her periods and PMS is getting sooo much better. The omega in flaxseed is very good for hormones. But you have to take it consistantly and it doesnt help over night. But long term use will benefit your hormones, complexion, and so many other things.

Flaxseed
 

You can put it on your oatmeal or on anything you like. Personally I'd hate to put it in juice and try and drink that. But that is me. Buy it already ground or grind the seeds in a coffee grinder.

I do not suffer from constipation. I just like putting flaxseed on my oatmeal.

Not his problem! He is so regular it makes me mad. I have avoided getting one for a slightly different reason, I suffered with excruciating pain from fissures for over a year, and there is a slight chance that the colonoscopy could irritate them again. You have given me another reason to be wary. I have had the constipation problem since early childhood, it may be related to my hereditary neuropathy (CMT), with extremely slow motility, so I would be a prime candidate for the scenario that you describe. It is a tough situation to be in.

I take 3 Citricel pills after every meal. Without fail. Per my gastroenterologist. I have had chronic constipation for my entire life and everything worked either TOO WELL (you know what I mean) or not well enough. He told me to take 2 after every meal and it seemed to help but when I upped it to 3 after EVERY meal it works great. Been on that course for over a year now and doing great. If I forget I can tell. Hope this helps.

(And buy them at Walmart or Target or someplace like that. Drug stores are almost twice as expensive for the exact same thing. And I dont scrimp and buy generic or store brand. The real thing works for me.)

Thankfully, just the mag. citrate works. That is what I have done.

I hope your doctor will know safe and natural ways to help. They usually just prescibe things, but some know more than just doing that thank goodness.

tina, if you are diagnoses celiac, or NCGI, you need to get ALL the gluten out! and for many that includes oats, especially american processed oats.