Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Jagan: I would think constipation would be a common problem for PLS'ers. I am bothered whenever I don't eat right. But it stands to reason that with loss of muscle control and movement, that the colon would not be able to function properly either. I believe that quite a few PLS'ers are also bothered with bladder problems. With plenty of fruits and vegetables, the constipation should be at a minimum. Otherwise, I would suggest any of the OTC softeners or bulk products. Take care, Laurel Constipation > I have developed mild constipation. Does any other PLSer have this problem? > Is this part of PLS package? > Jagan > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2001 Report Share Posted February 16, 2001 I have a terrible time with constipation. Try green tea, lots of water, and if you can elevate your feet on a stool or something while sitting on the " throne, " it can be helpful. Jo Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2001 Report Share Posted February 17, 2001 L: Doesn't the lactulose give you abdominal cramps? I do have lactose intolerance, and when I consume dairy products without taking my Lactaid, I have severe abdominal cramps, bloating, and diarrhea. Lots of fresh fruit, and veggies helps me, plus they're really healthy for you. Have a good day. Laurel Constipation > I am 33 years beyond first symptoms and have had chronic constipation > for about a dozen years. My physician prescribed lactulose. It is like > lactose, but with a subtle difference; no one has the enzyme to digest > it. Consequently, it causes a situation very like lactose intolerance > and hence, ones bowels move. It has been effective with me. > > Levy > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2001 Report Share Posted February 17, 2001 Jagan, I have thought the problem was my medication for some time. Then it occurred to me that perhaps it could be the PLS, since the muscles could be involved. However, those muscles are involuntary, i.e, not under our conscious control. PLS usually bothers mostly the voluntary muscles. I still wonder, though. I have to eat a high fiber diet, 30-40grams/day, to maintain some regularity without much problem. The problem is still there. I do have to take a stool softener 2X/day, also. I certainly hope this is not part of the PLS package. Mike Gray cjagan@... wrote: I have developed mild constipation. Does any other PLSer have this problem? Is this part of PLS package? Jagan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2001 Report Share Posted February 17, 2001 Constipation is particularly a problem with the pump because the intrathecal baclofen tends to inhibit the peristaltic action of the bowels. I have found that Senokot (2 or 3 tabs per day) and a glass of prune juice in the morning do a pretty effective job of keeping things moving. Roy s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2001 Report Share Posted February 17, 2001 Obviously lactulose is not for everyone. I only mentioned it so that those who were interested could confer with their physicians to see if it might work for them. While I eat a diet high in fiber, I still need the lactulose. It does cause some discomfort, but that's all. My best to all, Levy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2001 Report Share Posted February 18, 2001 My Doc said Baclofen can cause constipation. Maybe other meds too. Alan Kirk Re: Constipation Jagan, I have thought the problem was my medication for some time. Then it occurred to me that perhaps it could be the PLS, since the muscles could be involved. However, those muscles are involuntary, i.e, not under our conscious control. PLS usually bothers mostly the voluntary muscles. I still wonder, though. I have to eat a high fiber diet, 30-40grams/day, to maintain some regularity without much problem. The problem is still there. I do have to take a stool softener 2X/day, also. I certainly hope this is not part of the PLS package. Mike Gray cjagan@... wrote: I have developed mild constipation. Does any other PLSer have this problem? Is this part of PLS package? Jagan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Greetings all, I dont know what is going on . I have sent this three times and yet it does not post. Perhaps microsoft has already taken a bite out of Yahoo. But back to the subject at hand. I have finished 4 weeks of proton treatment Weeks one and two were uneventful. At the start of week three I started chemo, Taxatere. At the end of week 3 I was terribly constipated. A full dose of laxative took care of that by Sunday. All cleaned out and started week 4. Neither the radiations oncologist or the medical oncologist had any explamation about what the cause was. At the end of week 4, I am again fully plugged again. Again I am resorting to a laxative. I will press the Dr. again monday or tuesday. Does anyone have any suggestion as to cause or remedy?? Thanks d. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 D I am getting over RT side effects and am using a gentle laxative prescribed by the GP. Available over the counter, it contains Macrogol (polyethylene glycol), a stool softener. The product in the UK is called Movicol. It can be taken minimum dose daily long term if necessary and is quite safe – does not irritate the bowel. I will be weaning myself off it gradually – could be habit forming. The original reason I took it (long before the RT happened) was that I was dehydrated and did not know (did not feel thirsty). After tests the GP put me on a campaign to get enough water each day – Movicol helped me while I got sorted out. Hope this helps. From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of d Sent: 10 February 2008 22:17 To: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: Constipation Greetings all, I dont know what is going on . I have sent this three times and yet it does not post. Perhaps microsoft has already taken a bite out of Yahoo. But back to the subject at hand. I have finished 4 weeks of proton treatment Weeks one and two were uneventful. At the start of week three I started chemo, Taxatere. At the end of week 3 I was terribly constipated. A full dose of laxative took care of that by Sunday. All cleaned out and started week 4. Neither the radiations oncologist or the medical oncologist had any explamation about what the cause was. At the end of week 4, I am again fully plugged again. Again I am resorting to a laxative. I will press the Dr. again monday or tuesday. Does anyone have any suggestion as to cause or remedy?? Thanks d. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I can't exactly say if your problem is universal for PCa patients or not. I had a robortic RP three months ago and was plagued with constipation and still am to a certain extent but it's getting better. My Uro said it was normal and encouraged stool softners over laxatives. Maybe it's a similar shcok to the system that's causing it. Have you discussed this with your specialist? > > Greetings all, > > I dont know what is going on . I have sent this three times and > yet it does not post. Perhaps microsoft has already taken a bite out > of Yahoo. > > But back to the subject at hand. > > I have finished 4 weeks of proton treatment > > Weeks one and two were uneventful. > At the start of week three I started chemo, Taxatere. > > At the end of week 3 I was terribly constipated. A full dose of laxative > took care of that by Sunday. > All cleaned out and started week 4. Neither the radiations oncologist or > the medical oncologist had any explamation about what the cause was. > At the end of week 4, I am again fully plugged again. Again I am > resorting to a laxative. > I will press the Dr. again monday or tuesday. > > Does anyone have any suggestion as to cause or remedy?? > Thanks > d. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 , Remember what grandma used to say? Prunes. Eat Prunes. Back in October I had a kidney stone lithotripsy procedure and the Uro placed a stent in the ureter for 1 week. The spasms from the stent caused intense spasm pain so I needed to take a vicodin every 90 minutes which shut down my digestive tract. The Uro gave me some sort of anti- constipation drug which had no effect. A day after I started eating prunes (thanks to my wife's advice) I was a-fartin' and a-crappin'! Try prunes. Where are you having proton and having chemo at the same time? LLUMC? good luck, Albert > > Greetings all, > > I dont know what is going on . I have sent this three times and > yet it does not post. Perhaps microsoft has already taken a bite out > of Yahoo. > > But back to the subject at hand. > > I have finished 4 weeks of proton treatment > > Weeks one and two were uneventful. > At the start of week three I started chemo, Taxatere. > > At the end of week 3 I was terribly constipated. A full dose of laxative > took care of that by Sunday. > All cleaned out and started week 4. Neither the radiations oncologist or > the medical oncologist had any explamation about what the cause was. > At the end of week 4, I am again fully plugged again. Again I am > resorting to a laxative. > I will press the Dr. again monday or tuesday. > > Does anyone have any suggestion as to cause or remedy?? > Thanks > d. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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