Re: Constipation - severe side effect of meds

[Guest guest]

Hi Joan,

I know exactly what your saying with this.

I dont know if you are from Australia but I have seen a

supplement being advertised called " Ducolax " and am going to try

it for myself. I thought it might be worth a try for you as well.

I don't know what time-release morphine you take, but I too take one

thats a slow release and have found that constipation has

gotten worse, so I can feel for you with this.

I do hope you find something that helps you. If Ducolax works

for me, I will let you know.

Take care,

Liza

[Guest guest]

Joan wrote:

> Hi. The time-release morphine and Noritriptyline I take both cause

Constipation and the over the counter remedies are not helping. Yes, I asked

the doctor and he suggested Senecot which does nothing so far - even at double

dose. also tried miralax and even a big dose of mineral oil at night.

Hi Joan

Constipation is a subject that has been discussed many times in this

group. My system is sensitive to even small doses of meds, so I had to

learn quickly as to what would work for me. Exercise - even a bit of

walking, hand or leg two pound weights, or anything that gets you body

moving is very important.

These days, to avoid constipation, I make sure I get some sort of

exercise, and I take Konsyl twice a day, Miralax once a day, and two or

three sennosides, with added stool softener, tablets at night. (generic

Senecot with softener). If I still have a problem, I get out the

glycerin suppositories.

This combo works very well for me. However, if I get slack for more

than one day, I can be right back at square one. When that happens, I

take a larger dose of laxative/softener tablets, along with the Konsyl

and Miralax and I make sure I get more exercise.

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Hi

Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) has been on the North American markets (Canada and

USA - don't know about Mexico) for a very long time. My doctor

recommended it to me years ago. Over the years, I've tried it on a few

occasions and had horrible cramping each time. In case you're someone

like me, please try the lowest recommended dose first.

Other people take Bisacodyl based laxatives with no problem at all. :-)

According to the Dulcolax people, it's the number one selling laxative

in the world.

http://www.dulcolax.com/com/com/splashscreen.jsp

Considering how differently each of us reacts to medication -

prescription and over the counter - it's no wonder the doctors are never

too sure just what they should do with us. <grin>

Lyndi

Moderator

Tis Me/ wrote:

> I know exactly what your saying with this.

> I don't know if you are from Australia but I have seen a

> supplement being advertised called " Dulcolax " and am going to try

> it for myself. I thought it might be worth a try for you as well.

>

[Guest guest]

--- " herogardens " wrote:

>

> Hi. The time-release morphine and Noritriptyline I take both cause

Constipation and the over the counter remedies are not helping. Yes, I asked

the doctor and he suggested Senecot which does nothing so far - even at double

dose. also tried miralax and even a big dose of mineral oil at night.

> Almost too embarrassed to post...Any help appreciated. Thanks. Joan

>

Joan -

Don't be embarrassed - this is something we all deal with.

You say that Miralax doesn't work, but how long did you take it, and how much

did you take? It is the single BEST drug, and it is also the SAFEST to take on

a daily basis. It also causes the least other bad effects, like gas and

bloating.

But it does NOT work overnight. If you're already pretty constipated, it may

take three or four days or even five days of consistent dosing for it to take

effect. Then you must take it every single day to keep things moving. You can

even take two doses a day to start if one dose doesn't work (take one dose in

the morning, the second 12 hours later).

If you only took it for one or two days, don't give up on it. Try again and take

it for several days in a row including a day or two of double doses, then once

it works take it regularly every day at the same time to stay regular. Don't

wait until you're constipated again to take it, or you'll have to go through

three or four more days of waiting again for it to take effect!

Once you become regular, you can try dropping back to once every other day to

see if you can stay regular on a less frequent dose. But as long as you're on

opiates, you're going to have to treat the constipation.

Also be aware that some opiates effect some people in terms of constipation and

stomach issues more than others. I can't take oxycodone at all - it freezes my

entire gut to the point where I get gastroparesis (paralyzed stomach!). But I

have very little constipation on morphine. Everyone is different, so it might

be worth talking to your doctor about trying a different drug on an equivalent

dose to see if you have less constipation with it, if you really can't get it

under control on the morphine.

One more suggestion - there's a mixture called " power pudding " that when taken

regularly can offer some help, and it certainly can't hurt. Here's the recipe:

Equal parts applesauce, All-Bran brand cereal (the buds, not the flakes!) and

prune juice. Mix and refrigerate, and take a couple of heaping tablespoons

every night (can increase " dose " as needed.) Can also add spices like ginger to

taste if you like.

Hope this info helps.

Cheryl in AZ

Moderator

[Guest guest]

I have to take an over the counter laxitive with stool softener 3 times a day

with a glass 16 oz of apple juice & 16 oz apple juice before bed. It does

work.It's a total of 64 oz a day of apple juice.This will work.

Blessed be,

Ms.Katurah

[Guest guest]

--- wrote:

>

> It's a total of 64 oz a day of apple juice.This will work.

>

>

Katurah -

64 ounces of apple juice a day would add an extra 950 empty calories a day to

your diet - that's more than HALF of a healthy adult female's calorie

requirement. For those of us who don't exercise much because of chronic pain

and who must also keep our weight down to keep our pain under control, and thus

must intake fewer calories than an more active person, this is a recipe for

disaster.

Apple juice isn't known for treating constipation. It has very little fiber and

is mostly sugar.

You'd be much healthier drinking just a single glass of prune juice a day, which

has lots of fiber and much less sugar and will actually treat the constipation

without adding all those empty calories.

Cheryl in AZ

Moderator

[Guest guest]

This is my normal daily regimen to keep things regular, and it keeps

constipation away.

oatmeal for breakfast with green raisins (made with water)

1-2 vegetables with lunch and dinner

snacks:

green apples (1-2/day)

banana (1/day)

hot tea *note: I often add powdered licorice, cloves to my tea. Both of

which are good for warding off constipation.

(I prefer Rooibos Tea)

I find the following herbs/supplements helpful, but honestly if I do not have

the above daily, I notice right away, and I start feeling like things are

sluggish. The oatmeal in the morning really sets the pace for the day.

daily supplements

cayenne pepper capsule (1-3 times/day)

turmeric 720mg (2x/day)

If I were to experience some constipation, what works for me is:

Cascara Sagrada (1 capsule with hot water or tea at bedtime)

[Guest guest]

Cheryl in AZ wrote: Equal parts applesauce, All-Bran brand cereal (the buds, not

the flakes!) and prune juice. Mix and refrigerate, and take a couple of

heaping tablespoons every night (can increase " dose " as needed.) Can also add

spices like ginger to taste if you like.

This actually sounds really good!

Jade

[Guest guest]

That sounds like a great recipe. I love using herbs & spices.

Blessed be,

Ms.Katurah

Cheryl in AZ wrote: Equal parts applesauce, All-Bran brand cereal (the buds, not

the flakes!) and prune juice. Mix and refrigerate, and take a couple of

heaping tablespoons every night (can increase " dose " as needed.) Can also add

spices like ginger to taste if you like.