Re: Fecal Impaction/Poor motility

[Guest guest]

This isn't a topic that any of us want to talk about, yet it is something that

needs to be discussed so that those newcomer's to the list can understand

what impact (is that a pun?) our medications can have on our digestive

system. I remember back to when I was a new patient with chronic

pancreatitis and had just begun regular use of Percocet. I wasn't aware of the

effect that narcotic medications had, yet they all list constipation as a known

side effect for good reason.

My bowel habits underwent an abrupt change. The diarrhea that I had often

been plagued with as a result of CP quickly changed with the introduction of

pancreatic enzymes and narcotics. The enzyme supplements enabled me to

digest my food better, and the medications brought constipation. Before long I

was finding myself constipated each week. I started taking OTC fiber

supplements and eating prunes every day at breakfast, which helped for a

short period of time. Then, as my medication needs increased, the problem

with constipation did also, and I can remember many long sessions where it

seemed I lived in the bathroom. My bowels were slow, and as a result, I often

had cramps and abdominal pain that was probably more the result of slow

motility other than CP.

Having a doctor that wasn't really listening to my complaints didn't help the

situation. Although I complained of the constipation and resulting hemorroids

on each visit, his only answer was " increase your fiber intake " . I had a

cupboard full of Metimucil, Fiber Con, Senecot, stool softeners, Colace and

every other OTC fiber product that you could think of. I was eating so much

broccoli, spinach, grains and beans that my tummy bulged with it all, still to

no

avail.

A very painful impaction brought me to my senses - I knew I couldn't go

through years of this & #*@, and something had to be done to help me with my

motility. Karyn had mentioned using Miralax, so I went to my doctor and

insisted that he write me a script for it. He was so quick to agree to it, I

don't

know WHY he never suggested it in the first place. It brought relief and easy

motility within three days and has worked like a charm for me ever sense. I'm

angry that this doctor wasn't more attune to my complaints in the first place,

it

would have saved me months of discomfort and those hemorroids would

never have developed. They had become so enlarged and inflamed that my

internist was talking about surgery to eliminate them.

The problem now is all resolved with periodic use of Miralax. I only take it

once or twice each week. It's a colorless, tasteless powder that can be mixed

into any beverage, even water, without affecting the taste. Since I started

using it two years ago, I've never had a problem with motility and the

hemorroids are a thing of the past. If anyone has any problems of this nature,

I highly suggest that they talk to their doctor about getting help before it

develops into even more problems.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion

only, and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical

professional.