randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i am still having problems with constipation. i mean i'm not going for two weeks!!
i've tried several like correctol but i cramp and have such pain with this diverticulitis, i have to be careful.
can you recommend something very gentle?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
For something gentle, I like Colace stool softener, which you can get at drugstores, Walmart, etc.
But look for the generic with the same active ingredient, because the Colace itself is WAY overpriced.
Swiss Kriss is also pretty good...I think the active ingredient is Senna though, which is slightly stimulating to the bowel, so if you take too much, or just if it's not right for you, you can end up with too loose of stools and with cramps.
You can get Swiss Kriss at www.iherb.com and probably at www.vitacost.com or health food stores. It is an herbal thing.
If you already have cramps, I would recomend the generic Colace, or the brand of course if you are okay spending the money (I am cheap).
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I like miralax because it has no harsh side effects.
Posts: 455 | From Was in PA, then MD, now in the Midwest | Registered: Nov 2008
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i tried miralax, didn't work for me.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23747
posted
Randi,
My mom has always struggled with constipation but more so this year after she had pancreatitis.
She suggests that you get glycerin suppositories from the drug store and use them asap. This will help to coat the hardest part so you don't tear.
Then she suggests taking 2-3 herblax before bed with a 1/2 cup of water and that should give you some action by morning.
From her experience, the herblax might give you a some gas and maybe a little cramping but nothing to write home about.
After you're going a bit more regularly, she suggests taking 1-2 herblax every evening.
When she's divided herblax throughout the day (1 at breakfast, 1 at lunch, etc.) like the directions say, it doesn't work for her.
Hope this helps hens
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
Drinking mangosteen juice keeps my intestines regular. I drink the Ultra brand with 70 minerals added.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Miralax is the safest. It can be used to help tiny babies. You can take it every day if needed (I do).
You really can't take too much. Start out with one capfull before bed. If nothing happens in the AM after breakfast, take another capfull. If nothing happens after dinner you could take another one or two capfulls. You get the idea.
Drink lots of water with the miralax. That's how it works. The powder pulls water into the intestine forming a gel, the gel allows your body to gently push out the waste.
If you take too much you might have some diarrhea. But then you will know its time to back down on the dosage. Take a smaller dose to help maintain regularity.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
any luck yet?
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i was afraid to take the herb-lax right now because of my diverticulitis, so i took the colace. well it's the walmart brand, much cheaper.
i drank a ton of water and this morning did got a little.
i don't know if this is lyme or not, but sometimes i don't go for weeks. yes, weeks....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Glad it helped a little! You might need to combine it with other things.
Also, read the package directions....but I think you can take quite a few at once. I want to say that I used to take 3 at once. But check of course.
Here are a few quotes from drugs.com: (was trying to find the right dose)
"You will be using higher doses at the start of treatment with Colace. You should see an effect on stools 1 to 3 days after the first dose."
"The suggested daily dosage of Colace is 50 to 200 milligrams."
So it looks like it can take awhile to fully work. I'd take the max dose you can...that info seems to say you should load up in the beginning.
Another thing that helps me sometimes, though pills and supplements work better, is olive oil.
They say you're supposed to get up first thing in the morning, and do 1-2 TABLEspoons (not teaspoons) of olive oil on an empty stomach (so I would then wait awhile before eating). Then do the same thing before bed, then the next morning, sometimes for a couple days in a row.
It's basically just lubricating things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Obviously don't do it if you have GI problems from fats.
Good luck!
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Randibear, if I'm not careful and constantly treating, I will only have one BM per mo/6wks.
I try to stay well hydrated, eat lots of fiber, take digestive enzymes w/HCL, lots of Mag Malate, and Miralax daily. I also alternate Triphala and another herbal laxative. These things help but that are not magic cures. I still struggle to have one BM per week.
Not being able to go to the bathroom is uncomfortable. Sometimes I feel like I have to go urgently but when I sit down, my muscles refuse to relax and I'm unable to go! It's awful but you don't think about these things until it happens to you.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
another gross question -- today seems to be my day, huh?
can constipation cause your breath to be really bad in the morning? ugh, like poo...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Along with everything, try what my PCP calls "the bomb". 1/2 prune juice and 1/2 orange juice warmed. I've never had to try it it but I give it to an MR fellow I take care of.
I also cook a container of prunes in water about 20 min. and let cool. Put them in food processor with some all bran and unsweetened applesauce. Give him some warmed everyday for breakfast.
He also takes metamucil and senna laxitive (2) at breakfast, but found alot of improvement when I have him walk around the house 15-20 min a day, and DRINK plenty of water.
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23747
posted
i can not imagine not going for weeks! I get physically sick if i'm off my schedule even a few hours. Heachache, nausea, just feelin' sick.
Wow! You guys are some tough chickies!
Really, hats off to you! Or should I say bottoms up?
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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I easily get constipated during Herx's, and some of my worst times during treatment occurred when I couldn't go much.
I'm very diligent about getting lots of fiber, drinking lots of water, and taking colon health supplements. If I don't "work" at it, I get backed up and feel awful.
I'm not sure if it had any anti-parasitic effect on me, but I've used Humaworm a few times because it really helps me evacuate effectively.
I also drink coffee in the AM, which I know many chose not to do with Lyme, but I find it helpful in many ways, including helping me "go."
Like the above poster, I quickly get headaches and overall go downhill fast if I get off schedule, even by less than a day.
Posts: 455 | From Was in PA, then MD, now in the Midwest | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
I have had a poopoo problem for years. One thing that has truly helped was a gift that my mom gave me recently-- a vitamix blender.
When fresh greens are blended with water and half an apple, believe me, things get moving. There's something about the grinding of the veggies into a pulp... and you don't need a lot. If I don't drink my glass of green drink every day, well I just can't go.
This is the only thing that has really helped.
-------------------- When we are no longer able to change a situation---we are challenged to change ourselves. (Viktor Frankl- Holocaust survivor) Posts: 460 | From Maine | Registered: Apr 2009
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hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
Miralax takes several days at the correct dose before it takes effect.
After 2-3 weeks of constipation I've had to be hosptalized and was instructed to drink one cup of the reconstituted mix every 15 minutes until the mass moves. You'll know when you're cleaned out!
This was a very harsh treatment. I wish I'd known the previous week this dose was safe. I ended up in the hospital after vomiting feces in fluid due to an undiagnosed partial intestinal obstruction. Yes, this will make you have poop breath.
The GI specialist says Miralax is the safest product you can use long-term for chronic constipation due to nerve inflammation or damage.
When I first started taking it the recommended dose was one cup every 6 - 8 hours. That didn't touch the backlog.
The maintenance dose required for me is 2 cups of the reconstituted mix a day. Lyme has affected the nerves in the digestive system, shutting down proper gut function/movement.
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Randibear, I forgot to mention Miralax/Go Lytely (sp?)/PEG solution won't cause gas or cramping when used daily.
But, if you have to drink one cup every 15 minutes, you may have severe GI distress & pain before the mountain gets moving. This is essentially a colonoscopy prep. I had to ask for pain medicine; that was NOT something I ever want to do again.
You'll end up with pure liquid shooting through, and somewhere behind that liquid will be the accumulated mass of feces. You may end up with a raw behind, but you can treat that while you're feeling less toxic from the constipation.
Be sure to drink lots of water with it.
I've had to drink 1-2 gallons over a bad couple of days. It's not too bad mixed with green tea.
Orange juice and prune juice are helpful too, and lemon water.
The trick is to be diligent to stay on a maintenance dose so you don't get constipated again.
May you have a "productive" day!
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
thejoje , what specifically do you mean by "fresh greens?"
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
I had this problem until I gave up milk and milk products. If you haven't tried it, it might be worth doing.
Posts: 984 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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hshb, I grab anything I can out of the garden, the fridge, or the lawn. A few dandelion greens mixed with a small wedge of cabbage and half an apple ( and water with added electrolytes) is great combo.
Or a few broccoli florets, some bok choy leaves and a small handful of frozen blueberries is also fabulous.
Any combination of green leafy veggies or anything from the cabbage family, mixed with something sweet like berries, water, and electrolytes is a winning combo.
I drink a large glass everyday, with pulp from the veggies included. This has cured my poopoo problem.
-------------------- When we are no longer able to change a situation---we are challenged to change ourselves. (Viktor Frankl- Holocaust survivor) Posts: 460 | From Maine | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I like smooth move tea. It has helped me and it is gentle. It is not a long term solution. Also vitamin C helps me alot and I use it long term.
Posts: 140 | From Illinois | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
a bottle of citrate magnesium will clean you completely out. don't go anywhere after taking it for SEVERAL hours. it does not cause cramping, but it is hard to get down as it makes me gag horrible to the point of nearly vommiting. it sure works though! i reccommend just drinking a few sips of it your first time if you don't want dramatic results.
personally i prefer drinking a cup of coffee when i need extra help.
also, my llmd put me on creon, a digestive enzyme, and it works wonders, but it is $300 for a months supply and i can't afford to keep taking it. i am worried about what will happen when i have to stop depending on it soon...
Posts: 220 | From Kansas | Registered: Mar 2010
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oops, i meant it does not cause ME cramping... i can't gaurentee how it would effect you!
Posts: 220 | From Kansas | Registered: Mar 2010
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