Constipation -- What works?

[Gilbert P]

Hi All

I just blew out my L4-L5 and all the pain med are holding my plumbing back.

Any suggestions how to unplug the system

Thank You

Gil

[Nairek]

Hi Gil,

I understand that Miralax is helpful to get things regular again. You may also want to use Colace to help soften things up.

Feel better soon!

Karin

[Katie]

Dried apricots work wonders for me, and they taste good to boot Costco has big bags of them, but the health food store ones taste better. Guaranteed to work within twelve hours and I have been severely backed up before using them.

[Justin]

Hey Gil,

I am sorry you are dealing with this. The medications Spine Patients are on tend to catch up with them at some point--I know how it can be.

In the short term, Magnesium Citrate Oral Solution is a good option for some patients. It can be purchased in any drug store over-the-counter. However, please read about the side effects and precautions on WebMD --Magnesium Citrate Oral and speak with your doctor and/or pharmacist regarding your current medications / health conditions. Some patients utilize saline enemas to "get things moving." BTW: Miralax and Colace are also popular options that Karin mentioned above.

Before taking magnesium citrate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: rectal bleeding, intestinal blockage (obstruction).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other bowel problems (e.g., ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids), heart disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat), kidney disease, current stomach/abdominal symptoms (e.g., pain, cramping, persistent nausea/vomiting).

Consult your doctor before using this product if you have had a sudden change in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks, or if you need to use a laxative for more than 1 week. These could be symptoms of a serious medical problem.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children younger than 2 years since they may be at increased risk for certain side effects, especially a loss of too much body water. (See also Side Effects section.)

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Here's some helpful information about fiber therapy:

Fiber Therapy for Constipation

Over-the-counter fiber products are a natural way to increase the fiber in your diet. Fiber acts in the colon (large bowel) to "bulk" up the stool and make it softer, thereby making it easier for your colon to pass. Many foods contain fiber: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and high fiber cereals all contain some fiber. Unfortunately, most of us don't eat enough. Taking supplemental fiber is an easy way to increase our intake.

Supplemental fiber comes in many forms:

1. Powder
2. Tablets
3. Wafer/Cookies

Some common brands include:

1. Metamucil
2. Citrucel
3. Fiber-Con
4. Benefiber

All of these products work in the same way, but some may work better than others depending on the patient.

To use fiber take either:

1. 1 tablespoon of powder dissolved in 8-16 oz of water or juice OR
2. 2 tablets with 8-16 oz water or juice OR
3. 2 fiber wafers/cookies with 8-16 oz of water or juice

Take in the morning or the evening.
Start off using it once per day. You can then increase usage if you feel it is helpful.

Constipation Tips:

1. Remember: the most common cause of constipation is inadequate water intake during the day. Avoiding dehydration is usually the key to regularity.
2. You must take fiber with adequate water or juice. Fiber can paradoxically cause constipation if taken with inadequate liquid.
3. Using fiber requires some experimentation--if one brand doesn't work or causes excessive gas, take another. Also, try varying the form of fiber. For example, if the powder is unpalatable; take the tablets of the wafers instead.
4. Time of day that fiber is ingested is not crucial--do what works best for you.
5. You may need more than one dose per day. Feel free to increase your dose to morning and evening, if that works for you.
6. Results depend on consistency of usage--the more consistent you are in taking fiber, the better the results.

Here's a previous discussion on Fiber Supplements.

[ajj1001]

Dried apricots work wonders for me, and they taste good to boot Costco has big bags of them, but the health food store ones taste better. Guaranteed to work within twelve hours and I have been severely backed up before using them.

I have tried most of the medical options and can agree that fibre in your diet is a good long term solution, I have bran cereal everyday and post op go onto bags of prunes and figs big time. I did 1 bag every day after my fusion even when I couldn't face eating much and it really worked. That combined with a stool softener produced the necessary really quickly.

[KBear]

I take Amitiza (a prescription laxative) twice a day, plus colace once a day, fiber in the morning and still sometimes have issues. I then use miralax 1-3 times a day as gastro doctor told me to eat prunes every day too. I don't always remember; but do when I can. I also try to eat Activa yogurt every day with a Kashi granola bar (good source of fiber).

[Gilbert P]

Hello

Thank You all for your support and suggestions

My plumbing is in full operation I visited my P.C. and he gave me triple mag 250mg its working

thank You

Gil

[rhatzy]

When all else fails, a good high powered enema. Actually, my wife, who is a nurse used to work at an old folks home when she was in school. When all else fails, enema included, digital manipulation had to be used. So get it going before it comes to this.

Puckered,

Mark

[Gilbert P]

hi Mark

Yes an enema has crossed my mind I may do this prior to my surgery.

Thanks

Gil

Last enema I had was during a water skiing crash

[Justin]

Last enema I had was during a water skiing crash

Gil, I'm glad things are working again.