Question:
VERY constipated other than prune juice, what else can I take ?

   — jauregui650 (posted on February 8, 2007)

February 7, 2007
I take Senekot once in a while and it works...also Smooth Move Tea works very well and add Benefiber to everything! Try to eat fruits and veggies and oatmeal which has fiber in it.
   — Sheri A.

February 7, 2007
Hi Gina, You can do everything that the other lady posted. Senakot helps. You can also try Milk of Magnesia to try to go by atleast tomorrow or an enema. But I would call the surgeon first and ask what he recommends since you just recently had surgery. Big hugs to you girl! Cira
   — Cira S.

February 7, 2007
Hi Gina! Oooh, I feel for you! I have the same problem, and I hate it! OK, first the usual caveat, call your doctor and see what he or she recommends. My doctor told me I could take Milk of Magnesia, and it works well for me. I also make a nice big cup of hot chicken boullion, and drink it as fast as I can. That seems to produce results pretty fast. Prevention is a much better thing, and much more comfortable! I know that not drinking gets me, every time. Try to get all your water in every day. If you can't drink plain water, put some flavoring in it. I love WalMart's S/F Orange Early Rise, it's the same as the Crystal Lite orange, but much cheaper, and not as cloyingly sweet. It comes in both tubs and tubes. I have a half gallon water bottle I use for home with a tub, then I keep a few tubes in my bag for traveling. You have to sip all day long, even if you're out. You can't try to "make it up" by guzzling water at night. Yes, I know every public restroom in the Northeast ;-) Also ask about a fiber supplement, something like Fibersure, it can be mixed with anything and has no taste or texture. But check with your doctor before you do anything! Good luck, and I hope you get relief soon! -- Mary
   — mwilson523

February 7, 2007
Don't eat spinach -- that can cause some constipation.
   — the7thdean

February 8, 2007
Pericolace - 2 tabs a day, 1 Tablesppon lemon juice in a cup of warm water a couple of times a day, increase your fluids, as a last resort an over the counter Fleets enema or glycerine suppository. When you finally get things moving keep up the fluids and add Benefiber. I also eat 3 dried prunes once or twice a week.
   — dabby

February 8, 2007
After 11 yrs of suffering with this, I finally hit this combination: 1000mg of magnesium oxide (pills, 500mg each) per day . 4 colace (store brand and never peri-colace, it contains a laxative and I don't want to be dependent) . Prescription Miralax (now in generic, so cheaper) at night . hot beverage first thing in the morning. Some people have been able to make things move just by adding the mag ox. The amount you add is up to you. You might read that magnesium citrate (supplement, not bowel prep) is better absorbed and so it is. But it is more likely to help with leg/foot cramping than with bowels. Mag cit goes into the whole system, whereas mag ox stays in the gut. Obviously, your doc is your first course, making sure you are up on water (as in water) is #2. And the longer you can avoid taking a true laxative regularly, the better. Miralax is not considered a laxative.
   — vitalady

February 8, 2007
I had the same problem and tried many remedies and I found for me that powered Metemucell works great. Dan
   — bigdooba

February 8, 2007
I had the same problem. This is what has helped me. One scoop of "Citrucel" in my protein shake everyday, and one "Equate Stool Softener" every night. Both items can be found at Walmart in the pharmacy section.
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 8, 2007
I might suggest working at least a bit of dark green leafy's into diet...such as when making a simple roll-up of deli meat and cheese, include about 6 leaves of baby leafed spinach into the roll up. Also, try when making a no carb meatloaf, try adding the tips (flowers) of broccoli, no stalk, into meat loaf. Broccoli may cause gas in a few individuals. Using chemical solutions such as laxatives are not the best solution. I like the fiber available in Atkins drinks (in the can), too. Prune juice has too much sugar. Go see nutritionist for best answer for you.
   — nancymweasel

February 8, 2007
Hi Gina, boy do I sympathize with you. It is so uncomfortable to deal with constipation. I did for a long time in the beginning, and it was hard to work with (no pun intended), but here is what helped me. First of all, I wouldn't let myself go more than 3 days without a BM. That is just not healthy, and if I couldn't do it on my own in 3 days, I got some form of help. I don't like using laxatives if I don't have to, but on occasion I did. Also, if drinking water, and I found some orange fiber tablets at Wal Mart that helped, if they didn't work, then I would use a fleet enema as a last resort(no more than a few times, but I did use them). I eventually had GYN surgery for some GYN issues, and my surgeon prescribed "Polyethyiene Glycol, 3350, NF Powder for solution, 527 GM" This is a non-habit forming laxitive that works very well. It is gentle, and it is a powder, but tastes like nothing. I truly found no flavor or texture to this product. I cut the dose in half because a whole dose caused painful gas with my small stomach. It is extremely cheap to purchase, but you need a perscription to have it. Talk with your surgeon about it, it really helped, and you can take it daily if necessary. I don't struggle with that issue now, I am almost 3 years out, and water and exercise seems to do it for me now. That is my final point. When I exercise on my treadmill, I drink a quart of water (the only time I can consume that quantity at one sitting), but that water and the exercise of walking a mile or two almost always produces a BM, usually before I am done walking. Exercise is a key factor, don't neglect it. It is really tough in the beginning, but it is a true regulator for your body, along with water. You had surgery for change in your life. Fight for the changes, and make them happen. You have a tool not a miracle. Work your tool and do your best. Your body will be thankful. Be careful what you do, and talk with your doctor, they are on your team for good health. Best to you. Patricia P
   — Patricia P

February 9, 2007
HELLO, NOT TO SCARE YOU ,BUT I JUST GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF BACKED UP BOWLES ,AND LET ME TELL YOU IT IS PAINFULL,HERE IS A LIST FIBER ONE CEREAL,THIS IS NEW ITS CALLED PLUM SMART FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH 100% NATURAL NO SUGAR ADDED,LIKE THE OTHERS ADDED KEEP DRINKING!!!!!! THE FIBER ONE CEREAL IS EQUAL TO 12 BOWLES OF BROC YOU ONLY HAVE TO EAT A 1/2 CUP LIKE THE OTHER PERSON SAID GET SOME BEAFIBER YOU CAN PUT IT IN EVERYTHING ,TAKE UP SOME WALKING,BUT DO EVERYTHING TO KEEP THOSE BOWLES CLEAN GOOD LUCK
   — katrina

February 9, 2007
I found added healthy oil helps a LOT! Its worth a try. Real butter has lso made a BIG difference, perhaps it acts as a lubricant?
   — bob-haller

February 9, 2007
I suffered for a year post-op with constipation. I even ended up in the ER one day. I have tried everything, colace, metamucil, more fiber with limited success. I was finally prescribed Miralax. I haven't had any problems since. It works so gently. No gas or cramping and it is tasteless.
   — Allison4wls

February 10, 2007
Hi Gina I too have that problwm at times,I take liquid collodial vitamin as a supplement with my regular vitamns it helps a lot.
   — aatoton1

February 10, 2007
I use super dieters tea and that is what it is called you can get it at walmart in the tea section it is about $4 a box but it does work good and usually by the next morning drink it hot
   — linda249

February 12, 2007
I had exactly the same problem, and drinking water, eating fiber, and taking stool softeners and milk of mag did not help at all! It was very, very painful. Even enemas did not help. I had to have it removed twice! I am two years out, and I have to take two Colace every day to keep from having problems.
   — Novashannon

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