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Help Industrial Strength Constipation!!
Hi, this is embarrassing but I need some advice so where better to ask than here, plus you can't see my red face!
I am on Vesicare for bladder issues and Gabapentin for nerve pain, both drugs seem to be working well but since I have been on the Vesicare I am so, so, constipated. I know that it affects your muscles and it seems to have stopped the horrible bladder spasms and urgency and burning sensations I was having but now I can't seem to go and use my bowels.
I drink over 8 glasses of water per day, I exercise, I eat all bran (full of fibre) for breakfast, I have my daily intake of fruit incl. prunes, I have now been taking a product called Benefibre in a glass of water, this is basically natural fibre in a glass of water, you mix it up. Still was having no success, so I have now added a new product to the list called Dulcolax (active ingredient Bisacodyl) as all that did was give me massive stomach craps. I tried it for a week but was in pain with the craps, I did go but still with great difficulty!
I am not sure what to do, I don't really want to go off the Vesicare as it has been a godsend for me, I would say almost life changing, it has made such a huge difference to my outings etc., not governed by your bladder and too my pain.
I also suffer some numbness in my back passage area too, so that prob doesn't help.
Can anyone suggest a kinder type of laxative or have any ideas how I can overcome this problem.
Cheers,
Udkas.
I am on Vesicare for bladder issues and Gabapentin for nerve pain, both drugs seem to be working well but since I have been on the Vesicare I am so, so, constipated. I know that it affects your muscles and it seems to have stopped the horrible bladder spasms and urgency and burning sensations I was having but now I can't seem to go and use my bowels.
I drink over 8 glasses of water per day, I exercise, I eat all bran (full of fibre) for breakfast, I have my daily intake of fruit incl. prunes, I have now been taking a product called Benefibre in a glass of water, this is basically natural fibre in a glass of water, you mix it up. Still was having no success, so I have now added a new product to the list called Dulcolax (active ingredient Bisacodyl) as all that did was give me massive stomach craps. I tried it for a week but was in pain with the craps, I did go but still with great difficulty!
I am not sure what to do, I don't really want to go off the Vesicare as it has been a godsend for me, I would say almost life changing, it has made such a huge difference to my outings etc., not governed by your bladder and too my pain.
I also suffer some numbness in my back passage area too, so that prob doesn't help.
Can anyone suggest a kinder type of laxative or have any ideas how I can overcome this problem.
Cheers,
Udkas.
Hi Ange- this thread is over 3 years old. I'm not sure the original poster is still around.
Just didn't want you thinking you were being ignored :-)
Kyle
Just didn't want you thinking you were being ignored :-)
Kyle
try taking the vesicare every other day, which is what i do at 10mg and i have a moderate to severe OAB.. also if you need something natural and very effective use Senna-C! :)
Just read your post, and I would also agree about the Mirolax, it does work.
Last time I had to do a colonoscopy, that had me drink it with Gatorade, I already dislike Gatorade, and after drinking so much of it with Mirolax, I can honestly say, I haven't changed my mind, but the Mirolax did the job.
If it doesn't do the job for you, a suggestion my Doctor's nurse gave me, when I was having constipation issues was what she termed a "brown cow".
You mix about a tablespoon of Milk of Magnesia with prune juice, warm, and drink it.
I pray all goes well.
Take care and God bless.
-- Socrates
Last time I had to do a colonoscopy, that had me drink it with Gatorade, I already dislike Gatorade, and after drinking so much of it with Mirolax, I can honestly say, I haven't changed my mind, but the Mirolax did the job.
If it doesn't do the job for you, a suggestion my Doctor's nurse gave me, when I was having constipation issues was what she termed a "brown cow".
You mix about a tablespoon of Milk of Magnesia with prune juice, warm, and drink it.
I pray all goes well.
Take care and God bless.
-- Socrates
Hi guys
I just saw this and was going to suggest miralax but you guys had it covered-as usual!
I had to let you know Quix, you're a hoot! Alot like your grandmother I bet. I needed a good laugh.
That reminds me of my great grandmother who's thankfully still with us (but very sick at the moment)....
Udkas- I hope this works for you and you feel better soon. ( besides- I don't think they make Dr. Bing Bong's Little Rectum Rockets anymore! LOL)
Seriously though I hope you all feel better soon!
Stella
I just saw this and was going to suggest miralax but you guys had it covered-as usual!
I had to let you know Quix, you're a hoot! Alot like your grandmother I bet. I needed a good laugh.
That reminds me of my great grandmother who's thankfully still with us (but very sick at the moment)....
Udkas- I hope this works for you and you feel better soon. ( besides- I don't think they make Dr. Bing Bong's Little Rectum Rockets anymore! LOL)
Seriously though I hope you all feel better soon!
Stella
I wonder if it is available "down under", Oh well I will just ask ask as I like the idea of something that others have used and know works, especially without the stomach cramps, I felt like I had gastro on the ducolax, I guess my problem is prob got nothing to do with my fibre intake, just the muscles not working? Actually I was meant to be working today but the cramps were so bad with the Dulcolax I have stayed home.
This is a good time to share my money saving tip once more - instead of buying OTC Miralax, which costs a small fortune because you pay for the advertisings, ask your doctor to rx polyethylene glycol 3350.
PG 3350 is the exact same as Miralax, without the advertising. My prescription plan allows me to order 3 months at a time - the GI doc wrote the prescription for me to take it up to 2 times a day, and I get six HUGE bottles in each order for $20. It is a generic drug. One little bottle of Miralax costs about $18 when it is on sale.
And like Q said, it does work.
- Lu
PG 3350 is the exact same as Miralax, without the advertising. My prescription plan allows me to order 3 months at a time - the GI doc wrote the prescription for me to take it up to 2 times a day, and I get six HUGE bottles in each order for $20. It is a generic drug. One little bottle of Miralax costs about $18 when it is on sale.
And like Q said, it does work.
- Lu
COMMUNITY LEADER
I was dx with IBS 15 years ago but i've never experienced anything other than constipation, not long ago i couldn't go for 8 days and i looked 6 months pregnant lol. I've always found the fibre drinks make it worse, Iron suppliments cause me the same problems. My daughter has a small section of her bowel that doesnt work very well and she has a terrible time, tried just about everything known to man at our house. This is all anacdotal and probably very unscientific, very trial and error stuff.
DD swares by tinned baked beans, avoiding all milk products (shes lactose intollerant anyway lol) adding pears for breakfast lunch and tea, eating only veggie meals preferably indian style meals and taking mintec (pepermint gas tablet) and soaking in losts of 'warm' soapy baths. When she was younger she had to have a clear liquid after every meal but i just cant remember what it was called sorry, it was a mild over the counter product from the chemist.
I have found that things move more regularly if i eat weekbix twice a day, 2 peices of fruit, drink water but also orange juice and if i cant go a glass of white wine seems to make it easier the next day. I still only go every 3 days but when i just cant go at all, i usually have bladder emptying issues too. Someone once told me there was nothing as good as a dose of food poisoning to get rid of constipation, though i dont think i'd recommend it lol!
Hope you find something to help.
Cheers.........JJ
DD swares by tinned baked beans, avoiding all milk products (shes lactose intollerant anyway lol) adding pears for breakfast lunch and tea, eating only veggie meals preferably indian style meals and taking mintec (pepermint gas tablet) and soaking in losts of 'warm' soapy baths. When she was younger she had to have a clear liquid after every meal but i just cant remember what it was called sorry, it was a mild over the counter product from the chemist.
I have found that things move more regularly if i eat weekbix twice a day, 2 peices of fruit, drink water but also orange juice and if i cant go a glass of white wine seems to make it easier the next day. I still only go every 3 days but when i just cant go at all, i usually have bladder emptying issues too. Someone once told me there was nothing as good as a dose of food poisoning to get rid of constipation, though i dont think i'd recommend it lol!
Hope you find something to help.
Cheers.........JJ
Hi Guys
thanks for your great advice:
Q. Your grandmother was a legend, made me laugh!
Dear Q,
I will give the Miralax ago and I will contact my GP as it is really, really bad!! I need to go for a swine flu jab so maybe I will just make an appointment and see my GP tomorrow. It is a side affect of Vesicare and having numbness in those regions doesn't help, I also suffer from a very dry mouth on Vesicare too, but the benefits for me at the moment out weigh the drawbacks, providing we can get my constipation under control. B.T.W. I take 10mg of Vesicare, I tried 5 but it wasn't affective in reducing my bladder spasms etc., but I was also offered Botox, so I wonder if that causes constipation?
To Summerluvr,
Thanks for your advice, I am sorry you have the same problem but it's nice to know someone understands how I am feeling. I have decided to make an appointment with my GP now and I will discuss all these options with him.
I imagine the chemo would do more than just give you constipation. I have been reading your updates and your positive attitude, your diagnosis must have been a shock, I hope you are going okay and thank you so much for advice.
Cheers,
Udkas.
thanks for your great advice:
Q. Your grandmother was a legend, made me laugh!
Dear Q,
I will give the Miralax ago and I will contact my GP as it is really, really bad!! I need to go for a swine flu jab so maybe I will just make an appointment and see my GP tomorrow. It is a side affect of Vesicare and having numbness in those regions doesn't help, I also suffer from a very dry mouth on Vesicare too, but the benefits for me at the moment out weigh the drawbacks, providing we can get my constipation under control. B.T.W. I take 10mg of Vesicare, I tried 5 but it wasn't affective in reducing my bladder spasms etc., but I was also offered Botox, so I wonder if that causes constipation?
To Summerluvr,
Thanks for your advice, I am sorry you have the same problem but it's nice to know someone understands how I am feeling. I have decided to make an appointment with my GP now and I will discuss all these options with him.
I imagine the chemo would do more than just give you constipation. I have been reading your updates and your positive attitude, your diagnosis must have been a shock, I hope you are going okay and thank you so much for advice.
Cheers,
Udkas.
Really, the next step that you can get at home is Miralax. It does not cause cramping, nor excessive fluid in the stool like lactulose or magnesium. It is also not a stimulant like senna or dulcolax.
Severe constipation is a real medical problem and one doctors should be used to dealing with. Call your doctor.
If there is a hard stool in the rectum that won't pass - or let anything else pass - you can also safely use an oil enema. the Fleets or generic in the orange boxes are oil, which is mineral oil. Totally inert in the body. It will help to soften and to lubricate to do the job.
Quix
Severe constipation is a real medical problem and one doctors should be used to dealing with. Call your doctor.
If there is a hard stool in the rectum that won't pass - or let anything else pass - you can also safely use an oil enema. the Fleets or generic in the orange boxes are oil, which is mineral oil. Totally inert in the body. It will help to soften and to lubricate to do the job.
Quix
I am having a hard time too because of chemo. I had to take a really strong laxative called lacutulose of something, whne I didn't go for a few weeks. it worked in an hour but the cramps were bad! I can take senokat and it has not effect.
I had to switch to a really high fibre diet (like 35g of fibre) from a food list from the dietician. Not all fibre is good, for example some is better for diarhea such as oats.
I tried benefibre it didn't work for me either. Bran and grains are the best according to the hospital.
I now take flax oil, and ground flax seed, in smoothies with berries juice and yogurt in the morning, followed by lots of water.
I am supposed to take calcium supplements but the one the pharmacy gave me (from oyster shells) I stopped taking because I'm convinced it was making it worse!
have you tried taking a magnesium supplement? I find that is gentle enough to get things moving without cramping of something like milk of magnesia.
This is the pits! I'm so used to having IBS and going too many times a day (I prefer that I admit!)
I had to switch to a really high fibre diet (like 35g of fibre) from a food list from the dietician. Not all fibre is good, for example some is better for diarhea such as oats.
I tried benefibre it didn't work for me either. Bran and grains are the best according to the hospital.
I now take flax oil, and ground flax seed, in smoothies with berries juice and yogurt in the morning, followed by lots of water.
I am supposed to take calcium supplements but the one the pharmacy gave me (from oyster shells) I stopped taking because I'm convinced it was making it worse!
have you tried taking a magnesium supplement? I find that is gentle enough to get things moving without cramping of something like milk of magnesia.
This is the pits! I'm so used to having IBS and going too many times a day (I prefer that I admit!)
My next step would be to take Miralax. Also, call your doctor and see if they want to be monitoring this.
I am about to go onto Vesicare or something like it, so thank you for this reminder. Anything that relaxes the smooth muscles of the bladder will do the same thing for the colon.
When I was little and my grandmother wanted to make me laugh she would say this to me (it's a parody of an old radio commercial for Carter's Little Liver Pills)
"Are you constipated ? Ah, hhmmm? If you are, then try Dr. Bing Bong's Little Rectum Rockets. They do the work of dynamite without the danger of dynamite and they're made of just harmless little chemists' concoctions. At first it may feel funny, cr apping out your nose, but you'll get used to it."
Yes, my grandmother! I had no chance of growing up to be a lady.
Quix
I am about to go onto Vesicare or something like it, so thank you for this reminder. Anything that relaxes the smooth muscles of the bladder will do the same thing for the colon.
When I was little and my grandmother wanted to make me laugh she would say this to me (it's a parody of an old radio commercial for Carter's Little Liver Pills)
"Are you constipated ? Ah, hhmmm? If you are, then try Dr. Bing Bong's Little Rectum Rockets. They do the work of dynamite without the danger of dynamite and they're made of just harmless little chemists' concoctions. At first it may feel funny, cr apping out your nose, but you'll get used to it."
Yes, my grandmother! I had no chance of growing up to be a lady.
Quix
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