constipation/enema

[sam in the UK]

Hi, my mum is suffering from constipation. So much so that she had to have a nurse out on Friday to give her an enema. Mum is calling the nurse again tonight as she has not had a bm since then.  I am concerned that it could be a bowel obstruction but the nurse said the enema only clears the rectum so I am hoping this means that there isn't an obstruction otherwise how can the rectum be full ? the obstruction would stop it wouldn't it ? Sorry to be so graphic just wondered if anyone else has suffered like this. Many thanks, Sam x

[EchoUK]

I find that prune juice is good for me - you can regulate how much you drink when you get to know it.
It is also quite nice with milk in if you don't like the taste much. :-)

[Anna-maria74]

Sam go to boots and ask for 'Glycerin suppositories' they dont just clear whats in the rectum they stimulate the bowel! You are advised to wet the tip to insert but I use KY

Anna X

[Jan214]

I had IBS for 25 years (food ran right through me) until chemo.  Now with all the drugs I have constipation like everyone else.  I have been eating Dannon's Activia for three weeks now and I am so happy.  I never thought I would know the joys of being able to go every day.  I have given up the stool softeners and Milk of Magnesia. I am not in active chemo right now but will be soon, so I don't know how it does with that but it has been a blessing.  I am only 6 months out from last chemo so am still taking alot of meds and I honestly did not think yogurt would do anything but I was so DESPERATE I tried it.  TRY IT you have nothing to lose.   Dannon is offering your money back up to 12.00 (it doesn't cost that much) for trying it for two weeks.  Three weeks worth cost me $5.94 (Kroger has had it on sale for 1.98/4 pack and that is alot cheaper than the stuff I was using.  
Jan

[hopeshell]

I like Miralax.  It is newly otc in the US but used to be rx.  Mix it in any liquid and it doesn't taste or cramp and works well.  If it is ok with her doc to use - she can take it daily until she gets more regular.  

[Kimchi]

I like that "HHH", Ha Ha Ha, very funny...will remember that. Bet your patients were not happy to see you walk into the room!! lol

[SimplyStar]

Leslee uses Dos 1 or 2 a day.  who remembers the HHH enemas from hospital days?   High, Hot and a He-- of a lot.  I would try to have the nurse give her a warm soap water enema  and have Mom laying down on her right side, deep breathing,  and have nurse hold pressure on the rectum and have Mom try to hold back as long as possible.  We used Ivory hand soap that had been softened to a gel in water, this takes a day or so,  Wish I was there Sam, I was known as the Enema Queen in training.  If she can get a quart in, that should solve the problem.  

[Kimchi]

I have been fortunate not to have constipation problems with carbo/taxol.. Have done a lot of research on natural enemas and now I look at enemas as a way to keep my liver healthy.  I have started giving myself enemas not to clean out my colon but to clean out my liver which I think is a major cause for constipation. The liver removes the toxins from our body, and may become congested by exposure to toxic substances, like chemo meds.  I did this every day for one week and now do it every other day after I have a natural bm.

[Tybear]

Lactulose is another good one to try. Milk of Magnesia didn't do the trick for me and senna cot just gives me horrible cramps. I also take a stool softener twice a day - two in the morning and two at night. I know that these have been helpful. You can buy them over the counter and they are pretty much harmless. I've tried an enema once before, and I'm guessing I just didn't do it right...(not the most pleasant thing, that's for sure!)

[rmarie]

I use milk of magnesia, it works better than anything I've tried.  I start before chemo and it takes 2 days after chemo to be fully effective however.  Hate to admit it Alan, but I used every kind of enema - oil, sailne, irritant, after 3rd treatment, I don't think any of them were very good.  I would check with a physician before using with an ileus, they may not be expelled.  

[alanpvegas]

I'm wondering about this too (continuation of my ileus question I guess), did your mom get a water enema or one of those laxative ones?  I recall seeing on another board someone said that the water enemas are more effective than the laxative (e.g., 'Fleet') enemas and possibly safer.

[Tybear]

I have suffered greatly with constipation and know how your poor Mom feels! It seriously has to be the worst side effect I deal with. I start taking laxatives days before I know I have chemo and it still doesn't seem to be enough to halt it. I have literally been sick to my stomach, from being so backed up. I have only ever been threatened with an enema before from my nurse, and that seemed to be enough to get things moving :) I wish I could offer up some advice, but I have tried everything and haven't figured out the magic combination of pills yet, to help me. My only suggestion is to take the supplements/laxatives before the on-set of constipation...
I hope she gets some relief soon.
Becky