sorry people not the nice of subjects. for the past few weeks had terrible constipation, something i have never had before. i think its the pain killers causing it. i think i have been through the chemist shop and doctors surgery for a cure or at least short term to no avail. please please can anyone help on what to take it is making me feel so low and down and iam getting to the end of my tether. i will try anything. thanks babs.
FormerMember
My hubby had horrible constipation, caused by the disease, cause by the pain killers AND caused by the oral chemo he was taking! Add to it he's a guy and hates to sit on the toilet anyway and you have all the makings of real disaster! So we did this. 2x daily Fibercon, 2x daily a stool softener of some kind (sienna, senakot, colace), Metamucil and/or Citracel daily. We increased dramatically the fiber in his diet, no processed foods, lots of brown rice and veggies, less meat. His target was to have a bowel movement every other day. If it looked like there was going to be a problem, we whipped out the warm prune juice and milk of magnesia. Also, I have some powdered magnesium and would whip that up if needed, but not too much because it would cause diarrhea, but a little sometimes helped things along. Hope that helps. Oh yes, one more thing, its very important, if you can to MOVE. So if you are able, you definitely need to be at least walking and that will help to get your plumbing working. Being sedentary is also a contributor. Of course when you feel terrible its hard to move around, but as soon as you can, please do. Best, Lori
I get dreadful constipation after chemo....try movicol ....I fill up a jug of water and put a load of sachets in ( it tells you on the packet how many) and I drink it all day.....the hospital give it to me along with the other drugs we have to take....it works, usually takes a day to work.....no pains..... Its also important to drink a lot of water after chemo anyway, I never drink enough
I suffered badly with constipation until my GP prescribed Movicol, magic , no more probs, also Lactulose is another good one. Hope this helps, best of luck, these side effects are all sent to try us
Hi Babs - it really can be the most miserable state of affairs, but I would nearly SWEAR on prunes and figs being added to a bowl of porridge - well, I swear by it, because it has helped me EVERY time - so give it a go. lots of love kate xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
i know just how you babs. if your having chemo its the ani-sickness drug that causes it. I was the same and is horrendous i would be sat for hours trying to go and couldnt. I found the only solution was to take ducolax for at least 2 days before chemo and on the same day and also for up to 2 days after it was the only thing that worked for me. Good luck
