Constipation

Hi. 

Miserable said:

Any of you lovely people got any ideas

Ask for Movicol or Laxido. These are the standard laxatives we get from our teams 

Thus is particularly important, I’d say imperative when he is on opiates later. 
I managed on two a day. 

Thankyou, much appreciated I’ll ask tomorrow.

Hi ask for laxido or movicol  to be added to his prescription. On the back it tells you his many he can take in one go once he starts on opiates he will need to take 1 or 2 daily once I started on co coronal one per day sorted me. Yih can put in vis feeding tube if oh if he struggles eating drinking later into treatment. 
Hazel x

Thanks for the info.

Dulcolax will also help 'move' things along.. 

Hi Sue, as others have said, Laxido, Molaxole, or under various other brand names, but the active ingredient is Macrogol, and you can buy it over the counter, If it is likely to be an ongoing problem because of the treatment, you can get it on prescription. Unlike some laxative products, it really works, while not leaving you feeling that you dare not venture far from a toilet. I used Lactulose once, and to be honest that made me feel like that - frightened to fart in case it turned out to be more than that! (Apologies, but that really is how it felt.) Please give him my best wishes, and wish him all the best of luck. Radiotherapy can also affect your appetite, because a loss of taste affects how you feel about food. I had to decide to treat it as medicine - I knew I needed it to keep going, so I counted calories and protein to make sure I was getting enough. Before going to bed I would tally up, and sometimes my heart would sink when I realised I had to eat something else. Is he getting Fortisips or Ensure, or something on prescription, because they can really help. Even a hot chocolate with full cream milk and some cream on to can go down easily and make a difference.

Tony - been there, done that, got the T-shirt

Thanks Tony, just got back from review. They’ve given him plenty of drinks as well as Laxido. Give that ago x

Warning,  the following is disgusting so don't read on if you're squeamish, but it may be helpful...

During treatment I took all the laxatives by the clock, and plenty of fluids, but still got such bad constipation I had to be given an enema at the hospital. Another time it was so bad I felt as if there was a bowling ball in there, impacted and impossible to pass. In desperation I used a gloved finger to hook some out (luckily we had some surgical gloves in the house, and I knew that a nurse friend had done similar). I was then able to pass the rest. 

Sorry everybody! But this may help somebody. 

That's good. As it says in the instructions, he might need a few sachets over a short time to get things going, then regular use should keep things moving. I hope the eating goes okay, as staying strong is important. I found that the radiotherapy really tired me out.

I know that so well,I had to do the same and still feeling the consequences now after a movement !