Constipation - what to do

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I'm newly diagnosed with locally advanced prostate cancer and started my bicalutamide last week. I've been a slave to constipation for years, diagnosed by my doctor as slow transit constipation as a result of my MS (which I've had for 37 years and am fortunate to not be badly affected - no walking difficulties, fatigue from time to time and general lack of stamina). 

The doctor has me on Lactulose to help, recently increased at my request from10mg twice a day to 20 knowing that one of effects of the hormone treatment can be getting stuffed up. 

I'm drinking plenty (around 2.4 litres a day) and eat an apple and pear each day, but am still having difficulty with hard stools.  It's frustrating. I'm wondering what others do and if you have any tips.  I think I'm going to try some powder from Japan that I've found really good in the past. It's a mild laxative with natural ingredients. I've tried to only take when necessary because it gives me the most foul smelling wind. I could kill from 40 paces!

Any thoughts or insights much appreciated. 

Phil 

  • Hi  

    my OH used fresh pineapple and it worked a treat .  Probably about a cup full . He actually enjoys eating it so that’s a bonus . 

    He has an apple , orange and a banana every day but occasionally he gets constipated  but the pineapple get him moving .

    Best wishes as nothing worse 

    liz & Dave  xx

  • Thanks Liz. I will give that a try. Yes. It's just so central to the way I feel. It's been that way for a good few years, but even more so now. All the best. Phil 

  •  I have had constipation Please may I suggest  eat wholemeal bread, pure peanut butterwith no additives nuts no additives, Kewi fruit, rassberries blueberries  Strawberries, lemon and ginger tea, peppermint tea. spinich

  • Thank you for this. Pineapple duly added to Sainsbury's shopping list.  I remember nearly cutting the end of my finger off in the past so have ordered a spiral cutter too. I'm pretty good with the other things you mention, but also ordered Meridian peanut butter that looks to have none of the additives. The constipation is better today having taken the powder. So fingers crossed. As I said, with the cancer going on in my body too it was making me miserable and worried. Probably the stress was self perpetuating. 

    Phil 

  • I buy Marks Spencer 100% peanut butter smooth made with hi-oleic peanuts nopalm oil it got oil seperation so have to give it stir