Medications Contribute to Constipation

I too have been shocked to find that medicines prescribed by my Dr are actually contributing to my chronic constipation problem.

The main thing you can do to help yourself is to identify & remove all possible causes from your lifestyle. (NB This includes not just foods & medicines, but anything you put ON your skin - e.g. face creams - or even inhale.)

Then try & find something which works for YOU, what helps one person can do the opposite for someone else.

In my case, Doyenne du Comice pears are most helpful when in season; also linseeds (which I toast & add to just about everything!)

Don't forget to drink a reasonable amount of water each day - it can be easy to overlook this in the colder weather.

It takes vigilance, reading the labels of absolutely everything, but it does pay off. And when the problem strikes yet again, don't leave it too long before trying to deal with it.

Re the bleeding hemorrhoids : aloe vera is very easy to grow in a pot-plant, just pick a leaf & split it open, apply the gel inside directly to the hemorrhoid. Witchazel is also helpful, either the liquid (applied via cotton wool) or in ointment form.
All the best :)

My situation is similar to the writer and I too have used Miralax on occasion. However, I have the best results eating a high fiber diet. That means reading labels on everything I buy and making choices based on fiber. My biggest boost is a serving of Fiber One Original cereal mixed with a half serving of any other high fiber cereal, some frozen blueberries and a cup of 40 calorie Almond Breeze. It's a delicious way to get things moving, with 24 grams of fiber and 200 calories.

I too, as most seniors, take drugs than will cause severe constipation. My gastroenterologist suggested plain, old fashioned MoM. (Milk of Magnesia) One to two table spoons at bedtime worked wonders. It is all natural and very inexpensive. Generic brands work just as well.
Bob

Magnesium taken daily works for me, is good for bones strength and most women do not receive enough through diet.

I have bouts every few months where I eat something rich and then I end up all night with severe diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Sometimes I have chills and feel hot off and on. I also have irritated hemorrhoids also. Do you have any suggestions as to what might cause this or what I can do to help?

I'm on a quite restricted diet (my choice) right now, and my normal regularity has decreased. I've been taking fiber (both powder & benefiber tablets) which didn't seem to help. Yesterday I bought some Smooth Move herbal tea and had a cup last night. This morning, voila! This may be too soon to judge, but it sure seemed to work!

As for the constipation, a prescription medication called Lactolose works very well for seniors. As to the hemorrhoids, my husband was so miserable with his that he was ready to have surgery. My gastroenterologist recommended a bidet for a problem I was having. We purchase one and had it installed. After he used it for several weeks got complete relief from his hemorrhoids and now has no need for surgery. The bidet was not cheap, but the surgery could have caused other problems. I highly recommend the bidet to anyone with rectal problems, just be sure and get a good one from a plumbing shop and not a big box store. (the brand we bought was a Toto)

I have the same problem with too many meds that have caused constipation for years. My gastroenterologist recommended Align with probiotics and, after I started taking it daily, the difference has been amazing. I'm essentially regular again, which has naturally made my life much better, not to mention more comfortable.

my best solution is oatmeal every morning with blueberries and a few stewed prunes, it's magic.

As someone who less than one year ago had a heart attack and a stent inserted - and am on a 'cocktail' of heart drugs - I cannot just - at anytime - take any laxative -or bulk food. I can take a laxative if it is 12 hours away from the time I swallow my heart pills, however. My doctor has suggested a 'stool softener' - but I have rejected this because this is something connected to salt/sodium and sense this would be bad for me. (I have no faith in my doctor and am currently switching to someone else).

But, this doesn't cure this problem for me. Eating 'bulk' fiber which sounds like eating a broomstick but should be called something else like 'sponge' food because that is what 'fiber' does - sponges up moisture -does not do the 'trick' for me. Indeed, I have tried this 'sponge' food - but it winds up just like everything else - gets stuck.

I have had an epiphany - while sleeping I remembered something from long ago - from school. My muscles are flabby - inside and out. I need magnesium so my muscles will contract. I have started taking a simple vitamin (at night after eating) and have started feeling better every day - in spite of the 'cocktail' that has been draining me. So, this is logical to me.

This 'cocktail' has gone through me like 'rotor router'. I need to rebuild, replace that which is missing. This was not missing before the last trauma (no problem before heart attack) - so it must be the 'cocktail'. I also know that exercise, not just walking, is necessary for good tract health. It kinda knocks the 'train cars' into each other to keep things moving along. I haven't been able to as I have been a 'wash out'. But, the vitamins seem to be doing something 'good' for me now. Vitamins are to be considered.

A variety of fiber is the secret. Oatmeal (with raisins) or fiber cold cereals for breakfast, lots of raw and cooked fruits and vegetables for lunch and supper. A warm beverage like tea or coffee for breakfast helps the digestive system too.

For steak and potato type folks, you may have to resort to a fiber supplement like metamucil.