What brand of stool softeners can you use

arndog64
arndog64 Member Posts: 537
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
We are using SenokotS for constipation, but he needs a stool softener.

Comments

  • Daddisgrl
    Daddisgrl Member Posts: 116
    #2
    My hub used Senna; which his
    My hub used Senna; which his doctors told us to get. At one point we saw a gastro who said to use miralax & to eat more fiber. She said that senna is ok short term but not long

    Pain medications are bad with making someone constipated. At one point; I was reading most of his scripts; my head was spinning because most caused constipation & dry mouth.

    If he does see pain management; they may suggest something different for it. My pain management was doing a clinical trial of some sort
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #3
    Daddisgrl said:

    My hub used Senna; which his
    My hub used Senna; which his doctors told us to get. At one point we saw a gastro who said to use miralax & to eat more fiber. She said that senna is ok short term but not long

    Pain medications are bad with making someone constipated. At one point; I was reading most of his scripts; my head was spinning because most caused constipation & dry mouth.

    If he does see pain management; they may suggest something different for it. My pain management was doing a clinical trial of some sort

    Miralax
    or generics (CVS has one that's cheap) - a polyethylene glycol powder that you stir into water or juice. You can get about twice as much into 4 oz of water than they say on the jar - it actually makes the water less harsh feeling (tastes a bit like water that's been in a sports bottle to me, but not bad) and easier to swallow. You have to stir for a good minute or two (blender not recommended).

    Doctors like to pair that with Dulcolax (or generics - it's docusate sodium) - both work by attracting water so it stays in the stool (rather than getting absorbed by the large intestine). The downside is that it comes in these soft gel pills - Doug had trouble swallowing them, as they really stuck in his throat.

    The important thing to remember is that these both only work if you are not severely dehydrated, so you will also have to make sure he drinks lots of water (or getting at least a liter a day by IV).

    Consider having some Preparation h on hand for when things get moving. Used ahead of time, it can help minimize the "passing a brick" feeling.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    DrMary said:

    Miralax
    or generics (CVS has one that's cheap) - a polyethylene glycol powder that you stir into water or juice. You can get about twice as much into 4 oz of water than they say on the jar - it actually makes the water less harsh feeling (tastes a bit like water that's been in a sports bottle to me, but not bad) and easier to swallow. You have to stir for a good minute or two (blender not recommended).

    Doctors like to pair that with Dulcolax (or generics - it's docusate sodium) - both work by attracting water so it stays in the stool (rather than getting absorbed by the large intestine). The downside is that it comes in these soft gel pills - Doug had trouble swallowing them, as they really stuck in his throat.

    The important thing to remember is that these both only work if you are not severely dehydrated, so you will also have to make sure he drinks lots of water (or getting at least a liter a day by IV).

    Consider having some Preparation h on hand for when things get moving. Used ahead of time, it can help minimize the "passing a brick" feeling.

    Miralax
    I agree on the Miralax, it works great with no bad side effects.

    Hondo
  • Jamie_Ann
    Jamie_Ann Member Posts: 35
    #5
    I was told by my dr's to use
    I was told by my dr's to use Colace. I'm not too familiar with any of them (not sure of side effects) but thought I'd throw it out there!
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #6
    Stool Softener
    Hey there,

    Besides having brain cancer, I am also plagued with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Rarely, do I need help to get things moving but when I do I take the recommended dosage of Phillips Stool Softener (pill form). It usually takes less than a day for it to work. I also make sure that I am well hydrated and I always start the day off with a 1/2 - 1 cup of oatmeal every morning. Between the hydration and the oatmeal, it always seems to work.

    I have tried Senekot and it got "addictive" for me in that I always relied on it to keep me moving.

    Also tried Colace, but it didn't seem to work for me.

    Peace.
    Teresa
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #7
    Generic Miralax
    Actually got a prescription so insurance covers the cost.

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