Constipation

kyolcu
kyolcu Member Posts: 111
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I wonder has anyone give good recommendation for constipation other than dulcolex or senna, they don’t help me enough. I have horrible lower abdomen cramping last 3 days. I called my oncologist’s office adviced me to take Nexium but it still continue. Thanks

Kadir

Comments

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    #2
    I was prescribed Lactulose

    It worked overnight but did not cause cramping.  There is an over counter drink with magnesium citrate that helps with constipation.  I've been told it works well but may cause cramping. there are also glycerin suppositories that help.  

    Good luck, I know constipation can get painful.  

  • Twinzma
    Twinzma Member Posts: 236 Member
    #3
    Old Fashioned

    ....But you may want to try a glass of prune juice (or 2 small cans)  slightly warm or at room tempurature. Cold for some reason doesn't work as well or as quick. Silly as it sounds, an old retired nurse told me this and sure enough it does wonders. 

  • Kevin1224
    Kevin1224 Member Posts: 34
    #4
    Organic juices

    My wife has been on chemo for the last year, aproxemetly 30 sessions and she was constipated in the beginning.  I started to make her organic juices in the morning and she has never been costipated ever since.

     

    Kevin

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #5
    Twinzma said:

    Old Fashioned

    ....But you may want to try a glass of prune juice (or 2 small cans)  slightly warm or at room tempurature. Cold for some reason doesn't work as well or as quick. Silly as it sounds, an old retired nurse told me this and sure enough it does wonders. 

    Psyllium

    Part of my daily routine is a spoonful of psyllium mixed with water every morning.  The fiber also has an anti-cancer effect.

  • kyolcu
    kyolcu Member Posts: 111
    #6
    Joan M said:

    I was prescribed Lactulose

    It worked overnight but did not cause cramping.  There is an over counter drink with magnesium citrate that helps with constipation.  I've been told it works well but may cause cramping. there are also glycerin suppositories that help.  

    Good luck, I know constipation can get painful.  

    Joan

    Thank you, Joan and all if you. I appreciate all for your very helpful input. I heard about Magnesium citrate but never used it. 

     

    Kevin: I also do beet aplle celery and carrot juice 3 times a week but still constipated.

    Thank you, each of you, you all are great people here.

    Kadir

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #7
    Miralax

    My daughter has been told to take Miralax daily for constipation.  There would be times where she didn't go for 9 days.  She has no CRC issues, but terrible constipation.  This might help keep things moving.  Also Metamucile some say works - but it never did for me.  My problem is going too many times in a day but there are times when my system would be backed up due to stress or change of routine.

    Kim

  • kyolcu
    kyolcu Member Posts: 111
    #8
    Kevin1224 said:

    Organic juices

    My wife has been on chemo for the last year, aproxemetly 30 sessions and she was constipated in the beginning.  I started to make her organic juices in the morning and she has never been costipated ever since.

     

    Kevin

    Kevin

    Hi Kevin,

    Do you mind sharing what type of organic juice you make for your wife? I appreciate for your input.

  • kyolcu
    kyolcu Member Posts: 111
    #9
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Miralax

    My daughter has been told to take Miralax daily for constipation.  There would be times where she didn't go for 9 days.  She has no CRC issues, but terrible constipation.  This might help keep things moving.  Also Metamucile some say works - but it never did for me.  My problem is going too many times in a day but there are times when my system would be backed up due to stress or change of routine.

    Kim

    Kim

    Kim, thanks a lot for your good comments. 

    Kadir

  • peterz54
    peterz54 Member Posts: 341
    #10
    Magnesium Citrate

    Magnesium Citrate in liquid form.   Small bottles, under $2, should be available in pharmacy section.    

    If your system can tolerate it, try to make sure you get plenty of natural fiber from quality plant foods.

     

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    #11
    I got recommendations for

    I got recommendations for what you mentioned, along with Miralax. Mag Citrate wasn't recommended as it's quite powerful.

  • kyolcu
    kyolcu Member Posts: 111
    #12
    Mikenh said:

    I got recommendations for

    I got recommendations for what you mentioned, along with Miralax. Mag Citrate wasn't recommended as it's quite powerful.

    End up to Hospital

    Hi guys, after having abdominal cramping for 4 days I went to neighborhood emergency care center CT scan showed large bowel obstruction they sent me hospital immediately and they put 2 stents with colonoscopy. Hopefully I will be discharged tomorrow.

  • plsletitrain
    plsletitrain Member Posts: 252 Member
    #13
    Oh man

    So sorry here's another issue you have to deal with.  Wishing your cramping issues will be resolved soon.

  • kyolcu
    kyolcu Member Posts: 111
    #14
    Kevin1224 said:

    Organic juices

    My wife has been on chemo for the last year, aproxemetly 30 sessions and she was constipated in the beginning.  I started to make her organic juices in the morning and she has never been costipated ever since.

     

    Kevin

    Organic Juice

    Hi Kevin

    Thanks for your input. If you don’t mind what kind of organic juice you make to your wife that helps not to have constipation. I am still dealing with constipation issue.

    Thanks

    Kadir

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    #15
    kyolcu said:

    End up to Hospital

    Hi guys, after having abdominal cramping for 4 days I went to neighborhood emergency care center CT scan showed large bowel obstruction they sent me hospital immediately and they put 2 stents with colonoscopy. Hopefully I will be discharged tomorrow.

    Sorry to hear

    That kind of cramping is so painful. Not sure how you endured for 4 days. But glad you got some help and relief. Hoping and praying for some long term help for you. This is such a miserable disease. May you go home soon with a plan. 

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #16
    Terrible

    I'm so sorry to hear that but glad that you went in.  It's not a good thing to have an obstruction.  Hope you are resting comfortably at home.  Drink lots of water.  Hope you feel better soon.

    Kim

  • kyolcu
    kyolcu Member Posts: 111
    #17
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Terrible

    I'm so sorry to hear that but glad that you went in.  It's not a good thing to have an obstruction.  Hope you are resting comfortably at home.  Drink lots of water.  Hope you feel better soon.

    Kim

    Thank you all

    I appreciate each input from all good people. Thanks God, I am out of hospital for 2 days now and feeling very good, now resting to have more strength. I wonder how come CT scan taken 10 day prior to partial obstruction did not show anything. I will ask this question to my Oncologist next Tuesday.

  • Coachjim
    Coachjim Member Posts: 19 Member
    #18
    Miralax by the capful

    My primary said to take one dose of Miralax daily.  There's a line in the cap for the exact dose. It it's too loose, I take a little less or half a dose for a day.  My 'roids are gone and I've not been constipated again.  I found a pub med article of a study on daily Miralax and there were NO side effects even when taken for years.  After a life of constipation, this is awesome. 

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #19
    Laxative type

    Although only tangentially related, I came accross this study of the relationship of laxative type used and the initial rate of colon cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30150160

    Compared with nonusers, the risk of CRC increased with nonfiber-based laxative use, whereas CRC risk was not significantly associated with fiber-based laxative use.

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #20
    Unfortunately

    Before you try to treat constipation you have to be very sure what is causing it. If it is traditional IE a lack of fibre and not enough fluid in the diet that can be remedied by inccreasing natural fibre and drinking more water. If on the other hand if the cause of the constipation is chemically induced EG opiate induced It is not wise to take fibre it will literally build brick walls in your colon. At one stage I was on oxycodone slow release for over two years. I suffered terribly from constipation. In desperation I went to a chemist and he explained that many people taking opiates are not warned of the danger of constipation. He told me that for now on everytime I took my oxy dose I should also take dulcolax and two coloxyl stool softeners. It helped I eventually decided that the oxy was a worse problem than the pain. It took 3 months to get off it. Ron.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #21
    ron50 said:

    Unfortunately

    Before you try to treat constipation you have to be very sure what is causing it. If it is traditional IE a lack of fibre and not enough fluid in the diet that can be remedied by inccreasing natural fibre and drinking more water. If on the other hand if the cause of the constipation is chemically induced EG opiate induced It is not wise to take fibre it will literally build brick walls in your colon. At one stage I was on oxycodone slow release for over two years. I suffered terribly from constipation. In desperation I went to a chemist and he explained that many people taking opiates are not warned of the danger of constipation. He told me that for now on everytime I took my oxy dose I should also take dulcolax and two coloxyl stool softeners. It helped I eventually decided that the oxy was a worse problem than the pain. It took 3 months to get off it. Ron.

    You are right

    Ron, you are right about the pain relievers they give you and causing constipation.  Now when we have surgery they prescribe some type of stool softener but many continue on with the pain medication and still have constipation issues.  It's hard to get your system working after surgery but when you have colon surgery it's much more difficult.  Glad to see you still posting and keeping up with the group.

    Kim

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