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Best treatment for constipation?

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Posted 8/1/2009 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
For those that have constipation, I was just wondering what works best for you. I have had a horrible month and need to be able to go again. Not going for days is not good. So, any advice is greatly appreciated. confused
Posted 8/1/2009 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Well I have already told you I use stool softners everynight. If I didn't I would be in a world of hurt. Have you tried Miralax yet? This is supposed to be really good in helping those with slow systems. Good luck!
Posted 8/1/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have awful constipation. I tried everything under the sun: prune juice, aloe juice, Metamucil, Digestive Advantage Constipation, milk of magnesia, and magnesium supplements. They helped some, but I still had issues. What really fixed my problem was changing my diet. When I started eating SCD, things improved dramatically. My system's 4 day transit became a 2 day transit. I had a bout of ugly constipation a couple times at around months 3 & 4, and also still had some cramping up to that point. But now, I have one normal BM a day without any cramping. Hallelujah! I still take a magnesium supplement, but at half the amount that I used to.

I haven't tried Miralax, but I've heard really good things about it. Milk of magnesia was always my go to for bad constipation.
Posted 8/1/2009 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I think I am going to try Mirilax & MOM.
Posted 8/1/2009 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot to mention a couple other options for more immediate relief. Glycerin suppositories and salt water enemas, although rather ugly, should get you going with an hour of using them.
Posted 8/1/2009 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have been doing enemas... Isn't it bad to use them a lot? The doctor told me to use 2 back to back since I was so bound up. I have but got a little, then back to not going for days.... my doctor said I need to keep going daily, if I am not, I need to make it happen somehow. I don't the enemas is working all that great. Even though there is still a lot of stool in me, there was a time or two I did enemas & they didn't produce anything!

I haven't tried the suppositories...

What is safest to use often??
Posted 8/2/2009 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
I think it's okay to use the Miralax or Milk of Magnesia everyday if necessary. They only help pull water into the bowel, they don't stimulate it. I used to take a dose of Milk of Magnesia about twice a week to keep things moving.

Before my last colonoscopy, I took a full dose of MoM the night before prep day. By the next morning, I had a very good start on the clean out!

I think it's safe to use glycerin suppositories regularly, but I'm not 100% sure.
Posted 8/2/2009 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
One thing that needs emphasizing is water. No matter which laxative/fiber or whatever, you need to drink more water than you would on your own. I drink two glasses of water 10 minutes before each meal and then drink as needed for pills or whatever else I might want to drink. I think that it would almost eliminate the need for any other kind of laxative.
Posted 8/2/2009 7:23 AM (GMT 0)
Keeper, I've read that if you drink a bunch of water before/during eating, it dilutes your stomach acid/digestive enzymes, thus leading to problems. Have you found that to be a bunch of hooey?
Posted 8/2/2009 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
AVOID FOOD THAT Makes you feel good. Avoid bread and butter, potatoes with sour cream...foods with cheese.melting down... and glance down on that large green bowl in your lap...and say...Hey fresh veggies.... lettuces of all kinds....celery, onions, olives, fetta cheese...carrots..seeds.... salt & pepper..lemon and oil.. oh crunch cruch crunch....... it's good..... fruit smoothies....with good yogurt, fresh fruit....a natural. gotta get it going natural..yes...... relax....let it goooooo.......
Posted 8/2/2009 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Dinosaurus-Wrecked you must not have Crohns disease because if I ate the stuff you are saying to eat I would be in the ER rather quickly!
Posted 8/2/2009 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Fiber hurts! No eating fiber for me! I try to add FiberSure to stuff, to help keep things moving & also drink lots of water (& never drink soda).

I am going to try MOM & Miralax I think...
Posted 8/2/2009 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
One can try liquid paraffin/mineral oil, after consulting the doctor. Even though there is no side effect, but better ask your physician. It clears the plumbing system in intestines. Within 10 minutes. I tried it several times to clear blockages.
Posted 8/2/2009 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Spookyhurst - I have not noticed any problems from drinking with meals. The water that I drink before meals is fairly quickly absorbed, so it is mostly gone by the time I start eating. The idea that drinking dilutes enzymes is nonsense. Enzyme action is not dependent on concentration. It is dependent on pH (which can be altered a bit by drinking during meals) and temperature (which is also a bit dependent on drinking, especially if you drink large amounts of cold liquid). If you don't drink a lot during meals, I don't see a problem. A bigger problem is the need for lots of fluids to supply the pancreas with water for neutralizing the acidic stomach contents when they are passed on to the small intestine. That need is why I drink 10 minutes before eating. If you drink more than a couple of hours before eating, you will have eliminated most of that fluid by the time you eat.

PSA.Delhi - Paraffin is fine for occasional use, but regular use will deplete oil soluble vitamins and cause a number of other problems as a result.

hukleberrie - fiber can be a problem for some of us. You might want to try Prodiem. It is a non-fermentable fiber (your gut bacteria can't use it) and should not cause you any problems. Again, drink lots of water with fiber supplements.
Posted 8/3/2009 3:39 AM (GMT 0)

about the miralax, it is great!  My GI had (has) me on 2 tablespoons twice daily when needed. Like now, but I'm out til town trip tom.  It has no smell, no taste, it mixes with anything you drink or eat without changing the food/drink in any way.  It works for me, well, as good as anything does. I did not realize so many of you have constipation with your chrons. 

I was also reading up on some of the posts on blockages, interesting.  So, if someone like me stops going, how do I know if I am just severely constipated or have a blockage? I am nauseated, have been for months, but now feeling worse cause I can't go!!  Anyway, the miralax works better than anything else I have tried.   good luck!

Posted 8/3/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
When I have a blockage, I start out having small pains that come and go, say every half hour. Then the "contractions" start getting stronger and more frequent until the pain is constant. This usually occurs over a course of several hours.

And thanks for the info Keeper! I looked back to see where I read about water diluting stomach enzymes and it was the "optimization" document at http://www.crohnsboy.com/crimson99_043.htm.
Posted 8/3/2009 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
I know - the story about water diluting your enzymes has been around forever. Anyone with 3rd year chemistry who took Kinetics would remember that enzyme based reactions are concentration independent (they are the only ones like that, so it is not surprising that people think that the water thing is true). It is true that you don't want to chill down your stomach contents while digesting, so moderation is a good idea. Just for another source on the question, see: mayoclinic.com
Posted 8/3/2009 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Such great information! I think I will start with the miralax.

Keeper, I have been using FiberSure. Not a good way to get fiber? I should be using Prodiem instead?

I am really in pain this morning. Must've been something I ate last night. Lots of cramps. Dr. told me not to use bentyl cuz it causes constipation. I am hoping it will pass.

Hope you are feeling better, granna.
Posted 8/3/2009 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have a lot of problems with constipation even with miralax that I use up to twice a day. Maybe I should give this SCD diet a try. I guess it couldn't hurt!
Posted 8/3/2009 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
As you can see from the posts, everyone is different, and you just have to keep experimenting until you figure out what is right for you. For me, I take 5 metamucil pills with tons of water, a stool softener and a probiotic. I also try to increase the fruits I can tolerate. For some reason, I do better with fresh fruits, (no skins) but can only eat cooked veggies. Exercise also helps. I try to go for walks on a regular basis, but I also do situps and it sometimes helps. Also, Chamomile tea. I do take Senokot when I'm getting into trouble...If I don't have a bowel movement every day I tend to get into pain quite quickly. I tried Miralax and it made me nauseated...not a typical reaction from what I have read on these posts. I hope this helps!
Posted 8/3/2009 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
I guess so... stool softeners haven't done me much good. GI said to use enemas, but I don't think it would be good for my body to use so often... I think I might try miralax & see how it treats me. I do get nauseated easily, so I am nervous about that.
Posted 8/5/2009 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I thoroughly recommend Miralax-- I'd be in big trouble without it!!

Posted 8/6/2009 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
aipgirl - the SCD plan has a large dietary bias towards reducing diarrhea and promoting less bowel action. It is useful as far as pointing out foods that have been known to cause problems, but you will have to modify it to avoid worse constipation. I add more fruit and even add prunes to the mix.
Posted 8/6/2009 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Keeper, I certainly don't want to slow things down more than they already are! This crohn's thing is fairly new to me and I am completely different than my sister who has had it for 25 yrs so I can't even go to her for advice. She is the exact opposite! I have had constipation issues for several years and my very first trip to the ER for a partial blockage came on completely without warning, other than constipation. Too much fiber, not enough fiber, I can't seem to figure this thing out yet.
Posted 8/6/2009 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
huckleberry - prior to my 1st bowel resection constipation was my worst enemy and very painful - I took Mirilex but also (don't know if you can tolerate because of the fiber issue) what worked best for me was simple one cup daily of 100% bran - not flakes - bran - looked like little nuggets and have to shop around to find them - 1 cup a day at anytime worked wonders. When I have a blockage the pain and contractions are so severe, along with vomiting, you will go immediately to an ER. Hope this helps and you can eat the ceral. Good luck. I had been advised to not rely on too many enemias but you should address with your dr so he'll be aware. again wish you the best.

--------------------------------------
dx crohn's 1971 - 2 bowel resection (1989 & 1993 and reconstruction surgery rectal area (1st location of crohn's). 1971. Hospitalized dec 2008 w/blockage and narrowing of small intestine - treated with high dosages of prednizone and later Entocort - reaction to this medication - has anyone had success with this med? on wait and see for next surgery - so far so good .
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