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Posted 7/31/2015 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
This was mentioned in another thread.

I have issues with constipation (can get severe suddenly, and then the problem disappears).

I have yet to find a trigger.

I was wondering if any of you have SPECIFIC probiotic products that have been helpful?

(Prat -- I know what you use --I've tried it, but I need to take it "regularly," pun intended)

Mel
Posted 7/31/2015 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, interesting that you posted... As you said, you know what I use and they've worked for me. I was taking the tablets, then a few weeks ago I switched to the capsules, same brand and they still work but not as well

So maybe it has to do with how the bacterial are absorbed. Just a thought
Posted 7/31/2015 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
I take a probiotic called "Pearls". it seems to help.
Posted 7/31/2015 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting, I never heard of probiotics for constipation. After I had my gallbladder removed several years ago my doctor told me to start probiotics if I have diarrhea, but stop once everything gets back to normal. Luckily I never had that problem.

I can say I have been taking fiber (Psyllium) for years to lower my cholesterol, which helps minimize constipation.
Posted 8/1/2015 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Just started on them two weeks ago. I take the capsule version of the Walgreen's brand.
Posted 8/1/2015 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
One probiotic I was taking made me constipated. Had to take it every other day or two.
Posted 8/1/2015 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'be had some thoughts about getting off probiotics altogether and doing a daily dose of Konsyl, a psyllium fiber, which I take only occasionally, and it works really well. Reason is the same as lapilot above, it's more heart healthy. My only concern is that it might make me dependent on it if I take it daily. If anyone has some input it would be appreciated.

Mel, you might want to try Konsyl, it works really well without being "too much"
Posted 8/1/2015 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Pratoman,

I've been eating two oat bran muffins daily for 15+ years for heart health (lower LDL). They are full of fiber; therefore, a bonus is no constipation. You are wise to think about becoming "dependent". When I travel I have to be sure that I have acces to a high fiber cereal or psyllium, because without my muffins I will often times face (?) constipation.

The muffins I make are over 90 percent oat bran with the remainder being mainly nuts, raisins, appleasuce, soy milk, and egg whites. They actually taste good .... but then maybe after all this time I am just used to them.
Posted 8/1/2015 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Another idea - I just bought a can of steel cut Irish oats. Haven't tried it yet, but intend to. Only issue there is I think it's highly carb loaded. But I am told by my nutritionist that it is heart healthy
Posted 8/1/2015 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
The antibiotics they give you for prostate biopsies or surgeries can wreck havoc on the digestive system. IMO everyone who has taken them should take a course of probiotics. I found a product called Align really got me back on track.
Posted 8/1/2015 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have an ex-girlfriend who has had awful gut problems due to heavy antibiotic use driven by Lyme disease. She swears by a product called Bio-Kult she gets from Amazon. I have occasional problems due to five years in Africa and several cases of giardia. Seems to work for me, but I only use it occasionally.
Posted 8/1/2015 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Try Activia yogurt. My father in law and my mother both had good luck eating a yogurt a day.
Posted 8/1/2015 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Almost any regime of antibiotics can wreck havoc on your GI track, killing both the good and bad fauna causing bad diarrhea. The best course to cure that problem is with yogurt and even better probiotics.
Posted 8/7/2015 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel,
I've had issues with IBS for many years. I was told to take VSL#3 about 8 years ago, it has been a godsend. I'm regular and happy down there. You can usually get this at your pharmacy, it is stored in the refrigerator, ask for the capsules. Expect to pay around $57-$60 US, for a bottle of 60. It has over 100 Billion lactic acid bacteria. I take 2 day. No prescription needed.

I hope this was helpful.

Jim
Posted 8/7/2015 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
I've always had constipation problems from time to time, but since I have been eating metamucil bars and cookies, I hardly ever have it any more. My wife uses Benefiber powder, I can't use that, gets me to soft.
Posted 8/7/2015 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Stay away from yogurt loaded with sugar / Dr. Mercola has the best probiotics on the market go to his website there is a wealth of information there on digestion also Body ecology website that's Donna Gates another specialist on digestion
Posted 8/7/2015 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Don is on chemo and after every cycle The Great Constipation occurs without fail. After trial and error MiraLax is the recommended go to as it draws water into the intestines. He also uses a capsule stool softener. He would not normally do that but this type of constipation definitely requires help. Probiotics did not help specifically with that.
Good Luck,
Susan

2005 Husband dx at 63 yo Gleason 4+3
2006 LRP First post surgery PSA 11.8 Stage IV Start Lupron
2010-2014 Casodex, Provenge, Nilandron, Zytiga, Orchiectomy, Xtandi.
PSA cont rise. Spot on spine & enlarged lymph nodes.
2014 Xgeva & Taxotare
10/31/2014 Last Taxotare due to SE’s PSA was 14.82 now 1.3
2/27/15 PSA 10.48
3/20/15 PSA 13.68 Multiple lesions found in liver
3/27/15 Start Jevtana w prednisone Neulasta 24 hrs after chemo
6/19/15 Stop Jevtana PSA 63.40 CT shows left kidney hydrophenosis caused by tumor pressing on ureter and increased liver lesions
6/19/15 Start Taxotare and carboplatin
6/26/15 Nephrostomy
7/10/15 PSA drops to 9.63 after first cycle of Taxotare and carboplatin
7/31/15 PSA now 2.6 after 2nd cycle
Posted 8/7/2015 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
JimBoss:

Amazon seems to have a somewhat cheaper price. I think it said $45.

The constipation I get is strange. Things work, and then they don't. For example, eating a grapefruit works very well for a few days, and then it just worsens things. Ditto for fibre.

It has a mind of its own. Right now, I'm fine and I don't need anything specific.
I have not found probiotics to be particularly helpful or hurtful.

I second the Miralax comment. That might take a few days, but then it usually gets things going

Mel
Posted 8/7/2015 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Simply Right 4x from Sam's club. But a bowl of mixed fruit for breakfast helps a lot with constipation.
Posted 8/8/2015 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I'd add a simple expedient that is a must with any of the fiber type supplements: Don't let yourself get dehydrated. The combination of psyllium and not enough water in one's diet creates a rock in your gut. Or at least it does in mine.
Posted 8/8/2015 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Amen to the don't get dehydrated - with psyllium or miralax dehydration leads to general badness that is less than fun to deal with.

I'll give a vote for miralax. I've been using it for constipation and it works well. My doctor also had me try Senokot (8.6 mg) for consitpation. I've been using that daily instead of the stool softener (docusate sodium) and so far I think it works better.

I've not used the probotics except after a round of antibiotics.
Andrew
Posted 8/8/2015 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
What Halbert said. I've discussed this with my nutritionist. I sometimes take Konsyl, which is psyllium fiber. She told me that without lots of water, it turns to cement.

Which presents a problem, as if I take it at night (which I like to do since it starts working 8-12 hours later, with lots of water, I end up getting up to pee multiple times after going to sleep
Posted 8/9/2015 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Given the complications I have suffered as a consequence of PCa treatments, the one health consolation I have, is that in 70 years of life I have never had one day of constipation.

Can't attribute that to anything in particular. I have no fancy diet fads and rarely take supplements of any kind. Just happen to be lucky in that respect. Wish I could have said the same about PCa.

Chas
Posted 8/9/2015 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
I used to go through bouts of constipation but now I don't. Its just about getting enough fiber and staying hydrated. Prune juice is a great source of fiber and it will clean you out. I eat steel cut oats almost everyday for breakfast. fiber + hydration = smooth moves
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