Question:
EMBARRASING RNY BOWEL ISSUE-SENSITIVE!!
hi i live in nz and i have developed bowel adhesions and as such have to take metamucil for regularity on the pack it says dont take if you have oesphagues or swallowing problems as can cause blockage or chocking, my question is as i cant eat food fast or it gets stuck etc what about this is it safe to take as i am only going to toliet 1 x a week and if i take other stuff ie milk of magnesia it goes straight thru me and gives me terrible runs and then im house bound i need to find a balance as im having bowel surgery but on waiting list and the spasms from not going to toliet are painful..but i also dont want to choke on the cure/remedy...the dr isnt familiar with rny as he is a regular locum and new zealand drs are only getting the knowledge now with it,...cheers for your time — daisy2005 (posted on September 12, 2006)
September 12, 2006
Here in Canada there is a medication called lactulose .. it helps bowel
contipation by limiting the amount of water that the body pulls out of the
colon.. it does not in anyway affect the muscles of the colon. It is such a
gentle medication that it is used on infants and young children. See if
there is a similar product near you, the medication is in a liquid form so
there is no problems with swallowing.
— Stormchild
September 12, 2006
I have used Miralax (rx) with success, but also take 4 stool softeners at
night. Still, things were not normal (for more than 10 years!) until I
added magnesium oxide. Magnesium citrate is more useful for muscle spasms,
but the mag oxide worked (FINALLY!) to wake my sleepy bowel up. The other
products seem to make it, um, passable. I also drink a hot beverage in the
morning first thing as that gets things moving, as well. The lactulose
(it's straight sugar) didn't help me, nor did zelnorm or anything else. I
was pretty desperate. I tried (insoluble) fiber, but it swelled in my
pouch! Just as you fear. I tried soluble fiber, but no pain, but no
change. I did more water, less water, more fats, less fats! Finally, my
formula: two 500mg mag oxide, 1 dose MiraLax, 4 stool softeners, hot
beverage. (I was eating enough fiber and I just keep upping my water)
— vitalady
September 12, 2006
Hi Rachel,
I completely understand your issue! I have it myself! Currently, I take
Lactulose as well and Zelnorm. Started the Zelnorm first and then added
the other. I'm not going as often as I'd like but it's more than 1x a week
now...I was going every 9 days sometimes. Talk about uncomfortable! I
really think it's the Lactulose that's working. It's a yellow liquid but I
SWEAR to you that if you mix it with tea, crystal light, milk, etc. - you
will NOT taste it. I have also tried Miralax. That is a powder you mix
with a liquid (it says water but I usually did tea - you can't taste that
either). However, my gastroenterologist told me that you're only supposed
to take that for 2 weeks to "wake up" the bowels. I also take
stool softeners. I tried chewable Benefiber but it didn't work for me and
tasted pretty bad. About the metamucil, are you talking about the tablets
or powder you mix? I don't see how you could have probs with the powder in
a drink kind. You just drink at your own pace. And drinking as much as
possible is vital for this condition anyway. You said you're having bowel
surgery? I'm glad you'll be getting this fixed because long-term use of
stimulant laxatives is very harmful (i.e. magnesium citrate, dulcolax)
Also, the other poster is right about Lactulose being a sugar - it's a man
made sugar. My dose is 2 tablespoons. It doesn't cause me to dump and is
approved by my surgeon. I hope some of this helps! I know how frustrating
it all can be. If you need any more info, feel free to email me at
<[email protected]>. Good luck!
— platypus
September 12, 2006
hi from a fellow NZer, I have the opposite prob but know that you can get
lactulose here as well as senna tablets which are stool softeners. Coloxol
and dantrum is a bit harsher but might be needed to get things going but
ask your GP first. you don't say how far out you are ie if you are still in
soft mode
— elenav
September 12, 2006
hi sorry i forget to say i am 5 years post op
— daisy2005
September 12, 2006
Hello, Mirilax is an excellent source for constipation. It is however
available only by prescription, ask your dr for it. Or you can try Milk of
magnesia, this works really good to, they have different flavors to chose
from. Both of these work very gently, not harsh on the stomach. Good luck
— loser2b
September 12, 2006
Hi Rachel,
I am a NZ'er living in the States for about 7 years now. I had the surgery
on July 11th and I know what you are going through. Why don't you try
taking a smaller dose on the Milk of Magnesia? Maybe you should look on the
internet and try to find a Dr. in your area that is more familiar with the
surgery, or a Dr. who performs them and see what they say. A regular stool
softener, like the ones they give you after you have a baby should be
enough to get you moving. I take something called Colace, but not sure if
you have that over there.
Good luck with everything.
— babygirlz22
September 12, 2006
Metamucil comes in tablet form as well - that might be a better option for
you. Because I know you don't want me to suggest a suppository.... :P
— j_coulter
September 13, 2006
I take a stool softener (Colace) every day. If i don't I get major
constipation.
— Novashannon
September 13, 2006
My rny Doc told me to take Citra Cal...Fiber daily. I have not done it but
thought you might want info from gastricbypass doc.....I am throwing up
when I have a bowel movement???? Guess we all get attacked in diffrent
ways....:)
— southernnmdreamer
September 13, 2006
Try a chewable form (like the multi's), or, I know here in the US there are
a tons of powder forms that you can mix into your drinks, and even one that
claims you can put it into anything you are making or drinking without
changing the flavor (I apologize for not knowing the brand name - it is has
a blue bottle, if that helps). Just some ideas.
— Eryn G.
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