constipated

I have been terribly constipated. I was taking pain meds last week for a kidney infection and this has made it worse. I am drinking and drinking. Is there anything OTC I can take? I am 3 weeks post laprny

I would give a call to your surgeon.  They would be able to tell exactly what you can and cannot take.    Best of Luck

Hi: I was also very constipated after surgery and taking pain meds (stopped as quickly as I could which was two days after getting home) because it was so very constipating. I ate plenty of dried prunes and took metamusal (hated it) but the most effective thing I found was drinking lots and lots of water as it flushes out your system. Use anything that is high in fiber content and that could help also mixing it into your protein shakes, etc.. I hope that you feel better soon ... I remember it all too well but it soon passes and you feel better every day! Michael Rosen

 HELLO I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY TWO CENTS ON YOUR BLOG.I AGREE WITH BOTH RESPONDERS BUT THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS TRY BENEFIBER & IT'S TASTELESS, YOU CAN MIX IT UP IN YOUR FOOD & DRINKS.BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU'LL HAVE A BOWEL MOVEMENT.I PURCHASED MY BENEFIBER FROM COSTCO AND IT HELPED ME OUT A GREAT DEAL.HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER.

I suffer from this, so much so it's a topic on my blog at least weekly. You name it, I tried it.  Metamucil, hydration, psyllium husks, colon cleansers, colace, enemas, suppositories, fiber cookies, benefiber, milk of magnesia... None of it worked for me. A gastroenterologist prescribed me MIRALAX.  It's now over the counter.  It's non-addictive.  It is tasteless, and will get you going.   Talk to your doctor first. 

If it's an OTC product that you prefer, gel cap stool softeners do help; Wal-mart's Equate . My choice:  Just eat a pretty good size Spring Mix salad with some Wish-Bone spray for relief, but then I'm over a year post-op.  Timing is everything I guess... so I'd ask the surgeon's office for info.