NEED ADVICE!! Constipation...What can we safely use as a remedy?

I am 15 days out and dealing with constipation. I know laxatives are a no-no. But what are the safe remedies??? I am currently trying Benefiber with no luck yet. All suggestions appreciated!!!!

Why are laxatives a no-no for you? My surgeon recommends Milk of Magnesia (use the smallest dose) and Senokot. I know lots of people use Miralax, too.

Miralax works great and is not quite the same as a laxative but works great.  If your concerned though verify it with your on call dr, it's always better to be sure.  Prune juice is also a natural laxative, if you like it or can tolerate it. Also when I worked in assisted living and our patients were struggling we gave them a brown cow, which was half milk of magnesia and half prune juice, we heated the prune juice.  If you use the brown cow make sure your in the bathroom, it generally works fast........hope you get some relief soon, I know how miserable it is, I have IBS and get constipation all the time........best of luck

Smiles:),

Lisa

My doctor gave me a stool softener for the first few months.  You should check back with your Dr.  I am 4 months post op and take a tbsp of metamucil clear each day.  I put it in my eggs or protein drink.  Can't taste it, and it keeps the party going :)

Good luck!

 

Is the matamucil clear a powder or liquid ?

I struggled also until I started using miralax. That was what my doc recommended.  I also early out used metamucil in a large glass of water.  Check with your dr. first.

Anne

I also used milk of magnesia...
Stay close to home cause it WILL work!

I've started mixing benefiber into my daily protein shakes and I've been going about every 3 days as opposed to once a week. It's been such a relief. 

Do NOT use Metamucil at this point!  It thickens and could cause a blockage if you do not drink it quickly enough or with enough water.  Ask your surgeon what to take.  I am a GI RN, so this topic is close to my heart.  Milk of Magnesia is safe.  Prune juice is safe, but has lots of sugar, so go easy on it.  MiraLax is safe, but it IS a laxative.  It's the same drug a lot of people take for colonoscopy prep and works by drawing water into your colon so things will move.  Stool softeners on their own may not be enough.  What's really important here is that you do something so you will be able to go to the bathroom.  The longer you wait, the harder (pun intended) it will be.  Another thing to consider is Benfiber, a fiber that does not thicken, so it doesn't pose the risk  Metamucil does.  Again, you probably need to start with milk of mag or prune juice or miralax.  Good luck.

I called my doctor this morning. Said to use magnesium citrate. It is carbonated so I am mixing in ice and water to try to get rid of fizz. Doc said to drink 6-8 oz of it. It should work then take miralax daily. Says if nothing happens today after that to call him in the morning.

Please let this work