Question:
laxatives
I am 3 months post op and I have been constipated for a week and a half. Does anyone know if we can take laxatives such as ex-lax or colon cleanser. I have tried correctal but it did not do very much. I appreciate any suggestions. I had open lap. — jimnetta N. (posted on March 30, 2004)
March 30, 2004
My doctor said take milk of magnesia regularly until I could get in enough
fiber to make things work on their own. I'm 6 months out and still take it
at least once per week. If it's been a week and a half for you, you may
need an enema just to get things moving again. Not a pleasant prospect but
it will definitey work.
— SCbabe B.
March 30, 2004
Don't go with the harsh chemicals, try the gentler stuff first. Milk of
Magnesia works wonders for many. I find I need it every couple of months. I
am 12 months post op.
— M B.
March 30, 2004
Milk of Magnesia tastes like rear-end extract. It is a vile, disgusting and
I usually throw it up a couple times and reswallow befoer I can get it
down. I'd much rather choke down "harsh" chemicals anyday.
— jenn_jenn
March 30, 2004
Has anyone tried this trick? All I need to do is eat 3-4 peices of sugar
free candy on an empty stomach. Try SF Reeses peanut butter cups. They
taste great, but give me gas. Watch out though, gas turns to diahrea
quick!
— candylnd24
March 30, 2004
Fiber! Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Fiber One will get things going! Water,
exercise and fiber will cure it all.
— Faith A.
March 30, 2004
I too, have used the sugar free candy as a kinda laxative. That, along
with keeping a little fat in your diet should get you going. No pun
intended. I did not do well with Citricel. Even though I drink a
tremendous amount of water, it made me even more constipated than ever.
Try the candy and use some light mayo or margarine in your food if you can
tolerate it. Good luck!
— Fixnmyself
March 30, 2004
Many good tips so far! Just wanted to add that UGH, yes, I have this
problem too! It seems like it's a constant battle for me - and it's
particularly bad during certain parts of my cycle. On a daily basis I try
and drink a lot, take 1 coalese (sp) per day, and try and eat at least a
bit of fruit everyday. I have trouble still eating too fast, so I try to
chew really well. I CAN eat breads (darn the luck), but OMG, they make
things BAD, so I try to limit them to only a little high fiber stuff and
then chew chew chew, and try and eat them with something a bit fattier (but
of course not too much!!!). When things are worse, for one of my
"fluids" I drink water with metamucil - that helps. When things
are BAD, I use milk of magnesia (works well, the mint one rerigerated is
not too bad) or a mixed senna tea (I like Yogi tea, plus this weird Eastern
European one, but would worry about trying dieters tea or something). On
occasion I've resorted to glycerine suppositories and I have enemas on hand
for any dire emergencies (thank goodness, have not had to use). I have not
taken other laxatives, becasue these other things work for me well enough,
and at least I preceive them to be less "major". For me I have
to constantly pay attention to this and think about fluids and what I eat.
I guess it's all part of the diet and "rules".... but I'm finding
it easy to incorporate into my lifestyle. Maybe try some of these tricks,
but at 3 months, maybe not the fiber drinks yet (I didn't use until like
4-5 months Post op). Good luck!
— w8free
March 31, 2004
DULCOLAX FOR SURE!! I usually take 2 once a week. I primarily take them
before bed and by morning I'm good to go (literally) Also they don't give
me any cramps like some of the other laxs
— Kristina P.
March 31, 2004
Try Senekot it is a vegtable laxative and is easy on the stomach I take
them every day because I have to take 3 iron pills a day and my Doctor
recommended them
— Cindi A.
April 4, 2004
Once you get this problem taken care of, I would use Fiber One or Fiber
Choice tablets. I take 1/2 tab every other day - (have since surgery) and
have had no problems at all. They are very good and orange flavored. I
really like them, and suggest them highly. You would also be getting in
some fiber too, which is good for us.
— bufordslipstick
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