Question:
does anyone have a suggestion on what to take for consipation?
i had surgery almost three weeks ago. i need a suggestion what to take for it? please help me. — allisonlee77 (posted on November 17, 2009)
November 17, 2009
The most recommended and works for me is Miralax.
— Kathy Thomas
November 17, 2009
Colace, I am taking it two times a day and 4 weeks out with no problems.
Look for the generic ones at Walmart, Walgreens, etc. much cheaper than the
brand name.
— vl402
November 17, 2009
I use enemas. After my surgery (years ago) - RNY gastric bypass - I found
I would have pain in my upper abdomen that was just dreadful. Each time I
ended up in the hospital, they would give me an enema to ease the pain and
away it would go. Now, i still keep them on hand. i don't use them as
often, but is i notice i havent had a bowel movement in over a week, i will
use one.
— chklatkiss
November 17, 2009
check with your doc, but mine rec. benefiber. I use it 2-3 times a day and
it has really helped! Everyone's different, though, and something else may
be for you.
— maryjo68
November 17, 2009
Miralax works the best along with a generic stool softener. Most drug
stores now carry a generic version-much cheaper than the name
brand-Walgreen's, Wal-mart, CVS all carry generic over the counter
versions.
— babs71958
November 17, 2009
I take colace (or the store-brand generic) - two gel-caps a day. But, they
don't always do the job, so I also used to drink the flavored benefiber
that you put into water like Crystal Light....except that now I've found
out that Crystal Light has a new flavor with fiber, and it's a whole lot
cheaper than the flavored benefiber. I drink at least two bottles a day,
in addition to the colace. But sometimes that STILL doesn't do the job, so
I'll drink a cup of "Smooth Move" tea, the chocolate flavor.
It's not bad at all... and sometimes I'll even put a bag of it in with a
bag of mint tea, and I get a nice, enjoyable chocolate mint tea! And, it
works for me within about 2 hours or so.
— Erica Alikchihoo
November 17, 2009
I suggest Milk of Mg. I literally had this problem, read my blog,
yesterday and was relieved within 40 mins. I took two doses, 15 ml, one in
am and one in pm (just to be sure) and I am really satisfied.
— nebrasfield
November 17, 2009
Greetings! Congratulations on making the decision to have this life-saving
surgery! I'd surely like to know of anyone who has not had this
debilitating issue. In fact, following my RNY almost 5 years ago, i was
told it was most normal and that I needed to use my finger to dislodge the
marbles inside my rectum to get relief. That method actually works. I put
on a plastic glove and went at it time and again. Now, years later, I
realize that I had received ignorant advice -- but, it works. It is
amazing. Once you get the marbles moving, they do move easily and may
actually have soft stuff lurking behind the marbles. Yet, the suggestions
you've received so far are quite good and probably more sanitary. After
all, who wants to stick their finger into their rectum? However, you might
consider CALM which you can get from Vitamin Shoppe (if you don't have one
local to you, you can get CALM via the Internet from their shop). It is my
understanding that all the suggestions you've received thus far are for
loosening your impacted stool (except for the method I was told to use);
they are not helping your body in any other way. In fact, they are quite
harsh on your system. CALM, on the other hand is composed of Magnesium
Citrate. This is a trace mineral and important to balance your calcium
intake, and also restores a healthy magnesium level in your body. It is
not in a pill form. It is in crystal form. You can add it to any of your
liquids. Since you are only 3 weeks out from your surgery, and your
efforts to eat anything are challenging, you could try like 1/8th of a
teaspoon full, mixed in your applesauce or whatever smooth stuff you are
eating like split pea soup (yummy!). Do this many times during the day, as
necessary, until you find that your bowels are moving. The magnesium
citrate enables your bowels to commence to cleanse the impacted gunk from
the walls of your colon, soften the stuff and allows you to more easily
eliminate it. Your goal will be to increase the amount of magnesium you
take in this crystalized form until your stools are softened, looking like
brown peanut butter (without the nuts), and work to have 3 movements a day.
Eventually, with serious attention to the nutrition you take, you will
reach the point where you will have a happy intestinal system because you
will be able to eat the vegetables and fruits besides the right type of
protein, besides your water and sufficient exercise, which allows your
intestinal system to be healthy. At that point in time, you will be
consistently able to have 3 bowel movements daily (evacuating 30 minutes
following a meal), and won't have the issues you are having now. CALM is
also incredibly beneficial because it truly helps to calm the body. If
anyone suffers from Restless Leg Syndrome, it stops the legs from
twitching. I use 1 Tablespoon of CALM daily because I do have RLS, and as
a side benefit, have truthfully noticed that my movements are like
walnut-brown soft peanut butter, and no longer those hard marbles. I also
pay very serious attention to my nutrition, what I am eating, as well as my
supplements, etc. You can check my support group site for information on
protein and other things. My blessings to you and yours in your
life-saving journey. I notice you do not have any friends listed at your
My OH site. I'd love to be your friend! Christine Gibson, MS, MA, Obesity
Help Support Group Coach, Bariatric University Support Group Coach, Obesity
Help Support Group Leader, www.ObesityHelp.com/group/BellevueWA.
— Christine Gibson
November 17, 2009
I take benefiber orange chewables three times a day and it works like a
charm. I like the chewables because I don't have to drink it with water if
that's not convenient and I can take it with me and not have to worry about
mixing it with anything. It works pretty quickly.
— Alicia H.
November 17, 2009
I take benefiber orange chewables three times a day and it works like a
charm. I like the chewables because I don't have to drink it with water if
that's not convenient and I can take it with me and not have to worry about
mixing it with anything. It works pretty quickly.
— Alicia H.
November 18, 2009
My answer is a little off the beaten path: I take acytl-L Carnatine. I
take it for the boost it gives my liver in dealing with fat. A side effect
is often diahrrea, which conter-acts the problems I was having with
constipation. For me, it's a two-fer!
— jtoothman
November 18, 2009
Oh man what a sore subject, no pun intended. I suffered with this, then I
stopped cheese and I started to take milk of magnesia, benefiber and
precolace, not at one time. I use different stuff with the severity of my
constipation. Drink water too!!
— FSUMom
December 2, 2009
Sorry, my response is a little late...my doctor also recommended benefiber,
but you may want to consider going on a probiotic if you experience this on
a regular basis. There are several different ones on the market, including
Align and Sustenex (I get mine at Walmart)...they vary in costs...but I
find taking one each day really helps me stay regular. Good luck!
— BrendaMS
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