Question:
Help! BAD/chronic constipation that's not responding anymore to Colace.
Hi. I'm about 16 weeks post-op (open distal RNY). I've been battling constipation on & off (but for long "on" periods) since surgery. Last month my doc. told me to take 2 Colace/day. It worked fine for a while, but now I'm back to being chronically constipated. My problem is I don't drink enough water, even though I know it could have a positive effect on the constipation problem. I try REALLY hard to drink my water but I just don't want to drink, even though I know I HAVE to. I know all about the risks of dehydration, kidney stones, etc., etc. I'd estimate I get in only about 4-6 cups/day, and this is including the water I mix my protein powder in. Occasionally I'll get all 64oz. of strait water in, but rarely. Now I don't know if the constipation is due solely to low water intake or if it's a symptom of something more serious going on. I mean I've had long periods of easy BMs while only taking in 4-6 cups water. And WHY is the Colace not working anymore?! Has my body adapted to it? Do I need to increase to 3 pills/day? I dread having to take that horrid Milk of Mag., but I will if I have to. I also just bought those glycerin suppositories to see if that will help. I haven't tried them yet b/c I'm so sore down there from the constipation & resulting hemmorrhoid flare-ups. Am I going to have to live with this for the rest of my life?! Or does it get better with time? I'm becoming so fearful to go #2. I feel the urge, but when I try to eliminate, it comes out some of the way and then it STALLS. I try to be patient; I learned long ago to never strain & push on the toilet. That's how I got hemmorrhoids in the first place, years ago. But now, the only way I'll make any progress is by straining & pushing. It takes me about an hour & a half of HARD pushing, contorting my body any way that seems to work best (strange/funny as it sounds), enduring great pain, and coming close to passing out, until "it" finally moves. It's either that or give up & walk around with "it" partially out of my body, and that's very uncomfortable. I'm sorry this is so graphic but I'm getting sick & tired of this already. PLEASE, anyone who has had same/similar experience, how did you recover from the constipation? And also, to those who were never big water drinkers, how did you get/make yourself drink all the required water ea. day? I'm ready & willing to try hypnosis! :-) Anyone else's suggestions are welcome as well. Except I don't need to hear from "Anonomous" or otherwise telling me that "we're not doctors; you need to ask your doctor." I know full well that I need to consult with doc. & I WILL be doing this on Mon. I'm just looking for advise/suggestions/comfort from others who have been thru it. But my doc. has the last word & I won't take anything without his approval first. I'm not posting anonomous, even though this is pretty embarassing. But at this point, I'm too fed-up to care. I know you guys are not judgemental. I hope I can hear from a few of you good people out there. TIA. — lalasmommy (posted on September 8, 2001)
September 8, 2001
I've struggled with constipation on & off since surgery,too, and I've
also always had a problem getting those fluids in. I really envy those
people that can just chug those liquids. Anyway, back to your
problem...Milk of Magnesia worked for me for a while, then kind of stopped
working, so I tried peri-colace, which works fine now. Maybe our bodies
are building up a resistance to whatever we're taking, so we have to try
something else. So, my advice to you is to try the MOM. It tastes
terrible, but if it works, it'll be worth it. Also, I haven't tried it
yet, but maybe someone can comment on if they've had any success with
Citrical or Metamucil. Good luck.
— Leslie F.
September 8, 2001
I had a baby that had this problem and took her to Riley Childrens Hospital
where they told me to put a teaspoon of mineral oil in a bit of sugar free
ice cream for a couple of weeks, once a day, then to taper it off
gradually. Worked like a charm.
— elifritz
September 8, 2001
a few years ago I went on a health food diet. There are some things to be
said about them. They believe in moving food through your system as quickly
as possibly so that it doesn't become toxic waste. So I tried it.
everymorning I drank a 3oz. glass of alo vera juice first thing in the
morning. Before anything else and it will taste like water. then I would
drink a cup of Gensieng tea. Awful tasting stuff. But it put my body back
into balance and I had now problem moving anything. The alo vera juice
lubricates the colon and the tea brings it to the colon. Try it - there is
nothing there that could hurt you. Then try drinking distilled water. It is
so much cleaner and better for you. Tastes healthier for you. You will love
that too.
— [Anonymous]
September 8, 2001
I know for me, exercise (just leisuurely walking) helps in
2 ways: 1- walking helps to keep things moving, and 2- bring a
bottle of water, crystal lite, diet ice botanicals, whatever,
to drink while you walk. Even when I do get my water in, I
still have problems with constipation- walking really helps.
Good luck!
— M B.
September 8, 2001
You are right, water is one of the big keys to solving your problem.
I too really HATE water, I used to be able to drink almost a gallon a day
then I had surgery. I drink alot of crystal lite. It tastes really good.
I find it easier for me to get my liquids in if I take a large glass, 32oz.
and
sit down with the tv on or a book with the sole intent of drinking it. I
can never drink it
all in one sitting, but I can do about half of that in about 45 minutes.
when you can't do anymore
stick it in the fridge. Try again in an hour or two. If you can drink one
whole glass you have half of your
fluid intake. Milk, popsicles, sherbet, jello are all concidered liquids.
Just look for low fat, low
sugar. Blue Bunny makes some terrific frozen treats that we can eat.
pretty low in sugar too. We are supposed to
take in all of this water, but the doctor's never said it had to be
"water". Many encourage crystal lite. Good luck and
remember, drink, drink, and drink. The taste for genuine water may come
back. It did for me as long as it is really cold.
— Carla C.
September 8, 2001
Have you tried adding more fiber to your diet? Whole grains are very good
for keeping things moving along. You can find whole grains in 100% stone
ground whole wheat bread or toast, Wasa Fiber Rye, Wheaties and Wheaties
Energy Crunch, Triscuit crackers, etc. Never eat bread or crackers unless
they're made from 100% whole grains. Chick peas (garbanzo beans), kidney
beans and other beans are great for keeping you regular too. Just pop open
a can of chick peas and add a spoonful to your salad. Wendy's chili is low
fat, high protein and high fiber because of the red kidney beans in it. I
had problem similar to yours until I began eating whole grains and other
high fiber products and now I go like clockwork every morning. I eat a lot
of hard cheeses which can cause constipation but I make sure I eat the
cheese along with whole grains and it works like magic. If you're counting
carbs you can subtract the number of grams of fiber from the total carb
count and the lower number will be the true carb count. Try it - it works..
naturally, without having to depend on chemicals that stop working when
your body gets accustomed to them. I hope this problem gets better for you.
Good luck.
— [Anonymous]
September 8, 2001
Well, there COULD be a mechanical reason, such as adhesions grabbing
something, so don't rule that out. I've been struggling with this for
years, even though we distals are supposed to have debillitating diarrhea.
No guarantees on that! After doing all the stool softeners, I use
Peri-colace periodically (built in softener), OTC laxatives, teas,
"cleansers", and now up to the 4th Rx laxative, nothing has
worked with any regularity except the little bottles in the green box. And
that is preferable to me over cramping. MiraLax (prescription) was
probably the best, but nothing works for long. You are not avoiding fats
or oils particularly, right? RNY malabsorb those to a degree and distals
can actually run short in those elements. I have NOW (finally listening to
my own advice) begun checking the mechanics and finding that there is
something going on there that has to do with stuff that happened long
before my WLS. So, it's not all sloppt water habits or anything like that.
Stuff that is known to CAUSE constipation: milk, rice, bananas, tea--those
are what are used to stop a bad case of the D. I saw you're going to the
doc. I've consulted with about 8 now, and FINALLY one is doing the tests
to see what's going on, besides "assuming" that this is a
behavior problem. My dad had a hunk of colon removed, and my mom had
chronic C problems. Now, why didn't I think of this sooner?
— vitalady
September 8, 2001
Colace is only a stool softner..it does not have any kind of laxitive in
it. You may want to talk to your dr about trying some peri-colace for
awhile..this has the softner AND a gentle laxitive in it..It may be your
body is just so backed up it is not being able to keep up. Stool softners
work by pulling water out of your body into your stool..if there isn't
water to pull...they are not going to be nearly as efficient. I too can't
drink water..it hurts my stomache. I have to "dress" it up. i
have started making tea with the cold lipton tea bags and use splenda for
sweetening...tastes the same as regular sugar does in the tea. I hope you
have good results soon : )
— paula B.
September 8, 2001
Me too! Had these problems at about week 6! I felt at the time that I had
been concentrating so much on learning, vitamins, water, and protein that I
must have forgot about the old fiber! Major pain, yet what I want you to
really hear, beyond all the great advice about crystal-lite, some cereals
and exercise ( I agree and all helped me), is that you may have an anal
fissure which is probably lots more painful and troublesome than the
hemorrhoids! I did! We also need to know that there are high-potency
medications now for both besides Preparation H, suppositories, etc. They
are presciption and usually include a steroid and/or analgesic for pain. My
surgeon's office honestly answered the standard..there is nothing but sitz
baths, fiber, water, donuts to sit on etc. BUT, my PCP said you need to
come in so that we can assess if the hemorrhoid is internal or external and
whether or not anything else is going on. Went for one visit and got
"Proctofoam", great name, huh? Didn't get better in about 7-10
days and they felt it was bad enough to send me to their surgeon who
diagnosed the fissure. He gave me the second med which was called Analpram
HC. If that did not clear up in a few weeks he was recommending surgery
that sounded rather painful...yet I got better and there was no need. WE DO
NO have to suffer through this without meds! I told my WLS surgeon about
all this afterwards because I wanted his nurses to know that there is
relief medically. I wish you the best and my final helpful hint is : water!
Yep, I can just feel it as it flows through and it does makes such a
difference. It is a chore though and one way I do it, is to drink as much
as I can before I get our of bed, try to drink during the day at work yet
am not always successful, at night and/or when I am at the computer at
the website too! Email me is you would like more info.
— Molly S.
September 9, 2001
Alexandra,
I am 15 months post-op and I STILL have problems with being really,
really constipated. Its weird that before the surgery I thought that I
would have problems the other way. The only thing that I have found that
helps is get in your fluids and EXERCISE!!! I can tell you when I don't
exercise I start having problems again. I have tried all the stool softners
and Milk of Mag. and even the glycerine suppositories and nothing works
better than walking. Hope things get better for you because I know better
than anyone how miserable that can be.
— Leslie D.
September 9, 2001
Hi! I suffer from constipation, so grilled my doc about this. He told me
most people end up having more of a problem with diarrhea. On my website
there is some info about diarrhea/constipation and things recommended by
the doc. I think the one about the fiber may apply to you. You can access
it, and a lot of other useful WLS info at:
http://www.lkdobson.homestead.com Good luck to you !!!
— Lisa D.
September 9, 2001
I only use Colace occaisionally when I'm constipated to soften the stools.
I personally have found that liquid Colace works better than soft-gels.
Warning: The liquid form will make MOM seem tasty......put it in grape
juice. I try to get in 64 oz or more of fluid daily and that makes a
tremendous difference. I eat soups and fruit and vegetables which all have
high fluid contents. I have gotten hooked on the Sam'Club flavored waters
and also Klar-Brun (caffeine-free, sugar-free, zero calories). I drink
Cystal Lite and iced tea. When I have bread I make it whole grain and I eat
soups with beans or rice. I do avoid meat in large quantities, especially
beef. I prefer shredded chicken or pork and fork-tender fish. I find that
eating too much beef can trigger constipation. That is the dietary part.
The exercise part is also VERY important. You really need to do something
that moves your large muscle groups for 30 minutes a day......walking,
biking, swimming, water aerobics, Pilates, yoga. Start slow and work your
way up. Once you get past the first 3 or 4 weeks you will crave that part
of your day like chocolate.
— Nanette T.
September 9, 2001
Please- do not think of me as bizarre- but here is an odd suggestion. Find
something to put your feet up on while having a difficult bowel movement (a
step stool, a box- but something hard & supportive to your legs). Make
it so that your legs (while bent) are even with your bottom. It will seem
like you are at an elevated squat (some people even stand on the toliet
bowel and squat but it sounds dangerous to me and I don't suggest it!) This
is the way God intended for us to have bowel movements. From what I
understand, it will allign your intestine/colon/sphincter up correctly and
allow for an easier BM- because everything "lines" up correctly.
The toilets in the western world are supposed to be "proper" and
"refined" but the angle that it places you is unnatural for BM's.
I have heard that the western world suffers from more
straining/hemmoroid/bowel movement issues than other countries because we
simple do not eliminate our waste the way it was intended to (and of course
we eat worse foods)... so, pretend you are camping, and try the squatting
approach nexttime you feel the urge.
— Karen R.
September 10, 2001
hi,
I was told by my doctor that you can purchase glycerin suppositories ,
they are good, i also take cherry flavored Milk of magnesia a couple of
times a week, i find that these 2 help me so much... i take it as a
wonderful trade off to compared to having all of the weight i once had,, i
start at 300 pounds in Dec.2000, i am 150 pounds down now, my goal weight
is 125 and i plan to get there by only doing what i am told to do and
eating only what i am told to eat by my doctor... there will be times you
will have this problem, and it may be a chronic one too, but i'd rather
have this than the weight... this is something much easier to resolve than
losing the weight,,, don't panic please... remember the surgery is only a
tool to achieve your goal, and you will get to your goal with the help of
GOD,,, tell your md at once, also tell him about all of the time you soend
in the restroom and follow his advice to the letter,,,this is a minor
irritation on your way to feeling and looking good... the surgery need you
to cooperate by following the advice of your doctor, all of the straining
cannot be good either... i take my milk of magnesia at least 2 times a week
and it works beautifully....GOD bless and keep you, call your doctor and
ask him what he thinks might be best for you,,, viola canton
— viola C.
September 10, 2001
Hi Alexandra, Boy, oh BOY do I know what you're going through. I have the
exact same problem on and off as well. Last week for example I had RAPID
Fire Diarrehea that would not stop, NOW, I have CONSTIPATION like you would
not believe. I try to drink the water and I usually get it in, I drink
coffe as well, I take Colase, I walk, I grunt, I strain, i exert I POP
VEINS in the old forehead...and NOTHING! This week for four days straight I
took three Stool Softeners at night....nothing happened! I was getting
scared, when I was first out of the hosp..i was on Percocet and Vicodin and
these stopped me up so bad i was in the Emergency Room ( Not a nice
thing!)Then, this morning I had RAISIN Bran..and some coffee...Needless to
say, after some hard work on my part..things got moving again. All I can
say is that maybe we both should look into asking about a fiber supplement.
I don't know about you, but I can't take much more of this!
Hope to see you at the next meeting! (Today)
— Trisha V.
September 10, 2001
My two cents? I'm one of those who swings betwen diarrhea and
constipation. I have now completely eliminated hard cheese and white bread
from my diet and I find that helps tremendously. I always loved cheese, but
when I realized it seemed the main source of the constipation problem, I
don't miss it a bit. I also exercise and drink all my water. Also...do
make sure you get a little bit of fat or oil in your diet. I like real
good olive oil in my salad dressing, which also helps. Lots of greens and
beans. Good luck!
— Anne G.
September 10, 2001
Coffee cleans me out each morning. I drank caffeine coffee for a year
postop RNY, then had to switch to decaf because of heart palpitations but
it still works. I heard drinking a cup of hot water with lemon helps too.
It is best not to become dependent on laxatives. Before you invest in
hypnosis, why not work on drinking more water. Don't say "I'm not a
water drinker" because that's a copout. We all have to make big
changes to get this weight eliminated. Try to get a 16 oz. bottle (like an
empty Snapple bottle). Drink 2 bottles of water after breakfast before you
allow yourself to eat lunch. If you work, take them to work with you and
sip at your desk. Drink another bottle after lunch and one after supper
and VIOLA' -- you've drank 64 oz.! Also, prune juice works too and if you
are taking iron, that may be contributing to the constipation.
— Cindy H.
September 10, 2001
I decided to be proactive after my first bout with post-op constipation. I
now take one Fiber Choice tablet a day and that seems to keep me
"regular." (The bottle says two a day but I figure that, given
the small amount I am eating, one should and does do it.) They are orange
flavored and chewable so I just add it to my pile of morning chewables
(multi-vitamin and vitamin C).
— Pamela C.
September 10, 2001
I know what you are going through. I had horrible constipation, to the
point it pushed my hemmroids down. I used colace, stool softners, and
suppositories. finally my primary doctor told me to try to get more fiber
in my diet. now I use fiber Choice chewable sugar free fiber supplement.
They taste great, like an orange flavor, and it really worked foe me. Take
two a day and see if that works for you.
— lalita P.
September 10, 2001
I also have problems with Chronic constipation, I had to actually start a
bowel care protocol routine for myself. Working with the elderly, we often
did that with them. Each day I have 5-6 prunes, I make sure to work on the
water, and I have salad when i can. I cut back on the dairy, esp cheddar
and mozzerella cheeses, those are very binding to the stool. Try some
prunes, but go slow as they have sugar. And you MUST get your fluids. You
are welcome to-email me if you would like, Good Luck to you!
— Cara S.
September 12, 2001
Hi Alexandria-I too had this terrible problem...I have be blessed with it
all my life and surgery did nothing but make it worse. I posted a question
as well. Someone suggested the Herbal Tea "Smooth Moves" and it
does work. I only use it when things are stopped for a couple of days.
The rest of the time I use Citrucel which is a simple fiber additive.
Laxatives are defineatly habit forming and so I am careful to use them only
as a last restort. Try Crystal Lite instead if you cannot tolerate the
water. Fluid is the immediate need....and Crstal Lite is better than not
getting the required fluid. Hope you get straightened out-
— Marie K.
September 17, 2001
Alexandra, I'd give anything for some loose BM's. In fact,
I thought that having loose ones would be a problem, but NO!
I'm going to try the peri-colace and start doing some
exercising. I used to love water but now it's pretty much
a chore. I gag. I can't chug it anymore either. I haven't
lost any weight in 3 weeks probably because I'm bound up.
Sooner or later the flood gates will open up and I'll drop
about 20 pounds! Hang in there, kid. NancyB
— Nancy B.
June 29, 2004
Go to Kroger health food Dept and buy some Smooth Move tea. It is totally
natural & Works great!!!!!
— CAROL M.
June 29, 2004
Ask your doctor for a prescription for Miralax. It is a powder that mixes
completely with water, WORKS GREAT, and is safe for us to take. Don't
suffer anymore; this stuff really does work. hugs,
Ann....RNY 9/10/99....260/124
— [Deactivated Member]
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