Question:
Constipation problem

I'm 7 wks post and I'm having constipation problems and I have to take a strong laxative to help. I try to get fiber in everyday and all my water, but it doesnt help. Suggestions please.    — Julia M. (posted on October 19, 2001)

October 19, 2001
try this all natural tea called Smooth Moves you can get it in some grocery stores or in a health food store. It worked for me and now I'm regular.
   — Heather C.

October 20, 2001
Hoo boy have I been having this problem too. On top of it, I blew my knee out last week, and they gave me codeine, which promotes constipation. I was so backed up you can't even imagine. I've been taking peri-colace, which has a stool softener, but that didn't help. Tried Fleet suppositories, which only helped a little bit. Bought an enema last night, had a big bowl of oatmeal and another stool softener and things started to move. If they hadn't, I would have gone to the hospital this morning. If it continues for too long, you need to contact your doctor because it may be an obstruction. I still plan on discussing it with my doctor and getting a different pain killer because my knee is still bothering me a lot. If milk of magnesia or peri-colace doesn't work for you, consider an enema or a call to your surgeon. Bowel obstruction can be serious.
   — Dee P.

October 20, 2001
drink coffee in the morning, it cleans you out! (My surgeon allows caffeine). Or, try glycerine suppositories, or drink prune juice, or milk or magnesia. All this works.
   — Cindy H.

October 20, 2001
I almost went to the er, but i just so happened to have an appointment with mr surgeon that day, so he told me to take Citrucel, they now have the Citrucel pills so I got a big bottle at Walmart. They are fiber, I do not take them daily as the dr. said but every few days, that works for me. For an emeregency I keep glycerin supositories
   — [Anonymous]