OAB meds and constipation

[nogo]

I know a lot of you take OAB meds, but the anticholinergic drugs cause constipation, yet I don't see any meds on your lists to treat the constipation caused by the OAB. Detrol LA gave me retention and worsened my IBS-C. Yet, I'm thinking if I can manage the right OAB med, or a lesser amount of it (like half a detrol or another med) and something to help the constipation, it may help my frequency and urgency a great deal. The constipation plays a big role in upsetting my bladder symptoms. Does anyone have a suggestion to help with this? Fiber does nothing for me at all.
This website has been immensly helpful to me. I can't say enough about what a service you have done for the IC/spastic bladder community. I trust you all more than my doctors since you are living it. Thanks

[leelee88]

I just started taking Miralax, it use to be a prescription, but now you can get it over the counter.. My URO suggested taking it everyday, she said it is not hard on your stomach or bladder.. I have tried it and it works great.. And it does not make you have cramps like alot of meds for constipation does.. Hope thiis helps..

Ronda

[kadi]

My urologists have recommended Colace, taken with meals. It didn't seem to do much for me, though.

I've found FiberSure to be helpful. It is a soluble fiber, unlike bran & other insoluble fibers that just make the constipation worse for me. I also am careful to mix soluble & insoluble fiber sources in my meals. If I eat a salad, I usually make it a small salad with cooked vegetables on the side. That prevents it from being more constipating.

Hot oatmeal is good also. I mix raisins in it or dates & some brown sugar.

Managing the constipation is very important because for me, constipation irritates my bladder more. If the above measures don't work, I find a Fleets enema or Milk of Magnesia ok, I just don't like to use those too often.

Hope you find something that helps.

[Zygala87]

Miralax is the only thing that has ever wored for me. I tried everything and I mean everything. I could not tell if the pain was in my colon or bladder and I was miserable for a long time. I put a cap full in my morning Roma (pretend coffee) and can't taste it at all. It is expensive. Does anyone know where to buy it for the least amount of money? Ziggy

[jen74]

I took miralax for 10 days and it worked great, but then I developed hives, so I cannot take it anymore. The funny thing is, now since taking the miralax and becoming allergic to it, I have now also become allergic to the antibitoics( cipro,trimithoprim). I researched it and found out that they both contain the ingrediant polyethelene glycol( which is miralax). It is a plastic!!
I belive that becuase miralax is VERY high dose of polyethelene glycol, my body developed antibodies to it and that is why I developed the hives after being on it for 10 days. That is what my pharmacist said anyhow.
The bad thing is, polyethelne glycol is a inactive ingrediant in almost ALL antibitoics and over the coutner drugs( colace, benadryl,dulcolax, most antibitoics).This sucks, but I honestly think it was by taking sooo much of a dose of that polyethelene glycol which is the 17gr they reccomend, this caused me now to be allergic to all these other things. Just wanted to share.
Jen

[nogo]

Jen....thank you so much for that info. That would totally explain why I can't handle colace either. It is supposed to be 'benign' and it really messes me up every time...re the bladder. I think you are definitely onto something with the polyethylene glycol culprit. So, it isn't just in my head or just me! Thanks for the insight.

[jen74]

Hi Nogo.
No, it is not all in your head. There is always usually an explanation, just that it takes some time to figure it out. Hope you are doing well today.
Jen

[ICNDonna]

Gosh, Jen. I'm so sorry --- you seem to be allergic to so many, many things that it must be a challenge every day.

I have some medication allergies, but so far Colace isn't a problem for me.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[jen74]

Hi Donna.
Yes, it is getting really scary. The thing is, I never use to be allergic to any of the these things until this last year. I just dont get it. Even the pharmacist said that it is pretty rare to be allergic to miralax, yet I am.
I also took cipro plenty of times in the past with no problems at all, and when I took it a month ago, I got a reaction of pins and needles on my arms and legs and also itchy feelings all over. They switched me to trimethoprim and I had the same exact reaction. That is when I did some research because the pharmacist said it is very odd for a person to be allergic to all antibitoics, that it is likely a filler in the abti-B's that I am allergic to possibly. I did research anf found that the ingrediant polyethelene glycol ( miralax) is in almost all antibitoics as a inactive ingrediant. The funny thing is, I only became allergic to these after I took the miralax for 10 days.
I am thinking since I ingested such a huge amount of the polyethelene glycol when taking the miralax since that is what miralax is( a huge amount of this polyethelene glycol), this caused me to bulid up antibodies to it and now if I even ingest a small amount of it( like in the anti-B's) I get an allergic reaction. This is just a guess af course.
I am going to see my urogyne today and see what he thinks about all this.
I am worried because I do get UTI's from time to time and what if I get any other type of infection that requires antibitoics. I mean I have no clue what I will take.
It scared me when the nurse said that they just would not treat me if I get a UTI unless I get severely sick. I did not like that answer that all. I mean I can not imagine having to leave a UTI untreated with having IC. That would be sheer hell for anyone with IC. I am looking into seeing a naturopath doctor to see about natural medicines as well. It is a trial that is for sure.
Jen