Alernatives to avoid constipation

[Angeles]

I take Kristalose stool softener and I'm supposed to be on high fiber diet to avoid constipation.
Many high fiber foods are no-nos for IC and V V b/c of the oxalates, acidity, or too high in sugar - like prunes etc.


I need ideas since constipation can hit me hard if I take pain meds for a flare.
It gets to the point that I rather not take the pain med and be in pain... than being constipated as a result and cause rectal bleeding (and more pain)

I need advice on this....please.

Thanks!:)

[ICNDonna]

If you haven't discussed this with your doctor, you really need to. Have you tried taking fiber tablets?

Donna

[Tuckersmom]

I add Fiber Sure to everything I eat, and it can be added to drinks as well. It is tasteless, and therefore you don't even notice that you've added it to your food/drinks. Fiber Sure has more fiber than any of the other Fiber powder and pills out there. It has 5 grams of fiber per teaspoon.

I also take a prescription called Lactulose Syrup. (It's also called Enulose Syrup. I forget which one of those is the generic name).

Here's a website that lists what is needed to help prevent constipation:

http://www.wehealnewyork.org/healthinfo/dietaryfiber/index.html

[Angeles]

Thank you...yes I have a doctor in the loop. I just wanted to know more tips to avoid constipation, since pains meds constipate me a lot.

[Becky Boo]

Hi there, constipation is one of the main problems that was constantly flaring my IC, PFD & Vulvodynia symtoms! I now take movicol (I live in England so possibly called something else for you - miralax maybe??) I take 2 sachets a day, increased to 3 around the time of my period. My symptoms have settled since ensuring I dont get constipated! Might be worth having some sachets in the house so you can take them when you have to take your pain meds???
Big hugs
xx

[OrlandoP]

I know exactly what you are going through! It's been the reason I couldn't do many meds: I traded bladder pain for fissures and hemorrhoids.

After trying everything, and finding that even Heather's and Miralax flare me, I have had a lot of success with magnesium supplements (400 mgs a day generally). The magic bullet for me is All Bran cereal from Whole Foods. Other all bran cereals have added vitamins that flare me. I can't take metamucil or fibersure, but somehow the psyllium in this brand is just enough without being too much or too gassy. I eat a bowl a day, and have been doing a lot better in the constipation department. Also wanted to say that PT is really important for people prone to fissures and rectal issues. Much of my PFD is about my rectal area.

[Angeles]

Thanks for sharing, this is very valuable information.
You'll be suprised but my colorectal doctor admited she didn't know about IC and V V that's why I'm asking the patients! Many thanks!

[Roandro]

I used to have a huge problem with constipation until my PFD therapist recommended I take 2 chelated magnesium tablets per day. One in the morning and one in the evening - with food.

Problem solved and not drugs needed.

[kadi]

I mix FiberSure into hot oatmeal & that helps a lot. Also there's a cereal called "SmartBran" that has both soluble & insoluble fiber in it (and no added vitamins or minerals or preservatives to flare IC). I get it at the health food store. It's not the greatest tasting cereal, but it's no worse than AllBran & if you add some blueberries or raisins or dates, it's pretty good.

I got horribly constipated this summer while travelling in Europe & had to go to 3 different stores to find oatmeal! I'll never travel without it again :evilsmile:

[BuffyFan]

I can name some great natural supplements that may help you :) First I would begin with a good Probiotic...at least one with 10 billion active cells. I take two of those capsules a day and you can find non dairy ones if you need.
Also...Marshmallow Root (tea & capsules) are wonderful, as well as Slippery Elm (I suggest the capsules, as the tea is difficult to make). Another lifesaver is Aloe Vera juice. If you can tolerate it with your IC, it will defo get things moving!! Was great for me when I drank it & I was only doing 2 ounces in some juice each morning :) Good luck & if you need more info, just let me know...

Alisha xoxo :smile tee

[blondie45]

I take mineral oil a few times a week. My dad's doctor told him it was okay to take it every day and he has for a few years and solved his constipation problem. It is very cheap and at any pharmacy. If you wanted to try this though I would check with your doctor about taking it every day to see how they feel about this.

[ICNDonna]

Definitely talk with a doctor before taking mineral oil regularly. It can cause some problems.

Donna

[Tuckersmom]

I take mineral oil a few times a week. My dad's doctor told him it was okay to take it every day and he has for a few years and solved his constipation problem. It is very cheap and at any pharmacy. If you wanted to try this though I would check with your doctor about taking it every day to see how they feel about this.

I used Mineral oil every day for years, and it works great to relieve constipation. The only problem I had with it was finding a balanced dose. If you take too much of it, it can actually leak out of your rectum when you're passing gas. (Sorry for sharing such gross info).

Another thing is that mineral oil can keep your body from absorbing certain nutrients from food, so it's not the best answer to constipation. It's definitely worth trying, though, if nothing else is working for you.

[waterflow]

I had awful constipation from the cymbalta. Even the stool softeners didn't help and any of those fiber things in the stores only made it worse. I found out for me by eating oatmeal (the kind you have to cook) every day with either a pair or blueberries added I haven't been constipated once and no need for stool softeners either. If I don't eat the oatmeal every day then I start to get constipated again.

[tabasco32]

I take Vitamin C that I get at whole foods. It's in powedered form and it doesn't upset my bladder. I also take magnesium. I get that at GNC or I believer nature's sunshine has a good one. I use to eat unsulfured organic apricots. Those really help.

[Angeles]

Oatmeal: do you cook it with milk or water.? I normally, when I used to have oatmeal, I cooked it with milk, in the microwave and put some stevia in it or small amount of cinnamon or a few raisins. But didn't know oatmeal was a big source of fiber, or at least helped w/ constipation...so great!

Do you do anything special when you take pain meds? I don't take tramadol or darvocet everyday or every week just b/c the damage constipation causes. It is like solving a problem to create another....

I want to be able to take a pain pill when I'm flaring but lately it is not possible b/c they cause Major constipation.:elvis:

[waterflow]

Ok, first I don't mix it with a "pair" of anything. Supposed to be a "pear". Makes a big difference since I doubt a "pair" would taste very good no matter what you mixed it with. :bonk: I cook the oatmeal with water and then I add either chocolate milk or a small conatiner of yoguart after I take it off the stove. I don't do anything special with the pain meds except I take each one (3 a day) with a cracker but only because I can't swallow big pills with water.