The World's Best Topic: Constipation!

**rosesitty** · 02-18-2006, 02:23 PM

I've got constipation, which are causing increased pelvic floor spasms. I think it might be the valium (which is working great by the way), and I'm taking colace, and increased fiber to no avail. Any suggestions? The valium is making things better, but the constipation is making this works. I think you might call this a Catch-22! What I wouldn't give for a nice old bout of diarrhea! LOL

**ads** · 02-18-2006, 03:45 PM

I would ask your doctor about how much you should take vs. the directions on the bottle. Also, some don't docs think meds and fiber are a bad idea. I am on valium and methadone, so I have to take a lot more than the generic Colace bottle directs.

You may have to bring this up with your doctor, sometimes they get busy and forget, but it is very important because out of control constipation is terrible for PFD and/or IC!

ads

**rosesitty** · 02-18-2006, 03:56 PM

ads - you're telling me! Three straight days of constipation and my pelvic floor is wiped out! Also, I went for a uro consult Friday and she started pushing vigorously on my pelvic floor, bladder and urethra to see what's what. Wow, talk about trauma, I had trouble voiding and pain after yesterday and still today. What was she doing...making bread? LOL

***kadi*** · 02-18-2006, 04:41 PM

I take 1 Colace at breakfast & another at lunch or dinner. It really helps to take it with the meal, rather than alone.
Sometimes I also have to use a Fleet's enema or Milk of Magnesia, usually when I've forgotten the Colace.

I also eat a lot of vegetables, most days 5-7 servings... It's really hard to drink enough water, so that's probably part of my problem with constipation.

**rosesitty** · 02-18-2006, 07:14 PM

Hey Kadi - how long have you been taking Colace every day? I'm eating a lot of veggies and drinking a lot of water, but apparently not enough. Constipation and PFD don't miss AT ALL!

**Kara Isabel** · 02-19-2006, 03:44 AM

aww..you've had a rough last few days!!

You know what works for me is a tablespoon of corn syrup (not sure about the flare risk associated with that) But pediatricians often recommend adding corn syrup to juice for little babies and toddlers when they are constipated and years ago I thought "hmm......I'll eat a tbs of corn syrup, and it actually worked!!

I hate the over the counter laxatives, ie. exlax......but I ALWAYS have to take them when I travel because travelling ALWAYS makes me constipated!! I have to be in "my element" to be regular! LOL

hugs,
Kara

***kadi*** · 02-19-2006, 05:13 AM

Since September, so that would be 4-1/2 months.

**rosesitty** · 02-19-2006, 09:43 AM

Kadi - doc said it was okay to continue taking colace long term? Thanks!

**Snuph** · 02-19-2006, 10:32 AM

I was speaking to our pain and symptom management specialist at the hospital about narcotics and constipation. According to her there are no studies that suggest extra fiber will help constipation. She feels that her patients on narcotics do best with senecot.