Severe constipation – Does anyone have any advice?

[Patty D]

Have you tried "Laculose" syrup ? (the generic is Enulose)
I too had severe constipation and my onc prescribed this.
You do need a RX- it is not over the counter, It looks and tastes
like cough syrup . I take 6oz (about a shot glass) 1 or 2X per day. It really helped me! I have not had to use it for awhile- Once I got back on track I now take 1Tbls of Benefiber powder in a glass of juice each day (it is tastless and mixes well)
That helps too. Good Luck and God Bless! Patty D

[Vi Schorpp]

I tried most of the products/ideas above, but nothing was working for me. A friend of mine suggested THE BOMB and boy did it work. It's 3 oz. milk of magnesia mixed with 3 oz. prune juice. I was skeptical, and now I'm a believer...

[doh2pa]

Hi Kay,

I am on the same regimen and had the exact same problem. I take a Senekot for the night prior to treatment and then for the next 3 nights. Also, take a fiber pill every morning. When things get really bad, laculose or a fleet does work. Milk of magnesia too. It took me about 3 weeks to get it right, but try the senekot every night. I know how terrible and all consuming this can be, but once I got in front of it (being proactive instead of reactive), it did get better. Hang in there, you will figure it out!

Donna

[StephN]

Hope some of these suggestions are starting to get the job done!

I used Senna tea or you can get it in capsules. It is also found in the Smooth Move teas. But the Senna tea along with prunes and fiberous foods got me through the terrible constipation I had with the steroid anti-inflammitories I had to be on for my brain mets earlier this year.

So after "the bomb" you can use some kinder, gentler things to keep you regular.

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful suggestions. I had already tried some of the OTC meds and foods that were suggested, but many of them just didn't seem to work for me. Many of the others (Senna tea, Smooth Move, the supplements, etc.) I didn't even know about and I'm now trying to find the right combo that will work for me.

The problem is still not completely back to normal but things are beginning "to move" and I feel sure that I'll be able to find a combination of things and a routine soon to stay ahead of this problem from now on. If all else fails, I'll try THE BOMB!

God bless you all.

Kay

PS When I started this thread I was really embarrassed because I thought I was the only person with this problem. I guess I was wrong. It's great to know that we can count on each other to help us through these difficult times.

[jhandley]

flaxseed meal..3 tablespoons/day. Drink a glass of water aslo.

[Gina]

The chemos you are taking are magnesium depleting which is great at killing off cancer cells, but HARD on one's system. PURE magnesium oxide relieves constipation while PURE magnesium orotate will ensure sound and continuous deep sleep. If you weigh between 150 to 200 pounds you should probably take 300mg of mag oxide with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and then 500mg of magnesium orotate an hour or so before sleep. Of all remedies mentioned above, I recommend the olive oil or Milk of guess what??? Magnesia...smile....also, sitting in a warm Epsom salt bath once a week will further improve matters as Epsom salt is little more than ... you guessed it....MAGNESIUM SULFATE...also, pure cocoa is full of magnesium as are nuts, beans, whole grains, etc. Hope things get MOVING soon...smile..Take care, Gina

[Toril]

Saw someone else suggesting it to. I have been taking 2 tablespoons with aloe vera juice every night during my nine months treatment with navelbine / herceptin. Of course I dont know if thats the reason, but I haven't had any problems with my stomach.

Best of luck!
Toril

[KathySC]

Want something easy and cheap... take magnesium in the morning. Start with 400mg and if that doesn't work then take 800 mg. It will work and you may already have it in your vitamin drawer. Plus we can not get enough of the stuff. Very healthy.
KathySC