HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

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HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by pauline2 on Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:00 AM

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I had a terrible constipation after my first round chemo, doc gave me a luctose based laxative and it cramping so badly for hours and still not working for 4 days. I have always been on high fiber diet, lots of water, vege/fruits, but it still don't work. When the laxative eventually work, after much cramping, it ended up with diarrhea. I went for my 2nd chemo yesterday and worry that it will all happen again. I wonder how long can one not going to the loo? Can any one help please?

RE: HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by trehouse60 on Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:00 AM

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Try increasing your intake of whole grains and legumes - especially any kind of beans  (the lignans in the hulls are especially good for treating constipation.)  Ground flax seed is also a good choice - very high in lignans, plus lots of phytochemicals that fight cancer. Mix it up with apple sauce.  Oat meal is a great choice.

Grapes, eaten with the skins and seeds are actually very good for getting the bowels to move, and they are cancer fighters also.  (red, black or purple grapes, or purple grape juice)  Apples, eaten with the skin (and you can eat the core, including the seeds - everything except the stem) are an excellent choice.  Apple cider works extremely well - the dark, thicker kind, rather than pasteurized cider that looks like apple juice.  Although apple juice is a good choice if you can't get cider (kind of the wrong time of year for cider.)

You might also try drinking a cup of moderately hot water in the morning when you first get up.  Helps to hydrate -  warm and hot fluids are absorbed more quickly into the intestine than are cold fluids - and the heat will stimulate the normal motion of the bowel. Hot tea and coffee can also be used - I recommend green tea, unless you are on a blood thinner. 

There is always the good old standby - prunes.

Any of these remedies will provide benefit nutritionally while you are on chemo, as well as hopefully getting things moving along while still being fairly gently on the stomach and bowel.

Sincerely,

Tre

RE: HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by Im_still_here on Mon May 04, 2009 12:00 AM

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I too stuggle with constipation due to the large dose of morphine that I am on.  What I do is take 2 senna/docusate tablets twice a day, drink lots of water and I also take Miralax, once a day, it is non-addictive and works like a charm.  The biggest thing is to stay on top of it.  If I haven't had a bowel movement in 2 days I take a glycorin suppository to get thing going.  If you wait to long it builds up quick.  Also, eat lots and lots of fruit.  I hope you find this helpful, I truely understand the discomfort and the pain.  Best wishes.

RE: HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by Tham on Mon May 04, 2009 12:00 AM

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Not sure if this is available over there, but
I believe it is similar to Miralax.

Pretty safe and usually don't cause cramping.

Two sachets a day should help you.


http://www.emergingp.com/forlax.htm

http://lekarstwo.ru/en/preparati/forlax.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&


Forlax outperforms lactulose.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&



RE: HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by Tham on Mon May 04, 2009 12:00 AM

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In the French study above, Transipeg is actually
identical to Miralax - PEG 3350.

It is also effective and superior to lactulose,
but the taste is not as palatable as Forlax.

Forlax looks even more effective than Transipeg/Miralax.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9054308

http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/53/11/1590




RE: HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by Tham on Mon May 04, 2009 12:00 AM

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Study on Miralax.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&


A 68 gram dosage, which is 4 sachets, provides
relief within 24 hours. I guess it's worth trying out.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?db=pubmed&




RE: HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by Tham on Tue May 05, 2009 12:00 AM

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Another option is cellulose-based fibers.

I've taking a local version of this refined cellulose
product before, and I find it alright. It doesn't
really cause gas or cramping. It doesn't gel up
too, unlike bran, psyllium or isphagula husk fiber
products (Metamucil, Fybogel), which you have to
make sure you drink plenty of water or else they
may cause choking or blockages. Psyllium also
gives me cramps.

http://www.unifiber.com/productinfo.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090502225806AA

RE: HOW TO OVERCOME CONSTIPATION

by kathiejo on Thu May 07, 2009 12:00 AM

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My oncologist warned me that constipation would be my worst side effect and he was right.  On the advice of a friend (an RN in oncology) told me to take 2 Senna stool softeners in the morning and 2 Senna -S (laxitives) at night.  I experienced only slight cramping on occassion, but found it made me regular.  I also drank lots of water and tried to walk when I was feeling up to it.

Good luck - who would think with all we're going through that constipation would be so awful?

Kathie Jo

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