Anyone with long term/constant constipation due to medication- what do you take/do?

[HuckleberryGin]

One of the medications I take makes me constipated. It is a drug I am likely to be in for the rest of my life, alternatives not possible at the moment.

I've been having fybogel with mebeverine for a while now, but it makes me gag doesn't really work well enough.

I need to go back and ask for something else, what do other people take long term?

When I was on some meds that caused this, I tried golden linseed which seemed to work for me. A big spoonful on my breakfast in the morning. I first saw it suggested as a cure by soaking the seeds in water overnight and then drinking it in the morning but having tried that, I put them on my food instead . I don't think it's a particularly strong effect but it certainly helped me.

I also tried the over-the-counter type that you take at night but had uncomfortable stomach cramps.

Hope you find something soon. Have you tried that glucose-type liquid, the name of which escapes me now?

Lactulose? Yeah, it does work but I get wind and cramps :(

Movicol 2 sachets a day... if you are on meds that bung you up, you should ask for it on prescription.

Glycerine suppositories (OTC in Boots)..unbung from the exit end. Sadly I am dependent on both!

i have to take extra strong co codamol ,when i get my prescription my gp always prescribes movicol at the same time.

I take a magnesium capsule (good quality) and put flaxseeds on cereal etc. The odd prune. Magnesium has literally changed my life, one at night and I go straight away now, even after a mega codeine/morphine weekend I had no issues

Thanks. The fybogel is on prescription. I will ask about movicol.

I do use suppositories when I need to.

I occasionally need help, pain relievers, travel all cause this for me. My current favourite though is a big bowl of bran cereal. I sprinkLe in a few cheerios to make it more fun!

All bran works if I have it every day with the other stuff. But the medications also cause weight gain so I'm on slimming world trying to manage weight and the amount of all bran isn't helping :)

I do drink load. Part of the issue is that they are mental health drugs, so psychiatrist can't prescribe physical health things. But GP isn't that interested. Thinks I should just eat more veg, doesn't realise that they chronically block me up!

I take movicol and probiotic tablets. Lactulose gave me wind and bloating, and senna gave me cramps.

The constipation is better when my diet is better (more water and and water-containing fruit and veg).

If things get bad I use a glycerin suppository.

Oh and I do the opposite to Lucsy - dilute the Movicol in a big glass of lemon and lime squash to disguise the taste!

A couple of very ripe pears every day. This was recommended to me by A&E doctor when I was in Italy suffering from stomach pain that was diagnosed as constipation.

This is forever though going. I will have to take this medication for the rest of my life, I do eat loads of fruit, vegetables and drink water.

I find movicol and suppository combination the best. Can you try another doctor and suggest you change to movicol?

I have never found fybogel to be any use. I suspect it is only any use if you do not have enough fibre in your diet in the first place.

I have seen a physiotherapist who specialises in constipation issues. I was told to eat something that makes you go (porridge etc) for breakfast at the same time, with a cup of coffee. Then go after breakfast. This is to try and create a daily habit/routine. It has some logic to it because if you do the same thing every day, your body comes to expect it and behaves accordingly. I found that the glycerine suppositories were a help here.

I was also told to eat lots of soluble fibre (oats, beans, fruit and veg) rather than bran-type which dries out like peat-based potting compost and adds to the slow-down.

There is also positioning (see Squatty Potty for illustration) and Pelvic Floor relaxation (sniff drop flop).

I was told to pre-empt known causes of constipation with laxatives. Senna was mentioned, but like you I find it hurts a lot.

All in all, I found the advice only works when using movicol every other day.

The only thing I have found of any use diet-wise is a daily kiwi fruit. They have something in them that holds onto fluids in people whose colon dries it out too much. You can grow to really dislike them though. .

I get fed up with doctors who think it is all sorted by a bit of fibre in the diet .