Chronic constipation

[Larabelle6]

Looking for any recommendations to help chronic constipation.

Background is

—I take 2 AD’s, low dose antipsychotic and a new to the UK sleeping tablet.

— I have a prolapsed disc in my neck pressing on a nerve
— I have a condition with my eyes which means “I eat more prescription In the exam room than my brain can take” whatever that means! Basically my prescription increases yearly by quite a bit taking months to get used to and leaving me feeling nauseous

I know, I sound like a walking shit show, and for the most part I feel like it too 😬

So, preceding most recent medication change I’ve been having daily headaches for 8-10 weeks. I have previously had cluster headaches every day for 2 years that were controlled with verapimil, these disappeared suddenly when I was around 28 weeks pregnant 8 years ago. It’s a Pressure rather than pain. And the points of pressure (throbbing sensation) changes depending on how I’m laid / sat - position of neck. The crazy side of me thinks it’s probably a brain tumour / cyst or aneurysm, the rational side says it’s most likely from my neck or eyes.

Anyway, I read syndol was good for tension headaches but anything with codeine literally bungs me up for weeks. It’s not unusual to go 7-10 days. I don’t experience any pain or bloating it’s just very very uncomfortable when I do go!

I’ve tried:-
— I drink 2ltrs a day

• strong coffee daily
• senna
• fibre cubes (recommended on here)
• kiwi with skin on
• dulcoease
• exercise at least 30 mins per day 5 times a week

dulcolax definitely works but it’s brutal! I’ve been on and off the loo since 2am (sorry tmi) so I’m looking for a natural way to help improve this and any advice or recommendations would be most welcome 🙏

I’ve suffered all my life and the best remedy I’ve found is a stool softener (not a stimulant laxative, which is what senna and Dulcoease are). You can buy OTC. Laxido is one of the cheaper brands, there’s also Movicol which is slightly more expensive.

I buy them online these days because I CBA to go to a pharmacy.

You’d have to discover for yourself what kind of daily dose would work for you, but I’d recommend NOT starting at one sachet per day because it’s a very small dose. Start with two sachets at night and see how you go.

Theres also this website, aimed primarily at kids but the advice is relevant to anyone with chronic bowel issues: https://www.thepoonurses.uk/

Thank you. My son takes movicol daily so I’m familiar with the product. Will have a look at laxido online. Codeine is a known trigger for me, absolute guarantee but all sorts of things can set me off

Oh, you’re an old hand then. I definitely recommend giving it a try yourself.

Your right when you say ducolax is brutal.
Whole thread on here about it.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4621791-to-think-dulcolax-are-the-work-of-the-devil

@Sunshineandrainbow I remember reading it when it was posted! But it’s the only thing I’ve found that works without fail every single time. Liquid is slightly gentler than the tablet but like I say - still been up since 2am haha

Things that work for me.

Lots of water.

Natural yoghurt with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds

Natural yoghurt with raspberries (when in season) I say when in season only because out of season they lack flavour and feel like a chore.

Apple juice, I hate it, but it works.

Dulcolax when desperate.

When it feels imminent but doesn’t want to make that last effort, Vaseline around your anus helps to move things.

Ditto pressing on the bulge between the anus and the vagina.

What a conversation to be having……😂with strangers. 😂

Another Laxido/Movical recommendation here, I take 2 Sachets a day and buy it OTC from Pharmacy. I dont know how long it will work for but it works for now and if i miss taking them for a day it take me three days to get back on track.

Magnesium supplement- look for magnesium citrate. You can take it daily forever and it should keep you regular, or at least help during times like this.

@TerrysChocolateOrange I do those things anyway 🙈🙈 still not pleasant and I hate the not knowing exactly how bad it’s going to be.

Apple juice and Greek yoghurt with raspberries don’t work - tried those. I will try the seeds though.

just ordered the laxido - will be starting those tomorrow!

@TravellingT forgot to mention in my OP I do take magnesium citrate (again, I read about it on here) did it for a week every day and it made no difference. I take so many tablets I stopped but maybe I need to start those back up again too.

Also read about psyllium husk but I can’t tolerate the texture

@Larabelle6

A small tin of mushy peas with some salt (probably a constipation no, no re salt) but it also works for me.

Baked potatoes with a hard skin also works.

A bowl of sprouts with butter also works.

Chronic constipation sufferer here (codiene user too) what helps me is grape juice and plums , plus laxido (it takes a few days to work)

@TerrysChocolateOrange can’t do mushy peas, I’d vomit. Seasoned baked potato with skin on eater - can confirm that doesn’t work.

sprouts…. Could maybe manage 6-8 before spewing. Tis the season after all.

Really hoping Laxido does the job and I don’t need all these concoctions.

@Jellycats4life do you take it every day - like forever?

@whoisjoe grapefruit juice I can’t have with my tablets but grape I assume is different altogether? Grape juice and plums I can absolutely do.

Honestly the best thing for me is sex. Penetrative sex. I have a husband but you can buy similar at Love Honey.

\natural yogourt plus All bran for 30 days ? I am surprised this is not in your arsenal. And 2 prunes everyday. All bran not any other brand or variety. Or wheetbix you will have to adjust to hae the same amount of fiber per serving.

I take drugs which cause constipation. I used to take lactulose daily but after many years I've finally managed to sort it with diet.
Just eating lots of regular fruit and veg and drinking loads doesn't cut it for me. You need prunes not plums, in the sort of quantities that would give most people diarrhoea.

I have all bran or plain oats (not cooked) sprinkled with chia seeds every single day for breakfast. On top 4 or 5 prunes. Also a glass of prune juice.
The prunes are the crucial thing. I use tinned pitted prunes.

It's pretty disgusting but better IMO than laxatives which cause so much gas.

But first you need to clear the backlog with movicol or whatever.

Lactulose is the absolute worst for gas. I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.

I think I’d rather take Laxido (which doesn’t cause gas) than choke down prunes and prune juice every single day though, haha!

Psyllium husk works really well! Take a teaspoon full mixed in a glass of water before each meal. It provides both soluble & insoluble fibre& also bulks up the gut content yo make it pass through more easily.

You might need stool softeners (such as laxido) PLUS a propulsant (such as senna/dulcolax).

Too much fibre, esp wheat based (bran) can make some people worse. The more fibre you have, the more clear fluids you should drink. Apple juice is, I think, a bit better for the blood sugar than orange juice.

Have you looked too at optimizing your gut biome, with regular fermented foods? Kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, live yogurt, unpasteurized cheeses. They won't work as a laxative per se but you might find that perseverance (several weeks, at least) might help consolidate improvements.

Grape juice is different to grapefruits. Lots of suggestions on here! Also, you can try plums if you want (they help me)- I don’t like prunes

I use psyllium husk as well, dissolved in a glass of water. But I agree, it's a bit like drinking wallpaper paste!