hello there I'm not sure if anyone has suggested this, I too have struggled with this all my life irritable bowel and a severely blocked bowel to the point of having to ingest this horrible stuff from the chemist called agarol my god hit me like a ton of bricks, coming out of both ends that day just awful, however when I had to have chemo for breast cancer I was told pear juice by one of the nurses.....yes it works a treat, also try to incorporate prunes in your diet and if you don't like pears you could try prune juice, try not to get to reliant on artificial help....drink heaps of water, yes ive been slack lately but I can consume large amounts of water and that really helps. fibre has to be in the form of fruit and veg, but research what is high fibre and be careful with fruit just because its fruit doesn't mean a lot of it is good for you and especially with the fruit sugars. and I think too you have to find foods you enjoy eating and will stick to and that will help you. Also, if you can move a little more do some form of exercise. I think someone also mentioned the same, more liquid and movement and fibre... You don't want to go passing out that's not good....Do you know why you pass out or feel light headed etc, that is because the main artery from your brain runs down the same side of your body that when you strain it gets restricted by the pressure on it and the next minute your on the ground similar to when someone puts someone into a sleep hold position around the neck, I cant think of the technical names or even the area of the body or veins at the moment really bad chemo brain tonight, I live with an RN and she was telling me this the other week!!!

I hear you. Since I went on Tramadol, my constipation has worsened. Straining to eject hard stools is like giving birth. Straining? Yes! Awful. I have begun to take Miralax twice a day and Metamucil once or twice a day, along with extra water. Even at that the "urge" to go is very slight. So, I use a medicated suppository to help things along. Usually within five to ten minutes later I get a good movement. Not hard at all, so it relieves the straining. This works for me. Maybe it will work for you.

Kiwis can help a lot.

just noting that there are threads on constipation under the digestive health section:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/?utm_source=connect.mayoclinic.org&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digest&utm_content=summary_interest

I’ve been on tramadol for yrs and have had constipation for yrs too until I finally found what works for me I take 5 stool softeners (equate brand ) from Walmart every night plus a half glass of water with a capful of equate clear lax you might think that’s to many stool softeners but it doesn’t hurt you at all I have a normal bowel movement if I do it every night … don’t take to much fiber it will actually make your stools to hard but sometimes I’ll eat a canned dried prune

I do not take prescription pain meds but struggle with constipation too. I am learning certain foods make it worse like peanut butter. I take fiber docusate stay hydrated walk daily. I have taken magnesium citrate capsules prebiotic supplements. I love yogurt so that helps me too.

Constipation is an awful thing to experience, especially when you are having chronic pain. I experimented and found theat taking Clearlax(Amazon's equivalent to Miralax) morning and bedtime along with Metamucil at lunchtime has softened my stools and allowed me to experience fairly regular bowel movements. This is just works for me. My visit to a gastroenterologist was not productive (big surprise!).

Take magnesium citrate power in water - 1/2 teas. If you don't go in a few hours, take some more. Or, baking soda works too.

I am using CHIA grains which you can get at natural foods stores.

If you do a search on the Net you'll get a lot information about this natural grain, word of caution, drink water or juice, 2 to 3 glasses after taking te Chia.

Best to you,

Claude

I learned of a product called ColonMax on these forums. I purchase it on Amazon, and take 1-2 at night. I also take prescription Motegrity every morning. I use Miralax as needed. I have small fiber polyneuropathy, which makes lots of my bodily functions work wrong, plus Percocet for pain.