Constipation from meds

Posted by mshrink66 @mshrink66, Jan 9 8:23am

I have chronic nerve pain from a couple of failed back surgeries. I have been on Lyrica, Cymbalta and most recently Effexor. It seems that when I get to a therapeutic dose, I get severe constipation. I have tried Metamucil with Colace, and Miralax without success. Seems the only thing that works is s stimulating laxative which I know isn’t good to use long term. Since this is such a common side effect of these meds, has anyone had any success getting around this? These meds really help me so I hate to give up on them. Thank you for any advice!

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Prune juice. Works like a wonder. Every morning with breakfast. Every single day. It’s natural and I go like clockwork. Try it, it works.! Good luck!

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I've tried so many things that just don't work for me. I second the pear and apple, with skins, a day that someone suggested earlier. I perform a manual bowel massage that a therapist taught me. That helps but can sometimes be painful. I'm struggling with constipation that is so bad now that I failed my colon prep for a Colonscopy. Very frustrating after a liquid diet for four days with copious prep solutions, dulcolax. So any more hints folks have I'm all ears. Good luck, it's so disheartening.

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All good advice here about tips for dealing with constipation which can be truly awful.
And everyone responds differently to each method.
I have chronic migraines and those CGRPs can really do a "number" on you, especially Qulipta which took my constipation to a whole new level and had to stop it.
Yes, lots of water. Yes, walking daily (inactivity adds to constipation, you want peristalsis to get those bowels moving. Yes, Miralax. Yes, docusate. Yes, prunes but I found 8 petite raw carrots nightly more effective.
Spinach with oil and garlic works for me (I know strange) and as odd as this sounds...a good old-fashion burger gets me to "go" the next day. Of course, I hardly eat beef...so I have burgers rarely but I noticed when I do I always have a "good BM" the next day. And if you are like me, and you really want to "up the ante" go to McDonald's for one of those killers. They never fail for me although I do feel physically unwell for a bit after eating it. But it does produce a BM for me the next morning. Probably due to all the "crap" in those burgers. Pun intended.
All the best to you! I get it. Constipation...ugh!!

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I too have suffered tremendously from constipation due to meds. It is frustrating. What I have finally found to help me in addition to more liquids, is 2 small scoops of powdered magnesium at night before bed. I regularly eat salads and drink homemade smoothies (really chunkies) made with beets, carrots, apples, frozen berries, turmeric, ginger, and whatever else that is in the refrigerator needing to be used up like broccoli, spinach . . . etc.
I do not care for laxatives or stool softeners. I hope this is helpful!

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I have chronic pain and take pain meds. I am constipated severely. I go without using the John for 4 days at times. I have used Metamucil, mixed with Miralax, which is ok, but not great. I have now been using Activia once a day and added URO probiotics that are getting me moving everyday. I eat carrots, cranberries, nuts, granola, fiber bars, Raisin Bran, oatmeal, salad, spinach, apples, apple sauce, and water. All you can do is try to eat roughage and add probiotics like I have. I’m amazed it’s working. Good luck.

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@babby

I have chronic pain and take pain meds. I am constipated severely. I go without using the John for 4 days at times. I have used Metamucil, mixed with Miralax, which is ok, but not great. I have now been using Activia once a day and added URO probiotics that are getting me moving everyday. I eat carrots, cranberries, nuts, granola, fiber bars, Raisin Bran, oatmeal, salad, spinach, apples, apple sauce, and water. All you can do is try to eat roughage and add probiotics like I have. I’m amazed it’s working. Good luck.

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Hi. What are URO Probiotics?

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@pagray24

I've tried so many things that just don't work for me. I second the pear and apple, with skins, a day that someone suggested earlier. I perform a manual bowel massage that a therapist taught me. That helps but can sometimes be painful. I'm struggling with constipation that is so bad now that I failed my colon prep for a Colonscopy. Very frustrating after a liquid diet for four days with copious prep solutions, dulcolax. So any more hints folks have I'm all ears. Good luck, it's so disheartening.

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Hi my name is Robin, I’m the same way. My constipation is so bad I have tried everything, I am now trying mineral oil. I am hoping it works. Please let me know if you have tried this if you have not, try 1-3 tablespoons of mineral oil in something hot to drink. Try it at night before bed and let me know how it goes for you and I will do the same.

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In one of my previous posts regarding the issue of constipation, I mentioned that I had gotten some meds from my doc that didn't help. I could go 4,5,even 6 days without a bm. Then it was like giving birth to a watermelon. I tried Miralax without effect. I finally went to a G.I. doc. He wasn't sure how to help me. He suggested taking the Miralax twice a day. After a couple of days, it began to help, even though I still have to use a Fleets glycerin suppository to help things "get going" occasionally. Everyone is differnet, so keep trying different things until you find something that works.

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@babby

I have chronic pain and take pain meds. I am constipated severely. I go without using the John for 4 days at times. I have used Metamucil, mixed with Miralax, which is ok, but not great. I have now been using Activia once a day and added URO probiotics that are getting me moving everyday. I eat carrots, cranberries, nuts, granola, fiber bars, Raisin Bran, oatmeal, salad, spinach, apples, apple sauce, and water. All you can do is try to eat roughage and add probiotics like I have. I’m amazed it’s working. Good luck.

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Have you tried prune juice. It worked wonders on my husbands cancer chemo meds.
Skeleton

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@skeleton

Have you tried prune juice. It worked wonders on my husbands cancer chemo meds.
Skeleton

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I’ll give that a try. 👍

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