How do you deal with constipation?

Magnesium!

Senna tablets. I had an interesting discussion with the nurse at my colonoscopy in October. Laxatives are either to soften or push things out. I never knew they have different purposes.

@dvasco Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Having any kind of digestive upset when traveling, or from stress, can be real disheartening. You've gotten a couple of different possibilities already here.

If you go to the digestive health support group, and type in constipation in the tool bar to search, you will get a list of discussions that cover this topic. I suggest you try this and see if there are additional thoughts or ideas that may fit your situation. What works for one person may not work for someone else!

Identifying what the triggers are is a step in the right direction. Is there something about traveling in particular that is most difficult to deal with? How can you modify that?
Ginger

@dvasco Constipation is such a nuisance! I too get it when I’m travelling.

I try to keep medication to last resort, especially as the timing and severity of the medication working can be very inconvenient and severe.

Keeping my liquid intake up is always my first step plus making sure I’m getting enough fibre and protein plus enough exercise like walking. I love porridge made with steel cut rolled porridge oats as well as peas, broccoli, quinoa, apples, pears etc.

Personally, having prunes and/or a cup of coffee and/or a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice with pulp for breakfast is a stronger remedy for ongoing constipation that works for me. By the end of the meal I’m ready to go and I allow extra time in the hotel room to empty out and relax before heading out.

I use either miralax or sienna when desperate and need to go.

It’s been trial and error working out what to do at different times.

I have eaten shredded wheat for years. It is perfect for me. I was unable to eat it with 2 bouts of my chemo but am back to normal. Broccoli isa fave too. Fiber!! and half my weight in water or more every day.

350 units of magnesium citrate before bed helps me.

I use miralax twice a day mixed with a packet of Gatorade. I was going every three to four days. Now I go pretty much everyday!

Hi Katgob,
I love shredded wheat also. I'm 78 and have eaten it since I was a child. It is great for good bowel movements but also just very healthy for you! Most people eat it with milk and sugar but I prefer it by spreading butter on the biscuit and putting it under the broiler for a couple minutes to melt the butter. It's so good!
The water and broccoli are great also!
PML

Hi Marie,
I can recommend a home remedy for constipation that my mom always gave me. I'm 78 and still use it. It's natural but may be a little harsh. It's a teaspoon or more if needed, of baking soda (the kind you cook with – Arm and Hammer) dissolved in a glass of water. Drink the whole glass. You may want to squeeze a little lemon juice in it to make it taste better. It tastes awful, but it works. Stay near the bathroom. It works fairly fast. By the way, this also helps get rid of gas and bloating. After it works, try and drink a lot of water to keep from being dehydrated.

I hope this helps.
PML

@katgob. My Folfiri and Avastin gave me terrible diarrhoea which I had to manage. Post treatment it was a shock to deal with the opposite with constipation! I found chemo diarrhoea easier to manage.

I’m not good at hydration. I battled during chemo + immunotherapy as well as post treatment (sorted with cordial in my water). It’s my 1st check too when my digestive system isn’t working well.

It is awesome how natural remedies can help often, but sometimes they’re not enough 🥹 I try not to bring out the medication until really necessary due to toxins from being backed up or stomach pains.

In my case I had part of my colon removed during HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery so the adhesions may explain why sometimes I need medicinal help.