Neuropathy and constipation

@korgman123 - I have had issues off and on for a few years with constipation and think I finally might have it under control. I'm not sure it's related to my small fiber peripheral neuropathy but it may have played a part in the problem. A few weeks ago I had bilateral inguinal hernia surgery but before the surgeon agreed to do the surgery I had to spend a little over a month getting the constipation under control. I used Miralax daily and sometimes twice daily along with an Rx of Lactulose to kick start the movements - https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lactulose-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20528356. I am still taking Miralax daily but was told I can reduce the amount to see how it goes. The goal is for me not to strain when having a bowel movement to unfix the hernia surgery.

I've also worked on eater more fiber rich food to help. I found this article that talks on the topic of treating constipation and might be helpful.

-- Treatment of gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-015-3828-9

Have you discussed the constipation with your doctor or tried using any over the counter remedies like Miralax, fiber supplements, etc...?

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@korgman123 - I have had issues off and on for a few years with constipation and think I finally might have it under control. I'm not sure it's related to my small fiber peripheral neuropathy but it may have played a part in the problem. A few weeks ago I had bilateral inguinal hernia surgery but before the surgeon agreed to do the surgery I had to spend a little over a month getting the constipation under control. I used Miralax daily and sometimes twice daily along with an Rx of Lactulose to kick start the movements - https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lactulose-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20528356. I am still taking Miralax daily but was told I can reduce the amount to see how it goes. The goal is for me not to strain when having a bowel movement to unfix the hernia surgery.

I've also worked on eater more fiber rich food to help. I found this article that talks on the topic of treating constipation and might be helpful.

-- Treatment of gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-015-3828-9

Have you discussed the constipation with your doctor or tried using any over the counter remedies like Miralax, fiber supplements, etc...?

Jump to this post

@korgman123 - I have had issues off and on for a few years with constipation and think I finally might have it under control. I'm not sure it's related to my small fiber peripheral neuropathy but it may have played a part in the problem. A few weeks ago I had bilateral inguinal hernia surgery but before the surgeon agreed to do the surgery I had to spend a little over a month getting the constipation under control. I used Miralax daily and sometimes twice daily along with an Rx of Lactulose to kick start the movements - https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lactulose-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20528356. I am still taking Miralax daily but was told I can reduce the amount to see how it goes. The goal is for me not to strain when having a bowel movement to unfix the hernia surgery.

I've also worked on eater more fiber rich food to help. I found this article that talks on the topic of treating constipation and might be helpful.

-- Treatment of gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-015-3828-9

Have you discussed the constipation with your doctor or tried using any over the counter remedies like Miralax, fiber supplements, etc...?

Jump to this post

John - I've had on and off issues and my doc suggested I try Citrucel and that has worked well, fiber being important and yes, no doubt this can be an issue with some neuropathy.

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I developed neuropathy first in my feet and now legs. I was diagnosed with length dependent sensory neuropathy and was referred a spine center for steroid injection for pain. I kept trying to convey to the people at the spine center that pain was not the major issue, it was lack of sensation in feet that made walking and driving a car difficult (now impossible). Around the same time I started to suffer from constipation but I did not link the two. I went to a gastroenterologist who referred me for an x-ray to see my colon, which turned out to vividly confirm constipation. He referred me for a defacography exam which indicated my neuropathy was causing a lack of proper bowel function. A colonoscopy indicated no obstructions in the bowel and the conclusion was that the problem was definitely related to the neuropathy and his solution was to recommend suppositories or enemas. I have used Miralax and the generic and it helps some but definitely not a solution.
A neurosurgeon thinks that my spinal stenosis and spine misalignment are contributing to the neuropathy. I am planning to go ahead with the spine surgery and hope it will result in some improvement. One neurosurgeon I saw felt all of my neuropathy was due to my back problems. We shall see.

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I developed neuropathy first in my feet and now legs. I was diagnosed with length dependent sensory neuropathy and was referred a spine center for steroid injection for pain. I kept trying to convey to the people at the spine center that pain was not the major issue, it was lack of sensation in feet that made walking and driving a car difficult (now impossible). Around the same time I started to suffer from constipation but I did not link the two. I went to a gastroenterologist who referred me for an x-ray to see my colon, which turned out to vividly confirm constipation. He referred me for a defacography exam which indicated my neuropathy was causing a lack of proper bowel function. A colonoscopy indicated no obstructions in the bowel and the conclusion was that the problem was definitely related to the neuropathy and his solution was to recommend suppositories or enemas. I have used Miralax and the generic and it helps some but definitely not a solution.
A neurosurgeon thinks that my spinal stenosis and spine misalignment are contributing to the neuropathy. I am planning to go ahead with the spine surgery and hope it will result in some improvement. One neurosurgeon I saw felt all of my neuropathy was due to my back problems. We shall see.

Jump to this post