Several people on this and other advanced prostate cancer boards have complained about varying degrees of constipation for one reason or another. I have seen several suggestions which I disagree with; partly because I am a pharmacist who has over 30 years on the bench in hospital, community and long term care settings.
Here's what I know for sure.
I used to have a constant problem with constipation, until the doctor at my last colonoscopy, about 5 years ago, recommended me taking a capful (17gm) of Miralax (Polyethylene glycol 3350) in a small glass of warm water every morning.
The colonoscopy did find a small internal hemorrhoid near my rectum; but no polyps.
Since then I have had very few problems with constipation, even with various prostate cancer medicines and radiological treatments.
I do use the generic form of Miralax (Polyethylene glycol 3350) whenever it is available because of the price difference.
Blessings, Friends.
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diamondrn
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Yes, I did try Metamucil at one point, but Miralax works better for me; much more dependable results with Miralax and easier to figure out how much to use.
I also use the generic form from Costco. I find it to help.
I was talking with one of my doctors about laxatives, she said that they all are designed to increase water in the bowel. I think it's a matter of preference which one people use. Bad coffee and spicy food sometimes work too.
Well....ive done it all....and i only visit the loo 5-7 days and thats when i drink ducalax martini ....no olives.....i was not the most regular before apc but now ...damn ....i still eat.....so anyways ..have colonoscopy sched soon ...no im 65 never had one and with pc youd of thunk someone would have ordered one...throughout the myriad of test ...but i digress....cheers to all....b.w.
My mother was an RN. She downed 2 oz of 'Real-Prune' prune juice every morning. She never had a problem with constipation that I was aware of, Nalakrats.
Having spent 30 years in Michigan I am well aware of the viscosity lowering benefits of Ethylene Glycol.
Correct. You don't want take that stuff on a regular basis, it's very hard on the kidneys. Prunes are the answer. Studies have have shown that as few as nine pitted prunes will work. For me, I prepare them as my mother did: I boil 20-25 in water for about ten minutes. When they have cooled, I refrigerate them. I usually take 3 with each meal, counting the juice, as a desert.
There are only a couple of laxatives that work by directing h2o to the gut and colon. The rest are stimulants of one sort or the other that lead to straining. Proylene/polyehylene glycol are among the liquidisers. The best of them is epsom salts (MgSO4) but it is a trigger happy critter - too much and you will be addressing the bowl at an embarrassing rate. Calibrate its dose carefully and it is a good option. I am on a trial of a new molecule that causes the mother of all constipations. Epsom turned out to be the only molecule that defeated it. Almost normal now after more than a year.
Isn't food "chemicals"....I guess depends on your definition? MIRALAX is basically tasteless, and it was used for my colonoscopy...did the job.....so makes perfect sense as laxative.....are ther studies showing dangers when used as a daily laxative? when I increased daily liquids, as expected stools became softer, but still some feeling of constipation .....I eat 4 prunes daily.
I have used a combination of Miralax and Metamucil on the rare occasions I’ve had problems but otherwise I find good hydration, whole fruits and leafy vegetable juices, roots etc and plenty of exercise works always.
If I don’t drink enough water, or move enough, or eat well enough, or all three, I get constipated. So I live accordingly. Co morbidities or stress of any kind don’t help of course, but fortunately I’m short on those.
I always prefer natural remedies, especially if they promote health in other ways. Miralax does one thing only.
My Joe and I take magnesium with our other supplements each evening. That helps keep us regular without chemicals. When the plumbing gets clogged, we increase the dose once.
I accidentally bought the propylene glycol form and it didn't work at all. Threw that stuff out and got the one with psyllium seed that had been working.
We will simply try increasing the prunes morning and night to see if that helps. Will also try the magnesium tip.
One thing with the prunes is that you don't have to boil them. Just put them in water in the fridge and they will expand and soften and turn the water into a syrup you can drink. We rotate a couple of small containers full.
Yes, the prunes do work, prune juice is also good , ground flax/chia seed helps. Stuffed the chicken with dried prunes and great tasting gravy, rather use natural products also.
I have constipation, probably due to the fact that I'm on nortriptyline (tricyclic antidepressants are known to cause constipation). I've been on psyllium (Metamucil) for years; it's really not enough. My gastro recommended Miralax--he said it's safe for everyday use (safer than stool softeners like Colace); I take it occasionally and it's effective.
I’ve found — and various sources will concur — that too much fiber (e.g. the psyllium in Metamucil) can cause constipation. I use Metamucil and CALM Magnesium powder daily, as two “dials” that I turn as needed:
too loose? increase the Metamucil and/or decrease the Mg.
approaching constipation? increase the Mg and/or decrease the Metamucil.
constipation quite bad after e.g. some EBRT that hits the bowels? Add Miralax (PEG…or generic equivalent ClearLax) as needed…
…but I prefer to avoid PEG, and have largely succeeded for many months now.
My “foundation” for all of this is adequate hydration, exercise and sleep + high-fiber/low fat diet + small portions at meal times + find ways to reduce stress. My experience is that w/o this foundation, the layers above it (e.g. Mg + PEG) aren’t as effective.
I’ll keep epsom salts in mind for any next treatment that causes a slowdown.
I am happy to see this post. My RO always asks about diarrhea, says it’s a concern post SRT. Now I know I’m not the only one with the opposite problem.
I want to thank you and the others for the recommendation of 6 prunes morning and night. It has been working for G for the last 9 days. We may have to moderate the other things he uses.
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