Going potty and afib meds!!

[Janith]

Does anyone suffer difficulty going number two when on meds? My body doesn’t feel good unless l “go” daily. Recently, l started taking senna every other day … seemed to be working … but it causes stomach discomfort and yesterday l was having the stomach issues and my heart went into afib. I went to my hospital (five minutes away) and they converted me in ten minutes and back home l went. Any suggestions to safely maintain daily regularity? Thank you.

[pottypete1]

That must be a world record for a cardioversion. 😂

My best was 5 hours.

Pete

[Janith in reply to pottypete1]

Pete … it was done with a quick medicine … l immediately converted … they inject something into my vein followed by a saline solution into the vein … not a slow drip … l will get the name of the medicine and post it. I’m in America tho …

[Jalia in reply to Janith]

Adenosine, Janith ?

[Janith in reply to Jalia]

l have to look at my notes that they gave to me … l will let you know … that could be … my notes are in my office… will advise. Best, Jan

[Janith in reply to Jalia]

l was given Diltiazem (Cardizem) …at 11:05 am … home by 1:00 pm … l converted almost immediately … my blood pressure was 116/88 … weight 133 lb … height 5’10” … temp 98 f … pulse 93 (afib) … respiration 16 … oxygen saturation 99% … !!!! These were taken prior to my release as l wasn’t in afib when l went home. The medication was given via intravenously and saline immediately thereafter into the same vein. Hope this is helpful.

[Tomred in reply to pottypete1]

was thinking that myself

[pusillanimous in reply to pottypete1]

But surely the cardioversion with electrodes (whatever you call them). is very quick The longest part of mine was waiting in bed for the Cardiologist to come and do the job. I was given a mild anaesthetic, next thing I knew was I was eating a chicken sandwich and told I could phone for my lift and go home. My conversion was scheduled for about 3.30pm and I know we hit the rush hour traffic on the way home !

[pottypete1 in reply to pusillanimous]

You are right the actual electrical cardioversion takes a millisecond. It is the waiting that takes the time.

Pete

[Jalia]

Well, they don't hang about with cardioversions in the US!! Not electrical cardioversion I'm assuming ......

Here in the UK a product called Laxido is widely used in hospitals for constipation . Its really a stool softener and not so harsh as Senna so shouldn't cause stomach discomfort. I think Macrogol is the active ingredient !

[reinaway in reply to Jalia]

I use that every other day and it's gentle and does the trick

[CDreamer]

3 types of fermented foods a day, drinking adequate water and walking are my solutions - works for me. I don’t take anything other than essential meds and have no problems.

[ChasMartin]

I've been doing 2 tbsp of chia seeds in my morning cereal/overnight oats/oatmeal, whichever I decide to put it in on a particular day. Also can put it in a smoothie, and sometimes I'll do both when I feel I might need it. Also paying very close attention to getting 64oz or more of water a day has helped me. Generally trying to consume more fiber, less refined grains. If I do have too much refined grain in a meal, I purposefully add in something to help "break it up" like fruit or something.

[Janith]

Super! Thank you Chas. I will definitely try that. Best, Jan

[Madscientist16]

My heart rate control meds gave me terrible constipation sometimes. Purchase some polyethylene glycol and mix a half dose in your favorite beverage. Do this morning and night. Advice from both my doctor and pharmacist.

[Janith in reply to Madscientist16]

l just made a note of your suggestion in my journal. Thank you. Best, Jan

[secondtry]

I agree with others fix it by flexing your regular diet without 'special supplements' which may undo all the good gastric work done.

I am just on Fleacinide, a while ago I found bowel movements were too slow but it seems that has improved sufficiently with not much change and in particular I would agree with CDreamer's suggestions. I have brought my anxiety down a notch or two also which may have helped a tad....maybe try some favourite relaxation tricks.

[Hidden]

Lactulose , gentle stool softener. Works every time and drink water

[Janith in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I will fix my problem with all of these wonderful suggestions! Best, Jan

[oscarfox49]

Depends on which medications are causing the issue, but certainly things like beta blockers can do this. But I strongly agree with others replying here who say it is better to try natural solutions rather than more pharmaceutical remedies. My solution when I had real issues in the same way due to medication, was to have oat bran every morning with my muesli (I still do this every day... two large heaped tablespoons) which helped a little. I was also prescribed a product called 'ultra yeast' which is Saccharmoyces boulardii, which supplements gut bacteria and resists the usual digestion of gut flora. Apart from that, maintaining a high fibre diet is important. I understand what you say when you say 'I don't feel good unless I go daily'. I feel absolutely terrible and it changes the whole effect of AF on me when I have to 'delay'.

[Janith in reply to oscarfox49]

l know! It makes me feel bloated and l loathe that feeling. It also affects my mood. Thank you! Best, Jan

[doodle68]

No problems here which is probably due to a diet rich in fibre .

I eat dried apricots and dates along with other fruit and have to be careful I don't over do it and have a different kind of problem

In the winter when fresh fruit is limited I buy fruit from British Frozen fruits , today I am having stewed gooseberries.

[Leggylady]

Have you tried taking linseed daily? It works reliably. I take a couple of tablespoons in yoghurt or stirred into fruit juice whenever I need help. No need to grind the seeds, just eat however you prefer. Was recommended to me about 20 years ago and I’ve used ever since. X

[Janith in reply to Leggylady]

linseed! Just put on the shopping list … thank you! Best, Jan

[ChasMartin in reply to Janith]

Yes this also! I've used linseed as well in the same situations as chia. The golden version is easiest to add to things, here in the states it's sold as golden flaxseed (Bob's red mill has some)

[Janith in reply to ChasMartin]

…l just returned from the market … bought flaxseed as well as chia seed … mixed the bags into one glass container and mixed one tablespoon with the prune juice that a gentleman on here mentioned … tasted pretty good … so here’s hoping!! Thanks to all! I will keep you posted.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Take a large glass of water first thing in morning before breakfast.

Colofac 160mg. It relaxes the colon and bowel. Otherwise kiwi fruit, figs, prunes.

After hospital I need glycerine suppostories.

I was told by the Australian surgeon carrying out my colonoscopy that I had a very long colon and pushed into a small cavity.

:Like you I need to go daily.

Dr's prescription Colofac is well worth a try. You can take a glass of water before

each of your 3 meals. It works comfortably within the hour of wait.

Better than any meds for constipation.

Take care.. cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Janith in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Joy … thank you! You are indeed a Joy to the World! Maybe Colofac if it doesn’t improve. I will start with the prunes and prune juice. Best, Jan

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Janith]

Hi

I forgot to mention miss out cheese until you are on a good run.

Think fibre. Think roughage. Eat a raw carrot, an aople.

Stand back and look at your diet.

And of course yoghurt free from sugar keeps bacteria in your stomach sweet.

And mushrooms keep you right.

cheers JOY

[Ppiman]

I have been in a similar position for years but haven't found it is the tablets I take, just a 'lazy' (and overlong, apparently) bowel. I was told to take great care using stimulant laxatives such as senna or bisacodyl which, over time, can, apparently, cause the bowel to need more of them to work and to become reliant on them. Most doctors seem to prefer starting with the much safer 'bulking' laxatives based on methylcellulose or some kind of fibre, either natural or artificial.

I have never found them very helpful, though, and, over many years, have come to rely on natural prunes and prune juice each morning which works apparently entirely safely and almost always reliably. That said, the only juice I find that works is the expensive one called "Sunsweet" (now only from Tesco at £4.00/l), although the slightly cheaper "Benefit" brand seems to be okay, but is variable. As for prunes, the tastiest and largest are Bulgarian organic sun dried ones, bought via Amazon. These need gentle, slow stewing in a mixture of water and prune juice and storing in the fridge. They are truly special. A friend finds they work on their own, but, for whatever reason, I need a full glass of Sunsweet juice, too.

If I ever I need anything stronger, which happens occasionally, then any magnesium salt works well overnight, e,g, Milk of Magnesia, Andrew's Liver Salts or simply Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate).

Steve

[Janith in reply to Ppiman]

Wow Steve … thank you!!! I am going to buy the prunes and prune juice! Definitely … l think that my problem should be solved with all of these wonderful suggestions! Best, Jan

[Ppiman in reply to Janith]

Just the prunes alone, or only the juice, might be enough, but those lovely prunes are simply delicious and utterly natural.

Steve

[reinaway in reply to Ppiman]

I use those lovely soft ready to eat dried prunes. Love them.

[Ppiman in reply to reinaway]

That's what I had for several years but then the ones we bought became, I don't know - too soft and compressed. If you fancy a real change, something nearer, really, to the plums they once were, try the Bulgarian ones. They arrive dried, though so are too chewy for most people. My wife stews them very slowly indeed in 50% water and prune juice then stores them in the fridge, warming up a few each day. They swell to near-plum size, too!

Steve

[john-boy-92]

I don't drink enough and blood pressure medication means that I have my fluid levels can get too low, and that would lead to constipation. For breakfast: Weetabix with linseed, kefir to drink, probiotic supplement with acid-resistant bacteria. I let the Weetabix and linseed sit for a little while in the bowl with semi-skimmed milk. That stops the linseed taking fluid from the gut. In the winter my wife makes home-made tomato soup and blitzes loads of tomatoes with celery, and she also uses lentils. That goes nicely with organic bread from a certain supermarket.

[Janith in reply to john-boy-92]

Yum!!! Thank you so much! Best, Jan

[irene75359]

Lots of good suggestions on here, the advice to avoid senna is sound too. Anything with ispaghula husk (which softens stools) is ok too, it isn't habit forming and can be taken daily. It is important that anything you do take should always be with lots of water.

[Janith in reply to irene75359]

Thank you! Excellent advice. Best, Jan

[Tomred]

magnesium citrate

[Janith in reply to Tomred]

l have some … in powder form … l will try adding it to my tea. Best, Jan

[Tomred in reply to Janith]

may take a few days ,works for me, never heard of it been put in tea though. good luck

[Tomred in reply to Tomred]

ps. if you try all the suggestions on here together you may have to camp in the bathroom for a few days. lol.

[Arnold6694]

I was on Xarelto, and had the opposite problem. A very loose stool Then they took me off of it, and back to normal.

[Peacefulneedshelp]

I have just started having the same problem and on beta blocker. Some one mentioned it causes a problem. I drink lots of water, take magnesium and eat a couple prunes everyday, still do have some issues. I tried glycerine suppositories which helped but not this last time. Like others have said, I don’t want to start taking more meds.

[Janith in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

l AM on a beta blocker … probably the culprit! Thx. Best, Jan

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to Janith]

it slows everything down not just the heart rate and BP. We can’t poop and I itch all over but my BP is great! Ugh!

[AussieHeart]

Constipation has dogged me since right hemicolectomy surgery. Over five years I’ve tried everything from Senna, Movicol, Fibregel, physillum husk, prunes, chia, flaxseed, colon lytly, Prep C, lactose, ActiLAX, and magnesium BUT the new kid on the block that’s working well is a combination of magnesium 3-4 tablets morning combined with Iberogast (STW5) in the evening. Drink plenty of water as dehydration is enemy No.1. This regime has been suggested and signed off by my gastroenterologist and cardiac electrophysiologist and is monitored for success. We’re all individual so what works for me might be too aggressive for you. The adhesions from surgery are believed to be causing faecal loading so I need to go daily to feel fine. Magnesium alone should get you going. You can take up to 9 tablets daily safely so my gastro guy said but 9 flipped me into diahrea! Play around with dosage to suit your circumstances if you want to go down that path.

[Janith in reply to AussieHeart]

AussieHeart … which Magnesium? Citrate or taurate or?

Thank you!!!

[AussieHeart in reply to Janith]

I can’t seem to get Taurate here which cardiologist prefers but my gastroenterologist suggested Blackmores’ Bio Magnesium would do the trick and for me it has

[Janith in reply to AussieHeart]

ok! Thank you!

[AussieHeart]

I found the original advice so to start told :

1. Start by increasing daily fibre intake and exercise each day. You can add Benefibre or Metamucil daily to assist boosting daily fibre intake (this worked against me Re: adhesions)!

2. Use Osmolax 1-2 x 17g scoops per day or Movicol 1-2 sachets/day and wean off gradually after achieve fibre intake of 30g per day (this worked for a bit then failed as I couldn’t achieve 30g fibre without getting bunged up)!

3. Magnesia San Pellegrino daily (lemon flavoured effervescent powder) OR if hard to find take 2 tablets Magmin or Bio Magnesium morning and night.

Step 3 tweaked is working for me with Bio Mag over MagMin if I take 4 morning and with the added 1ml Iberogast. Again my insides are a mess from surgery so you probably won’t need step 3 tweak!

[bassets]

I certainly have problems that way because of dilitiazem. When I was able to drop to half dose things got better. My doctor recommended Fybogel which seems to work really well. I hope you can sort yourself out as it is most uncomfortable! Best wishes x

[Janith]

Oh thank you all! Everything is all better. The prune juice with two different fibers mixed together taken yesterday and again this morning worked like a charm! I have noted in my journal all recommendations for possible future use but l will continue with the above concoction for daily maintenance along with lots of water. 😘. Jan