terriersgalore

[Terriersgalore]

I am 81, and I have recently been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. I was prescribed Verapamil tablets 3 times a day, Apixaban twice a day and Lansoprozole once. Has anyone else had problems with Verapamil causing really bad constipation? I very rarely suffered with constipation; in fact it was the opposite, as I suffered with IBS. The constipation has been really bad causing bleeding with internal piles. If there is anyone else with this problem, how do you control it? I’ve introduced more roughage to my diet, and trying to drink more water, but every couple of days I have to take Senna tablets for my bowels.

[HiloHairy]

You're not too old to have an ablation. It will likely end your atrial fibrillation

[Tarikor]

Verapamil will DESTROY your gut. It is not even an anti-arrhythmic, it just calms the heart down so it beats a lot slower, avoiding dangerous high heart rates. The problem, as with almost all western medicines, is that it does not discriminate and interferes with all muscles in the body. It was the main culprit in me ending up with a sliding hiatus hernia. It also relaxes the normal movement of stomach, intestines and colon, causing food to ferment and rot instead of being digested properly and if you take it for a very long time, eventually SIBO/SIFO, mega colon (spastic colon), etc. I would just ask your cardiologist to NOT take the easy way out and do a proper check up. I had tremendous success with Flecainide and that is what will actually prevent most of your AF events. Verapamil does not really stop AF from happening and in my humble non-Doctor opinion, is worse than the illness itself.

[Bodydoctor12 in reply to Tarikor]

I have to say that I agree with this - the side effects for some people are much worse than the Afib symptoms. I’d go back to your GP or EP

[Mrsvemb]

Ask your doctor if you can take lactulose. You can buy it over the counter or your doctor may be kind and prescribe it. It is very gentle and a couple of teaspoons a day should sort you out.

[southkorea]

consider having an ablation. It is not a difficult operation.

[Ppiman]

I have IBS with constipation so can sympathise. It makes visits to the loo a real burden and has been made worse by a colonoscopy last month, with bleeding. mucus and lots of IBS pain from the piles. The only way I cope with it is a daily large glass of something called Sunsweet Prune Juice (from Tesco's - their own cheaper make fails miserably); this, I have every breakfast along with a bowl of home-stewed organic prunes, also. If that fails, which is rare, a glass of Andrew's does the trick (but the maximum dose) or a night-time dose of Milk of Magnesia (30-40ml).

Steve

[mary70]

If u have been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and treatment offered is a blood thinning medication called an anticoagulant. The problem with Atrial Fibrillation, soley is that the patient can be offered different types of drugs described as 'beta blockers' that can be disruptive to your bodily reactions. Best to chose a blood thinner medication that is made available as suitable. Myself, I am a Atrial Fibrillation patient, but I am allergic to different forms of blood thinners medication-and make sure that I avoid beta blockers because it doesn't suit everyone.

[irene75359]

I can't advise on drugs but since having pelvic radiotherapy I have to be extremely careful not to get constipated. Like some of the others, what really works for me is prune juice. I buy the cheapest available, I examined all the brand labels and the ingredients are exactly the same. Asda's is £1.20L, but the other brands range from £1.70L to an incredible £7.95L. I drink it first thing in the morning, I have to be very careful as it can be too effective and upset my stomach but not for long. Best of luck, constipation is miserable.

[Engineer46]

Welcome to the forum!

Without any knowledge of your condition and symptoms it's impossible for forum members to give much insight from their own experience.

Have a look at the NHS information on Verapamil, which lists constipation as the most common side effect, then have a chat with your doctor about alternatives:

nhs.uk/medicines/verapamil/

Best wishes,

Paul

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Usually constipation is caused by a stressed bowel/colon.

Take COLOFAC 140mg AM with full glass water. Wait 1 hour for breakfast.

It should work within the hour wait.

Take before Lunch

Take before Dinner

It works for me before breakfast.

Just use when necessary.

Better than senna.

As you still experience the urge.

cheers JOY

[SeanJax]

I don’t know if you have Benefiber in UK. If so 3 tea spoons a day, six to eight glasses of water along with magnesium glycinate two capsules of the bottle you bought. Your colon will thank you.