constipation

[Wolf68]

I have had very bad constipation lately because I have been taking lots of Zapain as my knee is so bad.

I am drinking plenty water, taking senna and eating fruit and vegetables but it’s not helping. I can’t move much because I’ve been struggling to stand up with my knee so bad, does anyone have any tips on relieving the constipation?

[Happyrosie]

I buy beetroot, raw, and cook it myself and have about 40 or 50 grams a day. I also eat one dried fig a day. I can’t take more than one CoCodamol a day as it constipates me but I do buy Ibuprofen. The doc prescribes the appropriate tablet to help with potential stomach issues. If I’m very constipated I also take Lactulose.

It’s important to keep moving, say walking or whatever suits you, but if your knee is bad and you can’t walk well there are other exercises you can do. See the website of Versus Arthritis.

[Wolf68 in reply to Happyrosie]

I’ll have to look at those exercises and see what I can do because at the moment I’m completely bed ridden, I can’t even stand up long enough to brush my teeth. I have been taking ibuprofen because I feel it helps but I only have it during bad flare ups because I have diverticulitis and have been told not to take it.

Yesterday my wife got me some Dulcolax 10mg suppositories and they have helped although longer term I will look into your suggestions.

I am in a terrible state at the moment and the NHS have still not put me on the waiting list and have suggested I need to manage this until I’m 60 which is over 4 years away, I can’t believe they have left me like this in such a state.

[Happyrosie in reply to Wolf68]

As far as pain goes, why not give one of the arthritis charities a ring? Just Google “arthritis charities” and have a look at each website and choose whichever one seems most suitable. They have helplines.

[DartmoorDumpling]

Have you tried a magnesium supplement? I take this to prevent restless legs at night, and it has the added benefit of making you “go” very easily next morning!

[Wolf68 in reply to DartmoorDumpling]

I’ve never heard of magnesium supplements is there any type that you recommend?

[DartmoorDumpling in reply to Wolf68]

I get “Viridian” Magnesium Citrate (or Magnesium & B6 which is similar) capsules from Amazon

[weathervane]

There are a range of seated exercises on YouTube, there are very general ones going to more active ones . Do start off gently to see what you can manage .

If your constipation isn’t easing, phone your pharmacy and they also can give advice over the phone, next step would then be your gp . Feel better soon

[katieoxo60]

There are some herbal drugs for constipation which you can get on line as I am sure your knee immobilises you in respect of getting to shop. I use senna at a bigger dose if desperate. But this is a free one try massaging your tummy can often improve the muscles to make going easier.

[1vern0n]

Co-codamol has the same effect on me and I take a sachet of Laxedo every day. Occasionally this doesn't work so my GP prescribed me Bisacodyl which I take one tablet at night. Katieoxo60's suggestion of massage is a good one especially if your mobility is poor.

[kykla]

I took Berberine for approximately three months, and it completely stopped my constipation.

[Hiplucy]

My sister has problems with constipation. She swears by Solgar magnesium citrate, which she gets from Amazon. After my hip replacement I was having the same problem, and just one of those mag cits took care of the problem. I hope you have the same results.

[Lolabridge]

I was very constipated after taking strong painkillers after ankle surgery. Although I always eat plenty of fruit and veg and stayed hydrated plus I took 15ml Lactulose twice a day that was not sufficient. So I then added eating prunes (8/9 of them) at least once a day and taking Senna tablets too. That worked!

[Wolf68 in reply to Lolabridge]

Thanks for all the useful replies, I am finding senna tea pretty good and it doesn’t taste too bad either. When things get really bad I’m using suppositories but that is a last resort.

[Nightingales]

when I am in a bad way with inactivity and pain I use Lactidoo prescribed by my Dr. I find it gentle and effective and I just use enough to get me back on track then go back to my high fruit and veg diet. The last thing you need is impaction. Hope you feel better soon. You can also do abdominal exercises, pelvic tilts, gluteal squeezes, those kind of exercises that don’t involve your knee.

[Hectorsmum2]

I agree with the magnesum citrate but also find vitamin C fissy tablets helpful if you take two at a time and also golden linseed.