Constipation : I’ve HF and spinal... - British Heart Fou...

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Constipation

Bigmark61 profile image
19 Replies

I’ve HF and spinal Stenosis so I’m on Aspirin, Tramadol, Lansoprazole, Nebivolol, Entresto, Atorvastatin, Tramadol. I’ve only in the last few months been put on the Aspirin and Atorvastatin fir a treatment after they discovered I needed a stent but they are trying it with meds first. So since then I’ve started getting constipated which doesn’t help my stenosis either. Has anyone else had/have constipation and have you found anything that helps I’m trying husk but it’s just not doing anything.

Thanks and I appreciate the help.

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Bigmark61 profile image
Bigmark61
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19 Replies

Hello :-)

I am either suffering with constipation or the opposite and it is driving me mad and getting me down so I know how you are feeling

I just want my system to get back to normal !

I take a few of the meds you take and some different one's the thing is when you are taking a cocktail of meds if this is the cause which one is it ?

However what I do for constipation is I have a Weetabix in a Morning and night with Flaxseed on it

During the day I try and drink water but with it been so cold I struggle with that one doing the 6 glasses I think we should I day

I try and eat as much foods with Fibre in

The 99% dark chocolate a few chunks of that in an evening can help

And I take a Laxido drink before bed ( you would have to check with your chemist or Doctor if these drinks would be ok which I think they would be )

But when my system decides to go into constipation mode then this is what I find works but have to do it daily

Hope you get it resolved as it is so uncomfortable and of course you could mention it to your Doctor as one of the meds you take they may know it can cause this and there be an alternative :-) x

Bigmark61 profile image
Bigmark61 in reply to

Hi Thanks for the reply I do take weetabix and tried flaxseed before but didn’t make any difference. I try to drink fluid through the day, I’m not a big fan of dark chocolate but could try that and I will contact my pharmacist he’s very good we can actually email him questions and he great at replying back. It’s awful isn’t it, it’s just getting that happy medium. Cheers again 👍

in reply to Bigmark61

Hello :-)

I don't like the dark chocolate either but when needs must and I find having a cup of tea helps eat it :-)

I used to have a happy medium but seemed to have lost it somewhere so now I am trying to find mine again :-)

I hope we both do :-) x

Shepheart profile image
Shepheart

The only thing that I have found that helps is eating apples, depending on the size, 2 or 3 a day.

Mentdent profile image
Mentdent

I have rheumatoid arthritis and take codeine. Over the years I’ve discovered the best combination for me is two senna morning and night and a glass of Andrew’s liver salts mid morning and mid afternoon. I have been using this combination for a long time now.

Mountwood profile image
Mountwood

I have been through several months of normal stools followed about an hour later by diarrhoea which my doctor, having ruled out anything sinister, insisted was due to constipation with overflow and told me to try a laxative - resulting in more diarrhoea. Then he said try Fybogel - resulting in bloating and discomfort, but no improvement in the bowel function. Next it was back to a laxative and he would discuss me with the colo-rectal people. The next day I decided to forget the laxative and try those good for your gut yoghurts. That was back in November and since then I've had a normal bowel action and no word from my GP. It works for me.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Continuous use of iron tablets caused me problems. These destroy health gut bacteria. This can be helped by increasing your intake of probiotics found in some yogurts, sauerkraut and cottage cheese. A few prunes with your Weetabix can also be helpful. Nature's Finest are good.

Eldon profile image
Eldon

Hi Bigmark61, your post struck a chord with me. Up until my heart attack in 2019 I was very regular. Since that point I have struggled with constipation and am left wondering whether it is to do with the 6 heart meds I now take or a basic change to my constitution which has occurred. I find that a breakfast of ‘proper’ porridge made from coarse oatmeal and eaten with a handful of prunes is a big help along with a steady intake of various fruits and almonds during the day. A daily glass of homemade kefir also seems to help. I know from experience that if I don’t follow this regime then I suffer!

VelvetSky profile image
VelvetSky

Hi, I had a bowel retrocele repair which has now failed. I also have Diverticular disease, I find that when constipated I use a suppository, a bit explosive but solves the problem for at least 24hours, I buy the glycerine ones from Boots. A rather more simple solution than taking tablets which I found gave me crippling stomach ache. Hope this suggestion helps😺

Dear Bigmark61

It takes over your life sometimes doesn’t it, like you and many in the posts above me I began to suffer with it as well.

Now surly someone as super as me that has lived on a vegetarian diet for most of his life and vegan for 40 of them, could not possibly suffer with this meat eaters ailment.

Complete rubbish as my Dr pointed out, medication can do all sorts of things to the guts, as the body is finished with what it needs and flushes the rest out.

He suggested an orange based drink of unbelievable undrinkability that made me feel ill and it’s effects made the dog take to the hills.

So I upped my intake of fermented foods { sounds worse than it is } and once the gut flora was balanced { quicker than you think } all in that area is ok once again.

I have had no change in medication.

You can buy probiotics { more tablets} or take yogurts etc that are rich in them.

Hope it helps

Caravan-lover profile image
Caravan-lover

Tramadol is renowned for giving constipation so is codeine, ask your go for something else.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

MIne's become horrific since my heart attack. I'm only on oxycodone, aspirin, simvastatin, furosemide and famotidine. I use laxido daily; it's the gentlest that doesn't cause much bloating. Like you I have stenosis, DDD, herniated discs and spondylolisthesis. and scoliosis- oh and fibromylagia. Pelvic nerves are damaged too so I have very little muscle power. Laxido is the only thing I can tolerate and half a dozen prunes daily. It now looks as if I may have bowel bleeding caused by the aspirin.

Wenlock profile image
Wenlock

try galpharm...from home bargain, yellow (mild pills) + plenty fluids, peanuts and coconut fox bars also. My Wife's Scouse never fails.....

Handel profile image
Handel

I was prescribed Tramadol some years ago for cervical spinal stenosis and suffered with very bad constipation. Our GP then prescribed Morphine which was even worse!!I hope you get sorted out soon. I'm sure these lovely people on this forum will be helpful. I found prune juice useful but as a diabetic, didn't want to drink too much of it!!

All the very best. Jan xxx

Harefieldfan profile image
Harefieldfan

Yes. I have constipation on those drugs. I take others as well and they all list constipation as a side effect. Anti-platelets, the works. I have two stents. I can’t be bothered to investigate alternatives.

I too suffer from terrible constipation but find Laxido really works. I tend to use 2 to 3 days a week and it keeps me going! Good luck and hope you get it sorted.

Summerswallow profile image
Summerswallow

I have had diverticulitis from before my heart conditions were diagnosed. I have tried many different laxatives. The one I have settled on is lactulose.

I take one or two dessert spoons a week, though this can be varied as needed. It is a sugar that is not metabolised by the body, and so the syrup is dispersed as tiny droplets in the gut and passes through, softening stools in the process.

I have had no side effects with lactulose (unlike many of the other laxatives I have tried). It is not as cheap as some, but I use very little, and so a bottle goes a long way. I highly recommend it.

lisburb profile image
lisburb

I know the feeling, either things are normal, or, I am running to the bathroom 3/4 times a day. I have found that a diet with plenty of veg in it works for me. Cabbage, cauliflower, brussell sprouts, coleslaw, green beans. Not too much fruit, not sure why and I try, and keep the sugar levels down too. I try and drink 6 glasses of water a day and keep off the coffee, that really upsets things for me. One of the joys of getting older. Ps Weetabix (with milk) is good for me too, with a few berries on.

Bigmark61 profile image
Bigmark61

Thank you all I really appreciate all the replies I got, I will look at each and every one and try them to see what best suits. I was just worried about it as my old man passed away over 35 years ago and he had lung cancer and the meds he took at time were very strong and I just remember the times he was constipated and cried in agony trying to go, which just adds to my fear of constipation I know things have changed and we have access to more things, so thanks for the help with this definitely made things easier. 👍😀

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