terrible constipation: Hi, I had a... - British Heart Fou...

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terrible constipation

Josmall123 profile image
18 Replies

Hi, I had a heart attack two and a half weeks ago and am on a range of medication. Today I had the most dreadful constipation for about three hours. Is it likely to be a result of medication and lack of activity? Many thanks.

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Josmall123 profile image
Josmall123
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18 Replies
RufusScamp profile image
RufusScamp

Gentle exercise, plenty of fluid and fibre-rich food, and have a word with your GP.

Josmall123 profile image
Josmall123 in reply to RufusScamp

thank you!

nilmonisikdar40 profile image
nilmonisikdar40

You may be right - it may be caused by pain killers containing codeine. Are you also taking medication for high BP for example calcium channel blockers. Concurrently increase intake of fluids and high fibre diet. Fruits like half ripe bananas are very effective.

Hello :-)

Nothing worse than constipation it could be a one of with a bit of luck but if it continues it could be one of your meds

Make sure you have Fibre in your diet , keep moving about , drink a few glasses of water , orange juice , flaxseed on your food if it be breakfast and it should keep you going if not my Doctor gives me Laxido which always eventually gets things moving :-) x

Kristin1812 profile image
Kristin1812Heart Star

if they gave you oramorph for severe pain, that can cause it. I found Glycerol suppositories worked a treat. Mild and v effective. You can buy them over the counter and I was given them in hospital, too.

It can be very difficult to pinpoint the cause of this ailment , but untreated it can cause all sort of problems.

I found like many that the medication caused this and being a Vegan I thought that I had enough fibre in my diet.

But after adding a bit more and certainly drinking more water { now use a measured bottle so I know how much } the problem eased.

Never force anything and use lube suppositories if needed.

You will soon be your old self again

Take care

Blackknight57 profile image
Blackknight57

hospital had senacot on my script , no idea why. Broght some dulcolax just in case. A lot of the meds say they can cause constipation and diarrhoea

Hilianna profile image
Hilianna

Must have been really uncomfortable for you. To try and ease things naturally beetroot and plums everyday might help. Senokot as a last resort!!

MarmiteB profile image
MarmiteB

hey! I was so bad in hospital after my heart op that they threatened me with an enema so I totally feel your pain!! I found Sennakot to be really effective and it got things moving for me. Nothing worst than constipation- make sure you don’t sit and strain, you don’t want to get piles or tears because it takes ages to heal. Agree with what the others have said, water water water! But sip it slowly throughout the day rather than downing a glass at a time because otherwise your guts won’t get a chance to absorb it and you will wee it out. Good luck, and trust me on the sennakot!!

MustyK profile image
MustyK

I am on Ranolazine which caused severe constiptation (despite my mediterranean diet : salad, fruit, every day and lots of water). GP prescribed ducosate to help. Still the occasional bout of severe constipation. I decide to halve the dosage of Ranolize and I am now much. much better. Constipation has gone. My understanding is that ranolazine slows the colon movement; hence constipation irrespective of diet.

Hope that helps

Jack2019 profile image
Jack2019

IMO if you are constipated the last thing you need to do is add more fiber to the backlog, your problem is the fiber you've already consumed is not moving. Try suppositories or some other reliever to clear the bowel, (I personally like magnesium for this issue) and yes gentle exercise, such as walking, and plenty of water will help. If your bowels move slow for whatever reason I take the view of limiting fiber from any source until the bowels move. Deep breathing can also help stimulate the bowels. Good luck!

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

The joy of taking heart medications. So many have the side effect of constipation.When I am in hospital, the morphine I am given, means my innards grind to a painful halt.

I eat prunes, drink plenty of water, and take a sachet of Laxido as prescribed by my GP.

This usually does the trick.

Perhaps have a chat with your Pharmacist or GP to see what they recommend?

Try Lactulose. It has always worked for both me and my wife after an anaesthetic or a prolonged period of pain killers, especially those containing codeine. Best taken before any surgery or the like as a precautionary measure.

nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/...

Alison_L profile image
Alison_L

I always have a bottle of Lactulose on the go. I have a swig(!) a couple of times a week on average, just to keep me moving!

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike

i am delighted to see that you have had a variety of helpful and sensible responses to your issue

i'd like to reassure you that constipation has been one of the most common complications of hospitalization since before i started my nurse training 40 yrs ago - what i am really sorry about is that it seems the situation has not changed!

if you ever have to spend time in hospital again I hope that your learning from this experience will help you prevent any recurrence🌺

Steve0114 profile image
Steve0114

Hi, I had similar problems for a cople of months I then started taking a probiotiv pil once a day and now Im ok . I'm taking ProBio7 original, it's worth a try for a month.

see below

Steveboots.com/probio7-digestive...

hiya , I got so bad with this that my husband bought be enemas from Amazon , also witch hazel wipes , creams you name it . I was bleeding from tares and on floods of tears . I can tell you now the enemas saved my life they are so easy to use , takes seconds and it’s really not like you are filling your butt with liquid and clenching your muscles incase you leak anywhere . I can’t recommend them enough . I’m on a lotta painkillers so I get really constipated. Try the enemas , there is like 12 in the box .

Josmall123 profile image
Josmall123

thank everyone for your advice. It is much appreciated x

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