Constipation

[Blindheart]

Hi, it's been 6 weeks after my heart attack, and having 4 stents inserted. I am currently on Aspirin, Atorvastatin, Lansoprazole, Prasugrel, Ramipril, Melatonin, Tildiem and Diltiazem. I am experiencing severe constipation, despite taking multiple laxative drinks. Is this a normal side effect & if so can you recommend anything to ease the symptoms?

[Hidden]

Try Lactulose. Over the counter at a pharmacist.

[TeresaMay]

You are taking many meds that I take but I don't have problems with constipation, far from it! Speak to your medical adviser. It is probably your diet at fault. Good luck.

[MissisF]

It’s often the meds that cause constipation& the discomfort is horrible! I guess you’re taking Movicol or Cosmicol? These help a bit but you do probably need Lactulose or a stronger laxative. That said, do try to have a word with your GP or failing that a pharmacist as you don’t want to overdo it. 6 weeks isn’t long & your body is having to adjust to a lot of change. Good Luck.

[Alison_L]

I always have a bottle of Lactulose in the house, and take it regularly when I haven’t been for a couple of days. I’ve just started on Empagliflozin and that caused havoc with my bowel!

[PaddyRedVan]

I had 3 stents 3 months ago. Im only on clopidogrel, aspirin and avortastatin. Have had repeated constipation and am suffering at the minute....5 or 6 days.... feeling miserable, horrible, lethargic and sore head. Ive taken lactulose, senakot and some soluble fibre stuff with no effect. It is very distressing

[ahcm]

I have suffered too when on meds and always find that tinned prunes do the trick. Half a tin for brekkie then some porridge after works well for me.

[Keswick73]

Hi, I suffered my worst bout of constipation when having to take codeine a few days in a row and I found Dulcolax was fab. There are a few different products in the range but for the worst times I would definitely say Dulcolax. Also I drink a small smoothie daily that's fibre packed. I hope.you find something that works x

[devonian186]

I can't see from your profile if you had previously had stomach/bowel issues so just will say I was very constipated after a 12 day stay in hospital where their idea of healthy eating was the special offer 2 for the the price of 1 double choc doughnut at the Hospital shop. It took me around 3 days once I came home before I was regular again.

Are you eating a balanced diet? If so it could well be the meds. Its worth seeing if you can identify which one by reading the instructions in the packet carefully. As others write, there are over the counter remedies but after 6 weeks I would have expected your bowel movements to have returned to normal, unless, as I say, this has been a previously recurring problem

[fishonabike]

All the recomendations above are variations on the basics:

drink more - much more than you usually do,,,,, - it helps to bulk out the cntents of your guts, keep the poo soft and keeps you getting up and going to the toilet which is good exercise (see next point)

be as active as you can - movement and exercise helps to stimulate the movement of food through the bowel - if you can't get about much then also do plenty of deep breathing exercises - it gets the diaphragm moving which also adds to abdominal simulation as well as being good for venous return and preventing DVTs

eat plenty of fruit and veg, in whatever form you can take and drink water with you meals

during periods of reduced activity stool bulking and softening products are helpful (lactulose, macrogol/laxido etc, glycerin suppositories) - if these don't help you need to consider things which stimulate bowel activity i.e. laxatives, but these should be the last resort - but always check with a pharmacist that these are ok to take with your medication

once you "get going" avoid backsliding, keep drinking, eating fruit & veg & be active - taking a daily stool bulking drink for a while can help to re-establish a good pattern

[Fynndog]

greens. Any type. Spinach broccoli . Cavolo nero. Asparagus. As much as you can eat. I had the same problem and still do from time to time. This is how I get round it. Good luck.

[MustyK]

I too suffered from constipation. I know that it was not my diet (I have a mediterranean diet :salad and fruit every , lost of water, etc). Initially, my GP said that it was caused by medication ( I take medication : Aspirin, Atorvastatin, Losartan, Diltiazem and Ranolazine). I started taking Ducosate; it did help but I was not satisfied as I wanted to get to the root cause rather than dealing with the symptoms. I researched the issue and discovered that Ranolazine has an effect of slowing the colon movement. By reducing the Ranolazine dosage by 50% it made a significant improvement, I would say by 90%; I am back to my normal bowel movement. Of course my GP is happy with it too. So I suggest that you discuss with your GP which particular medication is causing it, and whether there is scope for using an alternative or changing the dosage without affect your cardio condition.

[Beater]

I suffered with constipation for years and I was on various statins unnecessarily for years. After my open heart surgery I stopped all statins and voila back to normal! It also relieved much of my pain. Statins cause more harm than good. To each his own but do some research and take a deep dive.

[Catwifie]

I grind down flaxseed and add a wee spoonful to my porridge..keeps me regular! I'm on codeine which bungs you up😳