morning
Recently had heart attack and now recovering at home after stent insertion and on the routine meds
Any advice for constipation not normally an issue will this be an ongoing problem as a side affect of meds or will it improve as time goes on and activities increase?
Diet and fluids are good. Just not keen to add in another medication but will if necessary.
Is this a common issue?
lentils always good for this I make a spicy lentil soup
Lactulose . Over the counter from the pharmacy.
Dear Norton,
It may not be a loverly topic but it is so important, constipation lasting any length of times needs to be addressed.
That's why they are obsessed in hospitals with our bowel habits.
Yes all sorts of drugs can cause this and certainly the ones that heart patients are on.
I would not worry to much to what is causing it { unless its a very bad diet } and instead look to how to manage it.
Gut health is beginning to be recognised by the wider health profession now and righty so as it is so important.
Fibre is the key and if you can manage it, fermented food. Probiotics can be of benefit until you balance your gut , be very careful of a lot of the over the counter { and some prescribed } meds for this condition as they are loaded with sugars that won't help your gut at all.
I think that we should all think more about what lies south of our hearts, it really is the key to a lot of problems.
Take care and I hope all settles soon for you.
Pain killers, particularly those containing codeine, can certainly cause constipation. My medics prescribed Senna for use as needed and it seemed very gentle.
Are you taking Clopidogrel as it can cause constipation? Well, it did with me following stents. I used Lactolose but no good if you're diabetic. Your GP can give you something to help. And yes, lentils and also Kefir helps.
I found a good glass of coconut water every day helps me. Kiwi is also good to get you going. I have a good diet, lots of fibre and fruit/veg, drink plenty of water and exercise. Never had any trouble before my meds.
I have found apples/apple juice help, as does a couple of pieces of liquorice a day. And lots of water
six prunes a day never fails ......regular as clockwork👍
Me too but doesn't always w ork. I was the one at primary school who ate everyone's prunes; everyone else hated them. My dish had stones right round the edges doing tinker tailor.
Linseed seeds. I take a small amount of these with natural yoghurt every morning. It lines the stool making it easier to pass. It's also a natural product. This was recommended by a nurse who specialises in this field and it works very well. Haven't had any issues since taking it.
If you soak them first { whole seeds } in hot water they work even better....
Plenty of fruit and vegetables,like about five or six portions each day, walk as much as possible.Goodluck
The meds can cause it, after a few months when most of mine had stopped I was fine. I think what works is a personal thing, for me bananas! 30m after having one regular as clockwork I'm off to the loo !!
Prunes do the job 4or 5 in the evening. If you like them of course. Hope you improve and feel well soon.
Chia seeds are good as well
Your bowels should adapt to the meds, but it will take a few months. In the meantime, I'd use Lactulose. You won't need it every day. My HA was 4.5 years ago, so my bowels have been rumbling along happily for around the last 4, and then my cardiologist decided to start me on Empagliflozin about 5 weeks ago... Cue trip to the pharmacist for more Lactulose.
PS Fibregel, Movicol, and other sachet laxatives have no effect on me!
during my time as a nurse i realised that constipation is probably the most common side effect of hospitalisation and most people in hospital have never experienced it before, so it comes as quite an unpleasant surprise
the subject comes up regularly in this group and the same advice is given every time - you could try doing a quick search to look for "constipation" then pick out the posts which come from this group and dip in to some others - you'll be able to write the leaflet which should be issued to every hospital patient and member of staff!
meanwhile i hope you find some tips which help you to solve your problem really soon - i know how awful it can be from personal experience too🌺
It was for me, similar story HA and 2 stents but also opiates for 20 years. Constant chronic constipation. No problem taking a sachet of laxido in water every night but don't even miss a day; keep things moving or it gets extremely painful.
I was very much like you after my heart attack. There was no reason in terms of dietary content, but having had a health scare I am aware I reined in my overall intake. Problem went on for multiple weeks and I was prescribed docusate which I think helped. Beyond that it seemed to sort itself out, that said I continue to have less productive spells, for no obvious dietary reason. The mysteries of the large intestine biome.I wonder how much is to do with all various meds I take. I certainly pass a great volume of wee in the course of a night and wonder if this has a dehydrating effect. While it is counter intuitive, I now I consciously take more fluids as well as small gulps of water during night time loo breaks. Keeps things moving for the greatest majority of the time.
Tesco: Soulful 1-pot West African peanut stew.
Ask Dr about Cosmacol,
or other drink to add bulk.
Best wishes.
A nurse told my husband this just yesterday because he had just gotten out of the hospital. For getting things started. 4-6 ounces of prune juice combined with Milk of Magnesia (whatever the usual does is) followed by a cup of hot coffee. Quite disgusting sounding but apparently it's supposed to work.
As far as keeping things moving on a daily basis, if you wants to do it without medication, make sure you have lots of fiber in your diet - bran cereals for breakfast. Lentil and other beans. Vegetables. Popcorn in the evening also helps.
Frustrating! it's a little off topic but relevant 
repost this time with topic TRAVEL INSURANCE
A thought for our loved ones.
Had a lovely afternoon 
