Constipation and Bloating

[geodoug]

Hi, I'm not suffering,my wife is SLE diagnosed every post on here is so personal having helped her go through many of them. Our problem at the moment is constipation and bloating not been for 6 days, just trying Epsom salts for the first time. Has anyone tried them before? Hoping someone has an answer. Tried lactulose,sennokot,dulcolax,movical and Andrews liver salts with no success. Keep well everyone. X

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi geodoug ,

Has your wife been to her doctor about the constipation and bloating? Is she trying the epsom salts under their advice?

It is advised to never use a higher dose of (epsom salts) magnesium sulfate than recommended on the package label, or as your doctor has directed. Using too much magnesium sulfate can cause serious, life-threatening side effects.

You should not use magnesium sulfate as a laxative without medical advice if you have: severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, a perforated bowel, a bowel obstruction, severe constipation, colitis, toxic megacolon, or a sudden change in bowel habits that has lasted 2 weeks or longer. If you have rectal bleeding or if you do not have a bowel movement after using magnesium sulfate as a laxative, stop using the medication and call your doctor at once. These may be signs of a more serious condition.

You can find more information at drugs.com/mtm/epsom-salt.html

[geodoug in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thanks Paul aware of risks and one dose taken awaiting the results.

[quirkytizzy]

Side note, but I recommend buying some baby wipes to use while the stuff goes through her system. The salt WILL burn on its way out!

[geodoug in reply to quirkytizzy]

Always got in house for grandsons visits, so that's covered. TY

[quirkytizzy]

You can also use certain juices for laxatives. A couple full tall glasses of apple juice, a few hours, and things might start moving, too.

[cuttysark]

A friend plagued by constipation swears by Normacol, she tried all the others you mentioned but it was the only one that helped.

[geodoug in reply to cuttysark]

Is Normacol prescription or an over the counter laxative.

[LupieMani]

My system was always sluggish, even before I became unwell. Now, with amitryptiline and ferrous fumarate added to the mix, it's a nightmare. The three things I use: pineapple (make sure they are nicely ripened - very yellow), prune juice, and fennel tea.

[geodoug in reply to LupieMani]

Thank you She already eats pineapple daily and has tried prune juice in the past might try fennel tea she likes fruit and herb teas. Hope your well.

[cuttysark]

You can get Normacol over the counter but also on prescription. It works slightly differently than the others abd can be most effective.

Hope she finds releif soon.

[Hidden]

I take 2 Senna 7.5 at night with a glass of water. I tried laxido but it aggravates my tummy. Sjogrens makes Senna hard to swallow so I have lactulose too but it doesn't do much. Best thing for me has been a suppliment called Taurine which I take for tinnitus but it seems to help with constipation instead! You need to check this with doctor first though. Very hard to strike a balance for me but main thing is loads of water to drink starting first thing each day.

[geodoug]

Thanks Twitchytoes she does drink copious amounts of water she has doctors on Thursday so if nothing happened by then we shall ask.

[Catlady56]

Probably best to get things checked out urgently with GP just in case of any chance of a blockage somewhere.

[Fezzywig]

Does your wife take any pain medication? Just on the chance that she does, that can cause problems. I have taken opiate pain meds for many years and now also take another med to counteract those issues. However things go for you, very best wishes to you both.

[mivvi32]

hi I suffer from this also,tried all same things as your wife and have now found something that works.It's from holland n barrett.It's a box of tea bags called matee I use 1bag to quarter cup of water no milk or sugar,it works a treat.

[LReed]

When my daughter was severely constipated as a child, as well as something to make her go she should have been prescribed movicol to soften the contents of the bowel.

Does your wife follow a gluten free diet? It may not resolve the immediate problem but may help her system be less sluggish.

The message from that "Betrayal" series and other programmes I have seen recently seems to be healthy gut, healthy body, healthy mind...hope it is soon resolved.