Prednisolone and constipation

[SALI]

I believe prednisolone is now causing my constipation. I have used Lactulose in the past. Any info or tips gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

[Spanelmad]

symproveTry e adding a prebiotic such as symprove it's worked after a month.Used lactulose at the beginning and then this has sorted it.Take it everyday.

[SALI in reply to Spanelmad]

Thanks for info.

[oldtimer2]

I don't like lactulose - very sweet, ugh! I eat figs, dried dates and prunes.

I take codeine as well and titrate the number of dried fruit according to the dose of codeine I've needed to take. It works out at about 2-3 per 30mg for me). The prednisolone (I'm on 15mg reducing currently again) seems to relax my smooth muscle, so it seems to make it more difficult for my guts to work, and too easy for my bladder....

[SALI]

Thanks. I could manage naturally when only using codine occasionally.

[Madmusiclover]

thanks to a bowel rectopexy I use lactulose every day. It’s the gentlest and is the only one I can tolerate.

[jools34 in reply to Madmusiclover]

Can I ask how much do you take , I have 30ml in the morning and 30ml at night , and it still does nothing for me , apart from give my wind .

[Madmusiclover in reply to jools34]

Gosh that’s a lot. Max dose is 20! I take 10-15. Have you tried Fybogel? I can just about cope with that but all the others : Laxido etc kick off my IBS. Prune juice is worth considering. I use that with lactulose when medics have filled me full of opiates in and after an op!

[jools34 in reply to Madmusiclover]

Yes I’ve tried Fybogel, that did no good at all. I’ve just been in hospital for major surgery on my stomach, and I went 11 days without going to the loo, I had to wait till I got home

[SALI in reply to jools34]

They won't let any of us go home until we had opened our bowels. That was Guy's in London, had lung surgery. All the best going forward xx

[jools34 in reply to SALI]

Wow, I told them I couldn’t go while in hospital, when people in the ward knocking at the door , it puts me off, I said I’ll go when I get home, I. Can spend at least an hour trying .

[SALI in reply to jools34]

Hope it improves x

[Madmusiclover in reply to jools34]

I ask for an enema before I leave. You can also ask for a DIY enema to bring home.

[SALI in reply to jools34]

Wow that should work it is s lot. Think you should discuss with your nurse if its not working. Good luck x

[jools34 in reply to SALI]

Thankyou , I will do , if I can ever get a appointment to see somebody !

[SALI in reply to jools34]

I know that feeling, hence all the questions. Should have been seen in February, now it is May. All the best

[SALI]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Wishing you well going forward x

[KASHMIRI1]

Five tinned prunes in fruit juice and a bit of him yoghurt works to me

[SALI in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Amazing thanks

[lupus_01]

You could try a tablespoon of olive oil every day. My husband says he swears by it when he has co codamol.

[SALI in reply to lupus_01]

Very interesting, I'll think about it xx

[preith17022 in reply to lupus_01]

I take a tablespoon of olive oil daily for constipation and it sure does work like a charm!!! I WAS normally very constipated but not any more

[SALI in reply to preith17022]

Great testimonial. You are not alone on this, so worth a try.

[BoneyC]

A GP gave me the advice about 15 years ago to buy linseeds/flaxseeds and/or chia seeds from supermarket or health food shops. Sprinkle on breakfast cereal and yogurt. Take every day and hopefully you'll improve. If you only take now and then it wont work.

[SALI in reply to BoneyC]

Very interesting. Thank you x

[SALI in reply to BoneyC]

I'm finding more information that backs this up. It's a very easy and manageable solution. Thanks again x

[ABwn]

Did lactulose work? I seem to alternate between constipation and the runs. I take an enzyme for lactose. So many tablets have lactose in them! It appears that tablets are very expensive if they don't contain lactose.

[SALI]

Yes it works well for me. I only use a low dose 5ml twice per day and monitor. I really should look at improving my diet, drinking more water and moving/exercising when I can.Best wishes

[bonio in reply to SALI]

Hi Sali, i'm on prednisolone too for PMR and tapering my dose. Having bad trouble now with constipation and have to be careful as suffer from piles etc. Lactulose seems to have upset my stomach. I take it daily 15mg in the evening but after 3 months am beginning to feel pretty rough and can't reduce my Pred. GP recommended Senna but i'm not sure about it. Am going to try that olive oil idea and already take Fybogel. This is all really helpful information for me as can't go on with this dose of Lactulose much longer it really affecting my overall health.

[SALI in reply to bonio]

Yes, it's been great the information that's been contributed. Lots of fruit and veg helps too. I need to be more mindful of what I am eating. All the best x