Constipation

[NathalieA]

Hello, my mum is constantly constipated. Any possible treatment?

Thank you.

[Heady]

I haven't a clue!!!! S was on regular enemas, every other day, with a shed load of Lactulose. That really was working, but the district nurses, decided that it was far to much effort to keep doing that, so it got stopped suddenly. Instead of phasing it out slowly, with another plan in place. For a few weeks, we were OK, now we are racing back to square one, with no doubt yet another stay in hospital on the horizon. It seems to me, that nobody in the medical profession, understands the problems that PSP causes the bowels. Muscles not working, can't swallow liquids, so dehydrated, and most medicines can't be taken, because they need to be taken with a large glass of water. Definitely a Catch 22, but ignoring it, like our GP does, is NOT solving the problem.

Sorry, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but this is one problem you are not alone in, it's the Bain of everyone's life!!!

Lots of love

Heady

[Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Heady]

George is also constipated, we have tried loads of things, nothing seems to work, he seems to go every 5 days, our district nurses are lovely they brought us some cream in a a tube which is Called micralax disposable enema 5ml which seems to work, sorry can't be more helpful Yvonnexxxxx

[NathalieA in reply to Yvonneandgeorge]

Thanks.

[easterncedar]

This has been a very lively topic lately. Constipation is one of the major psp symptoms. Do a search on the site, and you will see lots of advice. It's a terrible problem, requiring daily attention. I'm sorry for your mother and for you. It's an uncomfortable issue in many ways. I get so happy when my guy has a success on the pot, it's positively indecent. And he is shyly uncomprehending of my reaction. Good luck, ec

[NathalieA in reply to easterncedar]

Thanks

[Julieandrog in reply to easterncedar]

i know! my day starts with a smile if rog has a poo the bigger the better! in fact my daughter and i who has a small baba always ask has dad been? i then say has harry been!

made me smile!

julie x

[easterncedar in reply to Julieandrog]

Cute! Life goes in circles, eh?

[cabbagecottage in reply to easterncedar]

Such a relief isn't it

[Rosal]

It is better to prevent constipation. What took effect with my mother was to give him a spoonful of mixed with food (1 time a day) olive oil. And keep it hydrated doing to take 2 daily serum (with flavor) with a straw (taking as much if it was with a straw). It is suitable for daily give a massage in stomach (in circles, starting from the navel down, in the clockwise direction). That will help a lot! Luck!

[easterncedar in reply to Rosal]

Massage is a great idea. A warming pad on the belly has helped my guy, too.

[GilliW]

What've you asked your doctor. There's should be something for her. That won't be harsh. My husband was given something in liquid form when in care

[Duffers]

I give my husband milled flaxseed, American name linseed, in his smoothie meals. At the moment he goes, but can sometimes sit on toilet for half an hour or so.

[D0ttieL0ttie]

We have the same and saw the incontinence nurse who suggests daily enema's reducing to every other day that I will have to administer to my hubby.

We haven't started this process yet but in the meantime I am giving him fruit juice, fruit and lactuluse. he only goes twice a week and I have to encourage him to sit on the toilet and have a 'try'!

Not looking forward to the enema treatment.

[Satt2015 in reply to D0ttieL0ttie]

Dottielottie

I'd avoid the daily eninmas at all costs

Been there with dad, most intrusive and uncomfortable for the patient and not always successful in dads case!!

Try everything else first, laxido, Senekot, lactulose, prunes, baked beans, a tablespoon of olive oil with lemon juice stool softeners

And what? You'd have to administer the eninmas? Omg I think not, don't agree to that! I definitely wouldn't!

I hope that helps....X

[easterncedar in reply to Satt2015]

I administered an enema to my poor old granddad once, many years ago, when I was just a young woman with no experience in caring for anyone. Tough for both of us, but he was in pain, and it needed to be done. It worked a bit too well, but was a great relief to us both. Of course you can do it.

[D0ttieL0ttie in reply to Satt2015]

Thank you. Yes the nurse said they would 'train' me to administer the enema's. But I think I will take your advice. The fact that Geoff cannot stand unaided would make it very precarious when he needs to go.

[Satt2015 in reply to D0ttieL0ttie]

Exactly

The district nurses should be coming in to do any eninmas etc not you!

Train you up? Omg what a joke! That's their job to administer not yours!!

X

[Heady in reply to Satt2015]

Totally agree with you!!! But getting to the point that I don't want them in my house. After all, it's not as if they stick around to help get a big immobile man on to the loo/commode!!!

Lots of love

Heady

[Satt2015 in reply to Heady]

Lol sooooooo true heady x

[sammy90210]

There should be a laxative in the diet, every day - you may have to check one or two but bad constipation can lead to hemorrhoids and delirium as well

Another thing that may help (sorry if it causes discomfort) is to wash the rectal area with warm water - and keep washing every 5 mins or so - that may help also - if you or the nurse can manage it, you may have to push a (gloved) finger and break the stool, since it can get hard

Also, enemas can help - but the laxative should be first line of defence

[Sugardart]

Prescription from physician for Polyethylene Glycol. Used daily according to physician order.

[NathalieA in reply to Sugardart]

Thanks

[djmoore60]

Prune juice with capful of Mirilax stirred in every morning + stool softeners.

[Spiralsparkle]

Mum had been through loads of different laxatives since ending up in hospital impacted. For her the most effective and comfortable has been Movicol. We had weeks of mess after hospital but she was still constipated. After a week of heavy movicol dose to clear out we have now been having more normal stool movements. As it is liquid I adjust daily how much to give her according to how she is. It took time to find right dose so wasn't mess all the time but after 7 weeks now it is far better than it was. She unfortunately now though doesn't have the feeling anymore of going since hospital and getting impacted.

[beau1988 in reply to Spiralsparkle]

My husband has never gone as far as being impacted but at the first sign of constipation I began a regime of Movical every 3 days. Works for him. This is what the aged care home I worked for did with most residents.