Constipation

[Robbo1]

I seem to remember that some time ago, there were several ideas put forward as aids to alleviate constipation. My husband is suffering from this, due, we think, to antibiotics or his change to fibre peg feed. Has anyone any ideas, please!

[Zeberdee]

I prefer natural methods ... fresh black grapes and dried apricots work well for my hubby. Hope this helps. Jx

[Robbo1 in reply to Zeberdee]

Thanks J. Unfortunately he is peg fed only now. I use Laxido but it is not working this time. Rx

[Boyce3600 in reply to Robbo1]

Prune and apple juice, cooked soft prunes and apples, glycerin suppositories, fleet enema, Amitiza( prescription), mira lax.. our doctors say it can be used daily

[Robbo1 in reply to Boyce3600]

Thanks Boyce. X

[abirke]

Dear R1

Strangely enough it may be the fiber intake that could be making your husband suffer with the big C. If not met with enough fluid in the gut....the fiber becomes sort of stuck....I gave Bruce 2 cups of water (or was it 4) every tiem i fed him through the PEG.......He did not have a constipation problem...that I can remember.........I was infact over-watering him and reducing his sodium level.....so a liter a day is supposed to be good....but if he's constipated, try adding another half a liter....And if you are worried about the antibiotics....give him some probiotic....it comes in capsules or I believe in just liquid form. If you put the capsule in water, it will dissolve and you can just give it to him at meal time via the peg.

If you are willing to use reflexology....massaging certain parts of the body for specific needs can be quite useful...on the soul of the feet, starting with outer left above the heal pad, gently rub up toward the outside of the top just below the foot pad then make a right turn toward inner part of the foot and across to inner right side of foot . inch your way across the bottom of the foot pad and massage down a little farther into heal pad and back up the inner side of foot.....sounds complicated but it you were drawing, the shape would be a simple square.

The inner side of the wrist where nurses count your pulse, you will find a gap between tendons. press on this for a minute on each side.

Hold your hand with thumb on top like your'e going to shake someone elses hand; the "fatty" part where thumb meets hand can be massaged/pressed for one minute...do both hands.

Finally, The elbow when bent produces a crease; at the end of that crease on the outside rub/press for a minute .

These are all attributed to the colon and other parts of the digestive tract...and even if they don't produce relief in constipation (it might take you awhile) it's nice to give your your husband a good rub down....a massage feels great.....and the more firm (but gentle) the better......

((HUGSofRELIEF))

AVB

[Boyce3600 in reply to abirke]

Wow!! Thank you!

[honjen43 in reply to abirke]

Agree too little fluid with fibre may be part of problem.

Downunder we swear by kiwifruit juice if you can get it, otherwise prune juice or dried figs well stewed!

Here's hoping ...!

Hugs

Jen xxx

[abirke in reply to honjen43]

i love figs!

[honjen43 in reply to abirke]

Me too, sometimes too well! !

[Robbo1 in reply to honjen43]

Interesting. I have been told that it is good for macular degeneration too.... thank you .x

[honjen43 in reply to Robbo1]

Didn't know that. Have macular degen in my genes so will keep them in my diet! Jen xxx

[Satt2015]

Hi Robbo, a common problem that is tricky to balance but we have used the following, movicol, lactalose, laxido, flaxseed, prunes, suppositories and enimas (the last two adminisistered by DN) defo get the hospice and gp involved x

Ps plenty of fluids too!! It's a balancing act x

[Robbo1 in reply to Satt2015]

Thank you. The D. Nurse is coming this pm. The suppositories are waiting for her! X

[easterncedar]

I recommend suppositories. If you do a search on this site, you will find lots of discussions on this topic, because PSP affects the nerves that govern the internal workings. Many patients lose the ability to go at will. Our palliative care doctors and nurses said, however, that even paralyzed patients could be helped with this by a consistently timed daily suppository, so that is what the nurses at the hospice did, and I tried to maintain the routine at home. We didn't have enough time to prove the theory, but he was more comfortable. Good luck to you. Peace, ec

[Robbo1 in reply to easterncedar]

Thank you so much. I hope you are doing OK. X

[easterncedar in reply to Robbo1]

Good and bad days, but doing ok. Thanks.

[abirke in reply to easterncedar]

The only problem B had with elimination was the very problem you talk about ec....he had "forgotten how to go" It wasn't that he couldn't but his brain was not giving him enough signals to stimulate the whole going process.....thus the catheter....strangely, I don't remember BM's being a problem.

I too have good and bad days.....today was a wonderful day.....I spent the eclipse time (12pm to 1:30) with my kids looking at the moon covering 91% of the sun.....I was waiting for a dusk like shadow.....It was brighter than that but no less glorious . All sorts of pictures taken...including the trees' light through the leaves which projected the eclipse.....If I knew how to get pics off my phone I'd show you....

Next eclipse for us is 2017! It'll be coming your way EC!

((HUGS))

[Robbo1 in reply to abirke]

Sounds like a wonderful experience. Thanks for the info. Big hug. X

[Lucy602]

My dad's constipation was caused by Sinemet. Before we stopped giving that to him we had a little success with a little melted butter mixed in prune juice. None of the prescribed laxatives were working. Not even suppositories.

[Sugardart]

Polythylene Glycol 3350 powder. It not only helps with constipation but regulates. Since it is a prescription it would be worth talking with the physician about it's merit.

[Robbo1]

Suppository worked! Only trouble is, my husband has been hallucinating ever since! Oh my, what next?

[abirke in reply to Robbo1]

What? why ? was that a coincidence or a a cause of his hallucinations?

[Robbo1 in reply to abirke]

I've been told it could be the constipation, the antibiotic or the chest infection. It's take your pick at our house! X