Having constipation from last 5 months

[qfqf]

Hi,

I am on heart medicine.

Aspirin,

Atorvastatin,

Diltiazem,

Lansoprazole,

Ramipril and

Isosorbide Mononitrate

I was taking Ranolazine which my consultant stopped thinking that it might be causing constipation and also advised to start Bisacodyl course.

I completed the course of Bisacodyl and after couple of days I ended up again to same worst constipation.

Consultant said you have to work on diet and I am working on diet by taking high Fiber food but its not working for me.

What can be done now after doing too many efforts?

[Angie11]

It can really hard to regulate the bowel. You are on a lot of meds. What laxatives have you tried. Try to eat more soluble fibre. Drink warm water. Prunes and ( 7-10 per day) prune juice, but it can take days to work. It does with me.

[qfqf in reply to Angie11]

Thanks. Definitely I am going to try. I have tried Laxido Movicol sachet but it didn't work.

Then my doctor gave me Bisacodyl 5mg (2 tablets evening). It worked but as soon as I stopped the symptom is back.

[Grannycake]

Check your fibre intake,you should be having 30gms a day .it may surprise you

Also linseed grains steeped overnight are useful

[qfqf in reply to Grannycake]

Thanks a lot for very specific information. So I have to track my fiber.

[Grannycake]

Yes,I do that it has been a great help,suffered years from constipation due to medication for years. Started last August and made a note to start with off all fibre intake,give it a go.

Use google for foods rich in fibre. Packets of food are good at telling you how much fibre you are getting.

[wizzie2090]

There is a drug called Linzess which should help you. It's for IBS-C or chronic constipation. I've been on it and am getting fair results. It's only been a little over a month. Anything is better than the constant pain of constipation.

[qfqf in reply to wizzie2090]

Thanks. I am not sure if NHS (UK) got this medicine. But very interesting to know that some people said on webmed that they have been taking for years whereas I have been told that any medicine for constipation should not be taken for longer period of time. Is there anything good with this Linzess that it can be taken for longer period of time?

[Pat1 in reply to qfqf]

Yes you can get it on the NHS. It is on the NIce Guidrlines. I was prescribed by my consultant. You would have to be referred. It can be taken long term as it doesn't work like traditional laxatives. It works on the receptors in the stomach to make you go normally again. It is great!

[Angie11]

You can get linzess ( constella) in the U.K.

It's very good and can be taken long term. It works differently from laxatives. I was prescribed it , it did take over a week to work for me. It help to regulate me.

[wizzie2090]

I've noticed that all the IBS drugs have different names in the states. If you can get it, try it. With my insurance, it's $35 for a month. Let me know if you get some and how it works for you. Like Angie said, it takes awhile to work.

[Pat1]

I have chronic constipation. I have been to private consultant and had the tests done. I eat healthy and a lot of fibre and veg but that doesn't help. There are two new drugs that you can get on the NHS called Prucalopride and Linaclotide (Linzess). They don't work like traditional laxatives, they work on the receptors in the stomach. They should give it to you if nothing else works. It is on the NICE guidelines and you should say this to your doctor. Having said this I no longer take it as it is expensive and I was paying privately as I have private medical insurance, which covers everything else but not medication. What I take now is about 600 to 1000mg of magnesium citrate or oxide on an empty stomach before bed with lots of water. This works great, naturally and is effective. My colorectal consultant recommended it as well. Look up information on magnesium and constipation. If I don't take it I don't go.

There are other magnesium products for the colon that are excellent although more expensive but worth it. They are in order of my preference, Oxypowder, Aerobic Mag07 and Colosan. You can get them on Amazon or a place called the Finchley clinic. They are very helpful and you can call for advice. Hope this helps.

[qfqf in reply to Pat1]

Thanks for detailed information. Actually I am going to ask my GP for one of those medicine because i am in really bad condition. I think i feel kidney pain from last week or so and I was reading it is due to my constipation.

[Mary-intussuception]

Drink plenty of water.

At least one , preferably two, glasses first thing in the morning.

Then one glass before and after each meal.

Make your last drink each evening water.

Avoid bisacodyl as it is fast acting and can cause dehydration. It is only intended for occassional relief.

Lactulose medicine is preferable. On prescription or over the counter.