Constipation

Ok does anyone have any good remedies, the painkillers my mum is on have made her very constipated. She got stuff from the doc but that isnt helping she phoned today and has the doc on Friday.

Any remedies in the meantime would be appreciated, its been over 2 weeks and she is really ill with it.

Thanks

Golden linseeds - follow the instructions on the box. Can get them in a health food store.

They used to dose us with senna and lactulose in hospital. They liked to keep us regular

Bananas are good apparently. And try to get her to drink loads of water/juice etc.

yes i was given the senna tablets too in hospital and they worked really well for me

Thanks guys she is drinking loads of water, I will put forward your suggestions. I'd have hoped whatever doc gave her would work...its a sachet shes to mix up and drink but to no avail and she is really fed up, bunged up and sore with that on top of everything else and doesnt want to eat as she feels so bloated

That sachet sounds like it could be Movicol.

Ok, you are on my specialised subject here lol.
Laxatives are either bulkers like Fybogel (not very good btw), softeners like Lactulose or 'pushers' like Senna.

Lots of my clients are on the lactulose syrup. It just softens to make it easier to go. It won't have the immediate effect like senna, well in 12 hours etc. You need to take it everyday to work well. Doses are from 5ml to 20ml once or twice a day.

'Pushers' like senna work in about 12 hours, which is why you usually take them at night so they work when you wake up. 2 tabs is the normal adult dose but you can take much more under medical supervision. Ex-OH used to have to take 8... plus Movicol!

Movicol too can be taken in varying rates from a sachet a couple of times a week to 6 a day.

You can be on all the above in varying rates, but that is some serious constipation. Depends on your medication and mobility as all affect constipation.... and yes drinking lots too is good.

You can get so constipated that you get diarhhoea. This is called bypassing. Basically everything has backed up so much something has to give!

If she hasn't been for two weeks they may suggest the district nurse comes to give an enema. Mainly because she will feel so much more comfortable.

Charlie had one when he had his big op on his spine as he hadn't gone for over 2 weeks. It was just a suppositary and worked within minutes, not pleasant for him though as he was still lying flat due to his operation.... and was only behind a hospital curtain so everyone got a running commentary!
I stayed with him throughout and I have to say it made over 2 days of labour worthwhile lol.

Hope Mum gets a resolution and gets to feel comfortable soon.

Muesli for breakfast - and dates for supper.

I have to give my mum one senna and one Dulco-Ease every night, as Becky has stated the senna does the "pushing" whilst the Dulco-ease does the softening, and I find she has perfect poo's passed easily every morning. She has strong painkillers, and the Codeine Phosphate is known to bung them up, so if your mum is on those, then she most definitely needs to take something, otherwise it could end up quite dangerous (or so I've been told by the hospital!) and you wouldn't want that. Good luck Lynne.

Thank you everyone for your replies, and yes H she is on Codeine amongst other painkillers

Will suggest Senna and dulcoease to her, she is reluctant to take anything until she speaks to the doc on Friday but has said she will try natural remedies

I think that is a terrible length of time to go without getting rid of stuff

She is so "bunged up" she isnt eating which isnt good with the painkillers she is on

Just wish I could help her

Thank you all xxx

Poor her
Hope the doc can help
If she can excersise also helps too - I know she might not feel like it but even a walk can help get things moving again