I was dealing with constipation, not from drugs, but from my undiff spondy.

Things that have helped the most:

1. Lots of fiber from fruits and veggies

and yes, i'll do dried fruit as well. prunes are an excellent source of fiber for example.

2. I swear there is something magical about cabbage, especially raw cabbage. So my dear husband has been making weekly cole slaw for me so I can eat a little every day. I swear its like magic fairy dust for me.

3. lots of water

4. adequate aerobic exercise.

i know you swim, etc.

5. Magnesium

6. Probiotics

both lactobacilli and bifobacterium

-----------------------------

right now I don't need it, but when all the above doesn't help, psyllium is wonderful. i don't like it, so i try to do without. but my GI doc thinks everyone should take it every day, several times a day. Plain, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, dyes, flavoring.

psyllium makes me go when i can't and makes me not go so much when i'm at that extreme. its another amazing thing.

also, every time I do my 6 day pred taper, my bowels are the best they ever are. no more constipation, just nice normal bowels; i love that stuff. But no good regularly for other reasons.

Right now, last two days, the opposite problem. My stomach was flip floppy all day yesterday and through early today. lo and behold, i think finally maybe it has settled down. maybe i had a bug? who knows. guess i'll find out for sure tomorrow.

In any case, neither way is good.


sue

Spondyloarthropathy, HLAB27 negative
Humira (still methylprednisone for flares, just not as often. Aleve if needed, rarely.)
LDN/zanaflex/flector patches over SI/ice
vits C, D. probiotics. hyaluronic acid. CoQ, Mg, Ca, K.
chiro
walk, bike
no dairy (casein sensitivity), limited eggs, limited yeast (bread)