Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Constipation Monster

I know this is a bit gross, but many of us are stuck with narcotics for breakthrough pain.

The laxatives make my guts hurt so bad that I can't take them.

Soooo… I made a deal with myself that I can't eat anything that isn't a fruit or vegetable (whole - not dried or canned) until I go [number 2] each day.

It's working!

Gross dear gall but I know what you mean <LOL>

Hi

That is a very good plan. Laxatives are terrible for the digestive tract. I find things like squash, apples, prunes, really high grain cereal( which usually taste like saw dust ) can help.


Janet

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.

Organic smooth move tea and two prunes before bed do the trick for me. I hope you get back to regular soon.

Green juicing will do it, guaranteed!

Glad you found the answer. Each person has their "thing" that works. We talk about even these things on here. It's all good. I take Milk of Magnesia, which is magnesium. I take two at night and if nothing, 3 more in the morning. I have tried everything else.

I use Fiber Choice wafers which have inulin for soluble fiber. You don't have to drink water when you chew them up. Not the greatest, but they work. I also eat a couple of Metamucil wafer-type fiber that is cinnamon flavored and it needs a glass of water (insoluble fiber). These are my mainstays and I try to get as much fruit and veggies and whole wheat as I can each day.

Stool softeners are gross. Laxatives aren't good for you either. Fiber is the best way to do it, along with plenty of water. Good luck, Erica. The constipation is horribly uncomfortable.

Ever think you must be constipated.. and take the soflax and then realize 3 days later that this whole ordeal was actually because of random spasms??? I went through so much greif trying to refigure out my bowels this summer.
My Doc said make sure you dont get constipated on Tram... My pharmacist,, after all this said Tram shouldnt do that much.
:-/

My husband refuses to take laxitives, rather insists i give him enema but that seems to work for him.

Magesium supplements work well, just take one and see if it helps, if not try two, I don't think you will get crampy. Hope it helps