Back Pain Support Group

I'm so sorry I haven't been able to be on hear and read your post....
my own pain has been pretty bad lately, even with the meds....

As far as the "plumbing" problem goes, I'm unaware of any effective pain med(s) that don't cause that. I had no benefit from the Miralax, I use an OTC brand of softener with stimulant, I take 4 at night and that helps keep things working. I also noticed that since I increased my intake of fresh fruits and salads, things aren't quite so bad.

You're on the right track drinking lots of water, that's always important!!

I would suggest asking your rx'ing Dr. for something....I'm going to ask
mine when I see him next month. Useing "home remedies" has gotten pretty old for me:(

I hope you will get relief soon!!!

Miralax didn't work for me either and it's so damned expensive. I did purchase Dulcalax yesterday and took it before I went to bed. It worked like a charm!

Guess I well do this regimen every night until I am no longer taking the pain meds.

Thanks for your response and I hope you feel better soon!

Yes, constipation is another curse us pain suffers have to endure. Miralax worked for me, but he results became totally unpredictable so I stopped. (BTW - - Target (and I suppose others) have their own brand of Miralax that is far less expensive.)

Something that you may want to try is Kristalose, but it is by prescription only and so depending on your insurance, it may be, or may not be, expensive. I have been using it for about 6 weeks now and is effective and the results are fairly predictable; much better than Miralax.

There are several herbal teas that can help with constipation. Remember that it is causing the colon to begin working, so don’t take too much of these teas at one time. Follow the instructions that come with the teas

Ended up in ER many times blocked up. Now I'm using a stool softener, Dulcolax, plenty of water, fiber (prunes, fruit, or Citrucel), and walking. If you can get out and walk or some other exercise to help keep things moving. Haven't been back to ER in 2 years.

Saw my pain dr. Tues. and he gave me samples of Senakot-S....took the minimum recommended dose(2 at bedtime) and it worked, a bit too well but no cramping or "out of control" like I had with the other OTC ones!!!
Don't need to take that dose though, found out 1 will work just fine.
He hadn't heard of "Kristalose" but did say his other patients did well with this one.

Keeping up my intake of fresh fruits and fluids as well, it's so nice having things "working" again since pain meds are always going to be part of my daily "menu" !!!

Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible!!!!

This unfortunatly is the side effect to most pain medications. It does take a little time for the body to become accustomed to the medication and adapt . Everytime I increase the dosage or have to take a extra "breakthrough" medication dosage. I have had the best luck if you want to use tat term is Dulcalax or it's generic equivalent. Talk to your Dr or Nurse and explain this they can have a solution we are not aware of.

I have Unfortunatly been on heavy opiods for the last decade and I know better than most the horrors of constipation. And after years of trying different combos and lots of suffering I have finally found a combo that has been keeping my plumbing working for the last year or so.

I am not a doctor so as always...talk to yours first. But here is what I use.
First and foremost lots of fiber and water iny diet. Secondly I use a stool softener called amitiza once every 12 hours. And lastly
But most important for me is peppermint herbal tea...or hard candy made with plenty of peppermint extract. The peppermint is in my opinion the best of the home remedies.

Hopefully this helps some of you, it did me, I go at least once a day every day without fail and let me tell you I have never been so happy to be a heathy pooper......lol

Kris......

Keep drinking a lot of water, eat lots of fruit if you like it, and lots of veggies. And have oatmeal for breakfast if you don't mind it. Lots and lots of grains. I have the same problem but sometimes I will end up going the other way!! It's a proven fact that you don't have to go every day to be normal. Every 3 or 4 days is even considered normal. We are not all alike. What else works good to is if you take a couple of stool softeners each night. I talked to my colon doctor and he said they don't hurt anything. Hope I have helped you a little bit. Oh one more thing..Walking

I use Senokot when things get bad. I also really like Fiber One bars. They are gassy though. My mom calls them Fiber Fart bars, but they do work. Myralax used to be my main drug, but like someone else said..... Too unpredictable

Hope you find some answers.....