We all have problems we don't like to discuss but I found this on another site and am sure it will be a help to those of us suffering. I hope someone finds this helpfull. It is from a lady who specailizes in nutrition
salt water flush
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A correct biochemical way to facilitate bowel movements is to strengthen the bowel wall...its only a muscle and needs to be able to hold water in the bowel (you can drink all the water you want but if you can't hold the water there it won't be available to hydrate the BM).
Sodium holds water in the bowel:
Salt flush: 1/2tsp sea salt in ~8oz water first thing in the morning, lay back down on right side for 15-20 minutes.Then get up for the day. Do this for 1-2-3 weeks. You'll know when you're getting more regular.
And if things get slow again, do it again. The sodium also helps strengthen the bowel wall by contracting the muscles.
Bulking agents actually weaken the bowel wall by just "pushing" things through- does nothing to stimulate the contractions -necessary to make a muscle stronger.
salt water flush
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A correct biochemical way to facilitate bowel movements is to strengthen the bowel wall...its only a muscle and needs to be able to hold water in the bowel (you can drink all the water you want but if you can't hold the water there it won't be available to hydrate the BM).
Sodium holds water in the bowel:
Salt flush: 1/2tsp sea salt in ~8oz water first thing in the morning, lay back down on right side for 15-20 minutes.Then get up for the day. Do this for 1-2-3 weeks. You'll know when you're getting more regular.
And if things get slow again, do it again. The sodium also helps strengthen the bowel wall by contracting the muscles.
Bulking agents actually weaken the bowel wall by just "pushing" things through- does nothing to stimulate the contractions -necessary to make a muscle stronger.
I've been using Miralax and it does work but my god, you have sh*t running out of you when you least expect it.
I'll try this plan and see how it works as I'm going nowhere fast with the Miralax and it costs a whole lot more than sea salt does.
Again, I appreciate the open and honest discussion topics on this sight.
As for Miralax, I am now taking 1/2 dose every 3 days instead of every other day.
I agree with knelson1945: This problem is probably quite common for those of us that are secondary progressive. :(
I don't think the salt is a problem, The lady who wrote this is the nutrition lady for MSW and does it for a living, I've googled it and they way they do it is a bunch more salt and water and don't seem to be trying to build the muscles and keep things moving regular, they have a whole discusion on this on MSW under Tara's nutrition
Many of my problems are due to the fact that I am missing 3 feet of my large intestine and my colon from 2 surgeries in 2009/2010. I had developed peritonitis and almost died. :(
I am better now but being I am on some heavy pain killers (30 mg. morphine at night for pain) it constipates me badly. I was on 60 mg. for awhile and am down to 30 mg. when the pain is at the end of the road for me (so I don't take morphine every day).
How I hate this disease and what it is doing to me!
Thanks again for the info. :)