These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as
recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is
always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 02/25/2000]
Question: I have had constipation for at least a decade and I have tried every laxative on the market as well as fiber products. I am very active, drink 12 glasses of water a day, fruits, veg, etc. I understand I may have a slow/unreponsive parastyalis (might be misspelled), what am I to do? If I don't take a laxative midweek (Wedn.) I won't go and get bloated. Can this lead to Colon Cancer? I am concerned and worried. What specialist do I need to see, if any? Thank you!
Answer: This will not usually lead to cancer but there are other options. See any family physician, internist or gi specialist.
[posted 01/27/2000]
Question: I am a vegan (I don't eat animals products or dairy), and I started taking flax seed oil to supplement my diet of omega 3 fatty acids-since I don't each fish or other animal products that do have those fatty acids in them. I soon noticed that the flax seed oil also helped with making me regular with my bowel movements-something that I had been having issues with since I became a vegan. So, I take one tablespoon a day of flax seed oil, and I have lost weight and have become regular with my bowl movements, could there be a link between my weight loss, regular bowel movements and the flax seed oil intake? Is there a possibility to become dependent on flax seed oil for bowel movements at that level of dosage a day?
Answer: Probably not, it is probably just acting as a mechanical softener.
[posted 10/13/1999]
Question: I have a rather embarrassing problem. I am not sure if it
is really a medical issue or not, but it has bothered me for
some time. My problem is that I have unusually large bowel
movements - so large that sometimes I clog up toilets. My
bowel movement are 4-5 days apart and they usually weigh 2
to 3 pounds, but sometimes more. I don't really know what
the normal size is, but this seems abnormally large and
occasionally causes trouble with bathroom facilities. I
have had this problem since high school. I don't have any
other symtoms which could be considered a medical problem.
Even so, this has bothered me for a long time and has
sometimes been extremely embarressing. I have never heard
of anyone else with this problem. I am interested to know
how common this is, and whether this is caused by some
medical condition. Also I would like to know what the
normal size of a bowel movement is.
Answer: Fairly common. The size of your bowel movement has to do with the time between BMs. You can usually fix this problem by adding fiber to your diet. Use bran cereal etc. If it doesn't work try Metamucil or Fibercon every day. The potential health problem is that the size of the stool may tear your rectum causing a rectal fissue-to be avoided. Aim for one BM a day and this problem will go away. If the fiber doesn't work use a small amount of Milk of Magnesia every day to give more frequent smaller,softer stools.
Constipation & Dicyclomine
Medication [posted 12/01/98]
Question: I was just prescribed this medicine. However, I have suffered from
constipation lately, and I am wondering if the medication is going to make it worse. What
exactly is meant by "anticholinergic activity" and "spasms" as used on
my Walgreens description.
Answer: Anticholingergic refers to the cholingeric nervous system(one of the active chemicals at the nerve ends). This is a substantial part of your nervous system and controls a lot of "automatic " functions, bowel motility for example. Constipation would be a usual side effect of this medication.
Constipation
Question: I have recently been prescribed Propulsid 10 mg BID (prior to breakfast
and dinner). I have been taking Prozac 20 mg once a day for several years. Since starting
the Propulsid, I seem to have increased flatuence, bloating, and constipation. Is this
possibly due to this combination of meds? This combination of meds and insufficient
fluids?
Answer: Just the propulsid.
Constipation
Question: I am currently taking several different medications and vitamins.
Something is causing me to be very constipated. Could you help me find out which one or
ones it is? Here is what I take: estrace, provera, armours thyroid, wellbutrin, ultram,
folic acid, calcium, vitamins E and C, and potassium.
Answer: Iron is the usual culprit with patients on vitamin replacements. But, wellbutrin can produce constipation as can provera and ultram.
Constipation
Question: I have a son in his early 20's whose diet is high in fried, fast food and
low in fiber. In recent months he has been complaining of constipation and discomfort in
his lower left side. Is there a term for this medical complaint and what would you
recommend to correct the problem?
Answer: Try some fiber, he sounds constipated. He could be having colonic dilation or diverticuli, but he's young for these.
Chronic Constipation
Question: My mother is 65 years old and on several medications including Lanoxin,
Zocor, and Norvasc. Her gastroenterologist placed her on Propulsid recently because of
severe constipation she has suffered from since childhood. Her history of laxative abuse
has caused her to have an inactive, "lazy colon". She has to take laxatives in
excess of six over-the-counter types one night a week to have a bowel movement. She was
instructed to try three doses of propuslid a day (20 mg) and to take the syrupy liquid (I
think called Kronulac?) to go along with it. The first dose of Propulsid worked giving her
diarrhea. Since that dose she is still constipated ten days later. She now complains of
new chest pains and a dizzy feeling. Could it be the Propulsid? She also has a stuffy nose
she indicates is new to go along with a feeling of bloating and indigestive type fullness.
Could these be side effects of Propulsid or a combination of it along with the other
medications? She had angioplasty two years ago and has had good cardiological check ups
since. My second question is if this does not help the constipation is there any other
medication or treatment that might? She is miserable only have one bowel movement a week
(plus it being laxative induced)?
Answer: Has she tried laculose? This is used to induce diarrhea in patients with liver failure so they don't get confused; however, is very effective in inducing stools in patients with chronic constipation.
ALS W/Constipation
Question: How do you treat a patient with constipation that has als. The patient
cannot move on their own and has to be placed on the toilet. I have tried colase,soluable
fiber,prune juice,apple sauce ,the patient can eat regular food, and has no swallowing
difficulty .
Answer: I'd try daily laculose syrup. Usually, this will need a
prescription;but, it works well -you will need to experiment to find the daily dose that
will give about one bowel movement a day.
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