I am new to the Alternative Medecine Board but not new to the idea of using organics whenever I can.
I have a pretty bad back injury that has left me in cronic pain for the last five years. Because of this I take a lot of different medications to control everything from muscle spasms, nerve damage pain and just good old fashioned pain.
My newest medication, coupled with all the others has left me with severe and painful constipation. I cannot take the regular kind of laxatives as they cause me more stomach pain and do not work well with my meds.
I feel I am doing enough damage to my body by putting all the medicines in it so I would really like to find an alternative to laxatives that will work all the time and will not hurt me further.
I am already a fan of green tea and will be in a position to make some drastic diet changes very soon.
Anyone with any ideas on wnat I can use to relieve this problem? My Doctor told me to eat apples every day along with a high fibre cereal. I already do this faithfully but the problem is getting worse, not better. I also drink LOTS of water already because my new med dries me out a lot.
This thing is getting serious, because of all the straining I am beginning to get fissures and hemerhoids. I never had these even with both of my children! So you can understand why I REALLY need help.
I know I will be asking a lot more questions in the future because like I said earlier in the post I will be changing my diet and life soon. My impending divorce from someone who thinks alternative medicine is a bunch of junk will make it easier to persue the type of healthy lifestyle I have always wanted. Please be assured that my wanting to look into alternative remedies is NOT the reason for my divorce.
Well I think I have rambled enough. Anny suggestions will be taken seriously.
If you want to start taking a more natural approach, I would suggest finding a naturopathic doctor in your area. Not just a therapist, but an actual doctor so they're trained in both the regular scientific medical field as well as the alternative field. Because you're on so many medications, you really need to consult with someone who knows both sides. If you try to get treatment on your own, you might aggravate something by taking the wrong thing.
Apples, pears and bananas are binding - they will tend to make you constipated unless they are cooked. High fiber cereal is good if it is not overly processed. If you are using oatmeal, be sure that you are using the old fashioned oats not the quick or instant ones.
Best of Health
What's the difference between whole oats and instant for constipation?
Thanks for the info. I only like the old fashioned kind of oatmeal beacuse the instant just doesn't taste right.
I am surprised about the apples though. My doc was the one who told me to eat one everyday but he is also the guy that won't change my med that is causing this problem, so go figure.
I will check out the Waiora and the noni fruit capsules too.
I either use Dr. Schulze Intestinal Therapy #1 capsules which work very well, or Pao d'Arco tea. But I suggest you check with an alternative medicine doctor who will know if any of these interferes or reacts with your current medications. Good luck.
i also have a chronic back injury and am forced to take a variety of narcotics, muscle relaxers, and anti-spasm drugs. i have studied Ayeurvedic medicine and tried a variety of different alternatives to laxatives as fiber and dietary changes alone didn't help. i found TRIPHALA, which is a fairly common remedy in Ayeurvedic circles. it can be ordered online or found at your local organic health food store in the "digestive" vitamin/herb section. taken daily, it allows for regular elimination. for you, it might take a little time, however once it begins to work the difference will be tremendous. it doesn't have any side effects, doesn't irritate the stomach, and doesn't interact with any of my medications. good luck!
Last edited by clarity_rose; 03-22-2005 at 12:07 PM.
I had horrible constipation most of my life until I developed a tumor on my ovary, then I got the "D" problem. Well, now that my tumor is gone I have the old constipation back again. Got terribly bound up the week after being home from the hospital so my aunt bought me some plumsmart juice. It is made by sunsweet and it tastes better than prune juice. It takes about a 6 oz glass and I go everyday regularly. If I run out then I don't go, it's that simple.
It is available in most grocery stores now.
Good Luck,
Nodi
Let me give you what I take. Ask your doctor to prescribe Zelnorm. Then go to Wal-Mart and buy you some Mineral Oil and some Peach Juice. The juice comes in a plastic bottle. Take your Zelnorm and twice a day...morning and bedtime....take 4 tablespoons of mineral oil mixed with 4 ounces of peach juice.
You may have to cut back on the mineral oil after you start going to the bathroom. So obviously, mix your peach juice to match the mineral oil.
This will work. In fact, go ahead with the mineral oil and peach juice if you want to. You can get the Zelnorm prescription when you need to.
Oranges, and tangerines do a fine job....if you want an drastic cathartic try castor oil. You could also try tamarind. RAW smelly garlic propels the bowels like no other. Aloe is also another drastic cathartic. Cascara Sagrada or Turkey Rhubarb is awesome for constipation.... if you get gas ginger will do the trick. Follow a food lifestyle of fresh veggies (SPINACH!!!!). Prune juice is another great idea. Good luck.
Upshutter
I can totally relate to constipation! I have been plagued with it nearly my entire 52 years now! I was using laxatives untill my daughter got pregnant last year and her doctor told her to eat a nice sized bowl of Mini wheats each day. Thats what I do now and believe me, I havent been troubled with that horrid problem since! I DO know first hand what a bag of cashews will do for you as well!!!!!!!!!!! My mother used to make me take Mineral oil as a child and it never helped me...I know that Castor Oil however will deffinately clean you out!
Colonics and enemas are the way to go...i am chronically ill and have taken lots of prescription medications for years- i have found these to really help and make you feel less toxic... good luck!!
Hi ,I ALSO have a bad seizure disorder and have tried many ,many and have hurt my back and busted my tail bone 3 times because of it .Now pregnant and have this same problome . strong coffe or a cup of warm water with a pinch of cyane pepper does the job great.
I agree with clarityrose-- i found TRIPHALA, which is a fairly common remedy in Ayeurvedic circles. it can be ordered online or found at your local organic health food store in the "digestive" vitamin/herb section.
I also had a problem with constipation..suffered with fissures for about a year because of one really bad bout with it. I don't like senna or other chemical laxatives and I eat plenty of food and fiber along with taking psyllium and drinking fluids. I still have unpredictable bouts with constipation--but after talking to an Indian friend whose dad had similar problems, he suggested I try Triphala. And it is fantastic. Doesn't make me feel sick or crampy or yucky...it is very gentle and has been used in ayurvedic medicine for what seems like forever. Because it is SO mild, it can be used for a pretty good period of time (~1 mo?) without side effects and without dependency. It is also touted as a good toxin remover/blood purifier.
If you are unsure about interactions with other drugs, see an ayurvedic practitioner or homeopathic doctor. But I'm telling you--it is the ONLY thing that has helped me so far.
Hi, I also had the contispation problems for years. Recently though I started drinking lots of herbal teas, and as a side benfit discovered the ones containing licorice root, seem to have solved my problem. Add a bit of honey, if you like, and they taste good too. (Just be careful, though, as licorice can raise the blood pressure, if that's a concern.) I think there are some really great suggestions here...but try one at a time, please...you don't want the opposite problem, either!
The most healthy and gentle cure for constipation that I know of is to take magnesium tablets. The only side effect that I know of of overdosing is diarrhea. Another benefit of magnesium is that it is good for your heart and blood pressure. It will help if your heartrate it too high or if you have paputations. I have read that if a person goes to the hospital with a heart attack if they are given magnesium by IV in large amt. they have a much better chance of surviving. It also helps with muscle pain and cramps.
On the magnesium, my doctor suggested I take 900mg a day to start and cut back if you need to to the point you are having 1 or 2 normal bowel movements daily. The multi vitamin I take has 400 mg and I take 2 250mg a day. Don't take just for a laxative, but take everyday since it is a nutrient and not habit forming. Also it helps to drink plenty of water.
New Here..Help for Constipation Needed Badly 
The Bard of Ohio
