Posted by yxibow on February 26, 2007, at 2:45:31
In reply to Okay, let's talk constipation!, posted by cgd092 on February 23, 2007, at 11:55:05
> What, constipation isn't a fun topic? :)
>
> I'm taking:
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> 50mg/day Lamictal
> 40mg/day Celexa
> 75mg/day Seroquel
>
> All of those have constipation as a possible side effect. And I have had bad constipation for quite awhile now. With accompanying abdominal pain that sometimes wakes me up at night. I even went to the doctor and got an ultrasound because I was sure there was something going on with my left ovary. But I'm guessing it's probably a spastic colon or similar instead.
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> So now I'm taking a lot of Metamucil. What else can be done for constipation due to meds? What do you guys do, when it appears your meds are causing constipation? Do you think the amounts of meds I'm on are causing this? Does one ever consider changing meds due to constipation? Personally, even waking up at night with gut pains is preferable to depression/anxiety. Thoughts?
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> Thanks!
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>
>
>
>Only the Celexa seems to be at a fair clinical dose; the Seroquel is just above placebo level and is mostly an antihistamine at that dose, I'm not sure about the Lamictal. I haven't heard about those medications being constipative one way or the other but I can appreciate that; although I would long to be toward that way than what medications usually do to me.
At any rate, continuous use of laxatives and stool softeners will cause dependence and may theoretically additionally cause a drain on the system of certain nutrients. They're not good alternatives except for the occasional worst blockage. Depending on how much fiber in your diet you have, and whether you're mostly a meat eater or a vegetarian, some people can take up to 4 days to do #2. Now, greater throughput is obviously good for colon health as we know of course.
Metamucil tends to be somewhat harsh, although there are harsher fibres. Wheat bran mixed with cereal is a pretty fast way of getting rid of that problem. But with either, using enough water is important as the system bulks up.
While frightfully expensive, CVS offers a slightly cheaper store brand (some others might too) of Citrucel, which is a nonsoluble fibre I used to use when I first started Remeron. They even have it sugar free. Basically its expensive processed microcellulose waste from the citrus juicing industry I think. But its fairly effective, and unlike Metamucil, its non-bloating. Its available in the sugar free powder that you mix (and use plenty of water) in a glass -- its sort of like faintly gritty orange soda. If you prefer, its also available in even more expensive tablets -- but you must be sure to take those with enough water too because it expands inside your stomach.
I prefer non-bloating fiber, although for good colon health you need a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber; but for this purpose, I would give it a go -- I think it would be less uncomfortable.
poster:yxibow
thread:735380
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070224/msgs/736338.html