hypo constipation (was Re: A subject of some delicacy ( and URGENCY!!!)

[Guest guest]

> .... I must risk offending you with this plaintive plea:

> 10 days into severe hypo for the scan and RAI and I am severely

> impacted. I take oatmeal with raisins and prune juice, and drink

> liters of Pellegrino. I am in an annoying bit of pain. Is there an

> over-the-counter laxative that someone would reccommend or

> perhaps a script that would be compatable to all the heart meds and

> renal failure stuff I already on a daily basis. One more day and I'm

> going to need rotor-rooter. Names of brands ..... HELP!!!!! Pat

Dear Pat,

You've got to try a lot harder than that to offend this group! :-)

Obviously, lots of water, fruits and veggies are a good place to start in

alleviating constipation. Snacking on dried fruits should also help, along with

adding bran to your cereal (or anything

else).

Also, try to keep moving your body as much as possible.

Gratefully, I didn't suffer from constipation while going hypo, although did

kick in within hours after ingesting the RAI ablative dose. Dulcolax was very

helpful.

The second time I went hypo, I took stool softeners for two or three days before

the scan, and didn't have any problems. According to their web page

(www.dulcolax.com), it works by increasing

peristaltic action (stimulating the bowel muscles) and also by softening

intestinal content. It is supposed to work within 6-12 hours (suppositories

within approx. 30 minutes).

I've copied below some LID suggestions from people on the list (as always, be

sure to double check the ingredients on anything you consume while on the LID).

If these suggestions don't provide any relief, call your doctor and ask for

something stronger.

Hope this helps -

Good luck -

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1) castor oil ( " it actually wasn't too bad. I added a few ice cubes, a little

orange juice

and shook it up like a martini ! It worked like a charm! " )

2) " I was told to eat lightly the day before and nothing after midnight... also

was told to take

Milk of Magnesia the night before scan [of ablation dose]... "

3) magnesium caltrate - ( " I was told to drink a full bottle of magnesium

caltrate which

comes in a couple flavors and is purchased from your pharmacy. Boyyyyyyyy

did it work!!! " )

4) " I was given strict orders to fully consume a bottle of magnesium nitrate at

8:00 PM

the night prior to my body scan. "

5) " An age-old help for constipation, and one that worked for me for years of

hypo

constipation, are good old glycerin suppositories. It's a good choice

because it is not

systemic and works usually within 15 minutes. Glycerin is a mild irritant

to the bowel;

that's why it works. You can get it at any pharmacy. "

6) " For something easy to swallow, try stewed prunes.

Cut up the dried prunes with your basic kitchen shears so they're in

pieces.

Put in a glass dish (or similar). Pour boiling water to cover and a bit

more.

Let sit for a bit. Add more water if it looks like it's needed. Very nice

eaten still warm,

and slides down easy. Make enough for several servings, store in fridge,

nuke when desired.”

7) " I picked up a few very good tips for this from my 78-year-old parents.

Their T4 levels are probably perfect, but their lower intestines have gone

on vacation

like ours have.

Get Docusate Sodium an OTC stool softener. take as directed.

Eat fiber, fiber and more fiber. ....

Things to avoid at all costs because they stop things up:

lean hamburgers - gross fatty beef seems OK, but there are other

consequences of

eating that... also rice .... I also have to spread all this wonderful

fiber out during the entire

day but only experience cramps when I have had too little fiber. .....

A 16 oz coffee first thing in the morning helps things along also. "