My grandmother is constapated.?

Question

My grandmother has lung cancer she gets Kemo and Radiation therapy weekly.She is in severe pain and she is perscribed Percocet 5mg she says they work good for pain.This is the second pain killer she was pescribed I think she was on Vicoden and they made her sick.The only problem with the percs is that she is constapted she gives herself enemas and they dont really work.She eats fiber and takes somthing I think its called fiber aid it is a powderd you mix it with water.She drinks lots of prune juice and tried milk of magneshia and just about everything over the counter and Her Dr told her to take a bath in Epson Salt he said that would help.But se did this for 3 nites and nothing.The Dr also perscribed her some kind of perscription laxitive pills as well and she had no luck.He gave her the script on Tues I forgot what it is called but she has been taking it now for 3 days and it still dont work.She is going back to the DR on Wednesday.Can anyone help us until then.

Answer 1

drink hot coffee... and hot water.. as hot as she can stand with out burning her mouth.. and if she can walk a bit.. even if it is just around the yard...
not drinking enough fluids and being in bed or sitting can cause problems .. she needs to move and drink lots

and stop the enemas.... they are the worst for your body and fiber laxatives can take a few days to work..
maybe she hasn't been really eating too much so that might be a cause of a lack of bowel movements

if it is really bothering her... and I mean really bothering her and she can't take it anymore.. give her some mineral oil... it will run right through her and it can cause cramping but she might just need it to put her mind at ease... a shot glass full should do it... it won't hurt her but it should give things a easier way to get going... but don't leave the house it takes a few hours to finally wear off

Answer 2

My goodness, that poor woman must have a bowell obstruc-
tion after all these meds and still no relief? I think it's past
time for anything to work. She must have a blockage and
that will take the help of a doctor or extreme concentration in
the bathroom. I went thru a blockage after having a baby. I
couldn't 'go' before leaving the hospital and yet I did leave.
My doctor only had to tell me what he'd have to do manually
to make me about want to throw up. So I knew it was some-
thing I had to do, or risk embarrassment.
I would try any roughage at this point. No more liquids!
Something with skin on it. Apples work for me, expecially
crispy ones. She needs the actual skin where the real fiber
is, not in the pulp. Have her eat things that all are roughage.
So that an over amount in place of meals that day, will maybe
work together to at least, loosen her up, so to speak. Raisen
Bran or something with fiber for breakfast. Then fresh fruit
with the skin besides. No breads or dough things to plug
up the intestines and cause more back up. Instead of prune
juice, she should be eating the fruit itself. Four would be
about right at any normal time. If she has an overload of
fiber, this might just do the trick. It's worth a shot anyway.
I'm surprised the doctor didn't tell her that the real fruit is
better for aiding digestion and bowell function than
the liquid, which has alot of fiber removed. It's common
sense, if nothing else.

Answer 3

If she's already taking a fiber (and even a prescription laxative), there's a good chance she'll need something more effective. It's possible she might not find anything that will cure it, but I would definitely suggest drinking a lot more water to start (increased to at least 8-12 glasses a day if she isn't already), and she could try an herbal laxative like Senna Concentrate (make sure it's the concentrate specifically) or Cascara Segrada... both of those have warnings because they are so powerful. They may not help enough, but that's what I've seen a lot of people get a lot of help from when they NEED a laxative... just make sure she doesn't have any pain in her digestive tract before she takes one of them.

Answer 4

Gee, that's terrible! I'm very sorry about your grandmother. It really seems you've tried everything that I can think of. Is she using the pre-prepared enemas or like the old-fashioned water bottle enemas? The pre-prepared type--like fleet--never work for me...so perhaps she would try the warm water type.

Also, you say that she switched to Percocet and that is when the constipation started. Your question makes it seem like she wasn't having a problem with constipation on Vicoden. I think all narcotics are likely to carry the risk of constipation--because they slow your bowel movements down. But if the Vicoden didn't give her this problem, perhaps there is another pain medication that would work for her like fentanyl, morphine, dilaudid, etc.

Answer 5

I would suggest you follow "amembal4444" advice, he has given you excellent suggestions and he a is learned Doctor.
You can try these two Homeopathic Remedies, taken together they can relieve quite stubborn cases of Constipation NUX VOMICA and BRYONIA ALBA both in 200 potency three drops each in just a sip of water on an empty stomach. No side effects or Complications just do not repeat usually one dose is enough to loosen your bowels up take another dose if there is no effect after 6 hours. Stop as soon as she is relieved.

Take Care and God Bless you

Answer 6

Try Metamucil. Ask the doctor first. Metamucil is an all natural fiber product used for constipation. It is made by P&G.

Answer 7

So sorry to hear your granma is sick. Does she have enough energy to exercize? Just some walking, not cardio. Hope you find something that works for her.

Answer 8

Faulty diet and style of living
The most important causes of chronic constipation are a faulty diet and style of living.
Insufficient intake of water, strong tea and coffee etc
Intake of refined and rich foods lacking in vitamins and minerals, insufficient intake of water, consumption of meat in large quantities, excessive use of strong tea and coffee, insufficient chewing, overeating and wrong combination of foods, irregular habits of eating and drinking may all contribute to poor bowel function.

Irregular habit of defecation, lack of physical activity
Other causes include faulty and irregular habit of defecation, frequent use of purgatives, weakness of abdominal muscles due to sedentary habits, lack of physical activity, and emotional stress and strain.

Home Remedies for Constipation
Constipation treatment using Bael Fruit
Generally all fruits, except banana and jack fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Certain fruits are, however, more effective. Bael fruit is regarded as the best of all laxatives. It cleans and tones up the intestines. Its regular use for two or three months throws out even the old accumulated faecal matter. It should be preferably taken in its original form and before dinner. About sixty grams of the fruit are sufficient for an adult.

Constipation treatment using Pear
Pears are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Patients suffering from chronic constipation should adopt an exclusive diet of this fruit or it's juice for a few days, but in ordinary cases, a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will have the desired effect.

Constipation treatment using Guava
Guava is another effective remedy for constipation. When eaten with seeds, it provides roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. One or two guavas should be taken everyday.

Constipation treatment using Grapes
Grapes have proved very beneficial in overcoming constipation. The combination of the properties of the cellulose, sugar, and organic acid in grapes make them a laxative food. Their field of action is not limited to clearing the bowels only. They also tone up the stomach and intestines and relieve the most chronic constipation. One should take at least 350 gm of this fruit daily to achieve the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins, soaked in water, can be used. Raisins should be soaked for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. This will make them swell to the original size of the grapes. They should be eaten early in the morning, along with the water in which they have been soaked.

Constipation treatment using Orange
Orange is also beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Taking one or two oranges at bedtime and again on rising in the morning is an excellent way of stimulating the bowels. The general stimulating influence of orange juice excites peristaltic activity and helps prevent the accumulation of food residue in the colon.

Constipation treatment using Papaya and Figs
Other fruits specific for constipation are papaya and figs. Half a medium-sized papaya should be eaten at breakfast for it to act as a laxative. Both fresh and dry figs have a laxative effect. Four or five dry figs should be soaked overnight in a little water and eaten in the morning.

Constipation treatment using Spinach
Among the vegetables, spinach has been considered to be the most vital food for the entire digestive tract from time immemorial. Raw spinach contains the finest organic material for the cleansing, reconstruction, and regeneration of the intestinal tract. Raw spinach juice-100 ml, mixed with an equal quantity of water and taken twice daily, will cure the most aggravated cases of constipation within a few days.

Constipation treatment using Other Remedies
Half a lime, squeezed is a glass of hot water, with half a teaspoon of salt is also an effective remedy for constipation. Drinking water which has been kept overnight in a copper vessel, first thing in the morning, brings good results. Linseed (alse) is extremely useful in difficult cases of constipation. A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal provides both roughage and lubrication.

Constipation diet
Natural and simple diet consisting of unrefined foods
The most important factor in curing constipation is a natural and simple diet. This should consist of unrefined foods such as wholegrain cereals, bran, honey, lentils, green and leafy vegetables, fresh and dry fruits, and milk products in the form of butter, ghee, and cream. The diet alone is not enough.
Chew food properly, Avoid hurried meals and irregular meals
Food should be properly chewed. Hurried meals and meals at odd times should be avoided. Sugar and sugary foods should be strictly avoided. Foods which constipate are all products made of white flour, rice, bread, pulses, cakes, pastries, biscuits, cheese, fleshy foods, preserves, white sugar, and hard-boiled eggs.

Other Constipation treatments
Fresh air, outdoor games and exercise
Toning up the muscles also helps in the treatment of constipation.
Fresh air, outdoor games, walking, swimming, and exercise play an important role in strengthening the muscles, and thereby preventing constipation.

Answer 9

Well if prune juice and fiber doesn't work it must be pretty bad.

hmmm...suppositories?? yikes!

Answer 10

if she can eat Fig Newtons should do it