atarax constipation

[gatorgal]

Atarax was really helping my bladder and my insomnia. One day I even went six hours without urinating! unfortunately, it has made me so constipated that I have had to take up to five peri colaces a day. That has barely helped. so, hopefully I can find another laxative that works.

[cmclien]

What works for me is magnesium, I take it every day to offset the constipating effects of my meds. It works great but I take more then you would get when its combined with calcium. I also eat a high fiber diet but that still won't do it for me. You can buy magnesium at any drugstore and it works by drawing water into the bowels much like a stool softener but it is a mineral and not a drug. Most people are short on the mineral anyway. I take it with every meal and have zero constipation now. If you decide to try it, start with only one or two a day and work up from there until you're regular. It can cause diarhea if you take too much so better to start low.

[ICNDonna]

If you're having severe frequent constipation, it's always a good idea to talk with your doctor. Self medicating can cause some real problems.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[gatorgal]

thanks

I used milk of magnesia previously and that didnt get things moving. I wonder if the magnesium pills will work differently.

[sailawaygrl]

I have found that miralax works great for me. My Dr also approves of my using it too. You might want to ask your Dr about what is ok for you to take long term, then see which one works best for you personally.

Sandra

[cmclien]

Not the same as milk of magnesia

thanks

I used milk of magnesia previously and that didnt get things moving. I wonder if the magnesium pills will work differently.

The two have nothing in common with each other, maybe this will help. I started this years ago for IBS-C and it has worked so well for me but Sandra is right different people take different things to help them, just throwing out what has helped me.

What is magnesium?
Magnesium is a mineral which is found naturally in some foods but is also available in supplement form. Magnesium is typically used by constipation-predominant IBS sufferers. If you are diarrhea-predominant then the calcium supplement Caltrate Plus would be more appropriate.

What symptoms can magnesium treat?
Magnesium is generally used to treat symptoms of constipation in irritable bowel syndrome sufferers. It is important to note that magnesium supplements are not the same as milk of magnesia.

How is magnesium taken?
Magnesium supplements are available from healthfood stores in various forms, such as magnesium oxide, magnesium amino acid chelate, and magnesium citrate. They are generally available in tablet form.

[Turtlecat]

Just as Cindi did, I started using magnesium to help with my IBS-C many, many years ago. The magnesium pills do keep thing moving as they should even though I'm on an OAB med and antihistamine. I did have to increase my magnesium to 750 to 1,000 milligrams a night when I started on the OAB meds (and I believe 1,000 is the recommended upper limit). Now if I take a stool softener (not a stimulant laxative) and one "serving" of Benefiber a day I can reduce the magnesium to about 500 a night. (All this with a doctor's recommendation or knowledge.) If I miss just one night I am constipated.

IBS constipation can react differently sometimes to things than just "regular" constipation.

Sounds like the med is definitely what's causing it, but just in case it's not I would at least give your doc a call and explain that the constipation started with you started the medication and therefore does he/she think that is the cause.