Constipation

[LizzieP]

Hi all, looking for some advice - my Ma has MND and is extremely constipated which we think is down to the fairly new set up of being tube fed and getting medicines correct. We are worried about the fine line of using something which will work too quick as she is totally immobile and takes a little time to get set up to go! Anyone have any tips or experiencing the same?

[jd58]

Contact local hospice

[Bowler]

Hi Lizzie

We used Movicol daily to help control bowels. We got it on prescription but I believe you can buy it over the counter. It is a liquid taken in water. approx 12ml in a 100ml of water kept things ticking over however sometimes we would go to as much 25ml twice per day. I would suggest a chat with GP to make sure there are no blockages.

[GaryM]

Hi Lizzie and welcome to the forum. When I first started tube feeding I had problems with constipation. The feed I was using had no fibre. The dietitian changed it so some of the feed had added fibre and that helped enormously. I also have DulcoSoft on standby in case I don't go for a few days.

[Ellie]

Welcome to the forum, Lizzie.

Yes, many of us are chronically constipated due to dehydration, meds, weakened muscles, immobility, sluggish gut motility or a combination of these factors, and need to take daily/regular laxatives.

First off, make sure your mum is getting lots of water - I know this is often hard to sell because that obviously means trips to the loo - and maybe swapping some, or all, of her tube feeds to ones with added fibre.

If the constipation isn't too bad, warm water, and prune or real apple juice given through her tube might work, along with some senna. Glycol suppositories are gentle enough and can start things moving, so to speak, but only take maybe 15-30mins to work. Massaging the tummy helps too.

Going forward, if stronger laxatives are needed, her GP can prescibe something - I take Movicol, as Bowler reffered to above. They are pretty expensive to buy OTC.

I hope your mum gets sorted very soon.

Love Ellie.

[LizzieP]

Thank you so much all of you, it's so helpfulness to be able to ask for advice. It's causing sleepless nights through that and not being able to get comfortable so to get one thing under control should help 😊

[Polly]

My husband had severe problems with constipation. We had a visit from a Palliative Care Consultant - not sure which European country he is from but he said in his country they often suggest a small daily dose of sodium picasulphate I give my husband 3 or 4 ml each night and it has sorted the problem brilliantly. It’s very gentle but really effective.

[matthew55]

I simply don't go until I have a dose of Sodium Picosulfate. Even then it is very hit and miss. Oh and gives you a sore bum too. Isn't life grand 😁

[Polly]

Matthew, I know from experience of colonoscopies that sodium picosulphate can have that effect! We find that a small dose every night works and we’ve not had any sore bums!

[Ellie]

Glad to hear that sodium picosulphate works for some people - I didn't get on with it at all...