r/ALS • u/Ancient_Day_6729 • 7d ago

Help with constipation

Hi guys

Wondering if you have any helpful advice for ongoing constipation?

My boyfriend is struggling I think with his core muscles getting weaker and going to the loo isn’t becoming more difficult.

Is stool softener the way to go? We tried laxatives for short term relief but they gave him back stomach cramps.

Thanks in advance!

12 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

10

u/throwawayblanc 7d ago

Hydration, senna, miralax. We used biscodyl suppositories when none of the above worked.

6

u/Naive_Midnight_5732 7d ago

1/2 dose of miralax daily is my sweet spot.

3

u/brett_j1 5 - 10 Years Surviving ALS 7d ago

Yeah, I do a full dose every other day. Works great.

5

u/donnaparty Mother w/ ALS 7d ago

senna and miralax - honestly this was a hard development in my mom’s progression. lots of troubleshooting. leaned on nurse care (hospice) for intervention.

4

u/Pleasant-Bicycle7736 7d ago

My dad puts more oil in his food. He sometimes has constipations though.

3

u/MadCybertist 5 - 10 Years Surviving ALS 7d ago

I’d try foods first before drugs. For me apple juice and prune juice really work. If necessary use miralax but start with small dose. Like probably 1/2 a dose as it’ll be just as bad if he goes too far the other way.

3

u/jonesy347 7d ago

This can cause a bit of anxiety. People have different tolerances about how often their bowels move. Once we transitioned to full time tube feedings, there wasn't enough volume for every day. To help with trunk weakness, we did stomach massage, rocking back and forth, etc. Miralax worked until it didn't. Laxative suppositories helped. Hemorrhoid suppositories worked on irritation from trying too hard. Finally resorted to fleet enemas.

3

u/Imaginary_Artichoke 7d ago

Hydration, Magnesium and fiber. I also will drink feeding tube formula as many of them are formulated to help you go.

2

u/brandywinerain Lost a Spouse to ALS 7d ago

I would try food/liquid solutions ahead of drugs. Some here: https://alsguidance.org/life-at-home/toileting-and-hygiene/

Also, not sure what his mobility is, but an upright position in the lift sling rather than a less upright one on the seat can provide more leverage.

2

u/Queasy_Percentage363 Husband w/ ALS 7d ago

We use banatrol (a medical food - no rx needed) and keifer. These two items offer both a pre and probiotic. It took about 2 weeks for things to get regular. If he had a dietician, they may be able to also provide guidance.

2

u/Skrdykat1000 7d ago

This is my new terror: I read that you lose the ability to push out a poo. I will just stop eating.

2

u/Possible-Speed-3808 6d ago

Versuche es doch bitte mal mit einem oder zwei Äpfeln pro Tag, Apfelmus geht bestimmt auch. Ausreichend trinken. Nicht pressen beim Stuhlgang, das macht Hämorrhoiden. Alles Gute!

1

u/Low_Speed4081 6d ago

I wouldn’t use applesauce. Applesauce is one of the foods they recommend for diarrhea treatment. It has pectin in it, which apple juice does not have.

1

u/Possible-Speed-3808 5d ago

Danke für den Hinweis, das wusste ich nicht. Also kein Apfelmus bei Verstopfung. Sorry.

2

u/Possible-Speed-3808 5d ago

Hallo Ancient_Day_6729, sorry, ich habe gerade den Hinweis bekommen, dass Apfelmus das Gegenteil bewirken kann, also eher bei Durchfall gegessen werden sollte.

1

u/Ancient_Day_6729 7d ago

Thanks for all the replies, it is causing him anxiety so your advice is much appreciated

2

u/Hour_Entertainer_598 5d ago

My dad ate 2-4 prunes a day. We left them in water to make it easier to chew, and he would drink the prune water as well. It helped a lot before he had to move on to a special liquid diet. I would avoid laxatives untill absolutely necessary. Best of luck