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Frown May 09, 2020 at 08:01 PM
  #1
Okay, has anyone here experienced constipation from meds, especially from the older AP's?

I take Trilafon and it's extremely helpful for my bipolar anxiety. I am paying a price for the good, though...I'm experiencing miserable constipation. I'm definitely not stopping the med because it's so helpful, but I'm desperate

btw, I drink a lot of water (I love the taste of water), eat fruits and vegs, and fibers (mainly oats). None of it is helping, though.


Anyone have any experience with treatments?

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Default May 09, 2020 at 09:16 PM
  #2
There's a drug called Amitiza. IT's a prescription drug and worked great for me for years. There's another called Linzess; I had severe diarrhea on it so don't recommend. But amitiza really helped a lot.

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Default May 09, 2020 at 09:17 PM
  #3
I've used Colace in the past and it works fine.

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Default May 09, 2020 at 09:35 PM
  #4
Not with bipolar meds but when I was on narcotics I had problems. I used suppositories cause I got relief in a timely manor without stomach pain from a pill.

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Default May 10, 2020 at 05:27 AM
  #5
I don't recall having constipation because of an AP, including Trilafon, but had horrible constipation on the drug Cogentin (benztropine sp?) Cogentin was for easing my past akathisia. I had to stop Cogentin for that reason.

I don't have major issues with constipation, usually, but when I do, and it's not because of a medication, it's usually because of stress. Travel is a big trigger for it, especially international travel. It's likely because my "routine" gets disrupted, too. Routine is so important for my "regularity".
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Default May 10, 2020 at 09:48 AM
  #6
Thanks for the suggestions! Birdie, Cogentin started this problem for me. I stopped taking it, shortly after that started on Trilafon, but the constipation just got worse. I should have taken something before it got really bad. I have never had a problem with constipation before this (at least, not to this degree), so I really needed some tips as to what to do.

I bought "stool softener" but now I'm thinking that there's a difference between that and a laxative.

Thanks for responding to this problem...it's a good feeling to be able to discuss this with people who understand.

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Default May 10, 2020 at 09:54 AM
  #7
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Originally Posted by BethRags View Post
Thanks for the suggestions! Birdie, Cogentin started this problem for me. I stopped taking it, shortly after that started on Trilafon, but the constipation just got worse. I should have taken something before it got really bad. I have never had a problem with constipation before this (at least, not to this degree), so I really needed some tips as to what to do.

I bought "stool softener" but now I'm thinking that there's a difference between that and a laxative.

Thanks for responding to this problem...it's a good feeling to be able to discuss this with people who understand.

I think stool softener is exactly hat you need, that’s what I used when my AP was causing constipation......

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Default May 10, 2020 at 01:01 PM
  #8
BethRags, how long have you taken the stool softener? It can take a few days to really start to help. I'd look at the max days of use on the laxative/stool softener package. Also, I think another helpful thing is to concentrate on anti-constipation diet, some relaxation techniques after some good amount of exercise, and trying (though it's very hard, I know) to stop thinking about the constipation.

I know this conversation is getting a little awkward, but another suggestion may be the position in which you sit, when "trying". See The Best Position To Poop In, According To Experts, Actually Makes A Lot Of Sense In many parts of Asia and I believe also in Turkey, they traditionally have/had squat style toilets, not the type we have. Obviously, nowadays, more Asians, especially in wealthier Asian countries, have the western style (and even better), but not necessarily in public places. I've lived in Asia and I know what they look like and how they needed to be approached. Think how you might go if you had to go in the woods behind a tree. A video talking about Asian squat toilets can be found at YouTube Some have flushing water, but in some places there is a tub or ditch full of water that you scoop water from for "manual flushing". I know to most the video seems gross, but that's how it is. I've encountered even worse. I remember giving a speech (as a teenager) at a school in Beijing, back in 1988, and their "WC" was not so "W" and not so "C" either. It was literally a building with a floor over a poop cellar, of sorts. It was as if a long 2X4 was missing and that's were "you went". No privacy stalls either. Warehouse outhouse. And back then (I'm sure it's changed) there was no toilet paper available. You had to have your own. I'm not sure all people there even had any.

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Default May 10, 2020 at 03:54 PM
  #9
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Originally Posted by BirdDancer View Post
BethRags, how long have you taken the stool softener? It can take a few days to really start to help. I'd look at the max days of use on the laxative/stool softener package.

Only since yesterday.


Also, I think another helpful thing is to concentrate on anti-constipation diet, some relaxation techniques after some good amount of exercise, and trying (though it's very hard, I know) to stop thinking about the constipation.

Yeah, I'm doing all of that - except the stop thinking about it...I need some work on that

I know this conversation is getting a little awkward, but another suggestion may be the position in which you sit, when "trying". See The Best Position To Poop In, According To Experts, Actually Makes A Lot Of Sense In many parts of Asia and I believe also in Turkey, they traditionally have/had squat style toilets, not the type we have. Obviously, nowadays, more Asians, especially in wealthier Asian countries, have the western style (and even better), but not necessarily in public places. I've lived in Asia and I know what they look like and how they needed to be approached. Think how you might go if you had to go in the woods behind a tree. A video talking about Asian squat toilets can be found at YouTube Some have flushing water, but in some places there is a tub or ditch full of water that you scoop water from for "manual flushing". I know to most the video seems gross, but that's how it is. I've encountered even worse. I remember giving a speech (as a teenager) at a school in Beijing, back in 1988, and their "WC" was not so "W" and not so "C" either. It was literally a building with a floor over a poop cellar, of sorts. It was as if a long 2X4 was missing and that's were "you went". No privacy stalls either. Warehouse outhouse. And back then (I'm sure it's changed) there was no toilet paper available. You had to have your own. I'm not sure all people there even had any.

Good article and so much useful info. Thanks!

I lived in Israel for a summer and in Jerusalem squat toilets are the only kind (for the public, anyway). People have to pay a few shekels for a short line of tp

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Default May 11, 2020 at 09:44 AM
  #10
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Originally Posted by BethRags View Post


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So you totally know what i mean Do you think it's that way throughout the Middle East? That's cool that you visited Jerusalem.

I remember when I first visited my husband's native Czechoslovakia they would usually have old women selling the paper at the entrance, crudely called "hajzlbaba" and they didn't exactly give a generous amount. I have still seen such arrangements in Czech Republic, but they are rare. Mostly bathrooms are free with plenty of paper in the stalls (for free), like in the US. The toilets always looked like what we have, but had a tank further above with a string to pull.
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Default May 11, 2020 at 04:34 PM
  #11
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So you totally know what i mean Do you think it's that way throughout the Middle East? That's cool that you visited Jerusalem.

I have a feeling that yes, it is that way throughout the Mid-East.

I remember when I first visited my husband's native Czechoslovakia they would usually have old women selling the paper at the entrance, crudely called "hajzlbaba" and they didn't exactly give a generous amount.

Exactly! I remember paying the women at the door shekels for exactly 6 squares of tp

I have still seen such arrangements in Czech Republic, but they are rare. Mostly bathrooms are free with plenty of paper in the stalls (for free), like in the US. The toilets always looked like what we have, but had a tank further above with a string to pull.

Yes...other places (Europe, Ireland) I've visited have clean "normal" toilets. Much better than aiming for a little hole in the floor!
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Default May 21, 2020 at 02:45 AM
  #12
How much of the stool softener are you taking? It usually comes in 100 mg and 250 mg doses. It's OK to take the higher dose if the 100 isn't doing the job.

As someone who has worked in multiple nursing homes, I have a trick that is all but guaranteed to work. It's called the Hot Slider. Because it tastes so lousy, I only use it when I'm so stopped up that it's utter agony to try to poop. You take six ounces of prune juice, an ounce of Milk of Magnesia and two pats butter and stir it up in a glass. Zap it in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, stir again and drink it quick. Then wait for the explosive results!

I'll never forget an elderly lady I was taking care of who hadn't pooped in TEN DAYS. Needless to say she was in misery, so I gave her a Hot Slider and WOW! did we get results. It only took about an hour to bust it loose. Lots of cramping, but we both thought the relief was worth a little discomfort. I can only think of two times it didn't work, and with both of those I had to do a digital extraction. (That's a procedure that neither nurse nor patient enjoys, but sometimes it just has to be done.)

Of course, the best cure for constipation is not to get that way in the first place, but some people, like the OP and me, do everything right and still get bound up. That's where medications like Linzess come in, but that's up to your doctor. As to whether or not antipsychotics lead to constipation, it's a commonly-mentioned side effect. For me, I think it's more related to aging and the fact that I have irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes I even go the other way and have diarrhea for a day or two. (I know, TMI) But as I've gotten into my 60s I have more problems with everything---not only my GI tract, but my joints, my back, even my poor outraged kidneys which are functioning at only 40%. Oh well, it could be worse!

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Default May 23, 2020 at 04:02 PM
  #13
BipolarRN

Yep Hot sliders will work.... Mix up up fast and slam it like Tequila ! My Husband needs these every month or so.. Just pick a day when you know you do not have to go anywhere...

My husband stays on a stool softner and also Miralax daily so he doesnt have problems..

Worse case you can take Citrate Mag.. Horrible tasting stuff but it works, long lasting effect

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Default May 25, 2020 at 11:53 AM
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Thank you so much for your suggestion and info. Well, if I get really bad off, it's good to know the "Hot Slider" is an option. That one sounds like somebody had better be standing right next to a toilet when they swallow it

I also have IBS; it's usually pretty manageable...not nearly as painful as it was when I was younger. But I think the Trilafon is causing some digestive weirdness.

I'm not sure how many mg. I'm taking, but I know that I take 3 capsules of stool softener every morning, and it's helping.

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Default May 25, 2020 at 11:54 AM
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BipolarRN

Yep Hot sliders will work.... Mix up up fast and slam it like Tequila ! My Husband needs these every month or so.. Just pick a day when you know you do not have to go anywhere...

My husband stays on a stool softner and also Miralax daily so he doesnt have problems..

Worse case you can take Citrate Mag.. Horrible tasting stuff but it works, long lasting effect

Thanks, Christina

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