post-stroke constipation; advice sought

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:WZeCb.1630$526.10169@newsfep4-
glfd.server.ntli.net:

Quoted message said:

My mother had a serious stroke (hemorrhage ) a month ago. After
hospitalisation, they let her come home to die but she has recovered a

lot

Quoted message said:

since then.

She had 10 days in hospital on oxygen and a drip (glucose alternating

with

Quoted message said:

saline). Towards the end of this time, she also had two enemas and two
suppositories as they thought she was constipated, however the cause of

the

Quoted message said:

blocked catheter turned out to be a urinary infection which was treated

with

Quoted message said:

a course of antibiotics that finished around 2 weeks ago.

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg

and in

Quoted message said:

her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium Sulphate

now,

Quoted message said:

but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently but
constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd be
grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable group

to

Quoted message said:

post this on??

Issues regarding motility are complex and many. Without a radiologists
report accompanied with the MRI pictures, it would be nearly impossible to
begin to determine the cause. Without specifics regarding medications,
one cannot even determine if this is a medication related issue.

See a neurologist and/or an internal medicine specialist.

r

--
Nothing beats the bandwidth of a station wagon filled with DLT tapes.

"Rich Andrews" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:WZeCb.1630$526.10169@newsfep4-
glfd.server.ntli.net:

Quoted message said:

My mother had a serious stroke (hemorrhage ) a month ago. After
hospitalisation, they let her come home to die but she has recovered a

lot

Quoted message said:

since then.

She had 10 days in hospital on oxygen and a drip (glucose alternating

with

Quoted message said:

saline). Towards the end of this time, she also had two enemas and two
suppositories as they thought she was constipated, however the cause of

the

Quoted message said:

blocked catheter turned out to be a urinary infection which was treated

with

Quoted message said:

a course of antibiotics that finished around 2 weeks ago.

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg

and in

Quoted message said:

her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium Sulphate

now,

Quoted message said:

but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently but
constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd be
grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable group

to

Quoted message said:

post this on??

Issues regarding motility are complex and many. Without a radiologists
report accompanied with the MRI pictures, it would be nearly impossible to
begin to determine the cause.

Do you really think that is indicated at this stage? If so why?

Quoted message said:

Without specifics regarding medications,

What specifics do you mean? The antibiotic was a broad spectrum one to treat
urine infection. Sorry I've forgotten the name. There is no other medication
involved other than that mentioned above.

Quoted message said:

one cannot even determine if this is a medication related issue.

such as what?

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:nWmCb.1789$FN.544@newsfep4-
winn.server.ntli.net:

Quoted message said:

"Rich Andrews" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:WZeCb.1630$526.10169@newsfep4-
glfd.server.ntli.net:

Quoted message said:

My mother had a serious stroke (hemorrhage ) a month ago. After
hospitalisation, they let her come home to die but she has recovered

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

lot

Quoted message said:

since then.

She had 10 days in hospital on oxygen and a drip (glucose alternating

with

Quoted message said:

saline). Towards the end of this time, she also had two enemas and

two

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

suppositories as they thought she was constipated, however the cause

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the

Quoted message said:

blocked catheter turned out to be a urinary infection which was

treated

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

with

Quoted message said:

a course of antibiotics that finished around 2 weeks ago.

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg

and in

Quoted message said:

her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium

Sulphate

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

now,

Quoted message said:

but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd

be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable

group

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to

Quoted message said:

post this on??

Issues regarding motility are complex and many. Without a radiologists
report accompanied with the MRI pictures, it would be nearly impossible

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

begin to determine the cause.

Do you really think that is indicated at this stage? If so why?

Quoted message said:

Without specifics regarding medications,

What specifics do you mean? The antibiotic was a broad spectrum one to

treat

Quoted message said:

urine infection. Sorry I've forgotten the name. There is no other

medication

Quoted message said:

involved other than that mentioned above.

Quoted message said:

one cannot even determine if this is a medication related issue.

such as what?

Exactly.

r

--
Nothing beats the bandwidth of a station wagon filled with DLT tapes.

JB said:

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg and in
her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium Sulphate now,
but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently but
constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd be
grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable group to
post this on??

Increase fluid intake. It's the best preventive for
constipation. Try lightly flavored teas or a bit of lemon in the
water for flavor.

Walking, if she can, stimulates intestinal motility.

Daily abdominal massage stimulates intestinal motility - start
near the ribs and massage in small circles, moving down to the
pelvic girdle. Press firmly, but not so hard it causes pain.

Tsu Dho Nimh

--
When businesses invoke the "protection of consumers," it's a lot like
politicians invoking morality and children - grab your wallet and/or
your kid and run for your life.

Hi
www.vitamincfoundation.org/
Might help
Anth

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My mother had a serious stroke (hemorrhage ) a month ago. After
hospitalisation, they let her come home to die but she has recovered a lot
since then.

She had 10 days in hospital on oxygen and a drip (glucose alternating with
saline). Towards the end of this time, she also had two enemas and two
suppositories as they thought she was constipated, however the cause of

the

Quoted message said:

blocked catheter turned out to be a urinary infection which was treated

with

Quoted message said:

a course of antibiotics that finished around 2 weeks ago.

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg and

in

Quoted message said:

her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium Sulphate

now,

Quoted message said:

but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently but
constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd be
grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable group to
post this on??

Hi, Its refreshing to get a genuine reply. Thanks for trying to help. I
haven't much time for looking up links at the moment. I have seen one or two
references to the laxative effects of large doses of vitamin C, but on the
other hand I thought I'd read somewhere recently of harmful effect from
large doses of C. She is not taking any as a supplement at the moment. What
dose would you suggest and why?

"Anth" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi
www.vitamincfoundation.org/
Might help
Anth

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My mother had a serious stroke (hemorrhage ) a month ago. After
hospitalisation, they let her come home to die but she has recovered a

lot

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

since then.

She had 10 days in hospital on oxygen and a drip (glucose alternating

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

saline). Towards the end of this time, she also had two enemas and two
suppositories as they thought she was constipated, however the cause of

the

Quoted message said:

blocked catheter turned out to be a urinary infection which was treated

with

Quoted message said:

a course of antibiotics that finished around 2 weeks ago.

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg

and

Quoted message said:

in

Quoted message said:

her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium Sulphate

now,

Quoted message said:

but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently but
constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd be
grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable group

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

post this on??

"Tsu Dho Nimh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

JB said:

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg and

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium Sulphate

now,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently but
constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd be
grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable group to
post this on??

Increase fluid intake. It's the best preventive for
constipation. Try lightly flavored teas or a bit of lemon in the
water for flavor.

Walking, if she can, stimulates intestinal motility.

Daily abdominal massage stimulates intestinal motility - start
near the ribs and massage in small circles, moving down to the
pelvic girdle. Press firmly, but not so hard it causes pain.

Tsu Dho Nimh

Thanks. Its nice to get 2 genuine answers. I suspect that the fluid intake
may be the key. This is not a subject I've studied much but reading about it
recently, adequate fluid intake seems to be considered very important. No
she can't really walk yet. I will try to encourage sitting excercises
though. The lemon flavoured tea sounds like its worth trying. Can anyone
else recommend the massage? or do you have any links? (I suspect I'll have
to have a solid reference before she would agree to it.) Senna is producing
the desired result at the moment, so the problem has diminished but I hope
she can stop taking it soon.

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

before she would agree to it.) Senna is producing the desired result
at the moment, so the problem has diminished but I hope she can stop
taking it soon.

For good reason; the anthraquinones in senna are stimulant laxatives, and
long-term use of such can result in dependence (i.e. person loses the
ability to defecate in the absence of the stimulant laxative).

"Eric Bohlman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

before she would agree to it.) Senna is producing the desired result
at the moment, so the problem has diminished but I hope she can stop
taking it soon.

For good reason; the anthraquinones in senna are stimulant laxatives, and
long-term use of such can result in dependence (i.e. person loses the
ability to defecate in the absence of the stimulant laxative).

Thanks for this warning. It won't be forgotten.

I think you will find that the references to vitamin c being dangerous are
basically scaremongering. (you can see where it originated on the
vitamincfoundation)
If you are having bowel problems then maybe high dose vitamin c isn't good,
because in high doses it can case 'runny poo's'.
Not entirely sure about the dose - I've read that it's 6g lysine 6g proline
and 6g vitamin c spread over the day. So maybe 1g of each 6 times per day
You might want to look up the Linus Pauling institute also.
For more information on the unified theroy of cardivascular disease look up
http://www.dr-rath-research.org/
http://www.dr-rath-research.org/discoveries/index.html
The other day when I had flu I took 30g of vitamin c in one day - the only
effects were light diarrhea.
Animals make huge quantities of vitamin c in their bodies - we don't make
any significant amounts if any.
Anth

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, Its refreshing to get a genuine reply. Thanks for trying to help. I
haven't much time for looking up links at the moment. I have seen one or

two

Quoted message said:

references to the laxative effects of large doses of vitamin C, but on the
other hand I thought I'd read somewhere recently of harmful effect from
large doses of C. She is not taking any as a supplement at the moment.

What

Quoted message said:

dose would you suggest and why?

"Anth" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi
www.vitamincfoundation.org/
Might help
Anth

"JB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My mother had a serious stroke (hemorrhage ) a month ago. After
hospitalisation, they let her come home to die but she has recovered a

lot

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

since then.

She had 10 days in hospital on oxygen and a drip (glucose alternating

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

saline). Towards the end of this time, she also had two enemas and two
suppositories as they thought she was constipated, however the cause

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the

Quoted message said:

blocked catheter turned out to be a urinary infection which was

treated

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

with

Quoted message said:

a course of antibiotics that finished around 2 weeks ago.

Constipation has been a major problem since she came home.

Appetite is good and she is taking a good proportion of fruit and veg

and

Quoted message said:

in

Quoted message said:

her diet and also prunes and figs and oats and daily Magnesium

Sulphate

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

now,

Quoted message said:

but is reluctant to drink enough. Fluid intake has improved recently

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

constipation continues with the need for Fletchers Enemas (not too
successful) or bisocodyl suppositories every three or four days. I'd

be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

grateful for any advice or comments, or is there a more suitable group

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

post this on??

http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/28/heart_disease.htm
How Much Vitamin C And Lysine Should I Take?

The amount will vary between individuals. Seriously ill heart patients
require 5-6 grams of vitamin C and 5-6 grams of lysine daily. That is, 5,000
to 6,000 mg of each.

The new protocol would also be to include L-carnitine, a natural compound
stimulating fatty acid oxidation in the mitochondria. The dose would be 2
grams per day or 500 mg four times a day.

This recommendation comes from a study that was published in October of 2000
from Italian researchers at the University of Milan. (Dirtori Cr, et al:
L-Carnitine Reduces Plasma Lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with hyper
LP(a). Nutr Metab Cardiovas Dis 2000 Oct 10 (5):247-51.)

Anth