Laxatives and prednisone

Hi Sally - more effective is to eat a lot of fibre. I eat cooked wholegrain oats and when I am sick and tired of them, it's wholemeal bread which I make. No more worries. 

Prunes work very well!

I had microscopic colitis until i got polymyalgia then I gradually became constipated. I wonder if you're right and it's the reduced dose that starts it. I didn't have any problem until I got down to about 4mg. I thought prunes would ease the constipation but they make me go the other way. I eat porridge every day so am getting plenty of fibre but that doesn't help either.

Pred CAN cause constipation as a side effect - though so is diarrhoea - but I'd expect it to be worse at higher doses although it is also something that takes time to develop really.

Be careful using laxatives:

"You can take laxatives with prednisone however some may be more preferable than others. 

In general, laxatives should only be used on a short-term basis at the recommended dosages. If you are taking large doses of Prednisone then there is a risk with the more potent laxatives such as dulcolax, to develop hypokalemia, an electrolyte inbalance. Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include fatigue, muscle pain and muscle weakness. 

...exercise is important and try to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. You should consider the use of safer bulk-forming laxatives such as Metamucil."

I certainly notice a difference when I eat certain foods - wholemeal bread above all - and that is where to start, high fibre foods and increasing the amount your drink. Have you tried lactulose? That is a very gentle stool-softener which draws water into the bowel. If you do try it - remember it takes a few days to work so DON'T increase the amount or you might find it works TOO well all of a sudden! 

Be very careful with Ducolax! I tried one tablet and that was ok. But the next week I took two (the dose is 1-3) and had horrible stabbing pain in my stomach! It took three days for my stomach to recover. Steroids already are compromising the lining of your stomach. I had taken Ibuprofen that week a few times for sciatica. When I added the dulcolax, it was too much for my stomach lining. If you must use it, do so sparingly!

 

I always try to stay away from a stimulant laxative. They can have long-lasting effects that you do not want. So that's why I started using Miralax. It adds water to your poop. That makes it softer and easier to go. I would guess 1 capful everyday would be all you need. The one thing you do not want to do is wait until you're constipated to solve the problem. Be proactive and it will save you a lot of pain and stress

Stewed prunes in a microwave with lots of water.  I could not eliminate for three days at home after a knee surgery.  What a relief!!